Page 31 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes Inventory list
Addresses labels
Readers’ list with phone number
10. Addresses: Readers, suppliers and other contacts are all registered in the same address
database. Numerous fields allow precisely recording all necessary information, such as
postal and e-mailing addresses, telephone numbers and data that can be used for statistics:
category, birth date, and gender. You can simply and rapidly send an e-mail to your
readers, should you desire to inform them about an event your library is organising, or to
advice of a change in opening hours. The application can account for reader contributions
and automates subscription management.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:

1. Cataloguing is facilitated and coherence of data guaranteed.
2. Readers, suppliers and other contacts are all registered in the same address database.
3. Digital titles are managed in a dedicated index.
4. BiblioMaker has several very powerful search functions.

2.2 Basic Requirements of Library Automation

For automating a library, the decision to select or reject a particular set up, hardware and
software has to be taken based on several considerations actual requirements of the library. The
basic requirements of Library Automation are as follows:

1. Library Collection: It can range from a few thousands to a few lakhs or to crores. The kind
of document backup and storage device required will depend largely on the size of its
collection. The options before a library ranges from going in for PCs with hard disk drives
– whose storage capacity now is around 4–8 gb and a PAH size of 32–64 mbs, or for other
higher-end systems with hard disc capacity ranging from 20–40 gbs and higher RAMs. For
archival storage there are a wide range of secondary storage options available such as –
CD ROM backup, cartridge tape drive, DVD ROM (Digital Video/Versatile Disc), and
DATs. The size of a library collection will have an overall effect on the system selected for
all other services of a library.

!
Caution In a sense, the huge document collection may not only result in the selection of a
system with adequate hard disc and back up capacity, but also related services like
cataloguing will have to be selected and developed keeping in mind the size and in turn
an increased RAM speed for quick access and transactions.

2. Number of Users: The library has an option of going in for a few standalone systems if they
are catering to a limited number of users in a small setup, or connecting standalone into a
network, or if the users are distributed, say within a campus, and need to access the library
almost 24 hours then the library may decide to go in for a server with terminals distributed
around the campus.
3. Number of Transactions: The more the number of transactions expected in a day, the higher
should be the RAM speed and the speed of the backup storage devices. Transaction could be
records of books processed, number of serials registered, number of books/periodicals

26 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY