Automating a library can be an expensive, time-consuming endeavor that includes many risks. These risks can be reduced through a variety of methods: learning all one can about the systems available that perform the functions in which one is interested, clearly defining one's needs and expressing them succinctly to vendors, and learning how other…

The use of information regarding the ages of library items is a standard component of many approaches to weeding library collections, and has a long history in the literature of collection management. Current and past approaches to using aging information to make weeding decisions make use of very arbitrary decision criteria. This study examined…

In response to a May 1983 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) survey, 94 university library members (90% of this category of ARL membership) provided information and documents about current library branches, changes during the last 5 years, and current and planned automation activities. It was found that 63 respondents (68%) considered their…

Morris Library at Southern Illinois University computerized its technical processes using the Library Computer System (LCS), which was implemented in the library to streamline order processing by: (1) providing up-to-date online files to track in-process items; (2) encouraging quick, efficient accessing of information; (3) reducing manual files;…

This paper begins with a discussion of the decision-making process. The application of operations research technologies to managerial decision-making is noted, and the development of management information systems in organizations and some limitations of these systems are discussed. An overview of the Human Information Processing System (HIPS)…

This guide to preparing the school library media center for the installation of a computer for management purposes begins by describing the situation in a DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependent School) in Germany and outlining the procedures for developing a plan of action. This plan covers the (1) project outline, project schedule, and method of…

This RAMP (Records and Archives Management Programme) study is intended for people involved in planning and conducting archival and records management training; for individual archivists and records managers interested in professional development through continuing education programs; and for all information professionals interested in learning of…

This document describes the processes involved in writing an effective user manual intended to give the reader a working knowledge of a computer program named FUND-RAISER. Written in UCSD PASCAL, FUND-RAISER was developed by the Winter Park Library Association to ease the record keeping and letter writing tasks involved in the association's annual…

The process of identifying items in a library's collection by assigning to each a unique machine readable code has been generally referred to as barcoding. Barcoding is often one of the first critical projects a library will embark upon in the process of automation. This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit addresses many of the major…

Sixteen papers from a workshop on computer applications sponsored by the University of Cape Town (South Africa) School of Librarianship are presented in this volume: (1) "Introduction to the Use of Information Technology" (Sue Bleimschein); (2) "Searching Remote Databases" (Steve Rossouw); (3) "SABINET [South African Bibliographic and Information…

These papers discuss various options for a computerized national bibliographic network and highlight the problems and potential of developing such a database. Following a brief explanation of the conference purpose and organization, 10 primary papers are presented: (1) "A Brief Overview of Computerized Library Networking in Canada," by…

This manual describes procedures followed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Library Cataloging Department in its Music Retrospective Conversion Project. The goal of the project, running from October 1, 1983 to December 31, 1984, is full conversion of bibliographic records for scores, recordings, and music monographs to machine readable…

This paper considers the application of computers and microcomputers for library automation in Brazil, and the relationship of this application to that country's national policy on informatics. The discussion begins by comparing applications of computers in library automation in developed and developing countries, and several barriers to library…

Designed to help explain library automation to the librarian or student, this handbook presents a case to be solved, i.e., the creation of a book acquisition system for a special library; the steps to be taken to solve the problem; and a users' manual for the system to be provided to the client. The handbook is divided into three major sections:…

This investigation of computer anxiety as one of the components of resistance to technology among staff in academic libraries focused on its effects on: (1) their level of participation in a library computer literacy program; and (2) their attitudes toward library automation and computers in general. To measure computer anxiety, the Computer…