Critical success factors of automated library systems

This Final Year Project is targeted at comparing the Critical Success Factors (CSF) of automating the operations and facilities of a library in the American and Singapore contexts. An effort was also made to compare the library system with a General Information System Model. It is hoped that these recommendations will be useful for developing libraries which are undertaking Information Technology related projects to upgrade their facilities. The Singapore Integrated Library Automation System (SILAS) is a resource for the entire nation and it has improved the quality of cataloguing in Singapore. The experience of some American Universities on library automation projects would be useful input into a portfolio of CSF on library automation. A Case study was conducted on the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Library, one of the leading academic libraries in Singapore where library automation is concerned. Information regarding the history of automation in the NTU Library was gathered during the Literature Review. A structured interview was subsequently conducted with the deputy I chief librarians of the tertiary institution on the impact of automation. A short survey was also designed to gather more information with respect to the impact on users in particular. Finally, a brief conclusion was drawn on the CSF that contributed to the successful automation of the Library. Comparisons were made between library automation projects in American and Singapore Universities, as well as between a Library system and a General Information System Similarities and differences in the CSF for each comparison were also discussed. A portfolio of CSF was compiled. Subsequently, recommendations were made on factors leading to a successful automation in a library.ACCOUNTANC