PLANNING LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Understanding Planning

• Planning is a Process of Making Plan
• Plan is Statements of things to be done and the Sequence and Timing in which they should be done in order to achieve a given end.
• Planning Involves deciding on Aims and Objectives, Selecting the Correct Strategies and Programes to achieve the aims, determining and allocating the resources required and ensuring that plans are communicated to all concerned.
• Understanding Manpower, Material and Money available.


Understanding Library Automation

– Library Automation is use of machines in a Library for various activities.
• Collection: Compact Shelving, Electronic Mapping, Conveyor Belt System, Book Lift
• Security: Close Circuit Camera Device, Electronic Security Gate
• Users: Photocopier, Internet, Smart Card Library Ticket, Barcode Library Card
• Environment: Power Backup, Air Conditioning, Facilities
• Library Procedures: Computer Systems, CD Station Systems, LAN
• E-Resources: BookEye Machine for Digitisation, Microfilm Reader and Printer, Online E-References and DBs Access
• Multimedia Corner: Television, Audio System, Digital Audio and Video System.


Aims and Objectives of the Institute

Main Aims and Objectives of various types of institutes has to be understand. Academic Institute: Impart Courses at Bachelor and Master Levels. Research Institute: Perform research in the Area of specific fields. Schools : Conduct Classes from I to XII. Industries: Services, Development and Production of various products.

Library and Information Centre provide all information in fulfilling the Aims and Objectives of the Institute.

Depending up the institute the Aims and Objectives of the Institute must be studied and depending upon the information requirements for various on- going and future projects the following data has to be noted:

• Identification of Library Staff, Resources and Procedures
• Hardware and Software Requirements
• Project Costing: Identification of Resources, Vendors and Price
• Implementation Phases: Standalone to Multiuser and Modular to Integrated Approach
• Support and Upgradation
• Terms and Conditions
• Demonstration and Ordering : Demo Team and Checking of HW&SW
• Installation and Training
• Database Creation
• Running Library Automation Activities



Identification of Library staff

– Identifying Library Staff interested in Automation and providing Training in Basic Skills in Computer System and Software. Assigning Job profile for Library Automation according to their specialisation.


Identification of Library Resources

• Identifying Resources in order to process for Database Creation : Selecting first most circulated collection, second latest collection and than going retrospective from active collection to preserved Collection. Identifying Library Users: Selecting first staff than students and finally external members for Database Creation.

Identification of Library Procedures

– Identifying Library Procedures for automation from Acquisition to Cataloguing than to Circulation and Users’ Inquiry Search options, interlibrary and global access of resources.


Hardware and Software Requirements

– Computer Server Configuration (One)
– Computer Workstation Configuration (Five)
• Acquisition Workstation
• Cataloguing Workstation
• Periodical Workstation
• Circulation Workstation
• OPAC Workstation
– LAN Configuration: Switch/Hub, Connectors and Cabling
– Barcode Scanner (Two)
– Flatbed Scanner (One)
– Other Library Technology
– Softwares
• OS Software on Machine and LAN
• Library Automation Software and Digital Library Software


• Project Costing: Identification of Resources, Vendors and Price

• Feedback from Existing Clients of the Hardware
• Feedback from Existing Clients of Library Software
• Vendors for Hardware
• Vendors for Software
• Cost of Hardware
• Cost of Software
• Cost of Computer Stationary: CDs, Tapes, Labels
• Cost of Data Input, Editing and Validation.


Implementation Phases

– Project of Library Automation has to be implemented in Phases depending upon resources
» Phase I: Standalone Modular System on two workstations with single server. Data Input of Documents and Users
» Phase II: Multiuser System with add on Workstation and integration of other Hardware and Library Software Modules.
» Phase III: E-Resources Connectivity and Access to Global Resources
» Phase IV: Mulitmedia Corner in the Library.


Support and Upgradation

– Online Support for Library Software using Email, Phone and Knowledge Base
– Personal Visit to On-Site for Hardware and Software support
– Plug-ins and Upgrade Versions of the Software to support latest Information Technology
– Upgraded Manuals and Literature on Software functions.


Terms and Conditions

– Delivery Period
– Payment Conditions
– Warranty Period
– Support and Training Terms
– Annual Maintenance Contract
» Support
» Personal Visit
» Upgrades


Demonstration and Ordering
– Hardware Demonstration
– Library Software Demonstration with Library Professionals and Computer Professionals
– Report on Demonstration
– Approval of Hardware and Software
– Ordering of Hardware with Terms and Conditions
– Ordering of Software with Terms and Conditions


Installation and Training
– Hardware Installation and LAN Hardware setup has to be done by the Vendor
– Software Self Installation or Setup Installation on Standalone Machine
– LAN Installation of the Software with Server and Workstation Activation.
– Training on different Hardware
– Training on Library Software Modules.
• On-Site Training
• Centralised Regular Training Programme
• Computer Based Training (CBT) with Certification

Database Creation involves
– Pasting of Barcode Labels on the Documents according to Use of Collection
– Technical Processing of the Documents giving Classification Number, Subject Headings and Keywords etc.
– Input of Data from the Documents
– Editing of Records making corrections, deletion and additions.
– Validation of Records making standardisation

Running Library Automation Activities
• Test Run the Complete Library Procedures for various activities.
• Conduct Users Orientation Programme regularly.
• List New Information and Library Technology for Future incorporation.

MADE BY:

Dr. Shailendra Kumar (FOR CEC E COURSE)
Department of Library and Information Science
University of Delhi
E-mail: shail3@yahoo.com