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Here is the 2nd part of  the justifications of library automation.
Vendors of automation are a great resource, too. They will gladly put
together a list such as this one for you. Thanks again to everyone who
sent these wonderful thoughts.

Karen Teigen
Oberlin Elementary School
Oberlin, LA
cen3112@centuryinter.net

Justifying Library Circulation and Catalog Automation

Automation improves access to information for patrons and increases
efficiency
in managing the library's collection.

There is less clerical tasks involved with automation, leaving more time
to work
with students and teachers.

Computerized records are simple to update, so reports and inventories
are more
accurate and can be compiled quickly.

Automation results in better control over materials.  Circulation
systems track
overdue materials faster and more efficiently.  More frequent reminders
can be
sent out to your patrons with overdue items which will lead to less lost
items.
Customer quote:   "....when I was at the elementary level we were losing
about
200 books a year.  After installing the Apple version of Circulation
Plus that
dropped to 2 - 7 a year!!!  I figure that in just a couple of years Circ
Plus
MORE than paid for itself, and reported that to our administration who
was very
pleased."

Circulation systems instantly tell what items a patron has checked out.
Time is
saved when a student is leaving the school and you need to know what he
or she
has out.

Automation allows staff to analyze collection usage patterns easily,
leading to
better collection development.

More reports and statistics can be generated immediately by the
computer.

Bibliographies can be generated quickly which is a plus for PR with your
teachers.

Inventory takes much less time when the library is automated.

Automate so some people do not have to silently sing the ABC song when
looking
through the card drawers.

The librarians' job will seem more prestigious to administrators when
computers
are involved.

Automate so one day you can share your resources with other library
patrons via
interlibrary loan.  Huge percentages of the collections are unique in
the
library world.

The collection will get better use.  An OPAC enables students to use the
collection more effectively since more access points are available.
Students
eager to use the computer find more books about their interests and are
checking
them out.

Students are more successful in less time with an electronic catalog.
Less time
searching equals more time evaluating, processing, and using what they
find.
Database searching requires students to use critical thinking skills in
formulating search questions, narrowing the search, finding information,
and
synthesizing the information into a unique product.

OPACs teach skills important to students preparing to be productive
citizens in
the 21st century.  Students need whole life skills like Boolean search
strategies which will be transferred to other electronic resources like
magazine
and newspaper indexes (and public and university catalogs).

Students are more eager to search materials on the computer than on a
paper-based catalog.

Automation is a selling point for the Media Center, for the school, for
parents
and visitors.

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