Technical & Information Services

TECHNICAL & INFORMATION SERVICES • What are Technical Services? • Technical Services Units • Technical Services background and philosophy

What are Technical Services? • Library services are divided into 2: 1. Technical Services – traditionally handled those tasks associated with bringing materials into the library and making them ready for the general public or user to use. 2. Public Services – those activities that directly assisted the end-user in gaining access to information in/outside the library.

Basic functions of a library • • • • • • • • •

Identification- locate potential items Selection – decide on the items to add to collections Acquisition – order/secure the items Organization – indexing, cataloging. Preparation – labeling, make item ready for storage Storage – preserve on shelves, for easy retrieval Interpretation – assisting end-users locate materials Utilization – provide equipment and space Dissemination – establish a system for lending items

Technical Services • • • •

Acquisition Cataloging & Classification Serial Circulation

ACQUISITION SERVICES • Contributes to the process of ordering and receiving of materials selected for inclusion to library collection. • As a result of purchases, some are gifts or exchanges. • Types of materials purchased: Printed;Non-printed and electronic resources.

Acquisition Process • Order Request Books In Print, Publisher’s Catalog, etc. • Order Request verification Check bibliographic details, ISBN, prices, etc. • Select vendor sent order to appropriate vendor • Received materials from vendor • Prepare invoices for payment After checking with orders • Process materials and display on shelves.

Acquisition of serials Serials - A publication issued in successive parts, usually

at regular intervals, and as a rule, intended to be continued indefinitely. Serials include periodicals, annuals(reports, yearbooks, etc.) proceedings, etc. (ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science) Journals – A periodical publication especially dealing with matters of current interest, often used for official or semi-official publication of special groups.

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Contd

Electronic Journals definition: a journal for which the full end product is available on optical disc, over a network or any other electronic form. Strictly, a journal in which all aspects of preparation, refereeing, assembly and distribution are carried out electronically (Harrod’s Librarian Glosarry)

CATALOGING Why Catalog? • Library materials are made accessible to users. • Materials should be organized well so user can find what they want quickly and easily. • Cataloging provide access to library materials by putting detailed information about the materials into a searchable catalog that will lead users to the materials themselves.

Functions of the catalog • To enable a person to find a book using different approach: 1. The author 2. The title 3. The subject 4. ISBN/ISSN 5. Classification number 6. Etc.

Contd…

Available in 2 format: 1. Card 2. or electronic (OPAC) Online Public Access Catalog – an electronic databases containing bibliographic details just like the card catalog.

Example of an OPAC

CLASSIFICATIONS • A system to identify and arrange the categories of knowledge according to their subjects. • Logical, easily used and recognizable patterns both to the users and the people assigned to do the task of classifying them. • DDC & LCC are 2 most commonly used classification system.

Principles of Classification - Use language to identify categories or divide knowledge (eg. Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Humanities, natural Sciences, ….. etc.) - Subject Headings – Subdivision Geographic, Forms, Topical, Chronological.

REFERENCE SERVICES • The role of reference services is to make information available to library users. • Roles is to facilitate access to library collection and to provide guidance to library usage. • The reference collection are build based on the goals and objectives of the particular institution. • Reference materials consist of - General –Bibliographies, dictionaries, etc. - Periodicals - Internet - databases, etc…

Contd …

Reference services: • Library Instruction Term used to describe the ways in which the library staff teach patrons about the use of the library. • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Process by which a borrower in one library obtains the use of books, periodicals articles or any library materials from another, sometimes distant, library. • Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI)

Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) • Sometimes, reference librarians noted that some newly received materials would be of interest to certain users. • This should be made known to the users (of their availability in the library). • SDI is a customized reference service offered to a special group of people (researchers, academicians, etc). • Based on the interest profile of the user compiled by the library, newly received materials will be notify to the appropriate user. • SDI is sometimes called current awareness service, with the purpose of keeping users aware of current developments in their fields.

CIRCULATION SERVICES “Activity of the library that deals directly with the users” Customer Relations To satisfy the information needs of the library patrons Circulation Control System Registration memberships, Loans, overdues, etc. Preservation Handle books & lib materials Security Theft Detection System, etc.

The use of computer (I.T) in certain Library operations/functions. • • • • •

Acquisition Cataloguing Circulation Control Serial Control Documentation and Information Retrieval

Acquisition • • • • • •

Check for duplication of entries Preparation of order list Preparing for payment/invoices Checking order request Check received order etc

Cataloguing • Duplicating bibliographic details for cataloging process. • Preparation of authority files/subject headings list • Copy cataloging

Circulation Control • Registration of memberships. • Charging and discharging of library materials. • Reservations of library material. • Identifying Fines, etc.

Serial Control • • • •

Ordering of serials Renewal of order. Receipt and updating serial records. etc,.

Documentation & Information Retrieval • Indexing and abstracting process. • Bibliographic works • Generate printout and do queries for users • Etc.

E-Books • Handheld, stand-alone analogues devices such as ultra-portable electronic spell checkers, dictionaries and other similar reference tools. • Example are the Kamus Elektronik Bestari.

E-Books Characteristics: High capacity of storage able to store vast amount of information Speed of use Information are displayed instantly Portability smaller & easy to carry anywhere Immediate access to new information & ideas Easier & give access to lots of information