Automatic Records System at the University of Missouri Library

I of IBM equipment in the library of the University of Missouri in January 1957 was the first step in the development of an integrated automatic records system. The initial operations were planned to be self-sufficient but also to fit into further automation without major modification of records or procedures. In some cases, had no further extension of the system been contemplated, a different approach might have been preferable. The extent to which the system will be expanded will depend upon future developments. If electronic computer use for information retrieval should be proven practicable, the present system can encompass that aspect, and the computer can be used for all other computations and records. As installed in 1957, the equipment was to be used in fiscal operations only. It was planned to use the equipment for all ordering, paying, and accounting for library materials. Plans were also developed for preliminary cataloging records. Subscription records were already on IBM cards using equipment in the university business office, and were the first operation taken over in the library installation. The key machine in the library is the IBM cardatype, Type 858. This machine reads standard IBM cards, and also receives input information from a keyboard; it is capable of adding, subtracting, and multiplying. Information read into or developed in the machine may be read out to a typewriter or a keypunch or both. It is possible to attach Dr. Parker is Librarian, University of Alissonri.