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Timeline · 2015 — 2026

The Library's Development Journey

The digital transformation journey of the Main Public Reading Library of Adrar, from 2015 to the present day

years of innovation
11
digital systems
8
technical achievements
41

  1. 2015 — First Steps Towards Digitisation

    Year 2015

    • Planning the digitisation of the library and its services
    • Launching the library's website

  2. 2016 — A Step Towards Digital Services

    May 2016

    • Creating the readers and collection database, and migrating it from Excel to the SYNGEB software
    • Launching software to track reader entries
    • Creating reader card software and introducing a digital card on PVC

  3. 2017 — Developing and Upgrading Services

    • Developing and upgrading the library's website
    • Launching online registration
    • Remote book reservations
    • Upgrading the reader card software and linking it to SMS services
  4. Pivotal Year

    2018 — Digitisation Truly Begins

    The real start of the library's digitisation and the beginning of work on the national network infrastructure

    • Creating a reader statistics system
    • Creating a dedicated system for internet café users
    • Setting up an open-shelf and in-house self-service system
    • Using OwnCloud cloud storage for data
    • Starting to build the infrastructure of the national network of main public reading libraries

    4th National Forum on Information and Communication Technology

    The forum adopted important recommendations for establishing the national library network, most notably:

    • A fixed IP address for every main library
    • Websites for all main libraries
    • Standardising the technical requirements and infrastructure needed to build the national library network
    • Organising a national training course on library networking under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture and the Arts

    The FENNEC System

    A management system for main public reading libraries, comprising the following modules:

    • Reader management
    • Reader traffic statistics
    • Collection and home lending
    • Collection circulation statistics
    • Self-checkout
    • Automated search terminals
    • Digital signage
    • National network management

  5. 2019 — Continued Development and Upgrades

    • Upgrading the Reader Card to RFID with NFC Technology The reader card was upgraded from a standard PVC card to an NFC RFID 13.56 MHz card, first issued on the 65th anniversary of the glorious Liberation Revolution.
    • Registration with the Biometric National ID Card Using a 13.56 MHz RFID reader compliant with the international ISO 14443 standard, citizens can obtain a reader card without providing a single document (0 documents).
    • Building a Prototype Self-Service Digital Search and Reservation Kiosk (Self-service kiosk search index)

    National Training Course on National Networking — First Cohort

    The national training course "Networking Main Public Reading Libraries" was held on 22–23 December 2019, with 39 participants from 19 main libraries across the country, under the supervision of the Directorate of Books and Public Reading.

  6. 2020 — Adapting to the COVID-19 Pandemic

    The library's activities were adapted to the health situation in line with the precautionary measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, with several devices built by the library's IT team.

    • Launch of the "Order your book, we deliver it to your door" service
    • Building a UV Book Sterilizer Sterilises books lent to and returned by readers at the touch of a button, creating a clean and comfortable reading environment.
    • Building a UV Card Sterilizer Kills 99% of common germs and viruses to prevent any possible infection.
    • Building a UV room sterilizer that requires no harmful chemicals
    • Building an infrared hand sanitiser (a touch-free alcohol-based gel dispenser)
    • Building a dedicated bin for used face masks

  7. 2021 — Sharing Expertise with the National Library

    • Exploratory, evaluation and forward-planning visit by the IT department team of the National Library of Algeria (El Hamma) to identify its shortcomings and future needs.
    • Case Study of the IT System Architecture of the National Library of Algeria As part of the exchange of expertise and experience between public reading libraries and the National Library of Algeria, particularly in automation and the use of modern technology — the Main Library of the Wilaya of Adrar being regarded as a pioneer in this field.

  8. 2022 — RFID Technology and Training

    • Building a Prototype Mobile RFID Inventory Cart for the Library A mobile cart assisted by RFID technology: every book in the library is given a unique RFID tag so that books can be identified, reshelved and sorted efficiently.
    • Using RFID Tags in Books for Identification, Tracking and Security RFID technology improves the security of the collections by adding a single theft detection bit to the same tag, which can be switched on or off during lending.
    • Using and Programming a PDA for Inventory and Locating Books A Personal Digital Assistant is a small handheld touch-screen computer used to inventory and locate books and to produce reports and spreadsheets.
    • Training Course for the IT Technicians of the National Library of Algeria (El Hamma) 21–25 November 2022: theoretical and practical training in information and communication technology.

  9. 2023 — Networking and the Mobile App

    • National Training Course on National Networking — Second Cohort 22–23 January 2023, with 50 participants from 23 main libraries across the country.
    • Launch of the FENNEC OPAC Mobile App on Android and iOS The first mobile app in Algeria for public libraries, opening up the world of documentation and libraries and helping to promote the library's online services. Developed by the Main Library's IT team.
    • Launch of Self-Service Catalogue Search Kiosks The self-service search kiosks let users browse the library catalogue (bibliography, index, OPAC) and provide fast library services, running reliably every day of the week.
  10. Pivotal Year

    2024 — National Networking and Cybersecurity

    • Locating Books on the Shelves with FENNEC OPAC An interactive digital feature that shows users exactly where a book sits on the shelf, quickly and efficiently, without the hassle of a traditional search — powered by locally developed software that writes to the RFID tag.
    • Strengthening protection and cybersecurity at the library
    • Using a dedicated Linux system to protect most of the library's computers
    • Putting local and off-site backup plans in place
    • NAS Network Storage Stores data and files and keeps them continuously available to staff for effective collaboration across the network.
    • Protection of personal information in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 22-187 of 18 May 2022
    • Adding a digital complaints form, a "Share Your Opinion" space and a Local Authors space to the website
    • National Networking with the National Library Continuing to develop the national library network platform, supporting the main libraries and setting a national standard based on a REST API.
    • Creating the Unified National JSON-DZ-MARC Format A unified national format for exchanging bibliographic records and reader information, reserved for main public reading libraries.
  11. The Future

    Development Outlook

    Building a prototype self-service book return
    Building a prototype open-shelf self-service system for self-checkout and self-return
    Smart Library

    A smarter way to transform traditional interaction between users, information resources and library systems, using the new generation of information technology to improve clarity, flexibility and responsiveness.

    And we are still working to develop library services in step with modern technology

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