A Study about automation in Bangladesh

3. Introduction:
 In the age of information explosion, libraries and
information resource centers have become
multimedia centers due to adoption of new
technological devices and changing nature of their
information storage, retrieval and services.
 ‘Automation’ is an indispensable part of modern
library’s information systems development,
organization, management and services. In the
present ‘age of information’, automation has been
making tremendous impact on different sectors of
the libraries and information center.

4. Mechanization of library house keeping operations,
predominantly by computerization, is known as library
automation.
According to Web Star Dictionary—“Automation is the
technique of making an apparatus, a process or a system
operates automatically”.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, has defined—“Library
automation refers to the use of computers to automate the
typical procedures of libraries such as cataloging and
circulation”.

5. Library automation is the application of ICTs to library operations
and services. The functions that may be automated are any or
all of the following: acquisition, cataloging, public access (OPAC
and WebPAC), indexing and abstracting, circulation, serials
management, and reference.
The use of automatic machines or processing devices in
libraries. The automation may be applied to library administrative
activities, office procedures, and delivery of library services to
users.

7. The automation of libraries and information centers in
Bangladesh started in the middle of the 19th century till
the concept of automation was centered on the use of
computers for housekeeping operations and information
services by individual libraries.
Bangladesh entered into the computer era in 1964 with the installation of an IBM
1620 machine at the Atomic Energy Center at Dhaka. Institute of Statistical
Research and Training (ISRT) installed IBM 101 statistical machine in 1964.
Commercial application of computer was initiated by Janata Bank with an IBM
1401 in 1967 followed by Adamjee Jute Mills, Ltd. in 1970. The Government use
of computers began in 1973 with the procurement of an IBM 360/30 machine for
the Bureau of Statistical. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
(BUET) started its computer application in 1968 by offering courses in
Numerical Methods and Computer Programming, acquiring IBM 029 Data Entry
Machines.
History of Library automation in Bangladesh

8. The 1980s are considered the beginning of the automation
era as far as libraries and information centers in
Bangladesh are concerned. The International Center for
Diarrhoea Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B)
Library and the Agricultural
Information Center (AIC) are pioneers in creating bibliographic
databases on specialized fields using micro computers.
Very recently, in view of the changing attitudes of information
user in getting specific information, a number of libraries and
information centers of the country have take initiative to establish
a proper system for providing desired information to their user by
using library software packages.
History of Library automation in Bangladesh
cont...

11. Present scenario of library automation of some selected
academic libraries and special libraries
Till now, there is not a single library or information center in
Bangladesh which is literally automated except ICDDR, B library
and North-South University library. It has observed that about 55
special libraries and information centers of the country have either
created or are in the process of creating databases by using
personal computers. Few libraries have CD-ROMs facilities but
no initiative has taken to produce any indigenous information
product on CDs. Some libraries have taken initiative to build own
library software for automation activities. In this aspect, present
automation scenario of some selected academic libraries and
special libraries are discussed below:

12. To provide better and faster user service in a convenient way, the Dhaka University Library
has decided to automate its operations and services. In 1998, the library started its automation
program named as ‘Dhaka University Library Automation Project’ (DULIP), funded by UNDP
and UGC. The library had installed proven library software ‘GLAS’ (Graphical Library Automation
System) equipped with a network server and a number of PCs distributed in a LAN (Local Area
network). This automation project was stopped at halfway in 2000 for database capacity
maintenance problem. Then in 2008, DULIB software was initialized by the help of Computer
Science Department of Dhaka University. In 2013, a new software ‘DULIS’ (Dhaka University
Library Integrated System) is developed .This software is better than ‘DULIB’. It is customized
software which is online based and worked by LAN. It has three modules—acquisition, circulation
and processing. Moreover, new arrival collections of this library are displayed in this system, which
is helpful for any kind of users.
DULIS software: Dhaka University Integrated system is initialized
in 2013. This software is developed by computer science
department of Dhaka University. It is better than DULIB software
and users get get efficient service by it.

14. Library automation: ICDDRB Library is the first pioneer of library automation
in Bangladesh. This library is known as ‘Library and Information Service
Unit’ (LISU). In 1985, this library was automated by ‘In Magic Library
Management Software’. After some short break, in 1989; this library tried
again to automation by CDS/ISIS software. The library installed computers
in 1990 for word processing, Windows version Win Isis of CDS/ISIS was
started in 1993. This library was connected to the internet in 1999. Then in
2004, it also started using Alice for windows with Win Isis. This software has
brought new dimension of reader service. The user can access OPAC of
ICDDR, B from any where from it.
Alice for Windows: This integrated software was originally developed in
Australia and is now marketed in Europe and South-Asia. Alice is windows
based library automation software for small-based medium sized library.
Alice is an application for Microsoft Windows that can be run by a single
person, or in a multi-user environment. It is modular software that comes
with everything most libraries will need, with additional modules available for
more specialized applications.

16. Library Automation: This library was automated in 1997 by using
Libsis software. Libsys is very active for integrated library
automation. This software has acquisition, cataloging, circulation,
OPAC, serials/periodicals set up and facilities, material collection to
reference service activities. In future, KOHA system will be
developed for automation activities. JSTORE is the only online
subscriber of British Council library.
LibSys software: LibSys software is integrated multi-user
library management software that caters to the needs of an
advanced library and information professionals. It provides a
tree structure system with each system comprising of several
sub-systems having unmatchable depth in functionality. It has
a powerful and user-friendly WEB-OPAC along with Windows-
based OPAC.It runs on various platforms such as WINDOWS
(95/98/NT/2000/XP), UNIX (various flavors), LINUXM, etc.
Further, it adheres to standards such as MARC and Z39.50
that makes it suitable for cooperative networking and
resource sharing.

17. opac search of libsis
login page of libsis

18. BUET central library has an extensive compilation of
books, journals, periodicals and monographs of the
relevant engineering fields. The Central library has a
collection of over 132,000 volumes and 218 current
periodical subscriptions. Per year 1500 volume are
added to this library. It also has a free internet browsing
facility and a rental library program. There are also
departmental libraries in each department and a hall
library in each of the residence halls.
Bangladesh University of Engineering And Technology
(BUET)

19. North South University Library
 North South University (NSU) Library grew over the years
since 1992 and now has become one of the best university
libraries in the country. This is the first fully automated
university library in the country using Bi-lingual Library
Management Software, developed by NSU Library, which
supports MARC-21, web-based online lending and receiving,
browsing databases of books, a-v materials, journals,
newspapers and magazines, searching full-text online books
and journals, creating institutional repositories, tracking
circulation system, maintain RFID self check and book drop
records, auto email alert services etc. Its online databases
provide full access to all users, facilitates navigation and
reservation of books from distant work-stations through its
own website http://library.northsouth.edu.

20. East West University Library
 East West University Library (EWUL) is the first University Library in
Bangladesh that has taken an initiative to build a true digital library with
Greenstone Digital Library Software by the EWU library professionals.
Greenstone Digital Library Software (GSDL) has been taken in
consideration for the some unique features of this software. A group of ICT
skilled library professionals are still working on it. Our mission is to make
the digital library concept easy to the general users as well as library
professionals. The user of this digital library will experience a real library in
digital format. We are trying to make our library flexible and diversified and
user friendly even for the layman to the Internet world. Our digital library is
self explanatory and easy to use. EWU library is the country coordinator
of Digital Library Network in South Asia (DLNetSA).

21. Present trends of library automation: At present, most of the
libraries of Bangladesh are using open source software for
automation. By analyzing of these six libraries also indicates that
the librarians are trying to provide better automated library
service for users by developed software. Most of the librarians
have given opinion that in future they will install KOHA open
source software for library automation, though some libraries are
already using this software. KOHA software can freely download
from internet and its different features easily can attract library
users. It is easy to use both for librarians and users. So, it can be
said that trends of library automation is going towards KOHA
software for its lots facilities in Bangladesh.

22. Mostly used software for library automation
in Bangladesh:
A list of open source software given below
 Koha (www.koha.org) originated in New Zealand
 Greenstone (www.greenstone.org) originated in New Zealand
 Evergreen (www.open-ils.org) originated in USA
 Dspace (www.dspace.org) originated in USA
 OPALS (www.mediaflex.net) originated in USA
 Eprints (www.eprints.org) originated in UK
 Emilda (www.emilda.org) originated in Finland

24.  Search Command Center: People who come to libraries are searching for
information. Sometimes it’s an exploratory mission with only vague notions about
what they are looking for, at other times patrons have a laser-like precision in their
search for specific data points. But invariable they will need help, and the Search
Command Center is intended to be a central feature for a visitor’s first-contact.
 Periodical Section – Reading Room: Magazines and newspapers continue to be
the spontaneous information sources for many library visitors. Comfortable
overstuffed chairs and a fireplace or two will make this a very attractive place to
kick back and recharge your intellectual batteries.
 Book Download Center: The downloading of books onto a book reader can
happen either remotely or at the library itself. The purpose of a Book Download
Center is to draw attention to this offering with some people needing help to do
their first download and others asking for recommendations on book readers.
Over the next five years, the price of book readers will plummet to under $20, and
libraries will need to consider loaning out book readers as well as the
downloadable version of
the books. Future book readers will come in both audio and visual
formats, and will actually be easier to read than traditional books.

25. Cyber Café: Since many of the visitors will be largely focused on finding an
open terminal and getting onto the Internet, it may make sense to design
the Electronic Outpost around the look and feel of a casual, yet artsy, cyber-
café. With this design, people will be looking for the perfect balance
between privacy and inclusion, efficiency and randomness, and purpose
and spontaneity. Coffee kiosks and food services, either operating as in-
house library services or as adjacent businesses annexed to the library, can
serve to complement the casual atmosphere.
Gamer Stations: With games quickly becoming the cultural norm, standard
issue in most households, gamer stations can be arranged for individual
and group competitions as well as a variety of non-competitive activities.
With the changing nature of games, its best to plant this area with flexible
spaces that will change often.
Daycare Facilities: Libraries tend to have a unique symbiotic relationship
with daycare centers. Because of the strict rules governing daycare
operations, pay-for-service daycares are best housed in adjoining facilities
with separate staff and management. However, by leveraging library
resources and aligning them with the needs of the community, a daycare
facility can provide a win-win service to fit the needs of many library users.

26.  Studio Section: Much the same way that books were the dividing
point between the haves and have-nots of generations past,
today’s primary dividing point is the equipment needed to access,
create, and manipulate information. These can range from audio-
capture, audio-editing studios; to video-capture, video-editing
studios; to virtual world studios; to tele-presence rooms, and more.
 Mini-Theater: With the huge amount of effort being directed
towards video today, and kids as young as 5-years old as well as
great-great grandparents learning how to shoot and edit videos,
the missing piece is often a room large enough for a small group
to view the final production. Mini-theaters will quickly become a
social gathering center with demand growing to fill the available
time slots.

27. The prime necessity for a university is a good library with a balanced and
adequate collection, which can satisfy the needs of the university faculties
and help to promote advanced study and research programs. No university
can develop effective work, in the academic sense, without a strong library
at its center. Automation and digitization of the university libraries have
become practical necessity and reality with technology interventions to
provide improved access to information sources, preservation and
dissemination as required, at anytime; anywhere and any place as it were.
As developing country, Bangladesh faces various problems in the
development of library discipline. As a result public university libraries are
not developing. Private university libraries are gradually developing faster
than public university libraries by individual enterprise. So, to reach the
destination library authorities and librarians and the educator for
librarianship have to go a long way with care. Librarians, library patrons and
supporters, and, above all, the government, must help develop ICT-based
libraries to meet the changing demands of the users.