Automation at the British Library Lending Division: present situation and future plans

Abstract

The main automation systems at the British Library Lending Division are based on three minicomputers. A Digital Equipment minicomputer is used for the Automated Request Transmission system for receiving users' loan and photocopy requests as well as being used for the Address Database system which holds relevant information about the Lending Division's users. A Unit Accounting system will be added to service users' deposit accounts. The Systime minicomputer runs the Serials system which maintains details of serials received by the Lending Division and provides various working tools which are to include online retrieval by keyword of serial titles. Serials check‐in and invoicing functions may be implemented. The Systime minicomputer also supports part of a system to produce a publication British Reports, Translations and Theses (BRTT) as well as a system for record creation of UK input to the System for Information on Grey Literature in Europe (SIGLE). The Geac minicomputer has been installed with software packages to implement the Monograph Acquisitions and Records system starting with cataloguing of monographs. The minicomputers may eventually be linked to the British Library Wide Area Network recently extended to the Lending Division.