Computers in the Library A database application

Input and Output Devices Input Keyboard Mouse Scanner / light pen Output VDU / screen / monitor Printer Processing is REAL TIME processing

Tables in the database Book table fields Title – text data Author – text data Book no – number data Borrower no – number data Date borrowed – number (date) data Borrower table fields Surname – text data Forename – text data Address – text data Borrower No – number data Creating the relationship The relationship or link between the tables is created using the borrower number field

Process of Borrowing a Book Bar code on library card read Computer finds borrowers record in borrower table Bar code on book read Computer finds book record in book table Borrower number is entered in to book record Date borrowed is entered in to book record

Process of Returning a Book Bar code on book read Computer finds book record in book table Borrower number is deleted from the book record Date borrowed is deleted from the book record

Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages The searching and sorting can be carried out more quickly than humans can do it The searching and sorting can be carried out more accurately than humans can do it Reports and letters can be produced automatically Fewer staff are required to deal with the record s - an advantage for library managers Staff can spend time on other librarian’s task instead of filing records Disadvantages Staff need to be trained The system is expensive and takes a lot of time to set up and maintain If the system crashes you may not be able to access the data There may be redundancies