| dc.description.abstract | ABSTRACT
Over recent years, increasing attention has been
given to software as libraries realise that without
good software, their systems will not perform well.
This study of automated housekeeping systems
focused on housekeeping systems, software, and
in-house and off-the-shelf software. Academic
Libraries throughout Australia were used as a
sample. Two case studies were conducted before and
after the questionnaire survey.
Responses from 41 libraries revealed that:
Few libraries have automated serials control;
Most libraries have stand alone systems;
The tendency is towards integrated systems;
Good and bad quality software is available on
the market;
Programming expertise among library staff is
still inadequate;
Most libraries use the off-the-shelf software;
Few libraries program in-house;
Other libraries use both off-the-shelf and
in-house software;
Essential features such as MARC interface,
authority maintenance, management reporting,
reservations, inquiries about other systems,
order reports, location, binding instructions,
gaps, currency, etc., are not well catered for
by some software packages.
Reasons for automating each system should be
specified, essential features of each system spelt
out, and written in a specifications document to be
used as a checklist during evaluation and choice of
software. Software considerations such as quality,
maintenance and enhancement, support, and legal
considerations should be made. Those with
sufficient programming expertise should consider
programming in-house.
The need for developing programming potential among
library staff has been recommended. The setting up
of a library-orientated national software
development bureau for developing modular software
has been suggested. | en |
