Page 224 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Unit 12: Library Automation Services

12.1.1 Information Sources, Resources and Services Notes

A document gives information or facts. Documents are records of human observations and
thoughts, available in many forms and formats. A document in any form can be a source of
information. Information sources have two components: conduit (the physical facilities used for
gathering, storing, processing and distributing information) and content (the information sources
and elements). Information sources become information resources when these are organised
and institutionalised in some way, and can thus be reused. Libraries perform the following
activities for optimum use of information sources (Levitan, 1982):
Develop access mechanism to information sources;
Provide seamless access to resources;

Manage and maintain resources;
Design, develop and disseminate information products and services; and
Repackage and distribute its products and services;
Information sources can be categorised on the basis of their physical forms, information contents,
nature of presentation etc. A library should organise information sources to provide services to
users. Library services may be provided in anticipation or rendered in response to specific
query/request.

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Caution Library services should be designed and disseminated keeping in view the
information need of users.

12.1.2 Users of Library Services

Libraries are social institutions. Almost all the major human activities like education and training,
research and development, industry and business, government administration etc. require active
library support. Users of library include students, teachers, researchers, planners, doctors, lawyers,
businessmen and people from different walks of the society. Information need of users may
vary widely. However, Melvin Voigt showed that there are four types of information
requirements or approaches. These are:

Current Approach: It helps user to keep abreast of current developments in his/her areas
of interest.
Everyday Approach: It originates from the user’s frequent information need in the course
of his/her study or investigation.
Exhaustive Approach: It is the user’s demand for almost all relevant documents on a
subject within the area of interest.
Catching-up Approach: It is the user requirement for a brief but complete picture of the
recent developments on a subject outside the area of his/her main interest.

12.1.3 Types of Library Services

Libraries provide a variety of information services to satisfy different information requirements
of users.

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