4.1 Use an ICT-based library management system proficiently

Table of Contents

1. Automated library management systems
   1. Borrower information
   2. Types of borrower
   3. Registering and removing borrowers
   4. Messages about borrowers
2. The circulation module
3. The acquisitions module
4. The cataloguing and stock management modules
5. Inter Library Loan module

Messages about borrowers

You might want to ask for some of the borrower data to be verified, eg: if you have tried unsuccessfully to contact the borrower by telephone, you could add a note asking for the telephone number to be checked. Other data which sometimes changes (and borrowers neglect to inform the library) are home address and e-mail address.

Messages could be of a more personal nature "Mrs Jones left her umbrella in the library on her last visit. It is in the lost property cupboard." Or "Tell Mr O'Neill that we have got some good new stock in about the Atkins diet." With these sorts of messages, do be careful to keep them factual. Data protection legislation means that borrowers are entitled to read any information stored in a computer about themselves.

Remember to delete these messages once they are no longer applicable. Mr O'Neill will be pleased to be told once about the Atkins diet books but he will not appreciate being reminded of them on every visit to the library!

You've now reached the end of this section. You can go back to any topic by using the menu at the left-hand side of the page, or continue to the next section:The circulation module ...