Effective management of classified documents using the Library Document System

Abstract

Previous automated classified document systems developed commercially or in-house to serve classified libraries with 50,000 documents or less, have been limited by excessive cost or insufficient functionality. The problem addri-s-d by this research was to improve the automated systems available to classified libra.., - .'1 50,000 documents or less, by upgrading the Library Document System (LDS) to meet the tracking and document search needs of librarians. The approach taken was to first conduct a survey of 25 classified libraries tc assess their document tracking procedures and requirements. Next, a thorough e/camination of the commercial and in-house automated classified document systems was performed to determine the state of solutions available. Finally, a strategy for modifying LDS was outlined to incorporate the tracking and document search features desired, using modem relational database constructs, structured programming techniques, and user-friendly interface design. As a result of this work, LDS was upgraded to fulfill the needs of classified librarians with 50,000 documents or less. In particular the schemata of the system were extended, a sophisticated search facility was implemented, and a mouse-oriented user-friendly interface was provided.