Identification formats and levels in Machine Readable Cataloging Standards for Library Automation of University Libraries in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Operating all library functions by using computers without manual activities is Library Automation. Library automation has been developed for library in-house operations including acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serial controls, user controls, budgeting and reporting such as selective dissemination of information. Library Management Systems (LMS) are being used to automate most of the university libraries in Sri Lanka. In 1960, Computers had been used for cataloguing purposes (Ghaebi et al., 2010). The functions included in LMS are mainly based on the Cataloguing standard. For example, KOHA was created depending on MARC standards. Machine Readable Catalogue (MARC) is not only a cataloguing function but, a method of cataloguing based on computer or machine and it is a scientific format for creating and identifying bibliographical information in LMS. During 1965 to 1966, MARC I was published under the project named “Pilot Project” eventually MARC II in 1967(Ghaebi et al., 2010, Henriette, 1968). MARC 21 was published after IFLA - UNESCO conference in 1972. UNIMARC, CANMARC, UKMARC, INDOMARC are some of the MARC standards which were introduced later (Ghaebi et al., 2010). Fifteen government Universities under University Grants Commission have been used both Open Source Library Management Systems (OSLMS) and Commercial Library Management Systems (CLMS) for library automation. KOHA OSLMS was used twelve out of fifteen university libraries, other universities used CLMS for the library activities in January 2019.