Library Management System
• A library management system, also known as an automated library system is software that has been developed to handle basic housekeeping functions of a library.
- Single function.
- Integrated.
• Realizing the important role that the library management system will play in planning and implementing library automation projects, it is necessary to educate ourselves and know more about these systems.
Library Management is the adaptation of the principles and techniques of management to the library situation. It includes decision making and getting the work done by others. The five fundamental management functions are: Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Leading and Controlling.
Definition :- Libraries have an important role to play in facilitating access to information for learning, education and training. It is a known fact that a well-managed library is a successful library. The library management means efficient and effective management of material (information sources), machinery, men (human resource), technology and money to meet the objectives of the library. Thus, librarian as manager performs all the functions of manager/administrator.
Benefits
Through computer technology and software, library patrons have rapid and more user-friendly access to the latest information. They are also able to remotely access a library’s collection.
Efficiency
With RFID chips in books, for example, patrons can check themselves out at a self-serve station, rather than having a librarian do it. Open source software also helps to connect catalogs of separate libraries and offer web-based searches.
Advantages
The Kendriya Vidyalaya Pattom report of India states that advantages to automation include timely access to library materials and providing patrons with research skills.
Control
Library automation makes it easier for a library to know the status of its resources at any given moment. The process also helps to make better use of existing library services and staff.
Skills Building
Marshall Breeding of Vanderbilt University says automation helps librarians to better work with instructors on lesson plans and helps to produce students with information literacy skills
Need and Purpose
As the use of computers and other technologies continue to be used to enhance services provided by a variety of industries, information providers, like libraries, are also automating in-house collections and resources. There are many benefits to automating the information available in libraries, both for the staff and users alike.
Improved Customer Service
Automation of the library helps take some of the workload off of librarians and other staff members in the areas of acquisitions, cataloging and circulation, which in turn allows them to better serve their patrons. This extra time can lead to more programs being facilitated in the library and make library staff available to answer reference questions and help people who having trouble researching or finding the right information.
Cataloging Improvements
Automated cataloging standards, such as MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging), allow for quicker cataloging of library items. Not only does this allow the librarian more time to dedicate to improving customer service, but it also makes the sharing of materials from location to location much easier and much more affordable.
Easier Access
Not only does automation of library materials make it easier to find books, buy it also makes it easier to access journals and some books online from a home computer or elsewhere. The automation of library collections also allows the library to be more flexible when it comes to any increases in demand.
Collections
Automation of the library allows for an improvement in the variety, amount and quality of materials that are available in the library’s collection. It can also help make weeding out old, outdated and irrelevant books and materials from the collection, which helps keep the library’s collection more streamlined and easier to find the right item.
Lasting Effects
Automation is also a way of preparing the collection to become sustainable with the ever-increasing shift to a technology-based society, in terms of information dissemination, paired with the ever decreasing amount of funding for libraries. Automation will help libraries who begin to struggle and are forced to lay off staff. Switching to an automated system allows libraries to add on features when they become available in the future, in stead of having to do a complete overhaul of their collections and cataloging methods.
Functions
Henry Fayol (1841-1925) expounded the principles and practices of management in their modern context. Fayol devoted his attention to the study of managerial activities, and identified the basic and universally applicable five functions (applicable to library management also), such as,
a) Planning
b) Organizing
c) Commanding
d) Coordinating
e) Controlling
Planning: Planning includes formulation of goals, objectives, decision making for future, strategies, policies, and effective planning.
Organizing: Organizing includes departmentation, line and staff functions, decentralization, committees and group decisions, and effective organizing.
Staffing (Commanding): It includes selection, job description, appointing personnel, appraisal, developing library managers and organizational development.
Leading (Coordinating): It deals with human factor, motivation, leadership, and communication.
Controlling: It includes system and process of controlling, control techniques, control of overall performance, and effective managing.
