Computers for Librarians: : An Introduction to Systems and Applications (2nd ed.)

Citation

Mahmood, K. (1999), "Computers for Librarians: : An Introduction to Systems and Applications (2nd ed.)", Asian Libraries, Vol. 8 No. 9, pp. 351-353. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1999.8.9.351.2

This second edition of Computers for Australian Librarians is an eight‐chapter introduction to computer applications and communication technology in libraries. Chapter 1 is devoted to the Internet and examines the range of information resources available on the Internet, use of the Internet for communications, and information retrieval on the Internet, with particular reference to the World Wide Web. The chapter closes with some observations on attempts by librarians to improve access to Internet resources. In Chapter 2 the focus shifts from the Internet to reference services which utilise a range of information resources, those accessed electronically and those resources ‐ electronic, print and audiovisual ‐ that are purchased by libraries as part of their collection development programmes. Resources discussed include online information databases, portable databases such as CD‐ROM information sources and in‐house databases. The role of computers and communications in document delivery is also discussed in this chapter.

Chapter 3 focuses on catalogues and shared cataloguing. The chapter looks at various forms of library catalogues in use and at attempts by librarians to pool their cataloguing efforts through the formation of bibliographic networks. The use of MARC formats is also explained. Chapter 4 introduces library management systems used to manage collections of resources: their acquisition, cataloguing and circulation. Included in this discussion are the management of special materials and the generation of management information.

In Chapter 5 the focus shifts from library‐specific software, such as library management systems, to generic software used in the wider community for data management but which can be adapted to library use. The two main types of software discussed here are text retrieval systems and database management systems. Chapter 6 is a brief introduction to computer systems and technology. The components discussed are data, computer hardware and computer software. Chapter 7 examines data communications and networking. Topics covered include network models, the media used in the transmission of data and data transmission methods. The final chapter examines the development of computerised library systems, and this is perhaps the most interesting part of the work. It outlines the main options for systems development facing library managers and introduces the traditional systems analysis and design approach, project management, writing specifications, selecting systems, implementing systems and systems evaluation.

The book has all qualities of a good textbook. Each chapter starts with learning objectives and the keywords that are going to be discussed. To help explain more technical issues, many illustrations are provided. As a self‐learning aid, review questions are provided with each chapter, as are references and suggestions for further reading ‐ and a large number of the references can be found online. A comprehensive glossary (19 pages), answers to review questions and an index are also given at the end.

This book is recommended primarily for students of library and information science, but it is equally good for LIS professionals who feel the need for a text which will give them a broad overview of computer applications and systems in their field.