Lib Sw Evaluation2

Library Software Evaluation1

Evaluation of Library Software; Its implications on

Library Services


Outline

ScopeLibrary AutomationTechnological TrendsLibrary Software EvaluationImpact of IT on LibrariesPragmatics of Library Automation

Acquisition, Cataloguing, Circulation, Serials Control, OPAC

Features of Library Software : CDS/ISIS & LIBSYS

Conclusion


Scope

Information Storage & Retrieval SoftwareDBMS - On-line DatabasesCD-ROM Interface Software

House Keeping Activities including Bibliographic Database SoftwareExisting Software PackagesSelecting the new Library Software

Limitations Information Storage & Retrieval Software Packages

» DBMS - Online Database & CD-ROM interface Software

» No Customization is possible


why Library AutomationLibrary ServicesOperation of Libraries

Labor-intensivecostly

» Salaries

» benefits

» support facilities

» Increase in cost of library materialsBooks, Serials , etc..

Rs.


Impact of IT on LibrariesImpact of IT has been Profound and Omini PresentVertical & Horizontal Integration of Services

Diminishing Distinctions between» Technical Services & Public Services

Ex : OCLC, WLN, RLIN

» Primary Journals & Secondary Journals

» Bibliographic Access & Physical Access

Changing Collection & the Electronic LibraryOn-line Products & SourcesCD-ROM Products & ServicesHypertext and Hypermedia


Technological TrendsPaper > Electronic MeansInformation Demand > End-UsersDigitalizationMiniaturisationNetworkingComputer & Communication

Analogue > DigitalStandalone > NetworkComputer Terminal > Client-ServerCommand Structure > Graphic InterfaceMono Media > Multi Media


Technological Trends

Small Band > Wide BandFixed Equipment > Mobile/Portable Equipment

New MarketsStandard Product > Customized ProductMulti-stop Shopping > One-stop ShoppingTraditional Competitors > New CompetitorsNational Market > World Market

PricingSource Pricing > Package pricingSingle rate Pricing > Service-level Pricing format Pricing > content Pricing


Technological Trends

Cost-based pricing > Value based PricingVariable fee > flat fee/up-front pricingSingle-user Pricing > Multi-user, Site Licensing

Virtual LibraryPenetration of PCTelecommunication NetworksAutomation of Library CataloguesOn-line Databases, National Bibliographies & OPACCD-ROM Publishing


Evaluation of Library SoftwareTechnical Requirements

Operating Systems & Hardware Configuration

Special versions & SecurityUser Friendliness & DocumentationLimitationsDatabase Vs Non-Database (RDMS)Input & Maintenance of DataIndexing of Stored InformationRetrieval of Stored InformationOutput of DataHouse Keeping Activities


Evaluation CriteriaEase of UseTried & Tested FeaturesGood DocumentationLarge User CommunityBuilt-in RoutinesCompatibilityVendorPerformanceFlexibility


Evaluation Criteria

ValueContinuous SupportObsolescence and UpgradesSoftware Guides & DirectoriesReviewsBenchmarks (No. Records)


Pragmatics of Library Software Modules : AcquisitionAcquisition Librarian functions

Receive the Request» Initiate to procure

Duplicate CheckApproval ProceduresOrders, Invoice Processing & Payment

» Reminders, Order Cancellation, Recording, Correspondence etc..

Intimating the UsersEnquiriesReportsMaintenance of Different Databases


Acquisition

» Exchange Rate, Vendor Record, Budget, Discount, Accession No's etc..

UsersRequest for TitleApproval detailson-line enquiry

System Administrators RoutinesDatabase LoadingDatabase reorganizationTransfer of Acquired titles to the Cataloguing

Functional RoutinesSecurity


Pragmatics of Library Software ModulesData Input & Maintenance of Data

Direct input from KeyboardScreen Editor/Word ProcessorEditing/Deleting recordData extentended 8-bit ASCII codeData in Record Structure with Separate FieldsPredefined Record StructuresAdding/Deleting the Existing Record StructureChanging the Field Names at later dateFields have Variable Field lengthChanging maximum field length (later date)


Pragmatics of Library Software Modules

compulsory input option for certain fieldsdirect input of data from other sources

» downloaded data

Batch input format


Pragmatics of Library Software Modules : CataloguingMaintenance

Titles-in-Process, Update Holdings, Call Nos., Subject Updates, Keywords, etc..

Transfer of Data to OPAC & Circulation

Classification CodesUDC, DDC, CC etc..

User Services & ProductsCASSDIBibliographies

PrintingCatalog cards etc..


Cataloguing Standards

ISBDMARCCommon Communication Format

ISO 9702

Z39.50


CCF

Conform to ISO 2709Core record consists of Mandatory Data essential

to bibliographic descriptionCore Record augmented with optional data

elementsTechniques would be devised for accommodating

levels, relationships and links between bibliographic entities


CCF

INFORMATION SYSTEM

DATA BASEINPUT FORMAT

STORAGE FORMAT

RETRIEVAL

FORMAT

DISPLAY FORMAT

RECORDS


Z.3950

OSI ModelDatabase source systemsClient-server communicationstate-of-art microcomputer workstationsLinked System Protocol (OSI)

Lower Level Interaction» physical, Data, Network &Transport

Upper Level Layers» Session, Presentation &Application


Z.3950

Integrate Text & GraphicsSupport MultimediaSupport complex documentsMultitasking operationsLarge, fast Mass Storage devicesElectronic mailSupport Data AcquisitionAddress Substantial amount of MemoryUser Customize permissionEnough speed to permit intensive processing


Z.3950

FunctionsInitializationSecurity ValidationSearchingPresent RecordAccounting FacilityDelete FacilityTermination Facility


Pragmatics of Library Software Modules : Information Storage & RetrievalSearching

Sequentially» Slow

Index» Computer-generated Index

Single word, Compound terms & whole (sub) fields

Indexing of Stored InformationMax. No. of Characters indexed per termMax. no. of different indexes per fileDifferent Ways of Indexing

» single, compound and Whole Fields



Choice of each file to be indexedIndexing of tagged words onlyAvailability of Stopword list

» user defined & maximum no stopwrods

Indexing of New Records/batch indexingspeed of indexingSize of indexed dataBuilding / Removing of Indexes or Changing the type of

IndexUse of controlled index terms

» Thesaurus


Pragmatics of Library Software ModulesRetrieval of Stored Information

Searching through an Index or SequentialNon-indexed through Sequential searchIndexes can displayed/printed; relations through

ThesaurusAvailability of Index list on the screen as search termsDefault search fieldsIndication of a field or tag is requiredBoolean searching with AND, OR and NOT operatorsMore operators with parenthesisSearch terms and/or previous search terms can be

combined directly in Boolean searches



Presence of KEEP command offers full boolean possibilities

Proximity searchingSearching on Truncated terms

» left, right and internal masking

Range searching » From, to, greater than, lessthan

Saving the search strategy

Output of DataStandard formats

» Display, Printing &Writing of data



User defined output formatsSorting of data in varies fields (multiple)Including field tags or namesSearch terms can be highlightedFormats for direct data exchange Reference lists according to Journal styles


Pragmatics of Library Software Modules : CirculationIssuesReturnsReservesMembership Records

Registration, Category, Institute member, Define subjects for SDI

Collection UpdatesDisplay Titles, Copy missing, Damaged, Withdrawn,

Binding etc..

Inter Library Loan


Pragmatics of Library Software Modules : CirculationEnquiries

Status, Transactions Log, Charges, Missing, Withdrawn etc..

User CommunicationReserves, Overdues, etc..

Reports \ PrintingSystem Setup

No. of Days issues, Category wise issues, Reference,Serials issue etc..


Pragmatics of Library Software Modules : Serials ControlNew Subscription

New Titles, Approval procedures, Order, Subscription Details, Invoicing, Payment, Correspondence, etc..

RenewalsIssues Received (Kardex)Claims Monitoring

Periodical Reminders,

BindingEnquiriesCirculation of Back issues


Classical Retrieval systems : CDS/ISIS

UNESCOInformation Storage & RetrievalMenu Driven

Choosing the Existing DatabaseChanging languageChanging or Adding DataSearching the DatabaseSorting & Printing; writing on fileCreating or Updating the indexesCreating or changing database definition



reorganizing, exporting in ISO-format» creating a back-up of a database

Utility programs Programming additional modules in Pascal according to

ISO-format

Very Comprehensive & well-organized manual Field Definition Table

Simple Field StructureSubfield within field

Comprehensive Search Facilitya.ANY file for synonyms and narrower terms


Classical Retrieval systems : CDS/ISISFormat Tables for output dataRetrieved data can be exported ISO formatVery powerful & Versatile programIt is fast on relatively old & slow PC’sCDS/ISIS Ver 3.0

Network use & Unix Version


Classical Retrieval systems : CDS/ISISLimitations

User Manual is essential» very Comprehensive

Extensive menu driven, confusingNo integrationFDT cannot be created automatically

» FDT cannot be duplicated (only through MS-DOS)

Not easy to change existing data entry sheetWorksheet composed of several pages (screens)Quantity of information on content is moreIndexing process

» long time, lengthy process, lot of space etc..



Format Tables are complicated to createNo high lighting or special colors for retrieved dataRestrictions on

» Display of databases, Six Characters of Database name, user print formats

Screen presentations are character oriented


Integrated Library Software : Libsys

Generalized & Comprehensive Library Software Package

Integrated with Multi-user CapabilityMenu DrivenModularized ApproachSupporting UtilitiesSecurity through Modules and OperationsParametrically Defined



LibSys

Acquisition

Cataloguing

Circulation

Serials Control

OPAC



LimitationsCostDocumentation

» Manuals

» On-line Help

Serials ControlBackup

» Not incremental

Customization» Slow

Customer Support


Conclusion

No software package can meet all the requirements of a given library system. Inevitably, some compromises will be needed in work flows, input, output and report formats. Customization takes lot of time, by doing that other problems could arise. Therefore while evaluating the Library Software it is important to prioritize the requirements and make sure that the chosen software meets most, if not all the high priority requirements

Education

Lib Sw Evaluation2