Automation Of Libraries And Information Centres

In A Readable Manner The Book (Races The History Of Computer, Basics Of Hardware And Software, Input-Out¬Put Concepts And Devices. It Describes The Offline And Online Methods Of Com¬Puter Applications In Six Areas Of Library Work: Circulation, Cataloguing, Refe¬Rence Service, Acquisition, Serials Cont¬Rol, And Information Retrieval.It Also Projects Current Scenario Of Information Technology, Online In¬Formation Services, And Computerized Library Networks Used In The Western World. It Outlines Telecommunication Aspects And Satellite Communication With Actual And Potential Use In Library Operation. It Also Provides Sufficient Guidelines For The Planning And Implementation Of Library Automation.It Is Hoped That The Book Will Pro¬Vide Immense Help To The Students And Teachers Of Library Science In Their Academic Pursuit, And Serve As Manual For The Practising Librarians.

Contributed articles.

Until recently, library automation was an optional activity for libraries and limited to a few larger libraries with fewer operations-such as cataloguing, circulation of books, etc.-but the concept has been gaining prominence. Many practicing librarians and LIS schools in developing countries, including India, have become interested in the idea. Moreover, some government departments, quality assessment, as well as accrediting agencies who have been encouraging foundations/consortia to design and develop LIS software for the benefit of their member libraries, are making library automation mandatory. Commercial, as well as open source, LIS software have entered the field with varied processes, facilities, and customizable options (e.g. Libsys, Libris, Newgenlib, Koha, VTLS, e-grandhalaya, SOUL, etc.) The objective of any library is primarily to serve the user community by providing the right information to the right reader at the right time with the latest technologies and tools, but most of the public and academic libraries in India are not yet able to implement automation programs due to lack of funds, as well as expertise. These libraries are encountering customization issues as no software sufficiently supports all library operations according to procedures followed by Indian libraries. Furthermore, these libraries are also facing installation and update problems with Open source software. This book deals with all the current aspects of automation and the issues that need to be addressed while implementing automation in a librarian's respective library. The latest web applications viz. mobile, RFID technologies are discussed in the context of enhancing the effects of library automation. The information included here is designed for practicing librarians implementing automation in their libraries. [Subject: Library Science]

In recent years, automation has played a vital role in library systems that handle tasks of acquisition, cataloging, serials, and circulation. The automation of these operations has, in turn, minimized the demand for human interaction. Robots in Academic Libraries: Advancements in Library Automation provides an overview on the current state of library automation, addresses the need for changing personnel to accommodate these changes, and assesses the future for academic libraries as a whole. This book is essential for library leaders, technology experts, and library vendors interested in the future of library automation and its impact on the decline of human interaction in libraries.