Advantages of Computer Systems in Library Operations

Improved performance of reference tasks.

  • More sophisticated searches for materials relevant to a patron's wants.
  • Access to a comprehensive, unified catalog for all the branches of a library.
  • Access to a greater range of resources, including commercial databases, community information, and the Internet.

Better public services and relations

  • An online catalog provides more sophisticated access to a library's resources
  • Remote access to to that catalog.
  • Access to a greater range of resources, including commercial databases, community information, and the Internet.
  • Faster check-out of materials

Increased productivity

  • Faster communications
  • Faster and easier creation and verification of orders by acquisitions.
  • Faster processing of new materials.
  • Faster copy cataloging (see below)
  • Faster circulation processes, including check-in, check-out, and routing of materials.

Reduction of repetitive, boring tasks

  • (Though, copy cataloging from online sources is probably as tedious to many people as doing it manually was.)

Better operational data for administrative purposes

  • Better personnel management
  • Better financial management

More and more thoroughly analzyed information for planning purposes.

To: LT65 INDEX
To: GREENSHEET
To:
To: TOP OF PAGE:
So many urls. So little time.TM
(c) 1996-2003 - optimized for Netscape & 800x600 display