SOUL (Software for University Libraries)

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SOUL(Software for University Libraries)

• Md. Tarique Anwer
• WEB LIBRARIN
• KSU, RIYADH
• Ex TSE INFLIBNET
• Delhi Center.
• Email tarikamu11_at_gmail.com

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Why to apply IT in Libraries

• To improve existing services
• To provide new services
• To collect better data to aid overall management
  of the library
• To cope with increasing demands
• To increase the ability of professional staff
• Needed for NAAC accreditation
• More funding from UGC

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Background

• No uniformity in the use of software by Libraries
  for its functions
• For national level cooperation, the uniform
  standards are essential to be practiced by all
  the libraries to exchange the data.
• Library needs proper software to run the library
  automation functions
• High cost of the commercial software
  necessitated the development of SOUL for libraries

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Financial

• There is no profiteering motive in its promotion.
• Very economical to purchase, although it is
  highly efficient to carry out almost all the
  functions in the library management.
• No extra cost will be charged for revised
  version. SOUL is revised on on-going basis in
  response to the feedback from users and
  development in technology.
• No additional cost for customization.
• Being low-cost, its recurring maintenance cost
  will comparatively be less.

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Services

• Intensive training to the librarian, library
  staff as well as to the computer personnel in
  parent organization.
• Efficient after-sales services a team of a
  highly qualified library professional and a
  computer expert available, at call, if at all any
  problem arises.
• Guidance of experienced librarian who is
  coordinating the after-sales services, on any
  related problem.
• Online SOUL Support Discussion Group for
  discussion among SOUL users.

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Hardware Software Required (Minimum)

• Server
• Pentium _at_933 MHz with 128 MB RAM
• 40 GB HDD
• 32 x CDROM Drive
• 1.44" Floppy Drive
• Colour Monitor (SVGA)
• Ethernet card 10/100 Mbps
• Windows-NT/ 2000
• MS-SQL Server 7.0
• Advance server

• Client
• Pentium _at_933 MHz with 64 MB RAM
• 2 GB HDD with10 MB space
• 1.44" Floppy Drive
• Colour Monitor (SVGA)
• Ethernet card 10/100 Mbps
• Windows-95/98/2000/XP/NT Operating System

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COST

• NETWORK VERSION
• Cost of SOUL-Software Rs. 50,000
• For multiple orders, network version costs only
  Rs 20,000 - Second copy onwards

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COST

• College Version
• Cost of SOUL-Software Rs. 15,000

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Main Features of SOUL

• Windows based user friendly software
• Well designed screens, logically arranged
  functions with extensive help messages.
• It is based on client server architecture
  allowing scalability to the users
• Does not need extensive training
• Multi-user and unlimited user access
• Supports internationally known standards CCF,
  AACR-2 etc.

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Main Features of SOUL

• Provides export / import facility in ISO-2709
• OPAC is versatile and very user friendly
• Provides comprehensive list of reports, master
  databases and authority files
• Provides facility to create, view records in
  regional languages
• Available at affordable cost
• Fully tested at number of libraries and evaluated
  by team experts and the practicing librarians

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Modules

• Acquisition
• Cataloguing
• Circulation
• Serials Control
• OPAC
• Administration

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Acquisition

• Suggestion
• Order Processing
• Accessioning
• Payment
• Master Databases
• Reports

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Acquisition

• All the functions relating to procurement of
  books and other library material and its
  financial aspects.
• Procurement -Suggestions and approval processing.
  Purchase order processing receiving
  the Material, Donations (gratis)
• Master databases Publishers, Booksellers,
  Suppliers, etc.
• Processing - Accessioning of books.
• Periodic reports New additions, statistical
  reports, types of material, Subject headings,
  classification numbers, KEYWORDS, etc.
• Bar code generation for books is built-in. No
  separate software for bar-coding required.
• Finance Budget allocation control for every
  department. Payment
  processing. Report generation (MIS).
•         

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Cataloguing

• Cataloguing Process
• Catalogue Search
• User Services
• Authority File Maintenance
• Retro. Con.
• Reports

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Cataloguing

• This module automates all the functions relating
  to the core library practices and creation of the
  bibliographic database.
• Bibliographic database creation -Added entries
  are created automatically.
• Importing already existing data, if created
  following ISO 2709.
• International standards - Conformity with CCF,
  MARC21 formats
  AACR2 guidelines
  in-built.
• User Services - Current Awareness Service.
• - Selective Dissemination of Information.
• - Bibliographical services
  suitable to local needs.
• Language support - ISM software is supplied free
  of cost along with SOUL software , ISM software
  enables managing data in regional languages.
• Retrospective conversion
• Editing and Spell Check function are also
  available

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CATALOGUE MODULE

• Covers all the activities carried out in a
  cataloguing section
• Rendering of main entry is to be done according
  to AACR2
• Has six sub modules
• -Cataloguing process
• Titles in process
• New records
• Edit records

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Contd.

• Catalogue Search
• OPAC searched by Title, Author, Subject,
  Class Number, Publisher, Accession Number, Free
  Text Search, and Boolean Search

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User services

• Current Awareness service
• Enables to provide information to a member
  regarding books received during particular period
  of time
• Particular subject or
• Particular author can be generated.
• Bibliographic Services

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Authority File Maintenance

• Master Database reflected throughout SOUL and is
  used in various modules.
• -Publisher, Binder and Supplier
• -Subject
• -Language
• -Author
• -Corporate Body
• -Meeting
• -Type of Material

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Retrospective Conversion

• Key activity for automation of library
  functioning.
• -Data Entry Details of the document for R C.
• -Import/Export Import data from ISO 2709 to
  SOUL Database
• Export SOUL Data to ISO 2709

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Reports

• Covers various reports needed in catalogue
  section
• -By Class Number
• -By Subject Heading
• -Recent Titles
• -Catalogue Card (Range)
• -Catalogue Card (Single)
• -Spine Label (Class No.)

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Contd

• -Spine Label (Acc. No.)
• -By Collection type
• -By Language
• -Barcode
• -Work done by staff

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Circulation

• Membership
• Transaction
• ILL
• Overdue Charges
• Reminders
• Status Search
• Reports
• Maintenance

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Circulation

• This module automates following functions
  related to managing user services.
• Database creation administration-User database
  creation by local user categories.
• Identity card generation for readers.
  Bar
  code generation by user identity.
• Rules - Create and embed rules as per the
  policies of the library.
• - Define user categories and
  types of library material.
• Contd

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• Services - Issue and return of books for
  reference as well as home lending.
• - Renewal, reservations, recall
  of books.
• - Reminders to users.
• - Automatic fine calculation.
• - Inter Library Loan facility.
• Stock Verification - Checking the books on racks
  by bar code.
  - Handling lost, missing, replaced, damaged.
• Statistical reporting -User and usage statistics
  wide variety of reports can be generated.

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Serials Control

• Suggestions
• Subscription
• Payment
• Master DB
• Check-In
• Reminders
• Search
• Binding
• Title History
• Export / Import
• Reports

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Serials Control

• Acquisition process, including financial
  management.
• Database creation for all types of serial
  publications, Import-Export of data.
• Subscription management, check-in, reminders,
  binding, title history etc.
• Circulation of periodical issues and volumes.
• Statistical reports.
•  

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Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC)

• Books / Theses
• Serials
• Member Status
• Other Resources
• Online Access to INFLIBNET

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OPAC

• OPAC allows Searching of Books, Serials, and
  other library material databases.
• Search databases
• - by database fields - Author, Title, Subject,
  Keywords,
  Accession Number, Call Number, Publisher etc.
• - Free-text search, search by any word in the
  database.
• - Boolean operators, facility to optimize and
  refine search criteria.
•  
• Results Display - According to AACR II format.
• - User can prefer any other
  convenient format.
• - Search results can be sorted by
  preference of search item.
• - Results reflect the current status of
  the book.
• Contd

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• Library profile
• Library rules and regulations
• Staff contact information
• Library calendar
• Urgent Announcements
• Links to databases of other Libraries and
  Information Centers
• Web OPAC
• OPAC can be accessed through GUI based web
  browsers from remote locations

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Administration

• Add Users
• Grant rights for different modules
• Provide access rights to users
• Update rights

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OTHER FACILITIES

• Data securityBack-up and restoration of data
  module 
•     
• Database Access security Supervisor can
  authorize
• users rights at various levels.
  (MS-SQL)
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•     Management 
• Check on the staff task tracking facility
• Work done by staff managing manpower and
  time

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• We have now opportunity for
• LIBRARY AUTOMATION
  
• Where there is a will, there is a way.
• HAPPY AUTOMATION !
• THANKS