4.1 Use an ICT-based library management system proficiently

Table of Contents

1. Automated library management systems
2. The circulation module
3. The acquisitions module
4. The cataloguing and stock management modules
   1. The advantages of automated catalogues
   2. Withdrawing items
   3. Adding items
   4. Shelving items
5. Inter Library Loan module

The cataloguing and stock management modules

A library catalogue has two main functions:

1. it is a record of the items which comprise the library stock

2. it allows people to seek out suitable items they wish to use

The first appearance of automated systems in libraries related to automation of the library catalogue. In the late 1960s computers became powerful and available enough to allow libraries, particularly academic libraries, to embark on 'computerising' their catalogues. It is easy to see why this was more attractive than going for the circulation system first. Users could use searching techniques to find book titles by keywords. Networks were beginning to appear so that it became possible to search for titles in other libraries remotely. You must compare this with the position up till this point of using paper or card indexes to find a book only by its author or subject.

From the user's point of view the cataloguing module of the automated library system is the most powerful and useful part of it. Of course the user has to learn how to use it to advantage, as indeed do those who work in the library.

Let's look now at The advantages of automated catalogues ...