LIBSYS
INTRODUCTION
Library
automation is the application of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) in library operations and services. The automation has undergone rapid
expansions, particularly over the past few
decades. Web 2.0 is the recent adaptation in automation, which permits the
users to interact and collaborate with others. There are number of modern
commercial and open/free source software's available integrating various
features to automate the operation of library and information centre. Depending
on software quality and infrastructure availability, the libraries use the
desire software for automation. Adopting
commercial or open/free source software in library automation has some merits
and demerits.
Migration
is the process of transforming from one operating environment to another
operating environment (modern). In
library automation, the migration involves either switching to new
software/hardware environment or upgrading to existing software/hardware
environment. After successful migration and implementation to meet the library workflow
demand the software is need to be modified or customized according to library
local policy and guidelines. Adding extra features in the software that are not
included in the original software package involves writing additional software
code by the developer in case of proprietary software. To make effective
changes library & information professionals must have thorough working knowledge
on operation and maintenance and the systems.
The commercial software developer with the obligation installs the new
system at the library end, and provides necessary support and
customization. It is the responsibility
professionals to ensure proper working of various system functions and the
correctness of data transferred. The task of thorough checking and finding customization
requirement is time consuming process. The professionals who perform book
purchasing, cataloguing /indexing, serial control etc. using various modules
have to report to the local system administrator regarding the various additional
features demand, problem and error if
any faced in the automation software modules appropriately. We have attempted to explain our experience
of migration and customization carried out while installing the LibSys 7 and
RFID client software to fulfill our requirements.
MIGRATION TO
LIBSYS 7
To modernize the operation of SIRC and
provide quality information service to the users of RRCAT SIRC it was first
automated in the year 1995 by implementing commercial software LibSys 3. The
LibSys 4 was introduced in the year 2005.
In the year 2011 it was upgraded to LibSys 7 advanced version of
LibSys-4. RFID technology was implemented in the year 2011 for fully
computerized control and services. The
software has all major functions to easy operation
Since
we have migrated from LibSys 4 to current platform independent web-centric
LibSys 7 the data were migrated very easily. According to developer, LibSys 7
is true realization of Library 2.0. It is integrated multiuser library
management software and caters to the needs of an advanced library operation.
The software is in compliance with international standards, such as MARC21,
Unicode, SRU/SRW, Z39.50, NCIP (NISO) and SICI Barcode. The software has support for GWT based GUI
with multitasking feature, Unicode, federated searching, user notification
through email and SMS, RSS feeds and integration with Google Books, Book
Finder, etc. It also has interactive features like online reviews, ratings,
renewals, reservations etc. to deliver patron satisfaction. The operational
modules are: Acquisition, Cataloguing, Circulation, Serials, Article Indexing,
Web OPAC, and Customizable Reports. It
provides a tree structure system with each system comprising of several
sub-systems having unmatchable depth in functionality.
MAIN FEATURES
OF LIBSYS 7
Ø
Fully
automated integrated library system to handle all in-house operations viz.
acquisitions, cataloguing, circulation, serials, reader services, accounting,
etc.
Ø
User
ID and password controlled access at function/module level. Administrator login
allows over-ride and all the functions in LibSys 7.
Ø
A
browser based Administrative Interface to monitor the library operation being
performed by the staff.
Ø
Validations
and checks on membership and lending rights of the members. Facility to create
member categories as per requirement.
Ø
Online
Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) searchable through the Institute website.
Ø
Federated
Search on local as well as external databases for more fruitful search results.
Ø
Users'
reviews/ rating of titles in the OPAC. Proves especially beneficial for
students if faulty members rate and review important books.
Ø
Users'
feedback and recommendations through OPAC for purchasing new books. Helps the
librarians to judge the needs of the members and accordingly purchase new
titles.
Ø
Bulletin
Board is available in OPAC for sharing any important information related to
library & information services.
Ø
Fully
automated circulation system complemented with a Barcode/SMART /RFID card
System to handle issue & return.
Ø
Fully
distributed user services including SDI (Selective Dissemination of
Information) email alerts for overdue books.
Ø
Interface
with Web camera for capturing member photograph for registration. Display of
member photograph at circulation counter for cross verification. Interface for
generating customized, bar-coded photo ID cards for members.
Ø
Unicode
Support for maintaining data in Indian and foreign languages.
Ø
Interface
for Meta data creation in MARC21.
Ø
E-Resource
management for linking digital files with the titles to provide additional
information to the users.
Ø
Z39.50
protocol compliance. software allows catalogue searching and downloading from
Z39.50 compliant: databases available on the Internet.
Ø
Simple
interface to generate AACR2 Catalogue cards, barcode labels and spine labels.
Ø
Option
to have color coded spine labels for easy identification of misplaced books.
Ø
Use
of preferred RDBMS. Site has the choice to keep any of the popular RDMS as
their backend (Oracle / SQL Server / My SQL).
Ø
RSS
Feeds. Online information, advertisements, alerts can be fed into the Web OPAC
to provide live information updates to students.
Ø
Extended
bibliographic service. Libraries can benefit online catalogue enrichment
services which can be configured on LibSys 7 Web OPAC.
REFERENCES
[1]
Nordheim, Stig, and
Paivarinta,Tero (2004)
Customization of enterprise content management systems: an
exploratory case study System Sciences
Proceedings of the
37th Annual Hawaii International Conference on. IEEE
[2]
Leland, Eric and Salter, Jason
Customizing
software and services: navigating the slippery slope of custom software design
FivePaths LLC.
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