The popularity of electronic digital computers (hereinafter referred to as computers) is far from that of other devices. Computer technology is considered as the heart of modern information technology, and it is in the leading and core position in modern library technology. At present, computers are used in library's literature purchasing, cataloging, circulation, indexing, retrieval, continuous publication management, indexing, reference and internal management to varying degrees, and various library automation systems have emerged through computers, which have liberated library work from manual operation and library staff from tedious and boring work to varying degrees, greatly improving work efficiency and quality; It also makes it possible for libraries to open up new and flexible services, such as joint cataloging; The fast, detailed and accurate statistical data provided by computer technology can provide a solid foundation for library leaders to make quick and timely decisions. Moreover, computers also play a role in controlling, connecting and converting other modern equipment, so that all kinds of modern equipment in the library can be combined into an organic whole and give full play to their respective advantages.
Application of communication technology
The main function of traditional communication technology is to exchange information. Modern communication technology system takes computer as the core, and applies other high-tech technologies such as optical fiber communication and satellite communication. Therefore, in addition to exchanging information, it also has the functions of publishing information, managing information and consulting information, and the work efficiency and quality are greatly improved. After modern communication technology is applied to libraries, all departments of a library and their computers are connected into a whole, and all libraries are also connected into a library automation network. As well as voice, text, images and other information. It can be transmitted accurately and at high speed by using modern communication technology. If optical fiber communication is used, the entire contents of 40,000 books can be transmitted from Washington, USA to Los Angeles within 1 hour. In this case, interlibrary loan can be carried out quickly, and the library that needs a certain document can borrow the document stored in the distant library, while the borrowed document itself (document carrier) can still stay in the original library. For example, OCLC is the largest online library center of library automation network in the world, which is connected with more than 9,400 libraries or information centers in 26 countries on five continents. Its joint catalogue includes190,000 documents in more than 300 languages, with more than 300 million volumes. It has handled more than 22 million interlibrary loans for libraries, and librarians can borrow documents from other libraries for readers without going out. Libraries can also use OCLC for document purchasing and periodical management. In particular, OCLC is used for joint cataloging, so that more than 90% of the cataloging business of each library can use the existing cataloging data in the OCLC joint database (see cooperative cataloging). These not only save money and manpower, but also greatly improve work efficiency.
Application of storage technology
Mainly refers to audio-visual technology and high-density storage technology. The traditional library collection is mainly printed publications, but its shortcomings are small capacity, slow speed and waste of resources, which can not cope with the reality of information expansion. Modern technologies, such as computers, are inseparable from modern storage technology, which has been introduced into libraries for its advantages of large capacity, high speed and low price. At present, records, audio tapes, slides, movies, video tapes, laser audio-visual discs and microforms have all become the collections of the library. Electronic publications stored on disks, tapes and CDs are the new development of publishing industry, and also add new varieties to library collections (see machine-readable literature). Hyper media (1987) appeared in the United States. It integrates all kinds of literature carriers and contents into a whole through computer control, and can provide readers with all kinds of information in all forms and contents at the same time. For example, Qin Shihuang includes videos and explanations about Qin Shihuang's Terracotta Warriors and Horses, ten contemporary experts' comments on the first emperor (written or recorded), relevant ancient books and dictionaries, etc. This comprehensive service can fully meet the diversity and comprehensiveness of readers' needs and has obvious advantages. With the combination of computer and audio-visual technology, there are also blind readers in many languages. Modern storage technology has increased the information storage capacity of the library and greatly reduced the storage space. In some developed countries, libraries or newly-built libraries often collect tens of thousands of microfilms. For example, a CD with a diameter of 5 inches can store 250,000 pages of printing paper, which will make a micro library a reality. Storage technology improves the speed of document output, input and retrieval; And the stored information can be transferred from one carrier to another.
In addition, the application of document copying technology enables the library to quickly provide various forms of document copies that readers need; Document protection technology can protect the library collection from damage; Monitoring technology can prevent files from being stolen or destroyed; Automated delivery technology can reduce the labor intensity of librarians and speed up the delivery of documents.