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Redesign and Semi-automation of IIT Guwahati Library Information System
Aim: Redesigning and automation of the existing IIT Guwahati library system to ensure smooth information flow between the library and its users and better utilization of its resources
Project Brief:
The library is one of the most important resources for an academic institute and its optimum utilization is essential for the efficient functioning of the academic system. The library of IIT Guwahati, with its present system poses serious problems to its users regarding the location of the books and their organization thereby resulting in wastage of time and effort. The main deliverables included proposal of a redesigned library book procurement system, redesign of the signage system and its testing with full scale prototypes, and a flash prototype of the wayfinder to locate a book.
Collaborators: Mukul Bisht, Diya Gangopadhyay and Aditya Saxena
Guide: Prof. Pradeep Yammiyavar
Nature of the Project: Semester Project
Duration: 4 months
Methodology adopted:
- The existing library system was thoroughly studied and analyzed using use case diagrams and other UMLs. Literature study of efficient library systems in place was also done. Use case, sequence and interaction diagrams developed during the process have been shown in the images below.
- User Interviews were conducted to elicit data from the primary as well as the secondary users of the system.
- The book procurement system was finalized for redesign and semi-automation. The sequence diagram of the redesigned systems have been shown below.
- One of the salient features of the redesigned library system was the way finder. It is a graphic application that would be installed at the entrance of every library floor. It would be connected to the library database and would show the path to a particular rack (two/three racks) depending on the search made.
- Signage being the elementary need of large libraries, this aspect was also fully explored and analyzed. Based on the requirement obtained through user surveys and literature study, the signages were divided into three major categories-
(1) Instructional Signage
(2) Locational Signage
(3) Directional Signage.
On the basis of their physical implementation, these signage were divided into two categories-
(1) Wall Mounted
(2) Rock Mounted
Following images show the pattern of signage used.
- Material and cost considerations for making the actual products (signage and wayfinder) along with implementation techniques were also studied thoroughly and mentioned in the report.
- Prototypes of signage and wayfinder were developed and implemented in the library and tested with real users for their efficiency and value.
Go Ahead and Try Out the Way-finder!
Deliverables:
- Prototype of wayfinder application was developed in flash.
- Prototypes for different categories of signage were made using flute boards and wooden blocks
- A report elaborating the study and analysis of the entire library system along with proposal for a semi-automated book procurement system was produced and submitted to the library superintendent.
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