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Library Automation Basics for Reluctant Librarians
LYNN LYNDES, Librarian/Media Specialist
Canseraga Central School
Canseraga, N.Y.
" Why should I automate my library? What advantages would it give to
my small school or public library? D'esn't it cost too much? I don't
understand computers, let alone automation, retrospective conversion,
etc.! Above all, I'm not so sure I like the idea of computers running
everything..."
Anxieties like these are common for the librarian who is facing the
pressure of automation yet knows little about it. Actually, the computer
can make your life as a librarian so much easier that you will some day
wonder how you ever operated your library without one!
Can you imagine checking in a classroom of children's books in less
than two minutes? Can you believe your small library could actually
eliminate bookcards altogether? Can you believe getting circulation
statistics in minutes vs. hours? Can you imagine being able to quickly
tell a patron how many books he/she has out, their titles and when each
is due? Can you believe that simply waving a "wand" across books lets
you check out multiple student/patrons in mere seconds? Can you
imagine a library where you no longer have to file manually thousands
of catalog cards each year? Or a library where someone types in a few
subject headings and, in seconds, has a complete bibliographic listing of
books in your collection on those subjects? Best of all, can you imagine
finally having the time to do all those things that really need to be done
in your library?
It's not only possible, but it's easy and even inexpensive!
Where Do You Begin?
There's no doubt that it is a real struggle to understand all the options
and available technology for library automation. In fact, it seems almost
impossible for anyone to keep up. But there are some basic steps in the
process of automating your library that will help you get an
understanding of what to expect. In a nutshell, it takes four steps.
Buy an automation program (with technical support and barcode
reader);
Convert your present shelf list into computer language;
Add barcodes to your books; and
Assign barcodes to your patrons.
What Automation Software Should I Use?
First, go with what you know. If you have a Macintosh or are familiar
with that platform, stick with it; same for IBM and compatibles. There are
powerful programs available in either format that will work for your
situation.
If you don't know either one, look around. Go to computer stores, check
out other libraries and test the ease of operation of both platforms.
Choose the one you are most comfortable with, because in spite of the
patron use of computers, it will ultimately be your responsibility to keep
the system up and running. Go with what works easiest for you.
