Library Automation

Description

Library is a growing organism that requires constant positive changes to meet the needs of its user. The invention of the computer has brought in a rapid change in society. Therefore, automation has become the need of the hour. Library automation not only improves the image of the library staff but also provides additional services to the users with the existing staff. The impact of automation on the library is quite obvious; it creates a new environment where each function redefines the traditional organizational structure and transforms it into new institutional entries. In this book a brief overview is given about library automation. Automation is defined as a technique, a process, or a system which operates automatically. Library Automation is generally defined as the replacement of manual operations in libraries by computerized methods. Started in the late 1970s in a few special libraries, it has now reached most of the university libraries. Over the past three decades, libraries have changed considerably as bibliographic utilities, online catalogues, automated circulation systems, and other new technologies have been implemented in a majority of library operations and services. This book attempts to provide comprehensive and objective information related to the field of library automation. It is designed to equip the academics and library professionals with basic knowledge of the subject.