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Library Automation and Digital Libraries

Library Automation and Digital Libraries. Class #5 LBSC 690 Information Technology. Agenda. Questions System Analysis Library automation What do libraries do? How can computers be used? What issues arise?. Applying Technology to Large Problems. System analysis

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Library Automation and Digital Libraries

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  1. Library Automation and Digital Libraries Class #5 LBSC 690 Information Technology

  2. Agenda • Questions • System Analysis • Library automation • What do libraries do? • How can computers be used? • What issues arise?

  3. Applying Technology to Large Problems • System analysis • How do we know what we need? • User-centered design • How do we discern and satisfy user needs? • Implementation • How do we build it? • Management • How do organizations use technology?

  4. Systems Analysis • First steps: • Understand the task • Limitations of existing approaches • Understand the environment • Structure of the industry • Then identify the information flows • e.g., Serials use impacts cancellation policy • Only then can you design a solution

  5. Library Activities • What do libraries do? • Which of those things benefit from automation?

  6. Library Activities • Collection statistics • Acquisition • Including serials • Cataloging • Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) • Circulation • Reserve, recall, fines, interlibrary loan, reference, weeding, budget, etc. • Preservation

  7. Analyze the Information Flows • Where does information originate? • Might come from multiple sources • Feedback loops may have no identifiable source • Which parts should be automated? • Some things are easier to do without computers • Which automated parts should be integrated? • What other systems are involved? • And what information do they contain?

  8. User-Centered Design • Start with user needs • Who are the present and future users? • How can you understand their needs? • Evaluate available technology • Off-the-shelf solutions • Custom-developed applications • Implement something • Evaluate it with real users

  9. Implementation Requirements • Availability • Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) • Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) • Capacity • Number of users for each application • Response time • Flexibility • Upgrade path

  10. System Architecture • Batch processing • Save it up and do it all at once • Useful for recall notices, management reports, ... • Timesharing • Everyone uses the same machine • Simple but expensive design, limited upgrade path • Client-Server • Peer to peer

  11. Client-Server Systems • Divide the workload • Between client and server • Across several servers • Several advantages • Easier upgrade path • More machines, different division of work • Higher availability • Put the same data on several servers • Examples: Z39.50, the Web

  12. Peer-To-Peer Networks • Every machine can be a client or a server • Goal: Use available CPU cycles anywhere • Requires a network and a coordination strategy • Challenging in a heterogeneous environment • A common “reference architecture” is needed • Java is a step in that direction • Centralized data management still common • Simplifies coordination

  13. Management Issues • Retrospective conversion • Even converting electronic information is expensive • Management information • Peak capacity evaluation, audit trails, etc. • Sometimes costs more to collect than it is worth! • Staff training • End user training • Privacy

  14. Library Automation Summary • Systems analysis • Required for complex multi-person tasks • User-centered design • Based on user needs assessment • Implementation • Client-server systems are the present trend • Management • An essential link in the chain

  15. Digital Libraries • A library with digital devices? • OPACs, CDROMs, online search services, ... • A library with digital content? • Programs, data files, digitized media, ... • Digital content organized like a library? • Collection policy, cataloging, access, preservation • Something we can’t quite express? • What happens when content meets network ... • Traditional library as a metaphor

  16. Characteristics of Digital Objects • Perfect reproduction • Copies are as good as the original • Inexpensive and rapid distribution • Anywhere on the planet • Compact storage • Measured in rooms, not buildings • Easily searched • With retrieval and browsing strategies

  17. Problems with Digital Media • Display technology is generally inadequate • Many tasks are easier on paper than on a screen • Acquisition and cataloging costs are inverted • Cataloging can dominate the life cycle cost! • Some traditional cues are missing • Shiny new book vs dog-eared pages, ...

  18. Access to Digital Materials • End user searching • Retrieval and browsing • Expert human intermediation • Reference service, information brokering • Emergent behavior • Recommender systems

  19. The Research Agenda • Create the technology • NSF Digital Library Initiative I • Digitize the content • NDL, NAIL, BLS, performing arts library, ... • Develop the process • NSF Digital Library Initiative II • Build the systems • Industry

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