Page 23 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes Agnel Technical Education Complex is one of the first institutes in Navi-Mumbai to have
a computerized Library. Computerization started since 1995 and built a complete database
of over 20,000 books, 1000 Current and Back Volumes of journals and reports. Further we
have Online Services provided to our users through our INTER LIBRARY LAN SYSTEM
consisting of 7 terminals connected to the Main Library Server storing our database. The
ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOG (OPAC) is used to carry out online searches of
library database by Author, Title, Keywords and Accession Numbers which enables users
to provide good reference service to staff and students.

INITIAL STAGE: FOXPRO 2.6
1. Book Search: In the Initial Stage, there exists a computerized as well as manual
search for books. The computerized searching can be done title-wise or author-wise.
The user has to first logon to a terminal connected to the network. The interface is
not a true graphical interface and is not very user friendly. The manual searching is
done with the help of cards. Each book in the library is represented by a card, which
contains the title, author, subject and its location. All these cards are kept in the
library so that the member can go through the list of titles that are available in the
library.
2. Circulation of Books: The process of issue and return of books is manual. Each book
has a card associated with it. When the book is issued, the member’s roll-no is
entered on the card along with the date of issue. The date of return is also entered
along with the issue date. The library card of the student is then kept along with the
book-card at the issue counter. When the member returns the book the date is
compared along with the actual date the book was to be returned and the fine if any
is calculated. The library card is returned to the member who can issue another
book.
3. Fine Calculations: The fine calculation is manual. When a book is returned the date
is compared with the return date on the book-card. If the book is returned late then
a fine of 50 paise per day is charged. If the late period increases beyond seven days,
then a fine of ` 1 per day is charged. The maximum fine that can be charged is ` 100.
4. Entry of New Books: The process of entry of new books is computerized. It is done
using Microsoft FoxPro. The book details are entered in a form and then stored in
the database. If many copies of the same book are purchased, each copy has to be
entered separately. This process is time consuming and tedious.

5. Drawbacks of the Existing System: The existing system has many drawbacks, which
can be listed as:

The process of issue and return of books is manual and time consuming.
The fine calculation is manual and hence prone to mistakes.

The interface for searching of books is not user friendly.
The book search facility is slow and does not always give correct results.
The entry of new books is time consuming and tedious.

There is no provision for the members to recommend any books.
There is no provision for the members to reserve books.

Contd...

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