FACULTY OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA CAWANGAN

KEDAH KAMPUS SUNGAI PETANI

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION SCIENCE (HONS.)

LIBRARY MANAGEMENT (IM244)

COMPUTERIZED TEXTUAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT (IML554)

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT:
VIRTUAL ACADEMIC LIBRARY

PREPARED FOR:
MADAM NORYANA BINTI AHMAD KHUSAINI

PREPARED BY:
SITI MAISARAH BINTI AHMAD RAZALI
(2021885628)

GROUP: KIM2444C

SUBMISSION DATE: 11 MAY 2023

UNIKL LIBRARY

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First, I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to Allah s.w.t as finally I were able to
finish this assignment that have been given. This assignment had been done will all afford that
I have even though here is a little bit a problem that come out last minute. Luckily all the
problems can be settles and I can adapt it wisely.

A special gratitude I give to my lecturer who contributes on encouragement with her guide for
this assignment. She always gives me a moral support and helped me to coordinate my
assignments especially in completing this assignment.

Then, I would like to thanks my parents for supporting me mentally and physically not just
during finishing this assignment but also in financial for use to pay all cost required to complete
this assignment.

Lastly, a special thanks to my fellow friends for countless times of understanding when help
me to finish this assignment. I also appreciate the guidance that given by everyone who involve
in preparing this assignment. Thank you.

3
 TABLE OF CONTENT

NO. CONTENT PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION 5
1.1 Definition 5
1.2 History of the library 6
1.3 Background of the library automation development 7
2.0 INTERGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM 8
3.0 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIBRARY AUTOMATION 9
PROCESS
3.1 Challenges 9
3.2 Opportunities 10
4.0 CURRENT TECHNOLOGY 11
5.0 CONCLUSION 12
6.0 REFERENCES 12
APPENDIX 13

4
1.0 INTRODUCTION

The automation of routine tasks and the provision of search services to users are two ways
that libraries employ information and communication technology (ICT). In libraries,
computers are increasingly employed for both internal operations and for accessing
material that is available inside the library's four walls. Utilising computers allows users
and workers outside of the library to save time and labour by avoiding repetitive tasks.
Computers are used for information storage, access, and retrieval in addition to data
processing.
The 1970s saw the introduction of integrated library automation programmes in
libraries. In the 1970s, libraries employed minicomputers to automate tasks including
circulation, acquisition, cataloguing, serials, and Library OPAC. When PCs were first
introduced in the early 1980s at a price that libraries could afford, the tendency accelerated.
In the past two decades, computer technology has advanced in ways never before seen.
Consequently, libraries can now easily access low-cost computing resources. A suitable
off-the-shelf general or purpose-specific software programme, currently accessible in a
wide range, is being utilised more frequently to automate various activities in libraries.

1.1 DEFINITION

Library automation is the use of a computer to automate tasks like cataloguing and
circulation that are common in libraries. A library uses computers and other
technology as part of the automation process to support its systems and services.
The process of converting a library's manual processes to computerised ones, such
as moving from a card catalogue to an OPAC or from manual circulation cards to
an integrated library system, is known as library automation.

5
 1.2 HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY

Established in 2002, UniKL Library was initially set up to serve the academic community
within and around UniKL campuses. It started from a humble beginning when it first
operated at level 11 of the Pertama Complex, a shopping complex, in Jalan Tuanku Abdul
Rahman. UniKL Library then moved to the new city campus at Menara Wawasan, Jalan
Sultan Ismail on 12th June 2006.

On 20th August 2016, UniKL Library has changed it’s name to Tunku Azizah
Knowledge Centre. At the moment, we are serving more than 23,000 students.

As the nation expects more from a technical higher learning institutions, UniKL mould
its graduate with strong technological knowledge and astute entrepreneurial skills who
would later fulfill the current demand of the industries. UniKL’s 13 branch institutes offer
various foundation, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. With the
concept of ‘One Institute, One Specialisation’, UniKL contributes not only to tertiary
education but also researches and development for commercialisation purposes.
Strategically located all over peninsular Malaysia, UniKL’s branch institutes offer various
programmes in theirs niche areas of specialisation. At present, UniKL boasts a total
of 22,372 students.

6
 1.3 BACKGROUND OF THE LIBRARY AUTOMATION DEVELOPMENT
From the historical perspective, Management and Business subjects have been taught at
Universiti Kuala Lumpur since early 2002 in various campuses. Universiti Kuala Lumpur
Business School, formerly known as Universiti Kuala Lumpur International School of
Entrepreneurship or UniKL ISE was established in 2008. According to Prof. Dr. Sulaiman,
the first Dean and founder, "Rebranding is another step towards realizing our vision as a
leading educational institution that offers programs with the aim of producing entrepreneurs
and professionals." The new name was introduced in 2011. UniKL Business School has
developed programs of study that are unique and which focuses on the needs of the industry
and national development. The MBA (Master of Business Administration) programme is
exclusively designed to cater to working professionals or entrepreneurs around Greater
Kuala Lumpur. The program provides excellent opportunities to those who wish to develop
and enhance their expertise in managerial and entrepreneurial skills. The classes are mainly
held in the evenings and at weekends. Students are allowed to choose from three modes of
study i.e. full-time, part-time or modular. The school has held a strong international link
with reputable institutions of postgraduate studies. In fact, the MBA program is developed
in collaboration with partners from Grenoble School of Management, France and the Asian
Institute of Management (AIM), Manila.

Currently, UniKL Business School has four postgraduate and five undergraduate
programs. The school, which is located at Yayasan Selangor Building and Gurney campus,
is equipped with classrooms, library, computer laboratories, and facilities for indoor games.

7
2.0 INTERGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM
Large libraries have not yet adopted open-source library management systems. Similar to
Malaysia, only small libraries have adopted Koha there. Large libraries, notably those at
universities, are now taking Koha into consideration. The Malaysian Administrative
Modernization and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU) in Malaysia supports the
development of open source information systems (OSIS). In order to promote the use of
open source software (OSS) in the public sector, the MAMPU Open Source Competency
Centre (OSCC) was established on June 19, 2002 (MAMPU, 2004). The Koha open-source
library management system has been installed so far at one public institution and four
private universities.
The KOHA system was created in accordance with strict network security guidelines.
The UniKL Library KOHA network architecture is depicted in the diagram below, which
was created to avoid database and search access downtime and inefficiency. This
architecture also makes sure that the database's backup data copies are always up to date
and current. Additionally, data access is constantly dependable and improved without any
lengthy gaps. The data received agree with the modifications made at the work process
application station as well. With a backup data replication method that runs every 12 hours
of the day, data capability may always be improved.

Impressive are KOHA's ability to produce data reports and control over the entire data.
According to module and field settings, it is simple to compile data reports and coordinate
them with development techniques. SQL code is heavily utilised in the creation of new
reports and the layering of existing reports. The report will soon be available after a simple
search in an online dictionary for the chosen SQL code. By combining fields and tables, it
is possible to generate complicated data that can be sorted based on demand and time.

For UniKL library, the creation of the KOHA open source system has been beneficial.
Despite initial difficulties, it has had a positive impact on management and brought about
many benefits for the workplace culture. There are certain problems and space for
improvement in the task at hand during the development of a new system based on open
source, but they do not influence all of the library's primary functions. Outside of the
organisation as well as among workers, there is now more trust in IT librarians' abilities. A
series of benchmarking from outside organisations aims to exchange expertise on how open
source development can be put into practise.

8
3.0 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LIBRARY AUTOMATION
PROCESS
3.1 CHALLENGES

Every library in the world undoubtedly has unique difficulties in the library
automation process. The National Library Board of Singapore is the same. A few
difficulties have been discovered in addition to those seen from observation and
reading the associated articles in this library.
 Insufficient preparation
UniKL library automation planning should necessitate a thorough project
feasibility analysis to prevent time, money, and energy wastage and to
guarantee the project's success. Despite its inherent advantages, library
automation is a costly endeavour. Any automation system that is
implemented in the library should do so after conducting a thorough
feasibility study to assess the program's viability. The goal of the library,
the library's finances and budget, the identification of the primary areas for
automation, and the software whether it be proprietary or open source for
automation should all be considered in appropriate planning for libraries.

 Insufficient professionals or educated workers

Lack of highly educated and unskilled workers is another issue. Although it
is so little in the absence of computer expertise in the field, the extent of
short staffing is obvious. This led to a number of technical issues with the
automation exercise. Additionally, in a few instances, one or two have been
located. Specialists are forced to operate the system unit there by limiting
the consequence of service supply to consumers.

9
3.2 OPPORTUNITIES
Apart from observation and reading the relevant articles in this library, a few
opportunities have been found.
 Collection
The diversity, quantity, and quality of resources available in the library's
collection can all be improved thanks to automation. Additionally, it can
make it easier to purge the collection of old, out-of-date, and irrelevant
books and materials, which keeps the library's collection more organised
and makes it simpler to find the right item.
 Customer Service Improvements
In the areas of acquisitions, cataloguing, and circulation, automation helps
relieve part of the labour from librarians and other staff members, allowing
them to better serve their customers. The library staff will have more time
to assist patrons who need assistance with research or finding the proper
information, and more programmes may be held there as a result of the
additional time.
 Easy Access
It is now simpler to access journals and some books online from a home
computer or from anywhere else thanks to automation of library materials.
Additionally, the automation of library collections enables the library to be
more adaptable to any rises in demand.

10
4.0 CURRENT TECHNOLOGY

The centre of the university is the ICT Unit. Its performance will determine how well the
university runs both its administrative and instructional departments. The department's
guiding principle in this regard is to always offer responsive, effective, and efficient ICT
services.
As a result, the department embraces feedback from its different stakeholders, which
pushes it to improve and provide BUSE with world-class ICT services. Due to our open-
door policy, anyone is welcome to visit our department at any time. Internet and email
services, an integrated university administration system, websites, networking, the
purchase and upkeep of different ICT hardware and software, information security, and
advising roles in ICTs are among the department's core services.
 Open access
Open access refers to free, unrestricted online access to research outputs
such as journal articles and books.
 MyJOURNAL
MyJurnal is a online system provide by Malaysia Citation Centre (MCC) to
increase the access and improve the visibilty of Malaysian journals.
 UniKL IR
Provides access to the University local contents such as Theses, Final Year
Project, Conference paper and Research article
 Writing guide
Citations in your paper are necessary to provide credit to the proper sources,
failure to cite properly could result in plagiarism.

11
5.0 CONCLUSION
The term "Library Automation" has recently gained popularity in the field and has become a
requirement for all libraries. A manual library cannot maintain itself correctly or offer better
library services to its patrons. An automated library can. An automated library system makes
it very simple to maintain records and generate numerous reports. However, appropriate
planning and execution are essential to any library automation program's success. Thus, library
professionals need to make the right decisions and move in the right way.

6.0 REFERENCES

Gupta, M.K. (2019). Library Automation: Issues, Challenges and Remedies. International
Journal of Techno-Management Research. 19-25.

Harinarayana, N.S., (1991). Concept of Library Automation. Herald of Library Science,

30, 174-183.

Singh, Yogendra., (2003). Library Automation in Academic Libraries in India: Problems

and Prospects. www.Caliberdspace.inflibnet.ac.in/ access on 5/05/2023

Large, John Andrew., (2006). ICT for Library and Information Professionals: A training
package for developing countries. http://www.unesdoc.unesco.org/ accessed on
06/05/2023

Zainab Ajab Mohideen, Arslan Sheikh, Kiran Kaur & Muzammil

Tahira (2019) Acceptance of Koha Open Source System among Librarians in the
Malaysian Academic Libraries: An Exploratory Qualitative Study, Serials
Review, 45:4, 201-210, DOI: 10.1080/00987913.2019.1680248

12
APPENDIX

Organization chart

Reading areas

13