Library computerisation in areas remote from major centres of computerisation: some influencing factors
| Pages | 115-127 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb044617 |
| Published date | 01 February 1984 |
| Date | 01 February 1984 |
| Author | N. Margaret Lodder |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
THE
ELECTRONIC LIBRARY
Library computerisation in
areas remote from major
centres of computerisation:
some influencing factors
N. Margaret Lodder
Abstract: Problems are experienced when introducing computerised systems by libraries in
countries remote from the major centres of development and expertise in the field of library
computerisation. Main problems identified are those of lack of expertise of librarians and of
hardware and software suppliers, a limited market for such systems in these 'remote'
countries and hence a limited range of appropriate hardware and particularly software
available or marketed, a reliance on the products and support of major computer suppliers,
and access to relatively limited resources leaving little scope for the adaptation of existing
library software to suit local needs or for the development of new systems.
Solutions to these problems lie in cooperation and coordination of library computerisa-
tion so that maximum benefit can be derived from available resources and expertise, a con-
scious effort being made to become as self-reliant as available resources will allow, the use
of library systems developed abroad with as little adaptation as possible being made to
them, the careful evaluation of those systems available as well as of their suppliers, and
possibly in future a greater use of dedicated mini- and microcomputer-based systems as
such systems become more readily available.
The problems and solutions discussed are illustrated by referring to the experience of
library computerisation in the Republic of South Africa.
1.
Introduction
Countries which have built up highly advanced infrastructures incorporating elec-
tronics, computerisation and telecommunications have inevitably taken the initia-
tive and the lead in the development and implementation of computerised library
and information systems. Examples of such countries are the North American
countries and some countries in Europe. These countries can be regarded as those
comprising the major centres of library computerisation. A library in one of these
major centres which makes use of computerised procedures would generally have
available to it the advanced infrastructure required for
a
sophisticated level of com-
puterisation and ready access to a high level of expertise concerning library com-
puterisation.
The
author
is
Assistant Director
at
Library
Services,
Centre for
Scientific
and
Technical
Information,
CSIR,
P.O. Box395,
Pretoria
0001,
South
Africa.
Vol.
2, No. 2,
April
1984
115
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