Human Aspects of Library Automation, 2nd ed.

Citation

James, S. (1998), "Human Aspects of Library Automation, 2nd ed.", Library Management, Vol. 19 No. 7, pp. 443-444. https://doi.org/10.1108/lm.1998.19.7.443.6

The human elements of an automated system are, of course, more than just “cogs in a machine”, although some disaffected computer operators may sometimes feel that way. It is worth remembering, however, that even a cog can wreck a machine if it is damaged or dirty ‐ neglect and carelessness can lead to deterioration of performance and even to disaster. Even a cog needs care and attention to function effectively. How much more care, then, should we take to value and cherish the human beings who form part of computerised systems, not just because neglect can lead to inefficiency, but also because of the effect it can have on the quality of their working lives. The human aspects of automated systems encompass not just efficiency and effectiveness, but affectivity as well ‐ there are emotional elements involved which should not be ignored. This book by Anne Morris and Hilary Dyer concentrates on achieving efficiency and effectiveness in the operation of library systems, but not at the expense of the “softer” issues which also need to be taken into account when introducing or upgrading computer systems.

The authors have both been based at the Department of Information and Library Studies at Loughborough, a university with traditional strengths in ergonomics and human factors work. This is the second edition of this text, and includes a welcome expansion on human computer interface issues. As the authors acknowledge, this is a fast‐moving field, and it is hard to keep up‐to‐date with developments, so they do not make claims for complete coverage or the inclusion of the latest research results. Nevertheless, this is a very wide‐ranging and substantial text, which includes an ample set of references, and a useful selection of World Wide Web sites and addresses. The composition of the latter resources shows an understandable UK bias, but includes the addresses of professional ergonomics societies world‐wide, which should provide useful contact points for overseas readers.

Each topic covered offers a brief overview of the issues, but with the bulk of the text putting a sensible and pragmatic emphasis on practical details in areas such as the organisation of the workstation and environmental factors, where end‐users and their managers can make choices and changes with an immediate as well as a long‐term impact on the quality of working lives. There is also an emphasis on health and safety issues ‐ these are important not only for the health and welfare of system users, but also because employing organisations need to meet their statutory obligations and to protect themselves against the increasing likelihood of legal action in cases of work‐related injury and illness.

Putting people first, as well it should, the text opens with a section on human characteristics such as cognition, perception and physical variation. The following sections deal with health and safety issues such as stress, musculoskeletal disorders, visual problems and alleged reproductive hazards, and suggest how some of these health problems can be addressed by careful design of the workstation and the working environment. This coverage goes beyond the immediately computer‐related factors to address relevant features of the environment, such as noise, heating and lighting.

The section which has been considerably enhanced for this second edition is the one on the human computer interface, which now includes coverage of user needs, dialogue and screen design, usability features and software evaluation. As the authors point out, the limited choice of library systems available at present is likely to make issues of functionality carry more weight than those of usability, but there is a mission to educate users about usability factors in order to encourage a more informed and demanding attitude which could ultimately lead to improved interfaces in such systems.

Since the human factors in automated systems extend well beyond the individual sitting in front of a VDU, Morris and Dyer go on from these core elements to discuss the wider contexts of job design, training and the management of change, with an appropriate emphasis on involving staff in decision processes and taking their feelings into consideration. As they say themselves, “Olsgaard has indicated that 85 per cent of all failures during the implementation of automation can be attributed to people problems” (Olsgaard, 1989) ‐ it is therefore vitally important to give appropriate priority to addressing human concerns and attitudes to work and to technological change.

This is an excellent basic text, comprehensive and authoritative, but quite expensive ‐ a reference work for organisations rather than a textbook. It has plenty of reference material to enable interested readers to pursue further any topics of particular interest, but can itself form a basis for constructive action in the workplace.