An Online Book-bank Monitoring System

2 .0 LITERATURE REVIEW
 2 .1 Introduction
This chapter reviews the literature of the related systems. It looks at what has already in  areas of digital library and book information processing systems. The literature was covered in two major sections. The first section explored learning objects and electronic information processing. The second section explored approaches to Library design and the required necessities. This section also explored a case study of a digital Librarydesign.
2 .2 Learning Objects And Patterns Of Software Architecture
Learning objects are potentially reusable components from which course of the study may be constructed.  The economic arguments for their reuse in this manner are compelling, instead of many institutions developing their own materials for a common course.
Materials in the form of reusable learning objects could be shared across institutions, thus
saving the cost of many hours of individual development (Lonsdale, 2004 [4]).  This is especially so if the users can access the learning materials electronically. Digital publishing represents an effort to use basic digital principles in a more flexible way of producing and distributing verbal texts (Terje, 2005 [5]).  This means that there is need for fast processing and access of information, thereby making digitization a necessity. Given that university libraries are traditionally set up for on campus use, libraries are now faced with the challenge of restructuring and re-orienting their services to accommodate off campus users as well (Slade, 1999 [2]). The most significant aspect of the digital shift is the separation of storage and representation in two different places.  In digital cycles, texts are produced, distributed and read with the use of computers, networks and monitors in a predominantly digital environment.  There is a great shift from typewriting to digital writing though both contain text cycles (Terje, 2005 [5]). Libraries are merging with computing and technology centers to facilitate the use of information and technology in their institutions.   Electronic resources seem to have entered more students and faculty into the library’s virtual spaces, whereby demanding virtual service and instruction (Holly, 1999 [3]). The library should begin to migrate towards electronic formats for many of its resources, that is, increase on the databases and full text resources, develop electronic reserves, and design web pages for academic courses (for example course syllabi, reading, etc) (Slade, 1999 [2]). ( Roberts, 1999 [6]) writes that until spring of 1998, they had only automated their circulation function using old software in the Cohen Hillel school library.  To make the library more useful, simplify staff workload and streamline technology school-wide, they upgraded the circulation system and replaced its card catalog with a computerized catalog. With the new system in place, now students can quickly access books and other resources by title, author, subject, call number, series and keyword. They can also find out whether books are available for checkout. Some of the automation benefits the Cohen Hillel students and staffs got were:
 i . Increased interest in library and easier access to resources – Replacing the card catalog with electronic search stations has increased interest in and use of the library by helping students and staff more easily find resources.  
ii. Enhanced Circulation – Enhanced circulation and reporting capabilities have made it easier to produce reports that help library staff more effectively manage library operations.
iii. Saving time – The Cohen Hillel library staff has benefited because now they can quickly run reports, circulation statistics, overdue notices and more, which once took days to prepare.

Automation usually reduces cost and improves output by providing traceability, accuracy
and reliability as will be seen in the dairy firm example. ( Lynn, 2003 [7] writes in the dairy field that because reliability and security from the ) cooler to the loading dock are tantamount to successful distribution and customer satisfaction, many dairy companies are investing in modern material handling systems.
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) allow manufacturers to improve performance in an ultimately cost-effective way.  Basic AS/RS setups include computer-based software, automatic, unmanned machinery and multi-level storage configurations. System components can be customized to include integrated warehousing and transportation software, racks constructed up to 70 feet high or a dozen pallets deep, triple beam pallet support, innovative conveyor technology and the use of automatic and retrieval cranes, among other features. Across  all types  of dairy  operations, processors that  have embraced  AS/RS configurations cite several reasons for investing in the system- chief among them being accuracy, for example, when Santee Dairies Inc. built a new, 250,000-square-foot warehouse in City of Industry, Calif., in 1998, the site included high-tech storage and case handling, packing and stacking system supplied by Westfalia. They were looking for efficiency and a better method to rotate dairy products so they bought an AS/RS and the added benefit was the fact that they now have perfect rotation, its quick and nothing gets lost at the end of the day.

Likewise, Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook, Ore., made accuracy a priority for the $23 million automated warehouse the company constructed nearly three years ago. The multi-level site, which can store up to 35 million pounds of cheese and finished product, features an unmanned retrieval crane and a central Westfalia computer that automatically identifies and loads correct batches for order processing. According to Shawn Woods, Tillamook's AS/RS lead control operator, the computer-based system has led to near perfection. Indeed, accuracy remains a top goal and selling point behind the development of AS/RS solutions. Automated software and equipment work together for successful order fulfillment and shipments.  Reliability exemplifies the dairy industry's priorities. The incentive in dairy is in control of the inventory, putting this in an automatic storage system gives good, tight control with all batch information tied to the system. Traceability is another central issue. A well-done AS/RS includes thorough tracking of products into and out of the system, allowing elimination of human error.
Accuracy and efficiency have greatly improved in the two companies because of automation. (Marcus, 2000 [8]) defines automation as all aspects involved in using a computer system for such tasks as circulation, cataloging, acquisitions etc. In relation to the above preposition by Marcus, it is possible for the implementation of an online book-bank monitoring system to yield substantial benefits for the users. According to (Horsfall, 1992 [9]) Information Technology has pervaded our work and home lives in the last decade.  One cannot do anything without it touching some aspect of our life – going shopping, telephoning interstate, doing the banking or borrowing a book etc.  It has changed and continues to change the world our parents knew.The rapid spread of information technology in our society is due to its ability to store, analyze, record and transmit information accurately, speedily and in large quantities.