Page 9 - DLIS408_INFORMATION_TECHNOLOGY-APPLICATIONSL SCIENCES

Information Technology and Application

Notes general, librarians are looking to maximize the benefits of automation by spreading computer use
to as many aspects of library activities as possible by taking advantage of developments in computer
hardware and software and telecommunications.

1.3 Planning of Library Automation
Library Automation Planning is a detail study of the Library’s existing system and Library’s
vision which enables to prepare a good technology plan and project proposal.

Notes Planning for library automation has been defined as planning for “integrated systems”
that computerize an array of traditional library functions using a common database.
While this is still generally true, rapid technological change is forcing a reexamination of what it
means to “automate the library.”
One of the most important planning tools involves collecting basic statistical information on the
library and its operations. You will find that the same basic data will be needed again and again -
whether for vendors from whom you are requesting cost estimates, or for other libraries with
whom you may be seeking to cooperate in implementing automation.
The following are examples of commonly needed data:
Number of titles and volumes in the collection, current and projected;
Number of borrowers, current and projected;
Number of materials circulated, current and projected;
Number of new materials acquired, current and projected;
Interlibrary loans, lent to and borrowed from other libraries;
Description of any cooperative arrangements involving the library; and,
Library address and hours of operation.
Also it is important to take stock of any existing automation in the library by compiling the
following data:
Percentage of collection that has catalog records in machine-readable form;
Description of collection without machine-readable records, by category (e.g. monographs,
audiovisuals);
Description of currently-automated library functions (if any);
Estimates of the location and number of workstations (to show where you intend to have
equipment in any future system).

Developing A Strategic Plan

A library planning to automate should undertake a process by which representative staff and users
can identify service needs and objectives. The purpose of such an effort is to allow participants to
articulate their interests and concerns, share perspectives and learn about possibilities in a
collaborative setting.
Group interaction is an important contributing factor in the success of the goal, which is to develop
and sustain library automation in the years ahead.
Here are the basic steps involved in this process:
Plan on a two-day, intensive planning effort.
Ask participants to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in the library’s
environment (known as “SWOT” factors in strategic planning) that are characteristic of or
that confront the library.

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