Abstract
An on-line computer-based circulation control system has been installed at the Northwestern University library. Features of the system include self-service book charge, remote terminal inquiry and update, and automatic production of notices for call-ins and books available. Fine notices are also prepared daily and overdue notices weekly. Important considerations in the design of the system were to minimize costs of operation and to include technical services functions eventually. The system operates on a relatively small computer in a multiprogrammed mode.
Highlights
INTRODUCTION the Northwestern University library had given some consideration to the adoption of data processing techniques over a period of many years, it was not until planning for a new library building started that this consideration became serious
Two areas were isolated for initial development: technical services, including ordering and cataloging, and circulation control
Mter the basic system design for the circulation system was completed in spring 1969, the massive job of preparing nearly a million punched cards for the books was started in the summer
Summary
The Northwestern University library had given some consideration to the adoption of data processing techniques over a period of many years, it was not until planning for a new library building started that this consideration became serious. Actual programming started in spring 1968, and in about a year the teleprocessing system was essentially complete and work was started on various subsidiary programs, to be run on a daily or weekly basis These included programs for producing catalog cards, purchase orders, and similar materials. Mter the basic system design for the circulation system was completed in spring 1969, the massive job of preparing nearly a million punched cards for the books was started in the summer This was done using student operators, working from the shelflist. Interactive Circulation Design/AAGAARD 5 peared that there were no problems with the new system which could not be worked out, the manual system was quickly abandoned After this point operations began to improve rapidly, and within a few months the system was running quite smoothly. The systems and programming staff has returned to the implementation of the technical services system
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