World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research SJIF Impact Factor 7.523

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1 SJIF Impact Factor Volume 7, Issue 1, Review Article ISSN A NEED OF LIBRARY AUTOMATION IN THE PRESENT DIGITAL AGE Dr. M. Manjula* and R. Kathirvel 2 1 Assistant Professor, DLIS, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College, Trichy M.Lib.I.Sc., Student DLIS, Srimad Adavan Arts and Science College,Trichy-05. Article Received on 19 Nov. 2017, Revised on 10 Dec. 2017, Accepted on 01 Jan. 2018, DOI: /wjpr *Corresponding Author Dr. M. Manjula Assistant Professor, DLIS, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College, Trichy-05. advantages. ABSTRACT This paper focus on the need of automation of libraries in digital information world. This paper will discuss the advantages, awareness, characteristic features to discuss the essential of library automation. This paper impact the hardware and software available in the automation process. It explain the commercial and open source library automation software for automation. It also explain the challenges for the process of automation in future. KEYWORDS: Automation, automation software, digital library, INTRODUCTION Automation is a technique to make a system automatic and self active. For this the electronic machines to automate the libraries. Thus library automation means the application of machines to perform the different routines, repetitive and clerical jobs involved in functions and services of the libraries, Before the birth of the computer, other types of machines such as punched cards, unit record machines were used for automating the library function. These machines required considerable human supervision and intervention. Automation is the process of all manual work to be automated by computer techniques. This study focus on the various automated library software for using library automation. The main aim of the library automation is to focus on, Computerization of all the household maintenance of the library. Operate a computerized library management system. Improve control over increased volume of work load of the library. Vol 7, Issue 1,

2 Advantages of Automation Automation has the following advantages. Larger data can be handled with easy and accuracy. High speed and quality performance Labour saving and cost effectiveness. Smooth functioning Avoid duplication of work Greater flexibility approach Automation in the process of library is fully or partly automated computerized system for acquisition, indexing, cataloguing, file construction, Information retrieval, document formation data retrieval and dissemination processing and day to day activities of administrative operations. The difference between mechanization and Automation Mechanization was aimed at take care of bulk, weight and distance at replacing muscle and movement with machines. Automation is the different form. Automation is the name given to an automatic system of working. The difference between automation and mechanization a related terminology. They were differing from the slight variations. Origin of the term automation The term automation was first introduced by D. S. Harder in He explained the term as. the automatic handling of parts between progress an production processes in relation to the engineering industries. Nowadays there are wide variety of automatic machines automatic systems. It is the substitution for human efforts and intelligence. Characteristics for automation The operations are carried out automatically. Avoid redundancy and save man power. It increases efficiency and speed. Why Library Automation need?: Computer has its impact on almost every step of life. Libraries are not exceptions to that, automation, use of computer has changed the whole structure and working environment of the library. In the present day context, automation is needed in libraries and information centers because Vol 7, Issue 1,

3 It is difficult to handle a large amount of increasing information without computer. To share the resources with other libraries. Library automation relieves the library staff of repetitive work. It takes less time to process data and retrieve information thus saving the time of the users and staff. In addition to the above, by automation, library activities such as acquisition, circulation, serial control, information retrieval, cataloguing and indexing can be mechanized by using library software s. Features of Library Automation Excellent and responsive layout Computer produced catalogue Simplified working environment User Friendliness User service Improved Library housekeeping operations Essential for the Library Automation The essential things for the automation of a library are: A good collection Finances Suitable computer hardware User friendly computer software Training to Staff User training Good Collection Computerization is not just for the sake of computerization. Computerization of the University Library collection and other library service is to serve the users better and to provide access to information. For this purpose, first of all the collection of the university library should be good and comprehensive.if the collection is not good what is the use of automation. So the library should have excellent collection of the requirement of the users. Finances: Finance is the back bone of any.ugc norms stipulate that the university library be allocated10% of the university budget. Finances are required in the university library for: Vol 7, Issue 1,

4 The collection building Finances Computer system Recurring expenditure For collection building every university in view of the rising costs of reading materials and the declining purchasing value of rupee, should provide at least15% of the university budget annually. The only it can be felt that the university administration is really interested in the university library. In the same way a college and other institutional library should spend some reasonable percentage of allocation will help to improve the status of library. Suitable computer hardware Selection and purchase of a computer is a complex procedure. The university library should decide first what type of computer it suitable for its work. There are variety of computers and computer makers. There are mini-frame computer to main frame computers. A university library would require a PC-XT. In computer systems there are LAN, WAN. And MAN. The University Library would at least require a LAN with facilities for and Internet. There different types of firms and organizations to supply computer hardware and parts such as Computer manufacturers Independent terminologies and peripheral manufacturers Selling companies Brokers Leasing companies Retail shops. Areas of Library Automation and Networking There are two types of software using for library automation like, system software and application software. In the purchasing of automation software it is divided in to commercial and Open source. Now a days there are more than hundred number of software running successfully in the process of automation. LIBSYS, Alice, SLIM, EASYLIB, SOUL are the few example of the most popular commercial library automation software with reasonable price. Open Source software is released free of cost and its licenses modification and redistributions. Vol 7, Issue 1,

5 Acquisition and reading material Cataloguing and Indexing process Circulation processing Serial control Library Administration and Management OPAC The dissemination of Information and retrieval CD Name of the popular automation software used for library automation CDS/ISIS Computerized Documentation system Integrated Sets of Information system. CDS/ISIS is a non numerical information storage and retrieval software developed by UNESCO in It is satisfied the need of the requirement for the user community. It is one of the freeware to specially designed for handling textual information very popular in developing countries. The freeware software CDS/ISIS in 1995 and has installed windows version is called WINISIS in In foreign countries they were gradually shifted to card catalogue to machine readable catalogue. It is applicable for all type of library with free of cost. More than 5000 users worldwide. It is multilingual it is holding 16 million records in PASCAL language. Granthalaya Information and Documentation Centre Automation Package is called Granthalaya. Module details, Hardware/Software requirements and Directory Structure are the most important salient features of the of the Granthalaya software. It is very easy to applicable in any type of library. Shareware is a software to released free of cost in binary format for a limited trial period after the users are encouraged to purchase the automation software. It is also called public domain software which is usually obtained through shareware libraries. MIDAS LMS MIDAS Library Management System The web based integrated software with an efficient service including the circulation module and OPAC. This software is specially designed for Public and special library only. It is not suitable for academic institutions. Do not support barcode technology Barcode support and Vol 7, Issue 1,

6 Alice for Windows: It is used for PC based DOS Windows Platform it is used for not only academic institutions it is also BRITISH COUNCIL Library and SAARC Center of Tuberculosis for their routine work. Php My Library: It is automation application. The programme consists of cataloguing, circulation and web pac moduls. The program strictly follows the USMARC standard. The Php My Library is now part of the three popular open source library system worldwide which include Koha, Open Biblio, and Php My Library. Php My Library is a Library automation application. The program consists of cataloging, circulation, and Web PAC modules. The programs also has an import export feature. The program strictly follows the USMARC standard. Lib Info: Library Information access is a private company established by young information scientists, with a team of library science professionals, computer engineers, architects and management experts. Which supports English and Devanagari font. Library of Supreme court can follow this software. LIB SYSTEM Lib Sys is integrated library automation software developed for handling large collection in the academic libraries. It is single and multi user operating system. It is applicable for super/mini/micro computer and PC s. It was developed COBAL Language. Now it is converted C++ languages. Challenges of Library Automation Technical challenge Lack of fund Lack of expertise Lack of training Lack of Interest National Information Policy (NIP) Computer Literacy/Computer Education Electricity LAN/WAN facilities Maintenance These are the most important challenges in the process of library automation. Vol 7, Issue 1,

7 CONCLUSION Library is a social and service institution, which provides the relevant information to the user community. The main aim of the library is to make effective use of library resources and services to the users. Automation helps the library activities providing the services very effectively and efficiently and economically. The modern libraries and information center facilitates free communication because access to information has become a fundamental right of the user. The enormous increasing in the collection of materials, problems of their acquisition, storage, processing, transmission and dissemination of information. REFERENCES 1. Rasid, Abdul (1996). Library Automation an Overview. Library Science, vol. 33, pp (Online resources accessed on 06 05, 2007). 2. Muir, Scott P (2005). An Introduction to the Open Source Software Issue. Library Hi Tech, 23(4): , (Online resources accessed on 06 05, 2007). 3. Sharma, Shova Library Automation Challenge. Lucknow Librarian, 1997; 29(1-4): The Free Software Definition, Free software Foundation website Open source library automation overview and perspective by Marshall Breeding in Library Technology Report in chapter form. Vol 7, Issue 1,