ICT IGCSE
6.12 Computers in
Libraries
Objectives
Explain Computers in
Libraries
Analyse databases
Starter
Libraries have been around for
literally thousands of years. Why?
Libraries often contain many thousands of books, magazines, CD-
ROMs, etc. In fact, some of the largest libraries (e.g. The British
Library in the UK) contain well over 100 million items - that's a lot of
things to keep track of!
Introduction
Library records were kept
▪ on cards
▪ in an indexing system
Before computers, libraries had
to use manual paper-based
systems.
Details of books were recorded
on small cards which were then
kept in small drawers (in order
of author's name, for fiction
books, or in order of subject, for
non-fiction books)
You can probably imagine that
keeping these cards up-to-date,
and making sure non got lost, or
put back in the wrong place,
was a huge job!
For this reason, libraries use computer-based
systems to keep a record of their books, and
of the people who borrow the books.
Advantages of being use
computer –bases library system
A computerised library database
allows for:
Quick and easy searching for books
Easy printing out of book lists / labels
Easy tracking of book loans (who has
it, when it was borrowed, etc.)
Automatic printing of warning letters
for borrowers who have not returned
books
Library system
Librarysystem involve the use of
barcodes on the book being
borrowed and on the borrower’s
ID/library card.
International Standard Book Number
(ISBN)
Every published book has an International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
The ISBN is typically printed on the back of the book in numeric form, and as
a barcode (to allow for quick data entry)
DATABASES USED IN
LIBRARY SYSTEM
The Book Database / Book File
• A typical library book database might
contain:
Book ID (number / text)
• Title (text)
• Author (text)
• Publisher (text)
• ISBN (number)
• Fiction / non-fiction (boolean)
• Genre / category (text)
• Cost (number)
• Date of purchase (date)
The Borrower Database
• A typical library borowwer database
might contain:
Borrower ID (number / text)
• Name (text)
• Phone number (text)
• Address (text)
• E-mail address (text)
• Date of birth (date)
Borrowers are commonly given library cards that have
their details printed on, so that they don't have to
remember their ID.
Most cards also have the borrower's ID in the form of a
barcode for quick and easy data input when borrowing
books
The Loans Database
• The loans database has records
added to it when someone borrows a
book. The loans database links
together records from the books
database and the borrower
database.
A typical loans database would
contain:
Book ID (number / text)
The loans database can be regularly checked for loans that
are late back. The computer simply has to search the
database for records where:
Due date is before Today
When a late record is found, the borrower ID can be used
to link to the borrower's record. The borrower's address / e-
mail can then be used to send out an automatic reminder
letter.
Other ways libraries use
ICT
Advertising their services/events
online
Telling members about new books
etc, using either their website or
mail merged letters
Locating books for members (in
databases of other libraries)
Audio books
E-books
Internet access for the public
HOT: RFID
Some libraries
now have ‘self
service’ RFID
checkouts,
where
customers can
check books
out
themselves
without the
HOT
Planery : Input devices
Mouse – for?
Keyboard – for?
Barcode reader – for?
Magnetic stripe reader – for?
Homework (in your
books)
design a book file and borrowers file
