Computers in the Library

A database application

Input and Output Devices

Input

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• Scanner / light pen

Output

• VDU / screen / monitor

• Printer

Processing is REAL TIME processing

Tables in the database

Book table fields• Title – text data

• Author – text data

• Book no – number data

• Borrower no – number data

• Date borrowed – number (date) data

Borrower table fields• Surname – text data• Forename – text data• Address – text data• Borrower No – number

data

Creating the relationship

The relationship or link between the tables is created using the borrower number field

Process of Borrowing a Book

• Bar code on library card read

• Computer finds borrowers record in borrower table

• Bar code on book read

• Computer finds book record in book table

• Borrower number is entered in to book record

• Date borrowed is entered in to book record

Process of Returning a Book

• Bar code on book read

• Computer finds book record in book table

• Borrower number is deleted from the book record

• Date borrowed is deleted from the book record

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

The searching and sorting can be carried out more quickly than humans can do it

The searching and sorting can be carried out more accurately than humans can do it

Reports and letters can be produced automatically

Fewer staff are required to deal with the record s - an advantage for library managers

Staff can spend time on other librarian’s task instead of filing records

Disadvantages

•Staff need to be trained

•The system is expensive and takes a lot of time to set up and maintain

•If the system crashes you may not be able to access the data

•There may be redundancies