Introduction to Automation for Librarians

The third edition of this title is not just for student or novice librarians - it is also designed to acquaint everyone in information science with the latest technological innovations and their library applications. Even veteran technical services librarians find that once they have mastered one area of information technology, developers have upgraded that very software, hardware, system or procedure. Technology can be as frustrating as it is helpful and requires continual study. Part 1 of this book has been thoroughly revised, reflecting advances in information processing, networking, storage and telecommunications: Chapter 1 completely updates the second edition's treatment of workstations, computers and high-capacity optical and magnetic storage technologies; Chapter 2 includes expanded coverage of programming languages and pre-written software packages; Chapter 3 thoroughly details the treatment of data communications as well as an expands examination of local area networks; Chapter 4 offers up-to-date and complete coverage of electronic-document-imaging systems and an overview of multimedia technologies.
Part 2 relates new headways in technology to library functions: circulation, cataloguing, reference and acquisitions; Chapter 5 explains barcoding technology as it is used in circulation control; Chapter 6 is a complete revision of the second edition's coverage of bibliographic technologies, CD-ROM cataloguing import products and online public access catalogues. Also included is a discussion of integrated library systems, which includes an in-depth treatment of computer-based products of interest to small libraries. Chapter 7 includes an extensive, revised discussion of information products of interest to librarians. Chapter 8 explores the recent advances of one of the fastest-growing technologies - online acquisitions.