| dc.description.abstract | ACT
Academic libraries especially in Europe and the U.S.A.
have largely been computerized and this has helped increase
bibliographic utilization and opened new avenues of
services, e.g., in forming automated information networks .
. Computerisation has made savings. in data input by
inte/grating files that were physically separated and
redundantly produced and yet has increased search
capabilities due to the highly versatile way inteltgrated
computerized systems are able to manipulate information in
functionally different files. Patrons are able to interact
with the catalogues, a service that is not available in
manual catalogues, and information becomes more accessible.
This has also led to more flexibility in personnel
assignments thus enhancing the library service.
The sheer efficiency of computerized service lies in
the inte/gration of files and also in their capability to
manipulate data repetitively without getting bored or tired
and always giving correct output if the input is right.
This is the quality libraries have tried to exploit and
found very valuable.
It is with this light that this study is
view of analysing what automated service can
University of Nairobi Library Services or for
library which is as big.
taken v i th a
do for the
any other
Chapter One attempts to give background information on
the University of Nairobi and how it has developed into a
conglomerate institution from very humble beginnings. It
also analyses the objectives of the institution, its
administrative structure and that of the Library system,
and the responsibilities and powers of the Librarian.
Chapter Two describes in detail the existing systems in
the library, and their constraints. The two chapters are
the basis upon which the rest of the work is built.
Chapters Three and Four discuss in detail the process of
automating a library, the best way to select a computer
system and its implementation. Chapter Five looks into the
problems that have hindered the introduction of IT
(Information Technology) in developing countries and
options for consideration. Chapter Six deals with
recommendations and conclusion. It is rather prescriptive
but the suggestions given are but guidelines to be used for
computer specifications which the author feels should be
enhanced in the system the library d e v e Lop s and what it
should strive toward. | en |
