Library circulation

Abstract: An automated library circulation control system includes a plurality of remote book processing terminals and a computer controlling the terminals and processing data between the terminals and the computer to maintain a current inventory of the circulation status of the library books. The system provides for automatic charging of library materials by patrons, record keeping of all library transactions, modification and interrogation of computer data files, intercommunication between the computer and a remote data processor and detection of unauthorized removal of books from the library. Each terminal has a card reader for patron identification, an optical reader for book identification, an electromagnetic activator for magnetizing and demagnetizing a magnetic strip in each book, a printer for printing charge-out information, and a display screen and keyboard for communications between patron and computer. In charging a book, a patron inserts his card in the card reader and places the book in a book tray in the terminal. The optical scanner reads bar coded symbols on a label on the front of the book. The computer compares the card reader and optical scanner inputs with its data files to determine that the patron is authorized to charge out books and that the book is authorized to be checked out. If authorization is given, the transaction is recorded by the computer which then enables the printer to provide a print-out of the transaction for the patron.

Abstract: Revue bibliographique: demande en revues scientifiques, utilisation et lectorat de ces revues

Abstract: It is shown that Trueswell's empirical 80/20 rule arises quite naturally, in general terms at least, from the type of stochastic model for library loans presented by Burrell and Cane. Particular attention is paid to previously suggested uses of the rule in identifying a ‘core collection’ for a library. This emphasizes that the length of the time period considered is of crucial importance.

Abstract: Many approaches to decision support for the academic library acquisition budget allocation have been proposed to diversely reflect the management requirements. Different from these methods that focus mainly on either statistical analysis or goal programming, this paper introduces a model (ABAMDM, acquisition budget allocation model via data mining) that addresses the use of descriptive knowledge discovered in the historical circulation data explicitly to support allocating library acquisition budget. The major concern in this study is that the budget allocation should be able to reflect a requirement that the more a department makes use of its acquired materials in the present academic year, the more it can get budget for the coming year. The primary output of the ABAMDM used to derive weights of acquisition budget allocation contains two parts. One is the descriptive knowledge via utilization concentration and the other is the suitability via utilization connection for departments concerned. An applicat-ion to the library of Kun Shan University of Technology was described to demonstrate the introduced ABAMDM in practice.