ict igcse. understand a wide range of work-related ict applications and their effects, including...
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ICT IGCSE
ICT in Libraries
Objectives
Understand a wide range of work-related ICT applications and their effects, including applications in libraries (such as records of books and borrowers and the issue of books)
Introduction
Libraries have been around for literally thousands of years. Why? Because books are expensive!
Library records were kept ▪ on cards▪ in an indexing system
What happens?
When a new member joins a library, a membership card is issued which has a bar-code printed on it. Every book in the library has a bar-code printed inside it.
When a member takes a book out on loan, the barcode of the book is read by a barcode reader - also the barcode of the member's card. Together with the date, this constitutes a 'transaction'.
Inputs
the barcode from the book the barcode from the member's card the date & time librarian's name etc This 'transaction' is then stored in
the library's database.NB : Barcodes contain a check digit
which is used for automatic validation by the barcode reader.
Input devices
Mouse – for?Keyboard – for?Barcode reader – for?Magnetic stripe reader – for?
The Library database
The library's database would have files (tables) containing details about ... the books, magazines etc.. the members the transactions
Book table
ISBN Genre Title (from publisher's
database) Author (from publisher's
database) Subject Dewey decimal classification Year of publication Publisher Date purchased Price
Book table
Which is the primary key?
What data types & validation would you choose, and why?
Member table Membership number Forename Surname Date of birth Occupation Address Telephone Date of joining Membership category – eg
student/child/OAP/family etc
Which is the primary key? What data types & validation would you
choose, and why?
Transaction Table
ISBNMembership NumberDate outDate due back
Which is the primary key?What data types & validation would
you choose, and why?
Process
The computer system will need to be able to calculate which books are overdue and whether any fines are due.
It will need to generate remindersReserve books
The library system is a real-time or online system as data is updated immediately a book is loaned out.
Outputs
Summary reports (on paper/on screen)
Results of searches (on screen) Mail merged letters to members
Output devices:ScreenPrinter (laser/inkjet/dot matrix?)Speakers
Why use a database?
Databases are used to store information in an organized, logical manner, but why?
So we can do something with the data at a later date…. Searching Sorting Retrieving
Information Retrieval
Whether a book is currently in stock in the library or whether it is out on loan - searches would have to be performed on the database.
When a book is due backWhich customers have books out on
loanCustomers who have books overdueSearch on specific subjects/authors
etcThere may also be a link to other
libraries to locate specially requested books
Daily checks
Every day, the borrower’s file (transaction file) is interrogated to see which books are overdue.
1.Computer reads a record from the book file
2.Compares date due with today’s date3.If Date Due is less than current date, the book is linked to the Members database
4.Corresponding record is read & customer details found
5.Letter or email is generated & sent6.Next record is read….7.….until the whole file has been checked.
Other ways libraries use ICT
Advertising their services/events online
Telling members about new books etc, using either their website or mail merged letters
Locating books for members (in databases of other libraries)
Audio booksE-books Internet access for the public
RFID
Some libraries now have ‘self service’ RFID checkouts, where customers can check books out themselves without the need to wait in a queue.
Homework (in your books)
design a data capture form for members, identifying primary key & field names/data types
design a data capture form for books, identifying primary key & field names/data types Make sure your forms ask for all necessary information and are clear and easy to fill in, with examples of expected data where appropriate.