Page 53 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes 9. The LMS must be compliant with …………………… standard for multilingual support.
10. …………………… should provide browse indexes for author, title, and series and browse
index combining all four indexes.

3.3 Features of Library Automation Software Available in India

The automation of library activities in India started in full swing with the introduction of CDS/
ISIS. CDS/ISIS is a menu-driven generalised information storage and retrieval system designed
by a team of experts under UNESCO/PGI programme. It is specifically meant for the structured
non-numerical Introduction databases. In India, erstwhile NISSAT (ceased existence since 2004)
with the help of other professional bodies organised a number of training courses on application
of CDS/ISIS (DOS and Windows version) in information organisation activities. As a result, a
large pool of trained manpower developed all over the country. Some organisations from the
experience of use of CDS/ISIS, MINISIS etc. developed their own LMSs e.g. DESIDOC developed
DLMS (Defence Library Management System), INSDOC (now NISCAIR) came with CATMAN
(Catalogue Management) and SANJAY was developed by DESIDOC under NISSAT project by
augmenting CDS/ISIS (Version 2.3) for library management activities.
The LMSs presently available in India may be ranked in 2nd, 3rd and in between 3rd and 4th
generations on the basis of their features. As far as the origin and application domain is concerned,
the LMSs available in India may be grouped into three fundamental groups – LMSs of foreign
origin, LMSs developed over LMSs or textual database management systems of foreign origin
and LMSs of Indian origin. This grouping may again be sharpened by dividing the packages on
the basis of size of library systems i.e. large library system, medium range library system and
small range library system.

3.3.1 Library Automation Packages of Foreign Origin

This group includes library automation packages developed by foreign or multinational vendors
and distributed in India either through approved agents or value-added resellers. The group
covers four most popular packages of foreign origin, which are discussed below:
1. ALICE for Windows: This LMS developed by Softlink International, Australia, is a global
software package and is marketed worldwide through a number of agencies based in
America, Australia, Britain, Iceland, India, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore. This
software is marketed under the name of Embla in Iceland, Alice elsewhere in Europe,
OASIS in South East Asia and Australia, Annie in America and other parts of the world.
Recently Softlink International decided to call the software Alice for Windows all over the
world to maintain consistency in nomenclature. The main features of Alice are as follows:

It has four distinct versions – Public library version, Special library version, Academic
library version and School library version.
The package is modular and modules are grouped into one of the three sets as
mentioned below:
Standard Set: Includes Management; Reports and Utilities; Circulation; OPAC.
Advanced Set: In addition to standard set it includes Acquisition; Periodicals;
Journal Indexing; Multimedia; Web Inquiry.
Special Set: In addition to Standard and Advanced set, it includes Reservation;
Interlibrary loan; Patron self-checking; Rapid retrospective conversion;
Multilingual features; Self circulation; Union catalogue.

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