Page 33 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes and consortia with a view to resource sharing, the use of modern data processing and
modern communication technology offers a new dimension to cooperation among libraries.
The developments in library automation efforts may be summarized as a classic case of
need pull and technology push.
6. Turnkey Systems: The turnkey system is a complete system, installed by a vendor on the
library’s premises. Turnkey means that the library just turns the key and the system
operates. The vendor of turnkey systems supplies the hardware and complete packaged
software and is responsible for dealing with any problem in the system. In the turnkey
system the library staff could make the desired changes on the assumption that they
possessed the necessary experience and qualifications. The most common examples of
turnkey systems at present are minicomputer based integrated library system. They
perform almost all housekeeping jobs as an integrated unit.

Task Critically examine in what way automation is helpful for libraries.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
5. The kind of document backup and storage device needed will depend largely on the size
of its …………………….

6. The more the number of transactions expected in a day, the higher should be the
…………………… speed and the speed of the backup storage devices.
7. Majority of the tasks performed in library operations involve the intensive use of
…………………….
8. The …………………… system is a complete system, installed by a vendor on the library’s
premises.

2.3 Factors for Library Automation

Following are the factors for Library Automation:
1. Growing Information and Shrinking Space: The enormous growth or information
explosion of literature in each area, subject in number and size and results fragmentation
of literature and increasing specialization in every field of knowledge. Due to this
information explosion, the quantity, variety and complexity of information are being
increased rapidly in every field. Computer application can solve this problem, as it is
capable of storing huge bulk of information on tiny storage mediums i.e. a CD-ROM can
store the text of the complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Serials, abstracts, indexing
periodicals etc. are already available on CD-ROM.
2. Incensement of Users and Organizing the Flood of Information: Increasing the number of
clientele of library and information centres and their specialized desires forces us to
change the method of organizing information because traditional methods is going to
become inadequate. The manual method has serious limitations and, facing problem to
provide access to reader’s information that is available in a wide of publications from so
many sources.
3. Cost Hike of Printed as well as Electronic Reading Materials and Resource Sharing: The
rapidly enhancement price of information materials motivated the library and information

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