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Library Automation

Notes mainframe system over which they had no direct control. The 1570s saw the growth of
cooperative services and resource sharing among libraries. In the early 1980s turnkey systems
(where one supplier offers complete hardware, software, installation, training and maintenance)
became prevalent. The significant drop in prices and impressive increase in power of
microcomputers made microcomputer-based systems available by the mid-1980s. The 1990s
saw the microcomputers (Personal computers – PCs) entering a large number of libraries in the
country. Also, multipurpose machines like printer-cum-copier-cum-fax have come into the
market. Libraries no longer need to have separate computer printers, photocopiers, and fax
machines. One device can handle all the above applications if the right interfaces are built in.
Such machines are very cost effective for libraries.
The focus in library automation now is on interconnecting systems, information resources, and
users. Expected developments in the future include increasing use of networks and the Internet.
Interconnectivity of systems is possible, based on 235.50. Even Requests for Proposals (RFP) and
Request for Bids (RFB) issued by different organisations for their projects are available online.
The libraries rapidly evolve into something that looks quite different than it did just a few
decades ago. It is critical that librarians not only become aware of this evolution, but that they
actively intervene to help reshape their libraries in ways that are consistent with the core
mission of the respective organisations. The integrated automation of basic internal processes
such as acquisition, cataloguing and circulation has produced very large efficiency gains. The
almost universal use of shared bibliographic data, loaded into local systems from a variety of
external sources, has also been a major time-saving development, and has also produced in in
any cases improvements in the quality of data on offer to users. OPACs have also fulfilled a
good deal of their potential. The software have travelled through the technological advances
from DOS, UNIX, Windows, LINUX operating systems, and now on to online networks and the
WEB, providing applications for every environment. The library automation system whether
the software package came from Libsys, SLIM++, TLMS, Easylib, SOUL or any of the other major
suppliers, has become the centre of attention of the librarians and of high expectations of library
users. Library automation, which started in late 1970s in a few special libraries, has now reached
majority of the university libraries and many college and even school libraries. It is however
yet to be reach majority of the libraries of colleges and schools and public libraries.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
13. The 1980s saw the microcomputers entering a large number of libraries in the country.
14. The focus in library automation now is on interconnecting systems, information resources,
and users.
15. The significant drop in prices and impressive increase in power of microcomputers made
microcomputer-based systems available by the mid-1980s.

Case Study Automation of A.T.E.C. Central Library

he automation of libraries and information centres in India started in middle 1950’s
till 1980’s the concept of automation was centred on the use of computers for
Thousekeeping operations and information services by individual libraries. There
are certain factors responsible for the automation of the libraries such as information
Contd...

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