Page 79 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Library Automation

Notes protocols like Z39.50, OAI/PMH, METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard)
and MARC-XML to achieve interoperability.
6. RFID and Smart Card Based Inventory Control: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is
the technology that is slated to replace barcodes in library applications. The RFID tags are
placed in books and generally covered with the sticker. RFID reader and antenna are often
integrated into patron self-checkout machines or inventory readers. The reader powers
the antenna to generate RF field to decode information stored on the chip. Reader sent
information to the central server, which in turn communicates with the library automation
software. LMSs are incorporating RFID technology for performing self-issue and return,
stock verification, theft detection, identification of misplaced books and inventory counts.

Did u know? RFID compliant LMS increases staff productivity and ensures full-proof
security.

Smart card technology is used in libraries to manage public access resources. It makes the
process user friendly for librarians as well as for patrons. It supports self-checkout, payment
of fees and fines and use of public access resources through using one smart card by
patrons. The system also provides excellent privacy, security options and personalisation
of services for library users.
7. Open Source Software: Open Source Software (OSS) is software for which the source code
is freely available. It means that anyone can access the source code and make changes. Such
facilities are not available with proprietary or closed source programs. Some examples of
open source software are – Linux operating system, Mozila web browser, MySQL RDBMS,
Apache web server and PERL. The open source movement has its roots in the 1970s, and is
continuing to grow in popularity. Number of integrated library automation packages is
available as OSS for downloading and use in libraries all over the world, such as KOHA,
MyLibrary, Avantika etc. Generally, these packages are based on LAMP architecture i.e.
Linux operating system, Apache web server MySQL RDBMS and PERL/PHP as scripting
language. Many libraries, faced with budgetary crunches and the resultant lack of
technological resources, have opted for open source solutions. The advantages of using
OSS for library management are:

Open source systems, when licensed in the typical “general license” manner, cost
nothing (or next to nothing) to use – whether they have one or one thousand users.
Thus use of OSS offers substantial cost savings for libraries.
Open source product support is not locked into a single vendor. The community of
developers for a particular open source product tends to be a powerful support
structure because of the pride in ownership. Also, anyone can go into business to
provide support for software for which the very source code is freely available.
Thus even if a library buys an open source system from one vendor, it might choose
to get technical support from another company – or to arrange for technical support
from a third party at the time of purchase. On top of this flexibility, any library with
technical staff capable of understanding source code might find that its own staff
might provide better internal support because the staff could have a better
understanding of how the systems work.

Did u know? The entire library community might share the responsibility of solving
information systems accessibility issues and OSS can be highly customised to meet
individual library needs.

74 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY