What Is Library Automation?
What is Library Automation? Library automation can be defined simply as the use of computer and networking technologies in the library.
Areas of Library Automation:
Automation of library functions
Use of electronic resources within the library (e.g. CD-ROMs)
Accessing remote electronic resources (e.g. the Internet)
Office automation (e.g. word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.)
Patron services (e.g. computer laboratory, multimedia center)
Objectives of Library Automation:
To improve the level of service and quality of output
To fulfill needs that cannot be achieved by manual system: o Sharing of resources o Information that appears only in electronic format (e.g. CD-ROM, Internet resources, databases, etc.
Human Factors of Library Automation "The greatest marvel of technology is that if it breaks down, we can fix it; if it has flaws, we can debug it; if it doesn't work at all, we can ignore it; and if it works well , we can make it work better. No one has as yet figured out a way to debug the human factor. It is the most complicated aspect of any technological system, yet it's the one that gets the least attention, is least discussed, the least researched, and perhaps the least understood." -- Fine (1982, p. 209). In Information technology : critical choices for library decision makers / edited by Allen Kent and Thomas J. Galvin. New York : M. Dekker, 1982.
Players in school library automation:
Teacher Librarian
Principal and Supervisors
IT Coordinator and Staff
Library Staff
Teachers
Students
Resistance to changes
Loss of control; uncertainty; more work; concerns about future competence; disruptions of other plans and works; loss of status; etc.
Automation Costs Planning and consulting costs
Purchase of the system, hardware, and software
Purchase of network-specific hardware, software, and cabling
Internet connection costs
Conversion of manual records
Areas of Library Automation:
Automation of library functions
Use of electronic resources within the library (e.g. CD-ROMs)
Accessing remote electronic resources (e.g. the Internet)
Office automation (e.g. word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, etc.)
Patron services (e.g. computer laboratory, multimedia center)
Objectives of Library Automation:
To improve the level of service and quality of output
To fulfill needs that cannot be achieved by manual system: o Sharing of resources o Information that appears only in electronic format (e.g. CD-ROM, Internet resources, databases, etc.
Human Factors of Library Automation "The greatest marvel of technology is that if it breaks down, we can fix it; if it has flaws, we can debug it; if it doesn't work at all, we can ignore it; and if it works well , we can make it work better. No one has as yet figured out a way to debug the human factor. It is the most complicated aspect of any technological system, yet it's the one that gets the least attention, is least discussed, the least researched, and perhaps the least understood." -- Fine (1982, p. 209). In Information technology : critical choices for library decision makers / edited by Allen Kent and Thomas J. Galvin. New York : M. Dekker, 1982.
Players in school library automation:
Teacher Librarian
Principal and Supervisors
IT Coordinator and Staff
Library Staff
Teachers
Students
Resistance to changes
Loss of control; uncertainty; more work; concerns about future competence; disruptions of other plans and works; loss of status; etc.
Automation Costs Planning and consulting costs
Purchase of the system, hardware, and software
Purchase of network-specific hardware, software, and cabling
Internet connection costs
Conversion of manual records