Libraries as systems
- 1. Info6510 Libraries as systems By: Dr. Nabhan AlHarrasi
- 2. Definition: - “a system is a collection of parts (or subsystems) integrated to accomplish an overall goal (a system of people is an organization). Systems have input, processes, outputs and outcomes, with ongoing feedback among these various parts. If one part of the system is removed, the nature of the system is changed” (McNamara, 2012). - An organized structure that consists of interrelated and interdependent elements (components, factors, members, parts etc.) these elements continually influence one another (directly and indirectly) to maintain their activity and the existence of the system, in order to achieve the goal of the system.
- 3. Introduction • Every system consists of many subsystems. These subsystems are integrated to accomplish the overall goal of the overall system. Each subsystem has its own boundaries, and includes various inputs, processes, and outputs geared to accomplish an overall goal for the subsystem.
- 4. Why do need to look at organization as a system: • to look at organizations from a broader perspective • Look at both human and technical elements • Understanding the interrelations of different parts of organization • Given more attention on matters of ongoing organization and feedback. • understanding the complexity of systems by analyzing the different elements and the relationship with their environment.
- 5. Systems principles • Systems tend to seek balance with their environments • Systems must accept feedback from customers to be survived • It has inputs, outputs and feedback. • It interacts with the environment • It affected by many internal and external factors
- 6. Complexity of systems depends on: • Number of Staff • Size of Organization • Type of organization • Structure of organization • Size of population of their customers • Using of technology • National and organizational policy • Organizational Culture • “all organizations acquire resources from the large environment of which they’re part and, in turn, provide the goods and services demanded by the larger environment”.
- 7. Libraries As a system • libraries as systems that are dynamic and constantly in need of improvement. • libraries perform three essential functions: input, process, and output. They receive resources from their environment as input, absorb these resources, convert the information by organizing and classifying processes, and then transmit it back into the environment as an output of their processes. • Libraries around the world interact with each other and are influenced accordingly by activities elsewhere in the world. Consequently, the boundaries of libraries are difficult to define, which makes libraries extremely complex and ill-structured systems.
- 8. An example: Academic libraries • academic libraries consist of several subsystems that provide specialist functions. • academic libraries interact with the higher education environment, economic, political, and cultural contexts. • Subsystems such as goals and values as well as human, technical, structural, managerial, and psychosocial factors are involved as part of the broader systems of libraries . • Libraries are also influenced by environmental systems, such as political, economical, social, and technical systems; a change in any of these systems could lead to changes in the library system’s policy and procedures.
- 9. An example: Academic libraries • Library systems must continuously change to cope with rising information needs and rapidly changing technology as well as social, political, and economic systems. • Reasons for implementing change in libraries can be categorized to two dimensions: those due to internal need for change in the library systems and those due to external factors such as environmental pressure and global change • successful changes require enhancement of awareness and understanding among organisational personnel about the significance of change
- 10. Social system University system Academic library systems Depts. of library systems