SELECTING SOFTWARE, PART II: THE FUNCTION PROFILE FORM

A Survey Study on the Adoption and Implementation of Automation Projects in Federal University Libraries in the South-West of Nigeria

VINE is a Very Informal NEwsletter produced three or four times a year by the Information Officer for Library Automation and financed by the British Library Research and Development Department. It is issued free of charge on request to interested librarians, systems staff and library college lecturers. VINEs objective is to provide an up‐to‐date picture of work being done in U.K. library automation projects which has not been reported elsewhere.

Any work which can be done with the help of automatic machine like computer without any human interface is called automation. Automation of libraries is inevitable in this technological era. The purpose of the study is to find out the status of automation in college libraries, the benefits and problems of automation in college libraries and also to show the importance of automation in libraries. A structured questionnaire is used for collecting the data which are personally distributed. The collected data are classified and analysed. The study found that majority of the college libraries depend on the open source software such as koha because there is no specific fund for automation in any college libraries. College librarians faced problems such as lack of training and lack of sufficient hardware. Librarians noted the benefits like Easy cataloguing and circulation, Time saving, Avoid duplication of records, easier Transaction method, Easy retrieval of documents, Improve quality of library service , Easy library management. Keywords: Library automation, Automation softwares, College libraries.

PurposeThe automation of libraries has made a significant difference in the quality of service. All libraries seek to improve the quality of their services, and the library seems to be a frequent target for modernization efforts throughout the globe. Local dialects need specific translations to use library management software. A variety of languages are available to create open-source techniques. The integrated library management system Koha is gaining traction. The Koha software has been translated and made accessible to a worldwide audience in many languages.Design/methodology/approachThis experiment was based on a controlled setting and a realistic observation of the Koha translation process. A sample of a population is selected to study and draw conclusions about the entire population.FindingsResults are based on a statistical report made available on the Koha translation site for the gathering of sample data, which is based on sample data that has been collected and brought to light. This analysis demonstrates how to translate Koha software on a pootle server step by step using sting data inputs on different po files accessible in translation databases.Originality/valueThe authors of this paper explain the procedure of translating Koha software and provide a global overview of Koha software translation into different languages throughout the world. Therefore, it can be expected that the importance of Koha software will increase tremendously for the people of different languages through the method of translation.

Enhancing Library Management Software (LMS) through work automation, more efficient cataloging, and customized user experiences are all made possible by generative AI. In order to better understand how generative AI fits into library systems, this paper looks at how it may provide accurate information, optimize operations, and provide tailored suggestions depending on user preferences. AI-driven systems reduce the human labor necessary for categorization and resource management while boosting user engagement through targeted offerings. Notwithstanding these advantages, problems like prejudice in content produced by AI and worries about data privacy still exist.The integration of generative AI into Library Management Software (LMS) offers substantial potential for improving the efficiency and personalization of library services. Generative AI into LMS opens new opportunities to optimize functionality, improve user experience, and expand libraries digital outreach. The report underlines the necessity of addressing ethical issues and guaranteeing data transparency. It also highlights the necessity of scalable AI solutions, especially for smaller or less well-funded libraries. Libraries must overcome these obstacles as generative AI develops further in order to guarantee fair, efficient, and transparent AI inclusion.

The paper discusses the INSDOC's experience in privatisation of information products and services, It discusses the elements of privatisation in routine jobs of data entry, data validation, editing etc. for database creation and library automation projects, by contracting/sub-contracting such jobs to private parties and using the staff for taking up new projects. It concludes that privatisation of information services is economically viable and has proved successful in INSDOC. http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dbit.15.5.3200

Rationale of Study – The study assessed digital skills, access, and ease of use of open management software among university librarians in North-Central Nigeria.Methodology – Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study covered a population of 301 librarians and utilised the total enumeration sampling technique. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire. Analysis methods such as frequency counts, mean values, and standard deviation calculations were used to answer the research questions, setting 2.50 as the criterion mean.Findings – The findings established that university libraries use open-source library management software with high ease of use, that librarians in university libraries in North-Central Nigeria possess high digital skills, and that they have high access to open-source library management software.Implications – The paper recommended that library management needs enhanced training programs tailored to equip librarians with advanced digital skills and the ability to curate digital collections effectively through seminars, workshops, and conferences. Furthermore, librarians, library associations, and stakeholders should advocate for increased library funding, emphasising the critical role that modern library technologies like OSLMS play in enhancing education and research. Additionally, there is a need to continue upgrading the hardware and software to perform tasks effectively, safely, and efficiently, engaging error tolerance and making it easy to use.Originality – The study was original research conducted on digital skills, access and ease of use of open-source library management software among university libraries in North-Central Nigeria.

Though computers have become more common, many academic libraries still lack automation of any kind. With the growing importance of the Internet and the proliferation of electronic databases, automation is likely to be an important part of the future of every library. Fortunately, enough libraries have implemented automated systems so that their experiences can inform those libraries only about to engage in automation projects. This professional reference is a guide to the forecasting, planning, implementing, and monitoring necessary for the successful management of academic library automation. While novices will benefit from this book, the volume will be of special interest to librarians presently engaged in automation projects. The authors of the book's chapters come from all types of academic libraries and offer a wide range of experience and perspectives. The volume focuses on two major areas of librarianship, public service and technical services; and contributors stress the importance of planning, teamwork, and clear objectives. Each chapter cites sources of additional information, and the volume closes with two bibliographic essays.

Information Access Assistant Service (IAAS) is a collaborative filtered document recommendation system. The validation of the model was carried out by implementing the system on a library management software in a target and closed environment using Web technology. The tests are performed with computers, which limits the use of IAAS. As of today, smartphones occupy a place of choice in population’s daily life and moreover, the Web technology used does not promote a good adaptation of interfaces on the mobile. This led us to think about setting up a user interface facilitating human computer interaction on the mobile. The existence of a multitude of mobile platforms, of different sizes and regarding to the context of the use of IAAS, we adopted for cross-platform development. In this paper, we proposed to use the hybrid approach and we used ionic as an implementation tool for our mobile solution. We set up the solution and also performed display tests and evaluation in a closed environment. The test was done by setting up a server, a connection, and three smartphones. The results observed show a good adaptation of the interfaces on the different smartphones but also in relation to the Web interfaces.KeywordsIAASCross-platformIonicHybrid approach

Academic libraries are evolving into dynamic knowledge hubs, requiring robust digital infrastructure to manage resources, services, and user engagement. This article explores the critical role of Library Management Software (LMS) in academic library success, outlining key selection criteria, comparing leading solutions, and offering strategic recommendations for implementation. It emphasizes the importance of aligning software capabilities with institutional goals, user needs, and technological trends.

In 1984, Macomb Community College Library surveyed 47 selected academic and research libraries in Michigan to discover how they were handling the problems inherent in the acquisition and control of microcomputer software. The returned questionnaires were followed up with selected telephone interviews. The resulting data revealed some interesting points: half of the libraries surveyed collected no software; in most cases the institutions' computer services departments were involved in software control; and there is yet no clear direction as to the cataloging of software. Microcomputer use and staff training, both by the institution and by the library, is widespread but still informal. Also, little is being done in evaluation of software. A good deal of experimentation is in progress, however, with library management software by the libraries surveyed.

By combining the most effective practices of Vitalization, Grid computing, utility computing and network technologies cloud computing is the resultant cost effective computing service delivery mechanism. This survey paper discusses prospect of cloud based Library Management System for cost effective library automation. Another important aspect of this survey work is analytic discussion on various open source library automation software. CYBRARIANTM <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">TM</sup> an internet based integrated Library Automation and Management solution developed by CR2 Technologies Ltd is also included for the benefit of implementer.

Automation of library services and the use of open source software are essential for efficiency and effectiveness and at a minimal cost, too. Library automation benefits both the library staff and the users as it reduces the level of job stress on the staff and enhances remote and timely provision of up-to-date information to the users. This literature based opinion paper majorly aimed to establish the relevance of using open source software in library automation. To achieve this goal, the paper was divided into subheadings that respectively highlighted the relevance of library automation, spelt out the salient issues to consider in library software selection, discussed the characteristics of OSS that qualify them to be effective library automation software, and enumerated and briefly discussed the various OSS available for integrated library management. Recommendations on the key factors that should be prioritized for the achievement of a successful automation of the library services with the open source software is equally made in the paper.

The purpose of this article is to examine the information and communication technology infrastructure in 38 engineering college libraries in north Karnataka by investigating the library resources, ICT infrastructure and current status of library automation and attitudes towards the use of ICT. Were data tools used questionnaire and observation method with engineering college librarians. Study Fund that the Application of ICT in engineering college libraries has user average. Majority the engineering colleges have library automation, digital library management software and library network using in the engineering college libraries.

Research information management systems (RIMS) are the emerging new service in academic and research libraries. RIMS support universities and libraries in managing their institute, faculty, and researcher information through a single interface. They also allow the researcher to deposit and share their research with the public and enable the reuse of that research. An implementation of RIMS in universities or libraries ensures the proper management of research information for future use. RIMS disseminates research information and publications and supports data, academic, and administrative work by faculty and researchers. Traditionally, an institutional repository, digital library, and research data management software were used to manage research information as part of an institutional repository, but these applications have failed to manage more specialist researcher information and more detailed faculty profiles, etc. Consequently, various specialist software companies have brought RIMS onto the market with applications and products that meet the requirements of individual researchers, libraries, and universities in the management of research information. This chapter provides a comparative evaluation of RIMS (i.e., PURE-Elsevier, Converis-Thomson Routers, and Symplectic Elements). This study contributes towards an understanding of RIMS and assists with the selection of the appropriate software application for implementation of a RIMS system in universities and libraries.