Accessibility for All Patrons with Automation Systems

Introduction

According to Schultz (2006), Automation is an ongoing process for a school library media center. Automation has developed from modular, individual sites to integrated systems with network capabilities. Concepts of how to apply technological knowledge to effective means of accessing and retrieving information resources continues to develop. Technology has enabled patrons to not only access information at the library media center but also at home.

Webster defines physical as relating to the human body apart from the mind or emotions, pertaining to material rather than imaginary subjects. The Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) ensures physical accessibility to students and staff. The catalog is online when its contents are open to the public as an automated module accessible through a computer system.  Online does not have to mean over the internet. OPAC may only be available within the library or school states Schultz (2006). The ability to service patrons outside of the library has raised many questions about the need for a physical library. Barker (2007, p.1) says,” In many ways the digital space of the library is the same as the physical space. Patrons are able to have personal service, through reference initiatives and they have social interaction with various networking technologies.”Intellectual means pertaining to, possessing, or showing intellect; inclined to rationale or creative thought.  One way patrons have intellectual accessibility of the automatic system is through metasearching. Metasearching refers to the ability to search multiple information resources using one interface or search command, according to Schultz (2006). Metasearching streamline the research process and cuts down the number of resource locations one must identify to conduct the same search. Breeding (2002) believes metasearch environments, such as Endeavors, ENCompass for Electronic Resources and ExLibris Metalib, have begun to take hold.

Organizational is defined as to assemble or arrange with an orderly manner: to arrange by planning. Students and staff are ensured organizational accessibility through the circulation module of an automation system. The circulation module includes: enabling students and staff to view their accounts and place hold, checking resources in, out, or renewing, and accessing due dates and fines.  According to Dietz (2005), it is important for the library media specialist to focus on the users, who are demanding information in many formats and through many channels. Students and staff members are becoming more technologically advanced. Library media specialist and automation vendors should work together to take advantage of changing technology that will serve all users.

Bibliography Project 3.doc 

Physical Access	Intellectual Access	Organizational Access
Patrons can link to the online catalog at School or at home using automation systems. Patrons can check out and in materials, renew materials and place holds on materials.	Automation systems allows the authority control module to bring together in one place all the works of an authority, editions of a work, titles in a series, and subjects dealing with a certain topic for bibliographic records.	The automation systems circulation module  enables students and staff to view their accounts and place hold, check resources in and out, or renew, and patrons can access due dates and fines. The media booking module manages reservation and distribution of audio-visual equipment for staff usage in the classroom .The Inter-library loans module handles borrowing and lending materials for patrons and staff also.