STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT ALBANY
School of Library and Information Sclence
LIB 607: Computers and Libxaxy Automation
Instxuctor: Geraldene Walker
No prerequisites, 3 credits
Summer 1982
Course description
A survey of computer hardware and software, and their application to Library
administration, technical services, information services, document delivery
systems and information processing.
Course objectives
1. The student will become familiar with the uses of computers in libraries,
including a consideration of such issues as autonomy versus cooperation,
turnkey systems versus independent development, and the foxmulation of
standards. Many decisions in automation hinge not on technical issues,
but on ethical questions ox value judgements.
2. Students should be able to read and understand a substantial body of auto-
mation literature appearing in basic journals such as Journal of tdbr
Automation or Program. This entails the command of a considerable range
of “jacgon" associated with this field.
3. Students should be able to communicate technical requirements to programmers,
systems analysts and other non-librarians, and to demonstrate an wnderstand~
ing of work flow and systems analysis.
Textbook: edd, L.A. An introduction to computer-based Library systems
Philadelphia: Heyden, 1977
Method of Instruction
Lectures, seminars, assigned readings and practical sessions
Mathod of Evaluation
Final examination - 30%
Mid-texm test - 30%
Practical assignment - 40%
A grvade of B will be given for student performance which meets all. course
rvequixenents and is judged to be satisfactory at the graduate level. Other
grades will be detexmined in relation to the standard of the B grade,
