Page 182 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Unit 9: Library Automation in Circulation Section

Pakistan. Bushra Riaz, in her article, has discussed the problems faced by library automation Notes
in the country. In addition, other librarians have narrated their personal experiences in
their individual libraries in different issues of the PULSAA and PLA newsletters. Library
automation has multifarious aspects to be discussed but this study is limited to the status
of library software and library automation training in Pakistan.
Library Software
What is software? Basically, software is the program that runs the computer to produce the
required results. It is, in fact, the most important component of the automation process.
Someone said, “A computer without software is similar to a man without his brain, or a
library with neither books nor librarians”. Therefore, on principle, the selection of software
comes before hardware. When we talk about library software, we mean the software
needed for library housekeeping routines and information retrieval services. Hundreds
of library packages have been developed and run successfully in advanced countries and
there are many directories and other tools available that help librarians to select suitable
software for their libraries. But the situation in Pakistan is disappointing. Very few attempts
have been made in the country. The question is, what are the hurdles and obstacles to a
progressive situation and how can these hurdles be removed? It is an accepted fact that we
are an under-developed nation without necessary resources. With meagre budgets, our
libraries cannot afford the cost of library automation as a whole. With only 26 per cent
literacy, there is a lack of institutions for research and, because of our poor education
system, students and teachers do not consider the library a necessity.
Our librarians are not trained in library automation as library schools in our country do
not prepare their students for this challenge. Some schools have included the subject of
library automation in their syllabi but there is no facility for practical knowledge of
computerization. Because of computer illiteracy, librarians hesitate to automate their
libraries and, if they have to do so, they cannot play an active role in the automation
process. People do not appreciate the requisites of library automation like system analysis,
consultancy, staff training and equipment maintenance. Another problem is the growing
trend of software piracy in the country. No software developed abroad is suitable for our
libraries. Libraries that have been automated in the country have worked individually
without having the benefit of the others’ experiences. As standard library software is
non-existent in Pakistan, library co-operation, which is one of the remarkable achievements
of automation, is becoming extinct with the passage of time. Pakistani libraries mostly
use microcomputers. So, it will be useful to introduce briefly some database management
systems for microcomputers being used in the country.
dBase
A number of libraries in Pakistan have developed their in-house library databases using
dBase, dBase III+ (introduced in 1985) and dBase IV (released in 1989) are mostly being
used. It provides an opportunity for relational databases, utilizes less free memory, offers
keyboard macros and password protection and can be run on local area network.
Foxpro
Following dBase, Foxpro is making inroads in Pakistani libraries. It is an application
development dBase-compatible relational database package. It offers more facilities than
dBase and is characterized by quick performance.

INMAGIC
INMAGIC is used successfully in Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS),
NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar and some other agricultural libraries in the
Contd...

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 177