Page 227 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes Personnel: Information services staff should endeavour to communicate effectively with
the full range of library’s clientele and must have knowledge and preparation appropriate
to meet information needs of users.
Planning and Policy: The scope of library services should be based on realistic planning
and applicable policies and procedures.

Interface: The user interfaces for online services must support easy navigation and provide
links to internal and external online resources.
Evaluation: The library should regularly evaluate its information services to ensure that
the services help to achieve institutional goals and those goals reflect the needs and
interests of the community served.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. The primary objective of a library is to promote the use of its …………………….
2. …………………… is a medium and a tool that enables the organisation and dissemination
of information.
3. …………………… are records of human observations and thoughts, available in many
forms and formats.
4. …………………… can be categorised on the basis of their physical forms, information
contents, nature of presentation etc.
5. …………………… is the last point in this chain of information services that actually locates
the required document and supplies it to users in required format.

12.2 Library Services in Automated Environment

Libraries are always at the forefront of the latest technologies to find new ways to optimise the
management of libraries and resources, and to provide improved services. Automated library
systems, apart from supporting housekeeping operations and management of information
services also act as document management systems. It stores documents in digital form and
provide appropriate retrieval mechanisms so that individual documents, or sets of documents
can be retrieved against specific query or on any given topic. In some systems, the document
may be held in print form or microfiche and only the index is in electronic form. Automated
system also monitors the whereabouts of documents so that library staff and customers can be
aware of the availability and status of the documents in collection.

Did u know? The range of services offered by automated library systems can be placed
into three broad groups – user services, MIS support services and digital media archiving.

12.2.1 User Services

These are designed with a focus on the services to customers and offering real benefits to them.
These are:

OPAC Service

Library catalogue is the mirror of library collection. The objectives of library catalogue in an
automated setup are to enable a user:

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