The University of California Libraries: A Plan for Development (1977)

More documents

Recommendations

Info

82 The University of California Libraries Beginning in 1976, the University began to change this situation dramatically with the installation of modern, automated circulation systems. These systems require only that the user present an identifycation card with a bar-coded label (similar to those now seen on many grocery products), along with the books he wishes to charge, which also contain labels. Charging out the books is accomplished by use of a "light pen," a device shaped like a fountain pen which bounces light off the labels, translates the reflection into machine code, and transmits the information to a computer. Passing the light pen over the bar-coded labels requires only two or three seconds per book. An added advantage to these systems, beyond the convenience to the user, is the fact that the transaction data and all other circulation information is in machine-readable form, and can be consulted via online terminals. The system's files retain information on all library materials, once that information has been entered, and the location of any item can thus be obtained, whether or not it is charged out at the moment. The specifications for the systems now being installed by the University call for eventual linkage of all nine campuses, so that it will be possible to ascertain the availability of any item throughout the University. A third benefit of the automated circulation system is that it accumulates much valuable statistical information which can be used for library management purposes. Statistics are cumulated not only on individual items circulated, but also on the number of items circulated within broad and narrow subject classifications. The confidentiality of the individual borrower's identification is protected, but information is available on circulation patterns broken down by several categories of users. As this information is accumulated over the years, it can be used to modify acquisition policies, circulation policies, and other library procedures so that service to the user is maximized. A final but indirect benefit of these systems is that they provide a means of eliminating one of the most unpleasant and fruitless aspects of library operations, the collection of fines. As a number of studies have concluded, fines do not accomplish the purpose for
VI. Delivery and Use 83 which they are presumably intended--the return of books on time. In fact, one writer has pointed out that the amount of income taken in by the library in the form of fines is itself an index of the failure of the system, because it measures the extent to which users have paid the fines rather than returning the books. 4 Another disadvant- age of the fine system is that it operates unfairly, causing hardships for students who are both forgetful and poor, but acting as no deterrent at all for students who can afford to keep the books as long as they wish, regardless of the needs of other borrowers. Until now, however, there has been no other method available to encourage prompt return. The advent of on-line circulation systems makes other sanctions possible. The systems can be set so that when a borrower becomes "delinquent"--usually when a certain number of books are overdue for a certain period of time in excess of the normal allowance--the computer will not complete any further charging transactions for that person. Instead, when the delinquent borrower attempts to charge out more materials, he is told that he must return the ones already on loan before others can be borrowed. The University of Manitoba, the University of Houston, and others have made this change successfully, to the satisfaction of students and library staff alike. The former perceive the new system as much fairer, the library staff notes that it is more effective at achieving the return of books, and the library is spared an odious and time-consuming chore which has always had a negative effect on its public relations. As the new systems are implemented, UC campuses should also consider such a change. The first of UC's new automated circulation systems was installed at UCLA during the summer of 1976, and the second at Davis in October. Santa Barbara and Riverside will install the systems during 1977. The plan recommends that installation on other campuses continue at a rate which will insure that all campuses are equipped with the systems by 1980. 4 Dorothy McKibbin, "On-Line Circulation Control: Three Years' Experience," Canadian Library Journal, v. 31 (June 1974), pp. 214- 230.
Page 1:
A PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT Office of th
Page 5 and 6:
PREFACE The first draft of the plan
Page 7:
goals of the library system on a mu
Page 11 and 12:
CHAPTER I THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS LI
Page 13 and 14:
I. The University and Its Libraries
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
CHAPTER II THE FUNCTION OF THE LIBR
Page 39 and 40:
II. The Function of the Library 29
Page 41 and 42: II. The Function of the Library 31
Page 43 and 44: II. The Function of the Library 33
Page 45 and 46: CHAPTER III THE NEED FOR A NEW APPR
Page 47 and 48: III. The Need for a New Approach 37
Page 55 and 56: CHAPTER IV A UNIVERSITY LIBRARY SYS
Page 57 and 58: IV. A University Library System 47
Page 67 and 68: CHAPTER V IDENTIFICATION AND LOCATI
Page 69 and 70: V. Identification and Location 59
Page 71 and 72: V. Identification and Location 61 e
Page 73 and 74: V. Identification and Location 63 a
Page 75 and 76: V. Identification and Location 65 i
Page 77 and 78: V. Identification and Location 67 1
Page 79 and 80: V. Identification and Location 69 c
Page 81 and 82: V. Identification and Location 71 B
Page 83 and 84: V. Identification and Location 73 t
Page 85 and 86: V. Identification and Location 75 o
Page 87 and 88: V. Identification and Location 77 N
Page 89 and 90: CHAPTER VI DELIVERY AND USE OF MATE
Page 91: VI. Delivery and Use 81 At the depa
Page 95 and 96: VI. Delivery and Use 85 3. "If the
Page 97 and 98: VI. Delivery and Use 87 At the camp
Page 99 and 100: VI. Delivery and Use 89 The allocat
Page 101 and 102: VI. Delivery and Use 91 In the mean
Page 103 and 104: VI. Delivery and Use 93 2) That int
Page 105 and 106: VI. Delivery and Use 95 At the syst
Page 107 and 108: VI. Delivery and Use 97 Several alt
Page 109 and 110: VI. Delivery and Use 99 its develop
Page 111 and 112: CHAPTER VII INFORMATION AND INSTRUC
Page 113 and 114: VII. Information and Instruction 10
Page 123 and 124: CHAPTER VIII ACQUISITION AND PROCES
Page 125 and 126: VIII. Acquisition and Processing 11
Page 129 and 130: Table 15 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA M
Page 143 and 144:
VIII. Acquisition and Processing 13
Page 145:
VIII. Acquisition and Processing 13
Page 148 and 149:
138 The University of California Li
Page 150 and 151:
Page 152 and 153:
Page 154 and 155:
Page 157 and 158:
CHAPTER X HOUSING THE LIBRARY SYSTE
Page 159 and 160:
X. Housing 149 The shortage of spac
Page 161 and 162:
X. Housing 151 visited each campus,
Page 163 and 164:
X. Housing 153 Year Actual FTE Staf
Page 165 and 166:
Table 23 X. Housing 155 Space Requi
Page 167 and 168:
X. Housing 157 Total, All Campuses
Page 169 and 170:
X. Housing 159 Table 26 Total New L
Page 171 and 172:
X. Housing 161 asf, the low figure
Page 173 and 174:
X. Housing 163 not be housed in exi
Page 175 and 176:
X. Housing 165 Table 30 Cost of Sub
Page 177 and 178:
X. Housing 167 that are meant. Howe
Page 179 and 180:
X. Housing 169 Third! (There is a h
Page 181 and 182:
X. Housing 171 that "past use" is "
Page 183 and 184:
X. Housing 173 Table 32 Costs of Sh
Page 185 and 186:
X. Housing 175 monographs, on the o
Page 187 and 188:
X. Housing 177 For the purposes of
Page 189 and 190:
X. Housing 179 degree of overlap be
Page 191 and 192:
X. Housing 181 • that brief bibli
Page 193 and 194:
X. Housing 183 Region. The principa
Page 195:
X. Housing 185 Table 35 Estimated N
Page 198 and 199:
Page 200 and 201:
Page 202 and 203:
Page 204 and 205:
Page 206 and 207:
Page 208 and 209:
Page 210 and 211:
Page 212 and 213:
Page 214 and 215:
Page 216 and 217:
Page 218 and 219:
Page 220:
show all

The University of California Libraries: A Plan for Development (1977)

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?