The Computerized, Punched Card Loans Control System at AWRE, Aldermaston

Abstract

An IBM 029 card punch is used daily to prepare transaction cards, based on master cards for books and borrowers, which form the computer input to update and process the library loans files on disk once each fortnight. The system handles over 100 new loans and renewals each day, giving an annual total of some 25,000 transactions. Output from the computer includes addressed overdue book reminders and various lists. Overall running costs average £120 per month with the cost of a single loan transaction 6p. The same system also controls reports loans. A computer‐based loans control system has been operating at Aldermaston since 1965 when a punched card system, designed for use with an IBM 1460 computer was introduced to replace a four‐part continuous stationary system which had become ineffective through overloading and staff shortage. This, the first computer‐based loans control system to become operational in the United Kingdom, was adapted from one used at the General Electric Company's nuclear establishment at Hanford. The system continued to operate on our next computer, an IBM 360/40 using the ‘1460 emulation mode’, but with the loss of this feature in 1969 when an IBM 360/50 computer was installed it was necessary to reprogram. The time available in which to reprogram was limited by the computer changeover date to only a few weeks. In view of this, and our ultimate aim of fully integrated loans and catalogue records with on‐line access which will require a completely new system, it was decided to make only essential changes and modifications to the existing system. The resulting system (Fig. 1) while basically similar to its predecessor in outline is more sophisticated in detail. The library serves a potential 2,000 customers and has two distinct and separate service points: the Reading Room with a collection of over 26,000 books and pamphlets, of which approximately 7,000 are on loan at any one time, and the Reports Library which has over 230,000 microfiches and microcards and a further 46,000 paper copy reports. The loans control requirements for both departments are similar but not identical. Reports are on closed access, are less used individually than books, have complex serial number references and some are security classified with inherent receipting requirements. One set of program routines processes the loans records of both sections,but on alternate weeks, giving a fortnightly update to each department. A brief tabular outline of the system has already been published in Program. In this paper the description concentrates on the book loans procedures with only a summary of the reports procedures where the differences are substantial.

Citation

Searle, R.H. and Corbett, L. (1972), "The Computerized, Punched Card Loans Control System at AWRE, Aldermaston", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 153-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/eb046665