Library Science Essay

An integrated library system (ILS), also known as a library management system (LMS),[1][2] is an enterprise resource planning system for a library, used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed. An ILS usually comprises a relational database, software to interact with that database, and two graphical user interfaces (one for patrons, one for staff). Most ILSes separate software functions into discrete programs called modules, each of them integrated with a unified interface. Examples of modules might include: acquisitions (ordering, receiving, and invoicing materials) cataloging (classifying and indexing materials) circulation (lending materials to patrons and receiving them back) serials (tracking magazine and newspaper holdings) the OPAC (public interface for users) Each patron and item has a unique ID in the database that allows the ILS to track its activity. Larger libraries use an ILS to order and acquire, receive and invoice, catalog, circulate, track and shelve materials. Smaller libraries, such as those in private homes or non-profit organizations (like churches or synagogues, for instance), often forgo the expense and maintenance required to run an ILS, and instead use a library computer system. [citation needed] Contents [hide] 1 History 1. 1 Pre-computerization 1. 2 1960s: the influence of computer technologies 1. 3 1970s-1980s: the early integrated library system 1. 4 1990s-2000s: the growth of the Internet 1. 5 Mid 2000s-Present: increasing costs and customer dissatisfaction 2 Examples 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External links [edit]History [edit]Pre-computerization Prior to computerization, library tasks were performed manually and independently from one another. Selectors ordered materials with ordering slips, cataloguers manually catalogued items and indexed them with the card catalog system (in which all bibliographic data was kept on a single index card), and users signed books out manually, indicating their name on cue cards which were then kept at the circulation desk. Early mechanization came in 1936, when the University of Texas began using a punch card system to manage library circulation. [3] While the punch card system allowed for more efficient tracking of loans, library services were far from being integrated, and no other library task was affected by this change. [edit]1960s: the influence of computer technologies Following this, the next big innovation came with the advent of MARC standards in the 1960s which coincided with the growth of computer technologies – library automation was born. [3] From this point onwards, libraries began experimenting with computers, and, starting in the late 1960s and continuing into the 1970s, bibliographic services utilizing new online technology and the shared MARC vocabulary entered the market; these included OCLC (1967), Research Libraries Group (which has since merged with OCLC), and Washington Library Network (which became Western Library Network and is also now part of OCLC). [4] [edit]1970s-1980s: the early integrated library system Screenshot of a Dynix menu. The 1970s can be characterized by improvements in computer storage as well as in telecommunications. [4] As a result of these advances, ‘turnkey systems on microcomputers,’[4] known more commonly as integrated library systems (ILS) finally appeared. These systems included necessary hardware and software which allowed the connection of major circulation tasks, including circulation control and overdue notices. [5] As the technology developed, other library tasks could be accomplished through ILS as well, including acquisition, cataloguing, reservation of titles, and monitoring of serials. [6] [edit]1990s-2000s: the growth of the Internet With the evolution of the Internet throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, ILSs began allowing users to more actively engage with their libraries through OPACs and online web-based portals. Users could log into their library accounts to reserve or renew books, as well as authenticate themselves for access to library-subscribed online databases. Inevitably, during this time, the ILS market grew exponentially. By 2002, the ILS industry averaged sales of approximately US$500 million annually, compared to just US$50 million in 1982. [5] [edit]Mid 2000s-Present: increasing costs and customer dissatisfaction By the mid to late 2000s, ILS vendors had increased not only the number of services offered but also their prices, leading to some dissatisfaction among many smaller libraries. At the same time, open source ILS was in its early stages of testing. Some libraries began turning to such open source ILSs as Koha and Evergreen. Common reasons noted were to avoid vendor lock in, avoid license fees, and participate in software development. Freedom from vendors also allowed libraries to prioritize needs according to urgency, as opposed to what their vendor can offer. [7] Libraries which have moved to open source ILS have found that vendors are now more likely to provide quality service in order to continue a partnership since they no longer have the power of owning the ILS software and tying down libraries to strict contracts. [7] This has been the case with the SCLENDS consortium. Following the success of Evergreen for the Georgia PINES library consortium, the South Carolina State Library along with some local public libraries formed the SCLENDS consortium in order to share resources and to take advantage of the open source nature of the Evergreen ILS to meet their specific needs. [7] By October 2011, just 2 years after SCLENDS began operations, 13 public library systems across 15 counties had already joined the consortium, in addition to the South Carolina State Library. Librarytechnology. org does an annual survey of over 2,400 libraries and noted in 2008 2%[8] of those surveyed used open source ILS, in 2009 the number increased to 8%,[9] in 2010 12%,[10] and in 2011 11% [11] of the libraries polled had adopted open source ILSs. [edit]Examples Open-source Evergreen Greenstone Invenio Koha Kuali OLE NewGenLib PhpMyBibli OpenBiblioÃ'Ž VuFind Proprietary Aleph from Ex Libris Innovative Interfaces Library†¢Solution, Library†¢Solution for Schools, and CARL†¢X from The Library Corporation LibraryWorld NOSA Qulto System SirsiDynix, Symphony—current version and Unicorn—a legacy system. SydneyPLUS International Capita Alto formerly Talis Alto (UK and Ireland) Virtua, former VTLS, from VTLS Inc. Voyager from former company Endeavor Information Systems, later acquired by Ex Libris (Polish) MOL, Patron and MOLIK – interface created for children (Polish) SOWA, SOWA2, SOWA2/MARC21, SOWA2/MARC21/SQLÃ'Ž Legacy NOTIS Dynix [edit]See also Library and information science portal Library computer system OPAC List of next-generation catalogs History of Library Automation [edit]References ^ Adamson, Veronica, et al. (2008). JISC & SCONUL Library Management Systems Study PDF (1 MB). Sheffield, UK: Sero Consulting. p. 51. Retrieved on 21 January 2009. â€Å"†¦ a Library Management System (LMS or ILS ‘Integrated Library System’ in US parlance). † Some useful library automation software are: KOHA ,Grennstone . LIBsis, and granthlaya. Tennant, Roy (16 April 2008). â€Å"Picking When to Jump, Part 2†. Library Journal. Reed Business Information. Retrieved 20 January 2009. â€Å"Across the pond they use the term library management systems (LMS) for what we call the integrated library system (ILS). † ^ a b Wallace, Patricia M. (1991). Gary M. Pitkin. ed. Library Systems Migration: An Introduction. Westport, CT: Meckler. p. 3. ISBN 0-88736-738-0. ^ a b c Wallace, Patricia M. (1991). Gary M. Pitkin. ed. Library Systems Migration: An Introduction. Westport, CT: Meckler. p. 4. ISBN 0-88736-738-0. ^ a b Kochtanek, Thomas R. (2002). â€Å"1 – The Evolution of LIS and Enabling Technologies†. Library Information Systems: From Library Automation to Distributed Information Access Solutions. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. p. 4. ISBN 1-59158-018-8. ^ Kochtanek, Thomas R. (2002). â€Å"1 – The Evolution of LIS and Enabling Technologies†. Library Information Systems: From Library Automation to Distributed Information Access Solutions. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. p. 5. ISBN 1-59158-018-8. ^ a b c Hamby, R. ; McBride, R. , & Lundberg, M. (2011, Oct. ). â€Å"South Carolina’s SCLENDS optimizing libraries, transforming lending†. Computers in Libraries. 8 31: 6–10. ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2008. pl ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2009. pl ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2010. pl ^ http://www. librarytechnology. org/perceptions2011. pl [edit]Further reading Olson, N. (2010). Taken for Granted – The Construction of Order in the Process of Library Management System Decision Making (Vol. 45). Goteborg / Boras: Valfrid publishing. [1] Rubin, Richard E. Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. , 2004. [edit]External links MARC Records, Systems and Tools : Network Development and MARC Standards Office, Library of Congress Higher Education Library Technology,(HELibTech) a wiki supported by SCONUL (Society of College National and University Libraries) that covers many aspects of library technology and lists technologies in use in UK Higher Education Key resources in the field of Library Automation Categories: Library automationÃ'Ž

Activities of Investment Banking Essay

The Investment bank is the financial institution which assists the governments, corporations and the individuals in raising the capital by acting or underwriting as the agent of the client in issuance of securities. The investment bank can also help the companies which are involved in acquisitions and mergers, and offer ancillary services like the trading of the derivatives, market making, foreign exchanges, instruments of the fixed income, equity securities and commodities. Unlike the retail banks and commercial banks, the investment banks don’t take the deposits. There are commonly two main channels in the process of investment banking. Trading the cash for securities like market making, facilitating transactions or for cash or for the promotion of the securities like research, underwriting is known as the sell side, while correlate with the mutual funds, hedge funds, pension funds and investment public comprises the buy side. Various companies have sell and buy side components. What are the main activities of the investment banking? The investment banking is generally split into back office, middle office and front office activities. While the big service investment banks provide all the channels of the business both buy side and sell side. The little sell side investment companies like as the small broker dealers and the boutique investment banks focus on the trading/sales/research and investment banking respectively. The Investment banks also provide services to both the investors buying securities and the corporations issuing securities. For the corporations, the investment banking provide information on how and when to place the securities on the open market, this activity is very much important to the reputation of any investment bank. Thus, the investment bankers play a key role in issuing the new offerings of the securities. Other activities of the investment banking: Apart from the main activities, there are some additional activities, in which the process of investment banking is involved. These are: †¢ Global transaction banking: This part is the division of investment banking which offers custody services, cash management, security brokerage and lending services to various institutions. Hedge funds with Prime brokerage is especially a risky as well as profitable business. †¢ Merchant banking: This process is also known as the â€Å"very personal banking†. The merchant banks provide capitals in exchange for the share ownerships and also provide information on strategy and management. The term merchant banking is also used to define the private equity part of any company. †¢ Investment management: This service offers professional management of several securities like bonds, shares and of other assets like real estate to meet with certain goals of investment for the profit of the investors. These investors can be institutions like pension funds, insurance companies, corporations and many more or the private investors. †¢ The investment management division of an investment bank is generally divided into separate groups, often known as Private Wealth Management and Private Client Services. †¢ Merchant banking is also a name used to describe the private equity side of a firm.Merchant Banking: Past and Present Current examples include Defoe Fournier & Cie. and JPMorgan’s One Equity Partners and the original J.P. Morgan & Co. Rothschilds, Barings, Warburgs and Morgans were all merchant banks. (Originally, â€Å"merchant bank† was the British English term for an investment bank.) Reference: http://classof1.com/homework-help/finance-homework-help/

Evidence based descision making masters level Essay

Evidence based descision making masters level - Essay Example The Medline, Embase, Chinahl, British nursing index and the Cochrane controlled trials register databases were searched. Two randomized controlled trials containing raw data were selected for use in the review. Both were underpowered, therefore the data were used to create a meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated that sacral neurostimulation is an efficient means of treating refractory urinary incontinence. The study concluded that sacral neuromodulation is an effective and safe treatment for refractory urge incontinence with long lasting effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of refractory urinary urge incontinence and review the current knowledge as well as identify knowledge gaps on the effectiveness of the treatment. The review will focus on research studies that either prove or dispel the effectiveness of the treatment in those with refractory urge incontinence. The review will also elaborate on the discussion based on the critical analysis of the literature and will seek to establish the validity and reliability of the findings from the reviewed studies. The study will culminate in recommendations that could advise and inform nursing practice on novel and innovative clinical approaches in dealing with patients with refractory urge incontinence. Research-based or best practice-based solutions will be highlighted as constant reminders for nursing practitioners and other health professionals dealing with urge incontinence. Involuntary release of urine, which may be caused by physiologic, pharmacologic, pathologic, or psychological factors, is known as urinary incontinence (Ogundele, 2006). The International Continence Society (ICS) defines urinary incontinence "as a condition of involuntary urine loss that is objectively demonstrable and is a social or hygienic problem" (Ogundele, 2006). The lifetime prevalence of UI in all ages has been estimated to be about 6.6% in males and

The difference between chinese and british consumer behaviour on Literature review

The difference between chinese and british consumer behaviour on coffee consumption - Literature review Example The literature review will give information on how the attitudes affect consumer behaviour. It will investigate the actual and post purchase behaviours where it will include information such as where and how coffee is purchased in the two countries. It will also explain about the factors that affect the post purchase behaviour of the consumers. The literature review will describe the coffee shop atmosphere and how it will influence consumer behaviour. Other models of consumer behaviour will also be discussed under this topic. Consumer behaviour on coffee consumption in China Gillespie, Jeannet and Hennessey have argued that coffee consumption depends on the consumer income. Starbucks gave coffee market in China a priority as it believed in Chinese youth consumers. Coffee sales have increased and shown a positive growth. Starbucks has improved its marketing strategies by reducing coffee prices. The writers have stated that coffee is mostly consumed by elite consumers, tourists and exp atriates as they are the most targeted group by the coffee operators. They influence other consumer to have a coffee preference. Consumers that are attracted or like the luxury products tend to consume more coffee than other consumers. Increase in consumption level has lead to increase in coffee stores in the country who are competing amongst themselves (Gillespie, Jeannet, & Hennessey, 2010). Nagel has also argued that Starbuck has helped to increase coffee preference in China. An increase in coffee consumption has been experienced in the large cities such as Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. These cities have been flexible enough to adapt western culture such as coffee drinking, due to the attraction of the western lifestyle. The Chinese in the big cities have changed their consumer behaviour due to the influence of different cultures and westernisation. The growth of coffee consumption in some cities has been affected by the government and the Chinese traditions. Nagel also believ es that consumer behaviour among the Chinese youth have changed towards coffee consumption. They have accepted the coffee culture and its associated lifestyle. They now prefer premium coffee and they are drinking grounded coffee, due to its sweet smell compared to instant coffee. Nagel also complements that coffee consumption in China is seen to be a luxurious lifestyle, due to its exceedingly high cost. He concludes that the coffee consumption in China is increasing especially among the youth who grew after culture revolution (Nagel, 2008). Zinzius has states that China has been a tea drinking country but it has slowly adapted coffee drinking culture. This has been greatly influenced by the coffee shop atmosphere. Coffee consumption in China is quite low as many have not adapted to its bitter taste. Others complain that it is keeping them awake till late in the night. Starbucks is one of the companies that have affected the consumer behaviour on coffee consumption in China. The com pany has opened stores that increased coffee consumption and has targeted the youth such as students, young managers and employees. Despite the coffee being expensive, the consumers prefer coffee shops to tea shops as they are mostly filled with smoke and a lot of noise. The tea shops are mostly dominated by the adult population. The company has also offered training in coffee classes to enlighten them

Professional Nursing Development Plan Assignment

Professional Nursing Development Plan - Assignment Example From this area of focus, a student learns an important area in leadership and development as it explores some of the roles of leadership within the multidisciplinary teams in health care organizations. As a person aspiring to assume a nursing leadership role in future, one learns that teamwork has undoubtedly become an important area of focus for the modern health care sector; it has gained enormous popularity (Arroliga, Huber, Myers, Dieckert and Wesson, 2014). Teamwork is essential in nursing profession because functioning as unit implies that everyone in the healthcare organization will act as a team, and the positive effects are felt on the increased efficient of the job. A leader also learns that team working is crucial in enhancing patients’ experience.In this area of study, I am introduced to the impact that evidence-based practice has on the nursing profession and practice. From this topic, I have learned that evidence-based practice contributes a great deal to healthc are transformation and necessary for redesigning efficient, safe and efficient healthcare. From this area of focus, a student learns that clinical knowledge, basic science knowledge, research findings are the ‘‘evidence’’ while practice-based research results are more likely to produce the most desired patient experience. Evidence-based practice improves the healthcare sector through greater availability of information, a higher level of patient experience and satisfaction, cost containment and quality health care.

Why 16 year olds should not get their driver license Essay

Why 16 year olds should not get their driver license - Essay Example Given the current statistics on accidents related to teen driving, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the issuance of driving licenses to teenagers needs to be reviewed. A sixteen year old is still not an adult and is not able to make critical decisions when required to do so. There are several reasons to support the fact that a sixteen year old should not be issued with a driving license as discussed below. For a good driver, anticipation is very vital in making correct judgments on the road while driving. A driver needs to look beyond his/her bonnet in order to drive according to the surrounding and be able to make quick decisions in accordance with the prevailing factors around him/her. A teenager of 16 years cannot quickly comprehend the happenings around him/her and will not look beyond the bonnet while driving. The fact that they cannot react quickly to any changes around them that can potentially be risky makes them very vulnerable to accidents and, therefore, not fit to hold driving licenses. Teenagers like taking unnecessary risks in almost everything that they do. A good example is in video games, where after playing street race games, they will normally want to do the same practically on the road. For a sixteen year old kid with a driving license, imitating video games will lead to overspending. One fact about driving at very high speeds is that getting to control the vehicle becomes a big challenge. According to recent reports, most deaths of teenagers between the age of 15 and 18 are caused by crashes that are, as a result, of overspending. Most teenagers at sixteen years cannot make out the difference in the working principles of a vehicle and what they play on video games. Mastering the rules of the highway may also be a problem for most teens at sixteen years. Consequently, this may lead to accidents that may cost lives. Most teenagers are fans to loud music and other channels of entertainment. They are characterized

Reflective learning log Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Reflective learning log - Essay Example 62). The first part of the article talks about how to put culture into context and is largely based on the work created by Geert Hofstede, described as a "Dutch academic". Hofstede believed that culture is "learned and not inherited" and that it is "somewhere between an individuals unique personality and human nature" (p. 63). Hofstede saw that there were several layers where culture is related to other people in a "mental programming activity". He describes the inner layer as the organization where an individual works, and an outer layer that is the countries or country where an individual lives or has lived. These factors create the first aspects of how people will get along in a leadership capacity. Social class, gender, age, ethnicity and religion are factors that will influence leadership in addition to the others. From this standpoint, the chapter begins to define "organizational culture" and how peel are more apt to define this as "the way we do things around here." (p. 64). There are several theories within this process. Schien suggests that leadership is responsible for the creation, management and sometimes destruction of organizational culture (p. 65). This section of the chapter describes how organizational culture is molded and shaped by different leaders as they also explore culture in the context of what Hofstede sees culture and they attempt to merge the two. The next part of the chapter explores the concept of how organizational culture relates to individuals versus groups in lieu of their own ethnic culture. They begin with a study of individualism and collectivism that explains the difference between groups who only are concerned with the individual versus those who are more socially oriented. They suggest that they way that these two differ may be due to how an individual or group perceives

An Action Plan for Cushy Armchairs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

An Action Plan for Cushy Armchairs - Essay Example Even though Sampson had new ideas and plans to change the operations in the company, it was soon found out that her directives were not being met by the company units across the world. A message that she sent to all managers in her company draws zero response and proves that she is not at the helm of affairs of the company. Â  There could be many reasons as to why Sampson had to face issues as Cushy Armchairs. The foremost issue of importance is that Sampson is trying her hand at change and that all employees, irrespective of their status and positions, will have a tendency to resist change. It is also important to note that she has taken charge in an Asian country where gender-specific issues are important when taking orders. Hence she should not expect that her orders will be easily accepted as in her country in Asian regions. Sampson was also seen as making an effort to centralize operations of a company whose operations were already decentralized. The stress of centralizing operations and the importance given to a central administration in her email would have turned opinion against her. Finally, email is not considered as an official form of communication in most part of the world, and hence her email could either have been discarded as a piece of informal communication or there is even the chanc e that the communication never got across to the right people because of lack of knowledge in operating computers or because of a lack of IT infrastructure. Her communication also lacked credibility and accountability since she did not ask for acknowledgment of her communication. Â  It may be argued that resistance to change could be the major issue that would have prompted managers in the company to resist the orders listed out by Sampson. The fact that the founder of the company was being replaced is itself a recipe for discontent within the company.

Applying lewin theory Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Applying lewin theory - Case Study Example This was to ensure why change was necessary and be able to let go of the present comfort zone. He recognized all the risks of making big changes in himself, the company as well as the colleagues but he was prepared to take action to every reaction. In this stage he expected complains from his colleagues due to the changes he was making. The change involved having a leaderless team, change the company’s name and lay off the current supervisor of the group. This was the second stage which involved implementing the required changes and coming up with more efficient and effective ideas after all the team members have agreed to the same. Glen requested reinstatement by filing grievances and John allowed him to stay in the group but not as the group leader. John weighed all his options and decided that the teams should not inquire anything from him instead they should review everything they discuss in their group meetings. This was to empower them to their desired destiny as they would have opportunities to control their own work. This stage was involved moving the work mates and the entire business to incentive for transformation. The changes made by John were not easy for Glen and other team members in the company. The first team meeting they had after the changes, they did not know how to proceed since they did not have someone to give them such details (Simms & Knowledge, 2005). William who had always thought of being a team leader volunteered to start off the meeting but he did not know what to tell the rest of the team. Though William had never been a formal team leader before, he was allowed to stand in to ensure that meetings were held. The next meeting they he came with ideas of how to improve the company but the rest of the team members never agreed on his thoughts instead, they spent the rest of the meeting voting on things they

Managerial Economics - Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managerial Economics - Questions - Essay Example 2. Advertising – advertising your own business requires a lot of money since it is expensive. However, franchisees do not need to worry about advertising their business because advertisement campaigns are already included in the fee that was paid by the franchisee and when the mother company advertises its products it normally carries all franchise outlets. 3. Name Recognition – most consumers nowadays buy products with brand names since it gives an assurance of quality. Most franchise outlets carry the name of well known companies with branded products that are trusted by consumers, and so they often patronize franchises. 4. Reputation – a franchisee also enjoys the protected reputation of the franchisor because lawsuits and other legalities, which may occur, would be taken care of the franchisor’s legal department. Franchisors will always look after their franchises in order to maintain their good status. 5. Support – when an individual invests in a franchise he is given the full support by the franchisor by providing technical know-how, skill, training in accounting and equipment. Support is always given to attain elevated success ratios in order to be able to sell more franchises. Corporate culture is the organization’s way of life and is an important factor in the success of an organizational architecture. Organizational architecture mainly survives in a corporate culture which possesses the following qualities (Blumenthal, n.d.): a) A team that functions as one; b) Has information sharing policy; c) Values the growth and success of its personnel; d) Puts more importance to consistency rather than hi-tech demarcation; e) Observes and respects authority; f) Measures performance output through hands-on management and is more on result-oriented people. By properly analyzing the corporate way of life, the organization architecture would be able to appraise the essential factors that