This is no good if they are out to lunch or only work part time. Inconsistency in data entry, room for errors, miskeying information. Large ongoing staff training cost. System is dependent on good individuals. Reduction in sharing information and customer services. Time consuming and costly to produce reports. The Disadvantages of a Manual Operating System in a Library. Vulnerability to Human Error. Every system humans work with is vulnerable to errors made by a distracted, fatigued or incompetent team member. Costs Add Up Over Time. Searches Take Longer and Are Less Efficient. Left Behind on the Information Highway.
Integrated Lybrary:
Today’s libraries are facing the challenges posed by a diverseand rapidly expanding information universe. Increased user expectations for faster and easier access to relevantinformation go hand in hand with institutional demands forincreased operational efficiency.
Integrated library systems (ILS) are multifunction, adaptable software applications that allow libraries tomanage, catalog and circulate their materials to patrons. In choosing ILS software, libraries must base theirdecision not only on the performance and efficiency of the system, but also on its fundamental flexibility toreadily adapt to the future demands and needs of their patrons..
An integrated library system is superior ways to one, which is not integrated.
- The duplication of effort to create and maintain multiple copies of bibliographic records is eliminated in an integrated system.
- Opportunities for errors are reduced when records are entered only once, and changes are automatically propagated throughout the system.
- Library staff and patrons can have access to all pertinent information at one location.
For example, in an integrated library system, a patrons can view a bibliographic record in the online catalogue and also see that the book has been checked out and when it is due back to the library. Of course, preventing patrons from viewing browsing information can protect privacy of browsers. Also patrons can tell by looking at the online catalogue, in an integrated library system, that a book had been ordered, but not yet received. In a system, in which is not integrated, that information would be available to library staff only through the acquisition module.
Implementation and management issues of integrated library system:
Just as important as, or perhaps more important than selecting the right system is the process of implementing that system in the library and dealing with the associated management issues. As described above, one of the main features and advantages of an integrated system is the sharing of bibliographic records among the various system modules. The single feature can have far reaching implementation for the management of the library. Some organizational changes, which have accompanied the implementation of integrated systems, include:
- New patterns of communication among library staff, especially between technical services staff and public services staff;
- Increased in responsibility and decision making among lower level staff; and
- Increased requirements for all staff to acquired technical knowledge and skills.
Many Libraries have redesigned their operations to take maximum advantage of the new technology.
Future trends in Integrated Library Systems:
The definition of an integrated library system is beginning to change from a system, which shares bibliographic records among local functions and modules to a system, which exchange information with many other systems outside of the library. Technological developments, such as client/server architectures and standardized protocols for passing information from one system to another, are facilitating this integration of outside information sources into local systems. For example, an online ordering system might allow a librarian to search a publisher’s bibliographical database, select records of books to be purchased, and download those records from the publisher’s database into the library catalogue. Also some libraries with expended integrated system offer patrons access through their local OPACs (Online Public Access Catalogue), to other bibliographic and non-bibliographic databases both inside and outside the library and to OPACs of other libraries.
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