PLAN AND MANAGEMENT FOR LIBRARY AUTOMATION AND USE OF NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN SPECIAL LIBRARIES

Abstract

In India, there are many special and R & D libraries where library automation and use of new information technology are in planning stage. Librarian and library managers are making effort to automate their libraries. Authors of this paper try to accommodate each and everything, which required for successful library automation. This plan describes the basic elements of managing the automation planning process in primarily special and R & D libraries. This write-up provides a detailed overview of a planning process designed to help to make decisions about library automation. Practical suggestions are offered on how library manager can effectively organize the process of library automation. Planning for library automation has been defined as planning for integrated Library management systems that computerize an array of traditional library functions using a common database. As physical, spatial and temporal barriers to acquiring information continue to crumble, libraries must plan for a broader and more comprehensive approach to providing automated services. Currently, libraries find themselves confronted with a second computerization wave. The first wave took place during the seventies and turned manual back-room activities, such as acquiring, distribution and cataloguing, into computer-controlled activities. Essential in the computerization wave of the 90s is the deployment of computer networks: campus-wide networks at universities as well as national and international networks. These networks provide access to remote electronic information by means of library information systems. Furthermore, available electronic information is no longer limited to socalled secondary information (catalogues, bibliographic databases). Also primary information has now become electronically available. Presently, we can refer to the electronic full-text versions of scientific journals. Electronic textbooks and readers enable us to consult information outside the library, i.e. at the professional and private work site of the library's traditional customer. We must realize that all traditional library activities are being affected by this innovation: the character of all library tasks is about to change as a consequence of technological developments. Within this context, we can observe a number of trends. One very important trend is the fact that the physical collection is becoming less important. Of course, in the humanities books will keep playing an important role in the next decades, but the number of electronic sources will gradually increase. The library is shifting its focus from concentrating on supply towards centering on what is asked for by its customers. In correspondence with this trend, information reference is becoming more and more significant. The library acquires a gateway function, referring to information, irrespective of the location where it has been physically stored. Growing emphasis will be put on navigation. By and large, users will prefer to find their own way across the large amount of available information. To an increasing extent, service will be provided from a distance: the users will choose to consult their sources sitting at their own desk, at their own computer. This, in turn, implies that the library needs to increase the accessible electronic collection, which is accomplished by