LIBRARY DATABASES: DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Definition, importance, advantages and disadvantages of the database approach have been discussed. There are four main sources - Shelf List, Books and other Reading material, Data Sheets and international utilities such as OCLC - for retroconversion of library's card catalogue and union catalogue of journals. The librarian can use anyone or a combination of them for data entry. Librarian has to decide the priority as to which part of library collection should be computerized first. Data entry can be done in-house or it can be outsourced. After weighing the economics and other pros and cons, the librarian can decide the mode of entry. The author of this paper found in-house data entry fastest, reliable and cheapest. Having created the database, its management is also essential. There is, therefore, a need for Database Administrator in each library.