Vine Volume 14 Issue 4 1984
| Date | 01 April 1984 |
| Published date | 01 April 1984 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb040310 |
| Pages | 2-36 |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
VINE
4
PREFACE
This guide was commissioned by the British Library Research and Development
Department, on the advice of the Group for Research into Public Libraries.
It was produced as the result of a research project, the first stage of which
was a survey of automated issue systems in public libraries in the United
Kingdom. The survey was published as a special issue of VINE (No. 52,
December
1983),
and showed a clear trend towards the provision of online,
stand-alone systems, often including functions other than circulation
control,
and usually provided on a turnkey
basis.
For the second stage of
study, it was decided to concentrate on these systems, and to compile a guide
and checklist on their selection and installation, which could be used by
librarians considering automation, or in the process of replacing a system.
The study was carried out over the period December 1983 - February 1984.
This guide is largely based on advice and information obtained from a number
of selected public libraries at different stages of installing stand-alone
systems,
who were interviewed during the course of the study. It is
therefore aimed primarily at public libraries, but, needless to say, much of
the advice it contains can apply equally to other types of library. The
primary emphasis of the guide is on circulation control, but since many of
the systems are offered as "integrated" systems, the other functions are
referred to as appropriate.
It is hoped that by drawing together this advice in a general, practical
guide,
librarians will benefit directly from the experience of others in
whose foot-steps they are following, and will be able to avoid making the
same mistakes and anticipate possible problems.
Grateful thanks are due to those libraries who participated in the study and
gave so freely of their time and advice namely: Westminster City Libraries;
City of London Libraries; London Borough of Hounslow; London Borough of
Camden;
London Borough of Hillingdon; London Borough of Branley.
Acknowledgement is also made to the following libraries who contributed to
the study: Kent County Library; Renfrew District Library Service; London
Borough of Brent; City of Bradford.
5
INTRODUCTION
The emergence of the new, online, stand-alone circulation systems has
demanded a different approach to library automation, involving the librarian
more closely than ever before in the selection, installation, and ongoing
running of the system. In the past, the offline data-capture systems relied
heavily on main-frame support for data processing, Which was carried out in
the relevant computer department of the organisation, and librarians were not
on the whole involved in the machine side of the operation. The stand-alone
systems,
however, run on a machine dedicated to the library, which may have
to be housed in the library and operated entirely by library staff. In
addition, since the systems are usually offered on a turnkey basis, i.e.
hardware and developed software in one package, the computer department is no
longer required to develop and maintain the system, and responsibility for
the selection and evaluation of the system now also falls more heavily on the
library side.
This more independent approach to library automation has considerable
implications. It involves the librarian in a number of different capacities,
for which he may not be adequately prepared or trained, including specifying
a system, going out to tender, negotiating with commercial companies, drawing
up a contract, liaising with engineers, builders, electricians, and
architects,
and installing, testing and running a highly sophisticated online
computer system.
Since librarians are fortunate in that a special post is created with overall
responsibility for the system, and more fortunate still in acquiring the
person with the necessary skills. More often, librarians find their existing
roles changing as they become more closely involved in the selection and
installation of the system for which they are responsible. It cannot be
stressed too strongly at the outset that the work involved in such a project
is considerable, and that it will be necessary for a full-time member of
staff to take overall responsibility for the system, supported by a number of
additional staff in full and part-time capacities. Indeed, some librarians
would consider it unwise to embark on the exercise until such posts had been
approved.
The librarian cannot, of course, be expected to become expert in all the
aspects related to the installation of the system, but he should know the
steps that need to be taken, and ensure that they are carried out at the
right time by the right people. This involves maintaining good relations
with a number of departments and individuals, and making use of their
expertise wherever possible. This applies particularly to the computer
department, even if the library is planning to become independent.
Part One of the guide deals with the selection and installation of the
system. It assumes that approval to automate has already ben given, i.e. it
does not justify the case for automation, and further, that the necessary
trade union agreement in relation to the introduction of new technology has
been sought. It is essential that this is done at the outset, since lengthy
negotiations with the unions at a later stage can significantly delay the
implementation of the system. Part Two covers the implementation of the
system, including the preparatory work involved, installation, going live,
and ongoing running of the system.
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