Automation of the management of a public library

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the experience in the redesign of a public library in the municipality of Río Colorado (Argentina). The main challenge is to develop a solution that requires minimal investment. The working methodology is based on primary data collection through interviews with staff and service users; analysis of documents to obtain secondary data and direct observation. The main problem is identi- fied as the conception based on the librarian, the library materials and operations, away from a paradigm centered on the needs of users. New processes that leverage the technological support of a free platform for library management are designed. The proposal improves the efficiency and effectiveness to increase user satisfaction. The paper illustrates the typical drawbacks of public libraries with limited resources and the proposed solution can be easily adapted to similar organizations.