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ICT IGCSE. ICT in Libraries. Objectives. Understand a wide range of work - related ICT applications and their effects, including applications in libraries ( such as records of books and borrowers and the issue of books ). Introduction.
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ICT IGCSE ICT in Libraries
Objectives • Understand a wide range of work-related ICT applications and their effects, including applications in libraries (such as records of books and borrowers and the issue of books)
Introduction • Libraries have been around for literally thousands of years. Why? • Because books are expensive! • Library records were kept • on cards • in an indexing system
Stages • Input • Process • Storage • Output
What happens? • When a new member joins a library, a membership card is issued which has a bar-code printed on it. Every book in the library has a bar-code printed inside it. • When a member takes a book out on loan, the barcode of the book is read by a barcode reader - also the barcode of the member's card. Together with the date, this constitutes a 'transaction'.
Inputs • the barcode from the book • the barcode from the member's card • the date & time • librarian's name etc • This 'transaction' is then stored in the library's database. • NB : Barcodes contain a check digit which is used for automatic validation by the barcode reader.
Input devices • Mouse – for? • Keyboard – for? • Barcode reader – for? • Magnetic stripe reader – for?
The Library database • The library's database would have files (tables) containing details about ... • the books, magazines etc.. • the members • the transactions
Book table • ISBN • Genre • Title (from publisher's database) • Author (from publisher's database) • Subject • Dewey decimal classification • Year of publication • Publisher • Date purchased • Price
Book table • Which is the primary key? • What data types & validation would you choose, and why?
Member table • Membership number • Forename • Surname • Date of birth • Occupation • Address • Telephone • Date of joining • Membership category – eg student/child/OAP/family etc • Which is the primary key? • What data types & validation would you choose, and why?
Transaction Table • ISBN • Membership Number • Date out • Date due back • Which is the primary key? • What data types & validation would you choose, and why?
Process • The computer system will need to be able to calculate which books are overdue and whether any fines are due. • It will need to generate reminders • Reserve books • The library system is a real-time or onlinesystem as data is updated immediately a book is loaned out.
Outputs • Summary reports (on paper/on screen) • Results of searches (on screen) • Mail merged letters to members Output devices: • Screen • Printer (laser/inkjet/dot matrix?) • Speakers
Why use a database? Databases are used to store information in an organized, logical manner, but why? • So we can do something with the data at a later date…. • Searching • Sorting • Retrieving
Information Retrieval • Whether a book is currently in stock in the library or whether it is out on loan - searches would have to be performed on the database. • When a book is due back • Which customers have books out on loan • Customers who have books overdue • Search on specific subjects/authors etc • There may also be a link to other libraries to locate specially requested books
Daily checks Every day, the borrower’s file (transaction file) is interrogated to see which books are overdue. • Computer reads a record from the book file • Compares date due with today’s date • If Date Due is less than current date, the book is linked to the Members database • Corresponding record is read & customer details found • Letter or email is generated & sent • Next record is read…. • ….until the whole file has been checked.
Other ways libraries use ICT • Advertising their services/events online • Telling members about new books etc, using either their website or mail merged letters • Locating books for members (in databases of other libraries) • Audio books • E-books • Internet access for the public
RFID Some libraries now have ‘self service’ RFID checkouts, where customers can check books out themselves without the need to wait in a queue.
Homework (in your books) • design a data capture form for members, identifying primary key & field names/data types • design a data capture form for books, identifying primary key & field names/data types Make sure your forms ask for all necessary information and are clear and easy to fill in, with examples of expected data where appropriate.