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Unit 13: Computerization in Information Services

converted to information by arranging into meaningful patterns and knowledge which helps in Notes
application and productive use of information. In the near future, knowledge shall supersede
information as information superseded data earlier. This is the need of the hour and this is made
possible by the amazing IT products and tools. The advent, rapid successions, and subsequent
widespread use of information technology has completely revolutionized the way information
is generated, stored, acquired, accessed, retrieved, communicated, and broadcasted. The
continuing new developments in IT is bringing us to a new arena that nobody could have even
imagined a few decades back IT has made great impact on Library and Information Science [LIS]
field with numerous products of new information technology finding their applications in the
libraries.

13.1 Areas and Application of Information Technology to Library
Services

A modern library cannot be imagined without the application of computers. In the library and
information centres computers can be used for performing efficiently all sorts of jobs from the
procurement of the reading materials to their organization and use. So, it can serve as a remedy
for all the existing problems of libraries and information centres. But, till now computers have
been used successfully in the following areas of library activities.
13.1.1 Library House Keeping Operation

In case of library housekeeping operation, the computer is used for acquisition of books and
other reading materials, their classification, cataloguing, circulation and serial control.

(a) Acquisition: The selection of materials can be made by the computer. Any library which is
a part of online computerized library system has access to catalogue entries and
bibliographic data of all the libraries in the system. These databases can be used as a
selection tools to purchase new documents for the particular library in question. Other
offline databases can also be used as selection tools for non-current documents and
sometimes out of print books. For other documents, conventional book selection methods
may be used. The MARC bibliographic record service has opened up a new vista in both
cataloguing and bibliographic database that can be used as a book selection tool.
The ordering and acquisition are the routine jobs in the library and for a single time
ordering it requires repetitive operation by different sections. These repetitive operations
and the requisite checking can very well be done by the application of the computer
system.

Notes Both offline and online acquisition can be performed by the use of computers.

(b) Classification: A computer based classification system is being experimented at the
Documentation Research and Training Centre, Bangalore. It is based on Colon Classification
System.
(c) Cataloguing: The computerized cataloguing system operates with high speed for
performing routine and repetitive jobs. Besides, in the cataloguing unit, computer can
also be used in various other ways such as producing book plates, book pockets, book
cards, spine labels, etc. It can also produce a variety of records, card catalogues in the book
form, printed catalogue, etc. as by products. The following uses of computer in cataloguing
have already been able to draw the attention of the librarians.

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