1. INTRODUCTION

With the development of computer technology and modern science and technology, it has be-come possible to report traditional manual operations in libraries by means of advanced modern tech-nology, to improve service quality, to give libraries the full play of information function and educa-tional function, and to offer more valid service for teaching and scientific research. As compared with developed countries, library automation in our main land begins late. But a great progress has been made after undergoing three stages -- introduction of equipment; initial experiments; application and development. Its mode has developed from application of single computer to integrated sys-tems, which mainly have two kinds -- library automation systems developed on Minis and library micros information management systems developed under micros LAN environment. The Integrated information management system in the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) Library is developed under Novell Version 3.11 network environment. The following is about system envi-ronments, objectives, functions, choices of system program and full utilization of CN-MARC and LC-MARC.

2. BASIC ENVIRONMENTS OF SYSTEM RUNNING

NPU Library is the document and information center of NPU, and also the essential part of teaching, scientific research and production. It covers 10,100 square meters with more than 1,350,000 collections, including 109,300 journals. It has a total loan of 2,616,000 volumes, 137,900 borrowers and 30,000 books acquired per year. The Library has 90 employees, who serve 9,600 undergraduate students, postgraduate students and doctorates, and 4,148 staff and faculty members.

The new library will be accomplished in early 1993, which covers 10,000 square meters. According to its business features, the Library is divided into seven departments:
 

• Acquisition and Cataloguing Department

• Circulation Department

• Serials Collection

• Reading and Reference Department

• Information and Materials Department

• New Technology Office

• The Library Office

The system is a business management system which integrates acquisition, cataloguing, circula-tion, serials, catalogue consulting, information and official management and serves all kinds of readers.

3. SYSTEM DESIGN OBJECTIVES

The system obejectives include:
 

• To attain high efficiency, complete functions, convenient utilizations, strong safety and reliability, as well as steady operation by adopting advanced technology and methods,

• To take on tasks of managing 1,500,000 collections and 15,000 readers,

• To better utilized the data once input is complete,

• To avoid repetitious work,

• To automatically control and process data flow of each business segment in the Library, such as ordering, acceptance and registration, cataloguing, catalogue consulting, circulation, etc.,

• To construct databases, which can be used to generate a set of specificed booklists, and

• To realize resource sharing of data, software and hardware through network communications.

4. CHOICES OF SYSTEM PROGRAM

The running environment of the system should have the following features:
 

• Able to contain big varieties and volumes of information,

• Permit high quality of resource sharing, diversified working modes, strong adaptability and augment.

As a result, it was determined that the library can choose from two kinds of modes -- either a minicomputer system or a microcomputer LAN system.

There are several types of minicomputer systems, characterized by their compact structure, high efficiency of running, enormous storage capacities, both primary and secondary. However, there are also limitations. These include:
 

• Too concentrated management,

• Errors in mainframe will lead the whole system to a breakdown,

• Inflexible structure makes the system difficult to augment,

• The poor compatibility of the equipment makes it impossible to have more supported soft- wares,

• Conversion difficulty raise the serious question related to Chinese character processing,

• High requirements in the running environment and maintenance. It is also expensive and its primary investment is enormous.

On the other hand, microcomputer LAN and its applications have grown substantially in recent years. The market of microcomputer LAN application in China suggests that the production of 3 Cot and Novell Company are leading the way. Novell network has the largest capacity of installed base in China, and is presently considered the most advanced and popular network system. Its features can be described in the following:
 

• The operation system of Novell network is Netware, of which many commands and functions are similar to UNIX, which are familiar to DOS users.

• Novell's structure is flexible and easy to augment. In different physical connecting ways Novell network permits to realize multi-type topologies, which can be achieved any time when funds are available, or augmented workstation step by step by add network function at any time.

• Novell network allows PCs and their compatibles to be its servers and workstations, thus many software are available and there is high capability to process Chinese characters.

• Each workstation can share network resource and intercommunicate with the others.

• There is strong capability of interconnectivity. Novell network connects high-level cooperation to low-level one. Its functions are not limited by network adapter, and can realize connectivity with different networks by means of Novell bridge.

• High security and reliability. Novell network provides with four levels security methods -- entrance level, catalogue/file agent level, agent rights level and catalogue/file property level -- to avoid illegal users. Furthermore, Novell Version 3.11 offers three levels fault-tolerant capability --disc mirror image, duplex and servers.

• Novell network adopts high-speed buffer, background writing disc and high-speed query, etc, so its running efficiency is high.

Thus, this type of integrated information management system is considered to be relatively ideal and feasible to meet the needs of the NPU Library. It requires relatively low investment, but can have instant effect, powerful practicality, and easy maintenance.

5. SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

The micro LAN system is divided into 6 subsystems -- acquisition, cataloguing, serials, circula-tion, catalogue consulting and official management. Their main functions are further described as follows:

1) Acquisition subsystem:
 

• verify and input

• handle orders

• update order file and other files

• accept and register current books

• claim books not yet arrived

• manage funds and accounts

• analyze data and print reports

• cancel

2) Cataloguing subsystem:
 

• verify and classify

• input, maintain and index data

• print catalogue cards, labels and cards in-book, current awareness, etc.

• classify, count and print reports

• offer multi-ways retrieval functions (title, author, subject matter, classification number, ISBN, etc.)
 

• order journals

• register current and outdated serials

• catalogue serials

• count and print various reports and orders

• retrieve by title, subject matter, ISSN, classification number, etc.

4) Catalogue consulting subsystem
 

• offer readers with title, classification, author, subject matter, ISBN, ISSN for consulting • offer readers information with related call number and library holding number

5) Circulation subsystem
 

• transport data and create database

• administer library cards

• administer book loaning and returning, renewing, subscribing and fining

• query loan information and whereabouts

• count, print reports

6) Official management subsystem
 

• personnel management

• equipment and property management

• funds and accounts management

• document and file management

6. SOURCE OF SYSTEM DATA AND CREATION OF DATABASE

In an information management system, data is an important part to be managed, which directly affects performance of the whole system.

The system sets up its Chinese and western booklist database by respectively using UNIMARC-based CN-MARC and LC-MARC as their Chinese and western languages data sources.

6.1. Set Up Chinese Books Database by Using CN-MARC

CN-MARC is Chinese books machine readable catalogue published by Books New Technology Development Corporation attached to Beijing Library. Its forms are based on UNIMARC, which use software as its carriers and are universally recognized as standard data source in China for its complete fields and precise data.

Because CN-MARC holds a large amount of data with too many fields that are normally needed by us, we have to select only those useful for our retrieval, such as title, author, ISBN, ISSN, classification, etc., and store these useful fields for our library into related data files. Then, we need to transport them into Chinese booklist system.

6.2. Application of LC-MARC

In 1985, Library Corporation in the US produced Bibliofile, a CD-ROM Catalogue Production database, which has stored records of collections such as western language books, periodicals, films, maps, music, etc, collected in the Library of Congress since 1900, but mainly since 1965. The system has 6 retrieval ways -- LCCN, ISBN, ISSN, author, title, GPO. Their catalogue entries are up to the international standard entry form, therefore, the database becomes well-known as stan-dard data source of various collections. We used that source and adopted LC-MARC as western language data source format in our system to enable us to build western language booklists.

In considerating our library holdings, we find the related records through the search of ISBN or ISSN numbers or titles in Bibliofile Catalogue Production System, add call number and library holdings under editing mode as part of our data records, and then transport them into needed data sort by using form-transforming-software to build database file for a quick and precise creation of our library holdings database.

7. INFORMATION RETRIEVAL

Since 1987, through the use of a emote computer information retrieval terminal made available as part of the State Defence Science Engineering Information Institution, our library has had access to several databases, such as WPI, GRA, ISPECT, MIL-STZ. We also have access to other materials, both in Chinese and in foreign languages, of this institution. The information retrieval terminal has provided much valuable information to users both in and outside our university. However, this kind of remote terminal is limited by its slow transport rate and weak initiative. To solve these problems, we decide to use CD-ROM retrieval, and through the disc information retrieval network, we can supply users with needed information on scientific and technology applications.

8. ADOPTED TECHNOLOGIES AND SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

Our system has adopted various technologies. These include:
 

• Bar reading technology

• Communication technology

• High-level network software programming technology

• Words processing technology

• Database technology

The system has the following configuration:

8.1. Hardware Configuration
 

• 2 servers, CPU 80386 at main frequency 33MHZ. RAM 4-8MB, HZ 150MB

• 23 network adapters

where NE 2000x10

           NE 3200x13

• Transport medium: 300 meters 50 thick cables

                                     1000 meters 50 thin cables

• workstation: 1386 workstation

                         14286 workstation with disc

                         5286 workstation without disc

• printers: 1 laser printer

                  6 ink jet printers

• 1 external transmitter-receiver

• 1 repeater

• 3 sets of bar reader

• 2 UPS

8.2. Software Configuration
 

• Novell Netware 386,486               Version 3.11

• Borland C++                                   2.0

• Turbo PASCAL                             5.5

• FoxBASE PLUS                             2.0

• MASM                                           5.0

• DOS                                                5.0

• UCDOS

• PCtools                                         R  4.11

• ORACLE                                       V 5.10