An experiment in developing a computer-based acquisition system for Nigerian academic libraries

Abstract

Computers are applied in libraries for housekeeping routines and information retrievalh The objective of the study was to,design and implement a computer-based acquisition routine jor Nigerian Academnic Libraries. A sample of 18 librarie_ was selected fronm a population of 117 academic libraries using the sample random sampling technique. The System Analysis and Design Methodology was adopted for the study. Interview, record inspection and observation were used to obtain data for the study. Data were presented using data flow diagrams while the process descriptions, and stores, data diciionary entries and detailed listings of data flows, data stores and processes were also provided. The problems of the existing manual acquisitions processes were highlighted and a new menu-driven computerized system was designed. The system was programmed using dBase IV and implemented on a Leading Edsge 486 microcomputer using MS-DOS version 6.0. The computerized acquisition system has eliminated the problems associated with the existing manual system.