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The best library software for developing countries: More than 30 plus points of micro CDS/ISIS

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Abstract

The article describes the features of a library automation application called Micro CDS/ISIS. The software produced by UNESCO is used by more than 15,000 institutions all over the world. It is free of cost and is readily available. Its technical features include minimum hardware requirements, large database capacity, variable length fields, repeatable fields, subfields, powerful indexing, and rapid searching. It follows international data exchange standards. Support features include extensive documentation and a worldwide user group. Training courses in CDS/ISIS are conducted throughout the world. Because of these characteristics, CDS/ISIS may be recommended as the best library software for developing countries.
... Second, it helps the children develop an interest in many subjects. Third, it teaches how to use a library (Khalid, 1997). Cohn, Kelsey & Fiels, (1997) views the school library as the heart of the school around which the school programme revolves. ...
... Cooperate with other libraries and community leaders in planning and developing an over -all library programs for the community or area. Khalid (1997) defines automation as a process in which mechanical or electronic devices are employed to carry out tasks without human intervention. Fatimah (2002) however, defined library automatic and semi-automatic data processing machines to perform such traditional library activities as acquisitions, cataloguing and circulation. ...
... Those who had been trained gain only limited, or no access, to the packages in which they had been trained. Inquisitive users with information technology (IT) skills cause serious dissatisfaction to the library staff (Khalid, 1997). ...
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This paper focuses on Automation and Digitization of school libraries as an impetus for effective teaching and learning. This is to facilitate information searches and retrieval with the use of computer hardware’s and software’s necessary for this action. The paper also discusses school libraries with its sole objective of improving teaching and learning in primary and post primary schools by providing necessary materials that will complement and supplement school curriculum. The resources and services available in school libraries such as, print and non-print were also enumerated. The paper also highlighted the concept of digitization Automation as it enhances effective use of library resources. Challenges encountered in Digitizing school libraries as inadequate funding, lack of qualified manpower to operate the computer system, inadequate facilities and equipment e.t.c. were also emphasized. Conclusively, the paper proffers recommendations as a way forward to the challenges encountered in school libraries. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n10p79
... Library automation processes in early seventies, in developed countries, and late eighties, in developing countries, were started to automate and smoothen the work flow of the library services. 6 Later in nineties, Internet changed this automation process in the new direction leading to webbased services. Again, during the last five to eight years, the Web 2.0 has revolutionised information communication in the form of faster information sharing, networking, and multimedia-based services. ...
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Application of Web 2.0, 'The Second Generation of the Internet', has become one of the fastest growing communication technology and being adopted by corporate and service sector. The same is the case of library and information science service centres. Increasing popularity of Web 2.0 technology provides a prime opportunity to engage patrons in the virtual environment. It attracts users to communicate with similar interest people through networking and present myriad of resources and information in the form of multimedia, blogging, tagging, bookmarking, messaging, and social networking. This paper discusses some of the implication of the Web 2.0 application as an information awareness tool about the resources available in library and connecting to the other Jaypee Group of Educational Institutions.
... According to the criteria set for the study, LIMS was the only software that had almost all features. Mahmood (1998a) declared CDS/ISIS as the best software for libraries in developing countries by mentioning the 34 points that made it appropriate for automation within libraries. ...
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Purpose – This paper is the part of PhD research of the principal researcher. This paper aims to describe current status of library software being used in the libraries of Pakistan, role of national and foreign agencies in the development of library software in Pakistan, problems faced by the libraries in implementation and to highlight the recommendations by the experts in the field to overcome the problems. It also attempts to provide a bibliography on the topic to researchers in the field of library and information science. Design/methodology/approach – Available literature was reviewed. The articles were usually published in national and international journals of library and information science and contributed by Pakistani authors. Other sources consulted were books, conference proceedings, theses and dissertations and websites of libraries and professionals’ organisations. Findings – The situation in Pakistan regarding library software cannot be compared with the that in advanced countries. Lack of standard library software, the multilingual nature of the library collections, poor budgets, computer illiteracy, software piracy and unavailability of support from local vendors are the main hindrances in the effective implementation of library software. In the available literature, experts have recommended the formulation of a consortium or a body under the umbrella of the Government of Pakistan which could provide standard library software, along with technical support, innovation and upgrades of the software, to meet the needs of Pakistani libraries. Originality/value – This is the first paper that presents the current status of library software in Pakistan, problems faced by the libraries in implementation of library software and recommendations suggested by the experts to overcome the problems.
... tioned the following software, which was being used in these libraries, i.e. CDS/ISIS; INMAGIC; dBASE III plus 8; LOTUS, 123; FOX-BASE and some libraries were using in-house software. According to Haider (1998) the following software was being used by the libraries of Lahore, i.e. CDS/ISIS, INMAGIC, Fox Pro, LAMP, KITABDAR and PAK Library Software. Mahmood (1997 Mahmood ( , 1998) has pointed out more than 30 plus-points of Micro CDS/ISIS, by calling it the best library software for developing countries. He also conducted a survey of libraries in Pakistan using CDS/ISIS and suggested that such surveys should be conducted periodically to know the status of software use and the problems being face ...
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Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the most used library software in Lahore using a checklist and seek librarians' opinions about them. It also aims to seek librarians' opinions about the most desired and needed features of Integrated Library Software (ILS). Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on questionnaire survey, interview, document analysis and personal communication. The questionnaire survey was conducted within automated libraries of Lahore, while interviews were conducted with selected librarians from Lahore. Collected data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively to reach conclusions. Findings A variety of software is being used by the libraries of Lahore. Nor is there available, any standard tool or directory for the selection and evaluation of the software. Evaluation of the software against a checklist reveals the better functionality of Library Information Management System and Library Automation and Management Program than INMAGIC and WINISIS, but librarians were found to be more satisfied with INMAGIC. All the respondents agreed that before selecting any ILS, librarys' actual and perceived needs, available resources and funds should be kept in mind. They also proposed many features of ILS. Research limitations/implications The questionnaire survey is limited to the automated libraries of Lahore and focuses on the comparison and evaluation of the most used software only, while selected librarians with good IT skills were chosen for seeking opinions about the most desired ILS features. Practical implications The survey results can be helpful to foreign and local vendors of ILS, librarians, higher authorities and other developing countries in selecting and maintaining required software. Originality/value It is the first comprehensive study conducted on ILS not only in Lahore, but in Pakistan.
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This article presents the findings of a survey undertaken to determine the current status of library automation in Malaysian Chinese Secondary Schools (MCSSs), which comprise the Independent Chinese Secondary Schools (ICSS) and the National-type Secondary School (NTSS). Questionnaire was mailed to all school libraries from 60 ICSS and 76 NTSS. A total of 89 respondents (65.4%) returned the questionnaires, of which 56 (73.7%) were from the NTSS and 33 (55.0%) from ICSS. Follow-up interviews conducted over the telephone were also carried out to gather supporting information. The study showed that the MCSS libraries started to automate during the 1990s and have been actively involved in library automation projects since 2000. A total of 43.8% school libraries (39.3% NTSS and 51.5% ICSS) have automated their library functions. The study found that circulation is the function mostly automated by libraries, followed by cataloguing. Turnkey system is the choice for most automated NTSS libraries, whereas ICSS libraries opt for systems developed in-house. A total of fifty (56.2%) libraries are not automated, however 39 of them (78.0%) plan to do so in the near future. Small size libraries and libraries with no budget for automation do not plan to automate their libraries function. Management decision is the most important factor in conducting library information work. The research has also identified important factors in determining the systems used, and areas need for future planning initiatives in implementing library automation.
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The programs of information retrieval for developing countries were analyzed, as well as the evaluation techniques applied to the usability, and those applied to the human-computer interaction, making emphasis on the empirical tests. A description was made of the work style of a full text information retrieval system distributed as a free software model, which has achieved an important diffusion level within the Peruvian academic community: the Cybertesis site. Subsequently, the usability problems of the search interface of the mentioned site reveals an excess of information in the presentation of the results, as well as omissions in the signs and labels used, and the absence of necessary search options as, for example, chronologic search. Finally, changes to the search interface of Cybertesis were recommended aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of its information recovery system.
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This paper presents bio-bibliometric analysis of the contributions of Dr. Khalid Mahmood in the field of Library and Information Science through his publications. The analysis includes geographical and year wise distribution of publications; collaboration for publication; publications by type; language and journal preferences for the publication; and coverage of different subject areas. Results of the study indicate that Dr. Khalid Mahmood is a prolific writer in the field of library and information science. He contributed 115 items including 99 articles, six books, eight conference papers and two papers in newsletters till December 31, 2011. Research work by Dr. Khalid Mahmood is well accepted in developed countries like United Kingdom and United States of America. He used English language to disseminate majority of his research work. He believes in teamwork and about two third of his research work was result of collaboration.
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Micro CDS/ISIS, free software developed by UNESCO, is widely being used through out the world for handling and control of bibliographic records. In Pakistan, this is the only software which is mostly being used in libraries and information centres. This paper reports a survey on the status of the use of CDS/ISIS in Pakistan. Use of the software was started in Pakistan in 1988. Cataloguing of books and indexing of periodicals are the major areas of use. Users' opinions about various features of the software are given. Problems faced by the users in using CDS/ISIS are also discussed. Micro version of the UNESCO-developed software package CDS/ISIS was released in 1985. Since that time it has been widely used through out the world. The number of licensed users increased from 3,000 in 1988 to 15,000 at the end of 1994 (1, p.10). The software is available, for non-profit organizations, free of cost direct from UNESCO, Paris or 100+ regional and national distributors. Mentioning the aims of the package Hopkinson (2) says UNESCO's intention in developing CDS/ISIS was to benefit developing countries in which library and information services had no easy and affordable access to software. Additionally, consonant with the aims of PGI, the division of UNESCO at which the package is now maintained, it promotes the exchange of information between different sectors in countries that may be at varying levels of development. From the introduction of the microcomputer version, it has been seen as a tool to use alongside exchange formats (p.76).
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Full-text available
This article presents the findings of a survey undertaken to determine the current status of library automation in Malaysian Chinese Secondary Schools (MCSSs), which comprise the Independent Chinese Secondary Schools (ICSS) and the National-type Secondary School (NTSS). Questionnaire was mailed to all school libraries from 60 ICSS and 76 NTSS. A total of 89 respondents (65.4%) returned the questionnaires, of which 56 (73.7%) were from the NTSS and 33 (55.0%) from ICSS. Follow-up interviews conducted over the telephone were also carried out to gather supporting information. The study showed that the MCSS libraries started to automate during the 1990s and have been actively involved in library automation projects since 2000. A total of 43.8% school libraries (39.3% NTSS and 51.5% ICSS) have automated their library functions. The study found that circulation is the function mostly automated by libraries, followed by cataloguing. Turnkey system is the choice for most automated NTSS libraries, whereas ICSS libraries opt for systems developed in-house. A total of fifty (56.2%) libraries are not automated, however 39 of them (78.0%) plan to do so in the near future. Small size libraries and libraries with no budget for automation do not plan to automate their libraries function. Management decision is the most important factor in conducting library information work. The research has also identified important factors in determining the systems used, and areas need for future planning initiatives in implementing library automation.
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Purpose The paper seeks to reveal the current status of software used in the libraries of Lahore, to explore the satisfaction level of the software users, and to find out their problems and suggestions. Design/methodology/approach The paper reports a survey of automated libraries of Lahore comprising academic (university, college, and school libraries), public and special libraries. Opinions were acquired from the whole population. The data collected were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively, and conclusions were drawn along with recommendations. Findings Most libraries purchased or developed software without any exchange of experience with each other. A variety of software was being used by the libraries of Lahore. No standard tool or directory was available for the selection and evaluation of software, nor was comprehensive literature written and published in a Pakistani scenario discussing the technical and practical aspects of library software. The Pakistani literature available on the topic is not up to date. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to the automated libraries of Lahore and focuses on the comparison of software and determining librarians' opinions. Practical implications The comparative analysis of software used in various libraries of Lahore made in this study and the opinions of the software users studied will be helpful for foreign and local vendors of library software. It will also provide guidelines for libraries in developing countries, which are planning to automate their services, in selecting and maintaining software that is most suitable to their needs. Originality/value No comprehensive survey has been conducted at national or local level to reveal the current status of the software and related problems faced by Pakistani libraries. The current study, although focussing only on libraries in the city of Lahore, can be extrapolated to the country as a whole and should prove useful as an indication of how issues with library software can arise and be handled.
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