Changing Trends In Library Automation

The paper reviews the pioneering role of the computer centres and co-operative library schemes in library automation using mainframe computers prior to the evolution of Microcomputer technology. With the development of microcomputer technology, cooperative library schemes diversified their business into new market segments by converting their products and started to provide new services such as, database conversions, training, consultancy, maintenance, documentation, computer hardware and access to a wide range of full text electronic journals. Cooperative library schemes in this way have remained relevant and continued to play an important role in library automation. Computer centres on the other hand have found it difficult to shed off the tradition of providing computing services to the library using the mainframe computer of the parent organisation. Libraries have resisted this encroachment on their `sovereignty' by the computer centre. There is however an emerging trend showing the need for the library and computer centre to co-operate with one another. In organisations that do not have computer centres, Information Technology (IT) units are playing a similar role to that played by computer centres. The paper examines areas where the library and the computer centre can co-operate as partners of the organisation wide management information system. (African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science: 2000 10 (1): 23-34