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A variety of enabling technologies such as synthetic speech, print enlargement on CRT screens, braille printers and displays, and communications technology has made library operations at the American Foundation for the Blind accessible to persons who are blind or visually impaired. INMAGIC software, a versatile database management system, has automated many library functions and has been integrated with other adaptive technologies. In addition to other applications, INMAGIC is used to update and create bibliographies and accession lists in inkprint, large print, or braille formats (with tape cassette versions available on request). Sidebars discuss the Xerox/Kurzweil Personal Reader (KPR); closed circuit television (CCTV); computers with speech; large print enhancements; Inmagic, Inc.—the company; and, in some depth, the functionality of INMAGIC.

A comparison was made between CDS/ISIS, its Windows version WINISIS, and InMagic’s INMAGIC and DB/TextWorks software. Packages were evaluated for their database creation, information retrieval and report production capabilities. Windows versions were found to provide significant enhancements over DOS versions of software. The evaluation aimed to determine the advantages to a developing country of creating bibliographic databases using commercial software.

Now in its seventh major version, the Inmagic database, retrieval and application development software provides a continuously improved system for the library, information centre or any organisation requiring a powerful, variable length field and record database system with powerful Boolean search and complex report generation facilities. The Companion package, Biblio, features predefined database definitions and reports applicable to the library automation situation as well as an excellent tutorial and learning package for any user of the Inmagic software.

The library at Ove Arup rejected a database management system solution to their catalogue requirements in favour of a text retrieval package in the shape of INMAGIC. The reasons for the choice are outlined along with a description of the systems for which INMAGIC is used within the Partnership. In addition to system management procedures, some of the facilities offered by the software and some future developments are described.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process and the personnel skills required for converting a non-MARC database file into a MARC file for uploading to both OCLC and a local catalog. It also examines the various decisions that need to be made when mapping from one file structure to another.

Applied–Database record conversion.

While MARCEDIT is a remarkably powerful tool for cataloging and database maintenance purposes, dealing with non-MARC records requires additional programming skills and tools for the successful completion of a file conversion project.

Discusses the importance of converting locally produced databases, especially those with bibliographic content, to national and international standards to significantly increase their discoverability.

Provides an overview of file conversion issues and considerations.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the most used library software in Lahore using a checklist and seek librarians' opinions about them. It also aims to seek librarians' opinions about the most desired and needed features of Integrated Library Software (ILS).

The paper is based on questionnaire survey, interview, document analysis and personal communication. The questionnaire survey was conducted within automated libraries of Lahore, while interviews were conducted with selected librarians from Lahore. Collected data were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively to reach conclusions.

A variety of software is being used by the libraries of Lahore. Nor is there available, any standard tool or directory for the selection and evaluation of the software. Evaluation of the software against a checklist reveals the better functionality of Library Information Management System and Library Automation and Management Program than INMAGIC and WINISIS, but librarians were found to be more satisfied with INMAGIC. All the respondents agreed that before selecting any ILS, librarys' actual and perceived needs, available resources and funds should be kept in mind. They also proposed many features of ILS.

The questionnaire survey is limited to the automated libraries of Lahore and focuses on the comparison and evaluation of the most used software only, while selected librarians with good IT skills were chosen for seeking opinions about the most desired ILS features.

The survey results can be helpful to foreign and local vendors of ILS, librarians, higher authorities and other developing countries in selecting and maintaining required software.

It is the first comprehensive study conducted on ILS not only in Lahore, but in Pakistan.

The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:

The INMAGIC Plus Inter‐Library Loans system was launched in the UK in 1993 and the Wellcome Library at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons became one of the first users of the package. The basic structure and functionality of the system are described, together with details of its implementation at the Wellcome Library.

Inmagic is a powerful and popular information storage and retrieval package from Head Computers that runs on a number of microcomputer systems. It is relatively easy to use for retrieval as the search language is based on plain English and the construction of search and output statements is based on English sentence construction.