Classification of free software oriented at the integral automation of libraries according to the level of complexity of the library: simple libraries, libraries of medium complexity and libraries of high complexity

Abstract

This article presents a proposal to classify oriented software automation of libraries according to the following sublevels: a simple library, library of medium complexity or high complexity libraries. To classify a library in each of these sublevels, six variables are used to perform the appropriate sizing, which are: type of library, the collection size, type of materials handled, number and type of users served by the library, the level of expertise of human resources that handles the library, and finally the technical and economic capacity to take into the library. Besides classifying libraries also is classified the free software  oriented automation of these as the following sublevels: simple software, software of medium complexity and high complexity software. For this second classification, used seven criteria including: the level of robustness of the database engine that supports the application, the level of parameterization, the platform on which the software is developed, the type of support provided to the computer application, the level of ease for the development of new requirements, software interoperability, and finally the management of international standards to import and export information. At the end is included a list-oriented software classified the automation of libraries.