Library automation is inevitable in this age o f information and information technologies. Library automation is the use o f automatic and semi automatic data processing machines to perform such traditional activities as acquisition, cataloguing and circulation. Library automation may thus be distinguished from related fields such as information retrieval, automatic indexing and abstracting and automatic textual analysis. The term automation is defined in Encyclopaedia o f Computer Science as In business world, the words automation and computer are often used synonymously\" (Red, 1992). Automation is defined as ‘the technique o f making an apparatus, or a system operate automatically’ (Sehgal and Behl, 1996). According to the Encyclopaedic Dictionary o f Library Science automation is ‘the technology concerned with the design and development o f the process and system that minimizes the necessity of human intervention in their operation’ (Ishvari et. al., 1993). According to the Encyclopaedia Americana, automation may be defined as any continuous integrated operation of a producing system that uses electronic computer on related equipment to regulate and coordinate quantity and quality of what is produced. Automation is automatic control o f an apparatus, process or system by mechanical or electronic devices that take the place of human organs or observation efforts or decision (Webster Dictionary, 1966). The word automation was first introduced by D. S. Harder in 1936. He defined automation as the automatic handling of parts between progressive production process. London Goodman (1956) defined automation as the technology of automatic working in which the handling method, the processes and the design of process material are integrated to utilize as is economically justifiable in mechanization of thought and effort in order to achieve an automatic and in some cases a self regulating chain of processes. In the opinion of Bhattacharya ‘there are certain activities traditionally associated with libraries such as acquisition, serial control, cataloguing and circulation. Today the term library automation is used extensively to refer primarily to the use of computers to perform some of the traditional library activities mentioned above. Though computers play the primary role in library automation today, yet the roles played by telecommunication technology and reprographic technology are of great significance because of the extent of support they offer to library automation’ (Kumar, 1987). Library automation may be defined in simple sense as ‘a process of mechanization of library operations which are of routine and repetitive nature. Computerization of library house keeping operation, predominance of computerization is known as library automation. Computer is the most sophisticated electronic device invented by human being for processing enormous amount of raw data into meaningful and useful form of information with speed, accuracy and reliability’ (.

1. Library automation is inevitable in this age o f information and information technologies. Library
automation is the use o f automatic and semi automatic data processing machines to perform
such traditional activities as acquisition, cataloguing and circulation. Library automation may
thus be distinguished from related fields such as information retrieval, automatic indexing and
abstracting and automatic textual analysis. The term automation is defined in Encyclopaedia o f
Computer Science as In business world, the words automation and computer are often used
synonymously" (Red, 1992). Automation is defined as ‘the technique o f making an apparatus,
or a system operate automatically’ (Sehgal and Behl, 1996). According to the Encyclopaedic
Dictionary o f Library Science automation is ‘the technology concerned with the design and
development o f the process and system that minimizes the necessity of human intervention in
their operation’ (Ishvari et. al., 1993). According to the Encyclopaedia Americana, automation
may be defined as any continuous integrated operation of a producing system that uses electronic
computer on related equipment to regulate and coordinate quantity and quality of what is
produced. Automation is automatic control o f an apparatus, process or system by mechanical or
electronic devices that take the place of human organs or observation efforts or decision
(Webster Dictionary, 1966). The word automation was first introduced by D. S. Harder in 1936.
He defined automation as the automatic handling of parts between progressive production
process. London Goodman (1956) defined automation as the technology of automatic working in
which the handling method, the processes and the design of process material are integrated to
utilize as is economically justifiable in mechanization of thought and effort in order to achieve an
automatic and in some cases a self regulating chain of processes. In the opinion of Bhattacharya
‘there are certain activities traditionally associated with libraries such as acquisition, serial
control, cataloguing and circulation. Today the term library automation is used extensively to
refer primarily to the use of computers to perform some of the traditional library activities
mentioned above. Though computers play the primary role in library automation today, yet the
roles played by telecommunication technology and reprographic technology are of great
significance because of the extent of support they offer to library automation’ (Kumar, 1987).
Library automation may be defined in simple sense as ‘a process of mechanization of library
operations which are of routine and repetitive nature. Computerization of library house keeping
operation, predominance of computerization is known as library automation. Computer is the
most sophisticated electronic device invented by human being for processing enormous amount
of raw data into meaningful and useful form of information with speed, accuracy and reliability’
(Bhargava, 1989). Currently, library automation is defined as the technologies used for
collection, processing, storage, retrieval, dissemination and transmission of information at local,
regional and international level. Library automation can play a vital role for efficient 56 library

2. automation and services, because it ensures the following: (Rao, 1996) • Improvement of control
over collection. • Effective control over the entire operation. • Improvement of the existing
services as well as introduction of new services. • Sharing of resources among various libraries
in a region effectively. • Avoiding duplication of work and • Using the services of the existing
staff. Several factors, some social, some technological and some economical have made it
necessary to modernize the library activities. Enormous growth of published, unpublished and
near published documents make it rather impossible for individuals, individual libraries to collect
everything that is useful to them. Existing manual operations and services have their limitations
in managing a library. Resource sharing which means access to collection of other libraries is
difficult to operate manually. Library automation results in speed, accuracy, efficiency, saving of
space, introduction of new services, no duplication of work and so on (Lahkar, 1995). There are
many reasons why libraries decide to automate, the need for increased productivity often
combines with diminishing staff resources; edicts emanate from senior management; inspiration
wells up from library staffers; equipment becomes available through default or serendipity;
bandwagons are seen and leapt upon; the Joneses are kept up with; and sometimes the library
director attends a seminar and gets enthused. None of these motivating factors what and how to
automate is carried forward systematically and logically. The factors determining what and how
to automate exist for all libraries in a three-part context: first, the automation environment in
which the 57 library operates, secondly, the assessed needs of the library and its clientele, and
lastly, the cost consciousness of the library’s administration. The automation environment affects
the library’s decision-making processes in a variety of ways. Many libraries operate in an
environment in which they or their organization already possess some computer capability. This
capability typically might include an in-house mainframe, an in-house minicomputer, time-
shared services, word processors, and/or microcomputers. In accounting terms, libraries are cost
centers. It is rare that a library makes a profit. Libraries serve a support function - whether to
students, professors, citizens (and, one would hope, voters), or line and staff personnel in profit
and non-profit organizations. As cost centres, libraries are usually under great pressure to use
whatever in-house computing resources are already available. After all, a financial investment in
computing capability has been made, and it is natural to want to maximize use of that
investment. On the other hand, the library has probably already had some bad experiences with
existing computer systems, such as vanished documentation, non-functional programs,
disappearing data, additional (and expensive) staff provisions, and low priority. As one librarian
puts it, she was so low on the totem pole in obtaining access to the computer centre, she had dirt
in her ears. Librarians do, however, tend to prefer services such as DIALOG, SDC, and BRS,
and networks such as OCLC and RLIN are heavily used by many libraries. Librarians are also
natural-bom net-workers. They talk to everybody, and they are accustomed to asking for help.

3. They have numerous local contacts, and they have no hesitation about calling around the region
or the country when they are looking for information. This makes them naturals when it comes to
dealing in an area (such as microcomputers) where word-of-mouth is presently the primary
information transfer medium (Chander Prakash, 2000). 58 3.1.2 Library Automation : A Brief
History Library automation refers to use of computers in library work including services
Computers were engaged in library service in USA in 1950s in a very modest way. Dr H P Luhn
had organised computerized indexes in 1950s. Computers entered and found some place in
American libraries during this decade. However, their use and application was very limited and
restricted due to the high cost of hardware and non-availability of application software packages.
During 1960s the cost of hardware came down and appreciable attempts were made towards
developing library application packages. This led to increased use of computers in libraries and
printing industries. In April 1960 the American Chemical Society published its ‘chemical titles’
through computers. In this decade, one of the most significant developments in this direction was
seen in MARC I. In the year 1963 W K Gilbert prepared a report on computerization of Library
of Congress. On the basis of this report the MARC I project was initiated in 1966, and the work
of brining out the Library of Congress catalogue in Machine-readable catalogue (MARC) form
was started and completed. There was a heartening welcome of the tape containing the catalogue.
MEDLARS and INTREX projects are similar examples of producing machine-readable
catalogues. Now-a-days computers have become almost essential components of library work in
developing countries. The Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta was the first in India to install a
computer system in 1955, and to develop an indigenous computer in 1964. In India computers
were used in library work for the first time possibly by INSDOC by bringing out the ‘roster of
Indian scientific and technical translators’ with the help of computers. INSDOC brought out the
first union catalogue with the help of computers under the title ‘regional union catalogue of
scientific serials, Bombay Poona’ in 1973. In 1978 59 INSDOC initiated SDI service as a
NISSAT project with Chemical Abstracts and INSPEC databases, with the use of CAN/SDI
software of IIT, Madras. In 1970’s many libraries ventured in preparing computerized databases.
Through the initiative and financial support of NISSAT many library networks was initiated and
are operative. Notable of these networks are CALIBNET (Calcutta Library Network) DELNET
(Delhi Libraries Network), INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network), PUNENET (Pune
Library Network) etc. Some other notable networks are NICNET, INDONET, SERNET,
ERNET etc. Nowadays, many institutions such as DRTC, INSDOC, DESIDOC, NISSAT etc are
engaged in imparting training for computer application in library work through regular,
sponsored, and part time courses. The price of computer hardware and software has come down
considerably. Owing to these factors computers have became popular with Indian libraries

4. Solution
Library automation is inevitable in this age o f information and information technologies. Library
automation is the use o f automatic and semi automatic data processing machines to perform
such traditional activities as acquisition, cataloguing and circulation. Library automation may
thus be distinguished from related fields such as information retrieval, automatic indexing and
abstracting and automatic textual analysis. The term automation is defined in Encyclopaedia o f
Computer Science as In business world, the words automation and computer are often used
synonymously" (Red, 1992). Automation is defined as ‘the technique o f making an apparatus,
or a system operate automatically’ (Sehgal and Behl, 1996). According to the Encyclopaedic
Dictionary o f Library Science automation is ‘the technology concerned with the design and
development o f the process and system that minimizes the necessity of human intervention in
their operation’ (Ishvari et. al., 1993). According to the Encyclopaedia Americana, automation
may be defined as any continuous integrated operation of a producing system that uses electronic
computer on related equipment to regulate and coordinate quantity and quality of what is
produced. Automation is automatic control o f an apparatus, process or system by mechanical or
electronic devices that take the place of human organs or observation efforts or decision
(Webster Dictionary, 1966). The word automation was first introduced by D. S. Harder in 1936.
He defined automation as the automatic handling of parts between progressive production
process. London Goodman (1956) defined automation as the technology of automatic working in
which the handling method, the processes and the design of process material are integrated to
utilize as is economically justifiable in mechanization of thought and effort in order to achieve an
automatic and in some cases a self regulating chain of processes. In the opinion of Bhattacharya
‘there are certain activities traditionally associated with libraries such as acquisition, serial
control, cataloguing and circulation. Today the term library automation is used extensively to
refer primarily to the use of computers to perform some of the traditional library activities
mentioned above. Though computers play the primary role in library automation today, yet the
roles played by telecommunication technology and reprographic technology are of great
significance because of the extent of support they offer to library automation’ (Kumar, 1987).
Library automation may be defined in simple sense as ‘a process of mechanization of library
operations which are of routine and repetitive nature. Computerization of library house keeping
operation, predominance of computerization is known as library automation. Computer is the
most sophisticated electronic device invented by human being for processing enormous amount
of raw data into meaningful and useful form of information with speed, accuracy and reliability’
(Bhargava, 1989). Currently, library automation is defined as the technologies used for
collection, processing, storage, retrieval, dissemination and transmission of information at local,

5. regional and international level. Library automation can play a vital role for efficient 56 library
automation and services, because it ensures the following: (Rao, 1996) • Improvement of control
over collection. • Effective control over the entire operation. • Improvement of the existing
services as well as introduction of new services. • Sharing of resources among various libraries
in a region effectively. • Avoiding duplication of work and • Using the services of the existing
staff. Several factors, some social, some technological and some economical have made it
necessary to modernize the library activities. Enormous growth of published, unpublished and
near published documents make it rather impossible for individuals, individual libraries to collect
everything that is useful to them. Existing manual operations and services have their limitations
in managing a library. Resource sharing which means access to collection of other libraries is
difficult to operate manually. Library automation results in speed, accuracy, efficiency, saving of
space, introduction of new services, no duplication of work and so on (Lahkar, 1995). There are
many reasons why libraries decide to automate, the need for increased productivity often
combines with diminishing staff resources; edicts emanate from senior management; inspiration
wells up from library staffers; equipment becomes available through default or serendipity;
bandwagons are seen and leapt upon; the Joneses are kept up with; and sometimes the library
director attends a seminar and gets enthused. None of these motivating factors what and how to
automate is carried forward systematically and logically. The factors determining what and how
to automate exist for all libraries in a three-part context: first, the automation environment in
which the 57 library operates, secondly, the assessed needs of the library and its clientele, and
lastly, the cost consciousness of the library’s administration. The automation environment affects
the library’s decision-making processes in a variety of ways. Many libraries operate in an
environment in which they or their organization already possess some computer capability. This
capability typically might include an in-house mainframe, an in-house minicomputer, time-
shared services, word processors, and/or microcomputers. In accounting terms, libraries are cost
centers. It is rare that a library makes a profit. Libraries serve a support function - whether to
students, professors, citizens (and, one would hope, voters), or line and staff personnel in profit
and non-profit organizations. As cost centres, libraries are usually under great pressure to use
whatever in-house computing resources are already available. After all, a financial investment in
computing capability has been made, and it is natural to want to maximize use of that
investment. On the other hand, the library has probably already had some bad experiences with
existing computer systems, such as vanished documentation, non-functional programs,
disappearing data, additional (and expensive) staff provisions, and low priority. As one librarian
puts it, she was so low on the totem pole in obtaining access to the computer centre, she had dirt
in her ears. Librarians do, however, tend to prefer services such as DIALOG, SDC, and BRS,
and networks such as OCLC and RLIN are heavily used by many libraries. Librarians are also

6. natural-bom net-workers. They talk to everybody, and they are accustomed to asking for help.
They have numerous local contacts, and they have no hesitation about calling around the region
or the country when they are looking for information. This makes them naturals when it comes to
dealing in an area (such as microcomputers) where word-of-mouth is presently the primary
information transfer medium (Chander Prakash, 2000). 58 3.1.2 Library Automation : A Brief
History Library automation refers to use of computers in library work including services
Computers were engaged in library service in USA in 1950s in a very modest way. Dr H P Luhn
had organised computerized indexes in 1950s. Computers entered and found some place in
American libraries during this decade. However, their use and application was very limited and
restricted due to the high cost of hardware and non-availability of application software packages.
During 1960s the cost of hardware came down and appreciable attempts were made towards
developing library application packages. This led to increased use of computers in libraries and
printing industries. In April 1960 the American Chemical Society published its ‘chemical titles’
through computers. In this decade, one of the most significant developments in this direction was
seen in MARC I. In the year 1963 W K Gilbert prepared a report on computerization of Library
of Congress. On the basis of this report the MARC I project was initiated in 1966, and the work
of brining out the Library of Congress catalogue in Machine-readable catalogue (MARC) form
was started and completed. There was a heartening welcome of the tape containing the catalogue.
MEDLARS and INTREX projects are similar examples of producing machine-readable
catalogues. Now-a-days computers have become almost essential components of library work in
developing countries. The Indian Statistical Institute, Calcutta was the first in India to install a
computer system in 1955, and to develop an indigenous computer in 1964. In India computers
were used in library work for the first time possibly by INSDOC by bringing out the ‘roster of
Indian scientific and technical translators’ with the help of computers. INSDOC brought out the
first union catalogue with the help of computers under the title ‘regional union catalogue of
scientific serials, Bombay Poona’ in 1973. In 1978 59 INSDOC initiated SDI service as a
NISSAT project with Chemical Abstracts and INSPEC databases, with the use of CAN/SDI
software of IIT, Madras. In 1970’s many libraries ventured in preparing computerized databases.
Through the initiative and financial support of NISSAT many library networks was initiated and
are operative. Notable of these networks are CALIBNET (Calcutta Library Network) DELNET
(Delhi Libraries Network), INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network), PUNENET (Pune
Library Network) etc. Some other notable networks are NICNET, INDONET, SERNET,
ERNET etc. Nowadays, many institutions such as DRTC, INSDOC, DESIDOC, NISSAT etc are
engaged in imparting training for computer application in library work through regular,
sponsored, and part time courses. The price of computer hardware and software has come down
considerably. Owing to these factors computers have became popular with Indian libraries