How to Plan Library Automation Resources

Automating your library catalog will save you time and energy.

A well-planned library automation system is the key to taking the stress out of your library's circulation routine. In recent years, automated systems in the library have become a standard resource for both library staff and patrons alike. An online catalog makes the duties of circulation staff almost effortless and allows patrons to search the library's holdings online and remotely. If you have yet to incorporate an integrated library system (ILS) or library management system (LMS) into your library, now is a good time to do so.

Things You'll Need

• Automation budget
• List of automation services vendors

Instructions

1. Choose which classification system the library will use. The most common classification systems used in U.S. libraries are the Library of Congress system and Dewey Decimal classification. As a general rule of thumb, most academic libraries use Library of Congress and most public libraries choose Dewey Decimal, but this is not written in stone. Choose a system that best fits your collection.

2. Research automation systems. There are many vendors that market and develop library automation resources for libraries. The size of your collection, patron base and circulation habits will determine what type of automation resources are right for you. Finding resources that fit the needs of your collection and budget is the most important step of planning automation resources.

3. Determine resource-sharing opportunities. Small and special libraries on a limited budget may find collaborating with a local university or community college to be beneficial. You will never know unless you ask, so talk to local libraries and see what possible opportunities exist.

4. Investigate Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant funding opportunities for library automation resources. Every year, Congress sets aside funding for library automation projects in the United States; contact your state library for automation resources grants or visit the American Library Association (ALA) and LSTA wiki for more information (see Resources).

5. Ensure that you have a good circulation policy in place before beginning your automation project. Mark all resources that fall under general circulation rules and ones that will be restricted to library use only. If you are partnering with another library to share automation resources, be sure the policy you have developed is clear and executable.

6. Hire a cataloguer. If you have a small collection, little time or no technical services experience, you may find hiring a cataloguer part-time or temporarily to be extremely beneficial. If your funds are limited, consider hiring an intern or a current library school graduate student to do the work for you.

References

• Library Technology: Vendor Guide Database
• American Library Association and Library Services and Technology Act: Wiki

Resources

• ALA and LSTA Wiki