Design aspects of an on‐line integrated public library system

Abstract

During the period 1979–1982, Hertfordshire Library Service will install an integrated circulation control and catalogue maintenance system. This paper discusses aspects of the system design deriving from policy decisions concerning limited management change, the careful allocation of resources and the need for improved reader services. This involves the development of co‐operative cataloguing, new systems of reservations control and the development of an on‐line catalogue. Microprocessor sub‐systems will be used to ensure a high degree of reliability, and the attempt to balance hardware costs against a degree of robustness is described. The paper also sets out a statistical model for estimating real‐time system loading deriving from queuing theory and the response characteristics of the machine system. 8 Refs.