Page 157 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
6. Library technical services are the processing and maintenance activities of a
…………………….

7. There are three central elements to a successful transition: ……………………,
…………………… and procedure.

8.3 Process Automation

Process automation refers to the application of technology to previously manual activities
performed by library staff. Process automation involves using computer technology and software
engineering to help power plants and factories in industries as diverse as paper, mining and
cement operate more efficiently and safely. In the absence of process automation, plant operators
have to physically monitor performance values and the quality of outputs to determine the best
settings on which to run the production equipment. Maintenance is carried out at set intervals.
This generally results in operational inefficiency and unsafe operating conditions.
Process automation simplifies this with the help of sensors at thousands of spots around the
plant that collect data on temperatures, pressures, flows and so on. The information is stored and
analysed on a computer and the entire plant and each piece of production equipment can be
monitored on a large screen in a control room.

Did u know? The most important tool you have when you are developing an automated
library system is your MARC load table. Know it, love it, and it will take care of you.
Today’s automated library systems look easier to use than their predecessors, but they
still use MARC records (or should!) as the building blocks to create your bibliographic
records.

The MARC load table controls the placement of information taken from MARC records as they
enter your library system. If you purchase MARC records from a vendor, or have an output file
of your MARC records from a previous system, you will need to load the records into your new
library system. To load the records properly, you have to configure the library software product’s
MARC load table. Make sure your library software vendor explains the MARC load table in the
new product so that you understand what it is and how to change it. If the vendor does not allow
you to change it, make sure you have a contact person on the vendor’s staff that can make
changes for you. Different vendors set up the MARC load table differently, so make certain your
vendor explains how your data are loaded and how to change the information if the current set-
up does not suit your library’s needs.
Be aware of localized information that you need to discuss with your library automation software
vendor, such as branch library locations, satellite locations and sub locations within the main
library collection, as well as call number prefixes or suffixes. These types of information are
handled differently from one library automation system to the next.
Ask your vendor to tell you what you need to know about the process of setting up your
automated library system in general, and your MARC load table in particular. Do not wait for
them to bring the subject to the table. Their “out-of-the-box” MARC load table might be sufficient
for loading your data, but you will find it much less painful to set the table up properly before
the load than to attempt to fix problems after records have been loaded. Asking vendors to
speak directly to each other on your library’s behalf is frequently effective, if you feel that you

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