The operation of the new automated circulation system at Southampton University Library is recorded in this report. The report is intended mainly for those with experience of automation, and so a brief non-technical account of the work of the Counter staff is included. The report describes the six transactions for which the machine is programmed,…

Examines automated self-service checkout and return systems in libraries in the United Kingdom based on the literature and on research conducted by Loughborough University. Describes the main systems available and discusses objectives, costs, security, location of equipment, functionality and system design, and effects on users and staff.…

A survey of 22 London libraries was conducted to determine the characteristics and extent of library automation in the area; the results of this survey are presented in a series of tables. Questions are grouped by general topics--computer facilities, cataloging, circulation control, staffing, and objectives--and each set of tables is introduced by…

Currently being developed by the State Library of Queensland, Australia, ORACLE (On-Line Retrieval of Acquisitions, Cataloguing, and Circulation Details for Library Enquiries) is a computerized library system designed to provide rapid processing of library materials in a multi-user environment. It is based on the Australian MARC format and fully…

Discussion of the philosophy of reserve collections in academic libraries focuses on how the University of Canterbury Library (New Zealand) deals with high demand materials and the role an automated library system can play. Comparisons of reserve materials are made by subject areas and level of study, and future possibilities are considered.…

Describes experiences of the Cranbrook Public Library (British Columbia) in implementation of an automated circulation system. Background of the library and need for the system, stages of development, use of community volunteers, retrospective conversion, functions of the menu-driven system, benefits from the system, software, and system costs are…

Discussion of growth trends involving use of new technology in the library (mainly computers and their devices) outlines recent advances in Canada, discusses current activities, and presents views of library functions 10 years from now. Issues and questions are presented and their impact on the library profession is discussed. (EJS)

Relates problems prompted by implementation of online circulation and cataloging systems in Polytechnic of North London's Library Service. Conversion of records from former card catalog to computer file and organizational problems (position of central technical services unit, position of Library Service in total information handling structure of…

A survey of public library authorities located in the 34 London boroughs was conducted during the summer of 1982 to determine the characteristics and extent of library automation and to assess changes since a similar 1978/79 study. Replies were received from 33 authorities, of whom 30 reported using computerized techniques. Information on library…

At the Library of the University of British Columbia, computers are used for a variety of tasks, including the control of book and serial acquisitions. The computer-produced circulation records have been employed to study the use of library materials at U.B.C. in three distinct areas. There have been studies of use in relation to loan policy,…

Describes the Pica Library Automation Network (originally the Project for Integrated Catalogue Automation), which is based on a centralized bibliographic database. Highlights include the Pica conception of library automation, online shared cataloging system, circulation control system, acquisition system, and online Dutch union catalog with…

Describes the process of implementing an online circulation control system in a multidisciplinary Canadian university. Included are origins of the system, agreement with the area library network, ordering equipment, planning and preparing the physical site, the use of barcode labels, student identification cards, activation of the system, and…

Description of how aspects of library automation are dealt with in Norway highlights main centers for library automation (Norsk Senter for Informatik, two universities); Bibsys--integrated library automation system (bibliographic subsystem, circulation subsystem); and Bibnett project (project studying system-to-system communication between…

Describes automated library network developed when five municipal library systems entered into an equal partnership to create single database and to jointly own a computerized circulation and MARC records system. Highlights include use of microcomputers, the shared circulation system, costs, benefits, governance, equality, stability and financial…

Describes a bottom-up approach to a library MIS (management information system) that uses data generated by reports available from most automated library systems and shows how these data can be turned into information for decision making. Data, relevant performance indicators, and decision types are discussed for five areas. (four references) (LAE)