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This resource covers the ICT applications used in libraries, exploring their objectives, processes, and data management systems. It highlights the importance of various input, process, and output stages, including barcode technology for tracking book loans and managing member transactions. Students will learn about library databases, including book and member tables, and the associated primary keys and data types. The resource also discusses the practical use of ICT in libraries for service promotion, e-book availability, and self-service checkouts, emphasizing the role of technology in modern library management.
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ICT IGCSE ICT in Libraries
Objectives • Understand a wide range of work-related ICT applications and their effects, including applications in libraries (such as records of books and borrowers and the issue of books)
Introduction • Libraries have been around for literally thousands of years. Why? • Because books are expensive! • Library records were kept • on cards • in an indexing system
Stages • Input • Process • Storage • Output
What happens? • When a new member joins a library, a membership card is issued which has a bar-code printed on it. Every book in the library has a bar-code printed inside it. • When a member takes a book out on loan, the barcode of the book is read by a barcode reader - also the barcode of the member's card. Together with the date, this constitutes a 'transaction'.
Inputs • the barcode from the book • the barcode from the member's card • the date & time • librarian's name etc • This 'transaction' is then stored in the library's database. • NB : Barcodes contain a check digit which is used for automatic validation by the barcode reader.
Input devices • Mouse – for? • Keyboard – for? • Barcode reader – for? • Magnetic stripe reader – for?
The Library database • The library's database would have files (tables) containing details about ... • the books, magazines etc.. • the members • the transactions
Book table • ISBN • Genre • Title (from publisher's database) • Author (from publisher's database) • Subject • Dewey decimal classification • Year of publication • Publisher • Date purchased • Price
Book table • Which is the primary key? • What data types & validation would you choose, and why?
Member table • Membership number • Forename • Surname • Date of birth • Occupation • Address • Telephone • Date of joining • Membership category – eg student/child/OAP/family etc • Which is the primary key? • What data types & validation would you choose, and why?
Transaction Table • ISBN • Membership Number • Date out • Date due back • Which is the primary key? • What data types & validation would you choose, and why?
Process • The computer system will need to be able to calculate which books are overdue and whether any fines are due. • It will need to generate reminders • Reserve books • The library system is a real-time or onlinesystem as data is updated immediately a book is loaned out.
Outputs • Summary reports (on paper/on screen) • Results of searches (on screen) • Mail merged letters to members Output devices: • Screen • Printer (laser/inkjet/dot matrix?) • Speakers
Why use a database? Databases are used to store information in an organized, logical manner, but why? • So we can do something with the data at a later date…. • Searching • Sorting • Retrieving
Information Retrieval • Whether a book is currently in stock in the library or whether it is out on loan - searches would have to be performed on the database. • When a book is due back • Which customers have books out on loan • Customers who have books overdue • Search on specific subjects/authors etc • There may also be a link to other libraries to locate specially requested books
Daily checks Every day, the borrower’s file (transaction file) is interrogated to see which books are overdue. • Computer reads a record from the book file • Compares date due with today’s date • If Date Due is less than current date, the book is linked to the Members database • Corresponding record is read & customer details found • Letter or email is generated & sent • Next record is read…. • ….until the whole file has been checked.
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
RFID Some libraries now have ‘self service’ RFID checkouts, where customers can check books out themselves without the need to wait in a queue.
Homework (in your books) • design a data capture form for members, identifying primary key & field names/data types • design a data capture form for books, identifying primary key & field names/data types Make sure your forms ask for all necessary information and are clear and easy to fill in, with examples of expected data where appropriate.