Introduction to Automation for Librarians

In a complete update of this classic text, author and automation expert William Saffady once again performs the vital function of surveying the types of technology used in libraries and discusses the library applications available to staff and patrons. He assesses the newest developments in operating systems, computer hardware, desktop and display technologies, and programming languages.. "Written in layman's terms that even technophobes can understand, Introduction to Automation provides the keys to identifying the important characteristics of technology and understanding its many uses and applications.

Library Journal

Like the second edition (Professional Reading, LJ 9/1/89), the text of this new version is divided into two sections: the fundamentals of automation and library operations. Reflecting the rapid technological changes of the past few years, part one provides new information on computer workstations, optical and magnetic storage, data communications, local area networks, document imaging, and multimedia technologies. Part two adds or revises data on barcoding for circulation, CD-ROM cataloging, online catalogs, integrated systems, automated reference, and online acquisitions. While this edition is almost 30 pages longer than the previous one, it is more compact, with fewer illustrations; it also contains in each chapter updated sources for further reading, most of them published since 1990. This will be of interest to librarians who plan to start or change their technological services or who want a good summary of recent developments.-Janice Kirkland, California State Univ. Lib., Bakersfield