波士頓首都城市圖書館預約制度的系統分析

The System Analysis of the Boston Metropolitan City Library Reserve System

波士頓首都城市圖書館(Metropolitan City Library, MCL)預約制度發生速度緩慢和聯絡中斷的不良現象，以系統分析的方法設計－－建議之預約體系。不但減少了作業的延誤，填表等待時間從11 1/2週縮短為5週，降低手工操作之負擔，更提供了一個互相了解和合作的預約工作環境。此外，對逾期資料、未歸還資源、文件傳輸及典藏安全等方面，也有更理想的處理方式。一九八八年筆者前往美國麻薩諸塞州波士頓西門斯學院(Simmons College)圖書館學與資訊科學研究所(Graduate School of Library and Information Science)博士班進修，修了一科「資訊服務的系統分析」(System Analysis for Information Services)課程，曾與 Carol Bel1efeuille, Mark Contois 兩位同學就近研究首都城市圖書館(Metropolitan City Library, MCL)的預約制度(Reserve System)來印證系統分析課程的理論。國內各圖書館對於各項業務做系統分析的不多，茲以此研究摘要介紹，尚期先進不吝指正。

There are problems, slowdown and breakdown, happened in the reserve system of the Metropolitan City Library. Using the system analysis method, the proposed reserve system is designed. The proposed system will not only reduce the processing delays, decrease patrons' waiting period (11 1/2 weeks to 5 weeks), reduce the manual workloadn, but also provide a understanding and cooperative environment for staff responsible for reserve services. In addition, there wi11 have better processes for handling overdue materials, unrecovered materials, document delivery and col1ection security.