Automation Process

  1. Inventory library collections.
  2. Weed library collections.
  3. Retrospective Conversion (ReCon):

    A. Outsource or do in-house?

    B. If outsource, select vendor/agency and ship shelflist file.

    C. If in-house, select or hire staff to do ReCon.

    D. Produce bibliographic MARC and authority records (for cross-references).

  4. Select an online or computerized library management system.
  5. Tape processing:

    A. Purchase tape/s of MARC records.

    B. Purchase barcodes from a vendor.

  6. Submit profile to system vendor:

    - Locations (Ref., CMC, Archives, AV, Main, etc.) matched with OCLC symbols.

    - Patron types (Faculty, staff, student, etc.) matched with circulation policies.

    - Material types (Ref., periodical, videorecording, etc.) matched with circulation policies.

    - Search access points (author, title, subject, etc.) matched with MARC tags.

    - Screen designs

    - Others.

  7. Prepare library site for library computer system.
  8. Finalize order for library computer system.
  9. Request records (title/bib) on tape from tape processing vendor (ex. SOLINET).
  10. Request authority control records on tape from a vendor.
  11. Send MARC records on tape to the system vendor.
  12. Begin purchasing supplies such as tapes, paper, and notice forms.
  13. Receive barcode labels from vendor.
  14. Receive system shipped with data and software already installed by system vendor.
  15. Install system (library and vendor are responsible).
  16. Test system (library and vendor are responsible).
  17. Request, setup and implement training.
  18. Begin cataloging, linking items (entering barcode number in each item record of new circulated items received) and adding patrons on the system.
  19. Begin labeling collections with smart barcodes (beginning with collection with the highest circulation rate).
  20. Review and revise departmental functions (including job descriptions).
  21. Test functions of library computer system.
  22. Test full-load response time.
  23. Accept and ready system to operate.

By Floyd Ingram.

© 1994, Floyd Ingram.