Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The impact of automation on academic libraries has been a topic of interest and debate in the field of library and information science. Automation refers to the use of technology to streamline processes and tasks that were previously done manually. In academic libraries, automation has revolutionized various aspects of library operations, including cataloging, circulation, resource management, and user services. One of the primary benefits of automation in academic libraries is the improvement in efficiency and productivity. By automating routine tasks such as cataloging and circulation, library staff can focus on more complex and value-added services for users. Automation also allows for quicker access to information and resources, leading to enhanced user satisfaction and overall library effectiveness. Moreover, automation has facilitated better resource management in academic libraries. With automated systems for collection management and access control, libraries can more effectively track and organize their materials. This leads to improved collection development decisions and better utilization of library resources. Another key impact of automation on academic libraries is the enhancement of user services. Automated systems enable users to search for and access library materials more easily and quickly. Additionally, automation has enabled libraries to offer online services such as virtual reference assistance, electronic resource access, and digital repositories, expanding the reach of library services beyond physical boundaries. Furthermore, automation has contributed to the preservation and digitization of library collections. By digitizing materials and implementing digital preservation strategies, academic libraries can ensure the long-term accessibility and conservation of valuable resources. Automation also supports the creation of digital libraries and repositories, providing new opportunities for scholarly communication and collaboration. However, the impact of automation on academic libraries is not without challenges. Libraries must navigate issues such as data security, system integration, staff training, and user privacy concerns when implementing automated systems. Additionally, the initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs associated with automation can be significant, requiring careful planning and resource allocation. In conclusion, the automation of academic libraries has had a significant impact on library operations, services, and resources. While automation offers numerous benefits in terms of efficiency, resource management, user services, and preservation, libraries must address various challenges to fully realize the potential of automation in supporting their mission to provide access to information and knowledge.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

We use automated library to denote a library in which the collections of library materials are primarily on paper but in which the library procedures have been computerized. Libraries are very record-intensive: Not only is each title different but, for many purposes, the records needed for library operations must necessarily be concerned with individual copies of each title. A circulation system must know precisely which copy of which volume of which edition of which title was borrowed by precisely which borrower and when it is due back. Attributing the loan to some other borrower will not do; nor will substituting the return of some other document, even by the same borrower, be acceptable as a discharge of the loan. Acquisition records need to show precisely how many

copies of a given work were ordered from which bookseller and which, if any, have so far been received. A library not knowing which titles it already has (and in how many copies) could not function efficiently. Serials records contain minute details of copies of issues, indexes, binding, and invoices in order to assure that each set is complete and properly acquired, bound, and paid for. Library records, then, must be specific to individual copies. In general it is desirable that library record-keeping be automated for three reasons:

1. Much of the work involves the accurate updating of records in files. The tasks involved are generally tedious, repetitive, mechanical in nature, and lend themselves to computerization, even though the records may be complex and arranged in complicated ways.

2. Automation is likely to improve cost-effective performance by increasing accuracy, by reducing the rate of increase in costs in labor-intensive activities, and by increasing effectiveness. It should become possible to do some tasks more thoroughly than levels of staffing

usually permit with manual procedures, such as the regular claiming of unsupplied issues of periodicals, or by doing things that cannot in practice be done in paper files, notably searching for combinations of characteristics.