Automated Libraries

Description

Introducing automation in libraries today has become a standard well accepted and appreciated globally. It has helped libraries world over to be more organised, deliver better services, manage expenses better as well as cater to broader audiences. But what is it about automation that has impacted the traditional library set up so powerfully that has made the earlier model redundant in today’s times?

The answer to this question lies in the advent of technology and the rise of the internet. Until the 1900s researchers relied heavily on physical print including published papers, magazines and books, etc. to decipher information and gather knowledge. However today the most common method for doing the same has become online search engines. The rise of technology has also led to accessibility of information at any given time of the day making it much more convenient for individuals to gather and share information.

In this regard, automation is a way of preparing the collection to become sustainable with the ever-increasing shift to a technology-based society. By streamlining the library’s collection it allows for an improvement in the variety,
amount and quality of materials on offer. Switching to an automated system allows libraries to add on features when they become available in the future, instead of having to do a complete overhaul of their collections and cataloging methods.

The author has explored the various methodologies of automation systems and their applicability to the library set up in this work.