Automation at Ibadan University Library

Abstract

The paper describes the beginnings and problems of automation at the Ibadan University Library, and the factors influencing the plans. Facing an increasing user population of over 60,000 and an annual intake of some 10,000 titles, the library set up an Automation Panel to plan the adoption of automated housekeeping operations. Based on an IBM 370/135, the first programs were written in 1973 to produce a serials catalogue. In 1977 the university took responsibility for producing a Union List of serials for 15 cooperating libraries. The Blackwell's North America service is being used to produce a COM‐fiche catalogue of the library's book stock. The Panel has recommended that the Plessey system be chosen for the circulation control which would initially be off‐line.