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The first step in the changeover to a computerized system at Community Memorial Library is underway now as information on the card index files is being transferred to a computer data base. The data entry operators, who expect to be finished this task some time in August are Bonnie Guindon and Jackie Couture. Standing at left is librarian Judy MacColl, who says the computerized system will greatly assist library staff and the general public when it is fully in place some time in the summer of 1988. (See story). mo this Friday, March 13th ... the sounds of GORDON GIRVAN, Pianist to enhance your evening at | EMIEL'S PLACE 5omroem PORT PERRY ALL FLAGS SHELL Full Line of Rebuilt Transmissions For All Domestic Cars. 6 Months or 10,000 km. Warranty. NEW OWNER of the former SCUGOG TRANSMISSION SALES Full line of Michelin Tires at everyday low prices. Other brands of tires available including BFG, T/A. RR. 1, NESTLETON (Hwy. TA) 986-4427 Jack, Azelia & Son, John Vaz GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES Annual Rates | Monthly Rates 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 4 YEARS 5 YEARS 8 114% 8 112% 8 314% 8 314% 3 YEARS 5 YEARS - MORTGAGES BOUGHT & SOLD hange without notice Call the office for wr Rates s SCUGOG FINANCIAL SERVICES 250 QUEEN STREET -- PORT PERRY PHONE 985-3832 All Members of Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Scugog Memorial Library is gradually working towards a micro computer system that will ultimate- "ly be beneficial for staff and the public who use the library. Librarian Judy MacColl told the Star last week that full operation of the new system is still more than a year away and dependent on government grants, but she is con- fident the computers will be in place by June of next year. Already, the library is in the final stage of a detailed feasibility study on computerization and the initial task of transferring all the informa- tion on the card files to a data base has begun. Just last week, Scugog council gave approval to a $12,500 grant for the library to put towards the cost of hardware and software. The pro- vincial government is expected to pick up the remainder of the estimated $55,000 for the equipment. - Mrs. MacColl said the awarding of the provincial grant likely' will take place this summer with the equipment ordered and installed by late fall. It will be another six months to "iron out the bugs' and train library staff to operate the: computers.) Mrs. MacColl explained that once the computers are working, they will "'replace a lot of manual tasks" that are now done by library staff. The saving in staff time will be con- siderable, she said. She stressed that the computers won't lead to a reduction in current levels of library staff, but additional staff will not have to be hired to keep . up with the-ever increasing work load. "The computers will allow staff to maintain better control over all material in the library. They will be able to find out quickly who has what book and when it is fie; "said Mrs. MacColl. The system will also be of great assistance to the general public who want to reserve a book. A person will ask for a certain book and be able to find out immediately if the book is-in the library, and if not, PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, March 10, 1987 -- 9 when it is due back: Eventually, said Mrs. MacColl the system will do away with the old method of card index catalogues. Rather than searching the card in- dexes for titles, authors and subject matter, a library user will have ac- cess to a terminal which will provide the information in an instant. Students doing research will find this system much quicker and less cumbersome to work with.' The move to computerized automation at the Scugog Library began-well over a year ago, but was speeded up when the provincial government announced that grants would be available for smaller libraries (serving communities with less than 50,000 population) to con- duct feasibility studies and then pur- chase the necessary software and terminals. The feasibility study (by a profes- sional consultant) is now in the final stages and the library expects to be able to ask for proposals from com- puter suppliers this June. Keeping track of the vast numbers of books, films, periodicals and other information in the library is the reason for the move into the world of computers. There are currently some 23,000 Library moves towards computer system ---- books on the shelves, nearly 100 periodicals and papers come into the library on a regular basis and this year the number of card holders has grown to 7,300. That's nearly half the population of the Township. Mrs. MacColl said that in_an' average week, some 1200 pepple use the library, a 36 percent increase over the previous year's average. Most smaller libraries are finding it is to their advantage to move to computerized automation, and Mrs. MacColl said the library will likely re-coup the cost of the equipment over a five year period. All books and material in the library circulation will be *'bar cod- ed," as will the library cards held by the public. When a person takes out a book, the staff person simply "wands" the book code and the card and the full data are then stored in the information bank. _. As well as helping staff keep bet- ter track of who has what book out, the new system will "red flag" books that are over-due so that notices can be mailed out. Mrs. MacColl said her staff. is "very excited about the new system. There has been no hesitation on the part of the staff about the computers." 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