Page 30 - DLIS408_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY-APPLICATIONSL SCIENCES

Unit 2: Library Software Packages-I

over are largely not the primary tasks of librarians. A finding in the Netherlands is that borrowers Notes
are pleased with the fact that staffs are now more available for answering questions.
A concern surrounding RFID in libraries that has received considerable publicity is the issue of
privacy. Because RFID tags can depending on the RFID transmitter & reader-be scanned and read
from up to 100 meters (330 ft) (e.g., Smart Label RFID’s), and because RFID utilizes an assortment
of frequencies (both depending on the type of tag, though), there is some concern over whether
sensitive information could be collected from an unwilling source. However, library RFID tags do
not contain any patron information, and the tags used in the majority of libraries use a frequency
only readable from approximately 10 feet (3.0 m). Also, libraries have always had to keep records
of who has borrowed what, so in that sense there is nothing new. However, many libraries destroy
these records once an item has been returned. RFID would complicate or nullify this respect of
readers’ privacy. Further, another non-library agency could potentially record the RFID tags of
every person leaving the library without the library administrator’s knowledge or consent. One
simple option is to let the book transmit a code that has meaning only in conjunction with the
library’s database. Another step further is to give the book a new code every time it is returned. And
if in the future readers become ubiquitous (and possibly networked), then stolen books could be
traced even outside the library. Tag removal could be made difficult if the tags are so small that they
fit invisibly inside a (random) page, possibly put there by the publisher.

Self Assessment

Multiple choice questions:
4. Radio-frequency identification involves the hardware known as:
(a) Interrogators and tags (b) Readers
(c) Tags (d) All of these.
5. If the readers read tags in a stationary position, it is called:
(a) Fixed RFID (b) Mobile RFID
(c) Internet RFID (d) IT Assets RFID.

2.5 LibSys
LibSys is integrated multi user library management software that caters to the needs of an advanced
library and information professionals. It provides a tree structure system with each system
comprising of several sub-systems having unmatchable depth in functionality.
It has a powerful and user-friendly WEB-OPAC along with Windows-based OPAC.
It runs on various platforms such as WINDOWS (95/98/NT/2000/XP), UNIX (various
flavors), LINUXM, etc. Further, it adheres to standards such as MARC and Z39.50 that
makes it suitable for cooperative networking and resource sharing.
The LibSys systems at a glance:
Acquisition System
Cataloguing System
Circulation System
Serial System
Article Indexing System
OPAC System

2.5.1 Acquisition System
It deals with approval and ordering of library materials, monitoring their receipt, invoice processing and
accessioning. It also maintains expenditure and budget analyses under a variety of accounts/heads.

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