SLIM21 provides for data entry and storage in Unicode. Use of the Unicode technology makes it possible to install as many scripts as required on the computer and use them in every interaction with the computer. The Marathi language using the Devnagari script is just an example described here. The list below shows a fraction of benefits of SLIM21. Users and librarians can

• enter data about the library items in Marathi

• view the data in Devnagari script even if entered in say Kannada

• search for the information using Marathi search strings

• view a list of Marathi words

• view Marathi data on the library’s Web Pages

• copy Marathi text from the SLIM forms onto other capable applications, and vice-versa

• prepare letters where standard and the varying part appears in Marathi

• send such Marathi letters as e-mail messages

• prepare bibliographies in Marathi

• decide which Marathi terms from the library science field should appear on data entry and other screens

• enter names of suppliers, library members and their addresses in Marathi

• prepare mailing labels in Marathi

• print reports in Marathi

SLIM21 separates words from the description of the library item and presents them in a sorted manner which closely follows the traditional lexicographic (dictionary) order in the language. SLIM21 also provides a way to transliterate other scripts like Kannada, Telugu into the Devnagari script. This allows a user to enter word like “samaaj” (8 . > ) in Devnagari, but receive search results containing even the items catalogued in say Kannada.

A library can prepare a word list of Marathi words, load it into the SLIM data, and have it used during data entry. This reduces typing work and chances of spelling mistakes. It also provides uniform way of data entry for all its data entry persons.

Many common tasks performed by librarian using SLIM are also described in the Marathi language, this part of the documentation of SLIM is very much appreciated by those who have used it. This Marathi documentation, written in working Marathi, has been found to be a key factor that increases users’ enthusiasm, confidence and thus results in successful library automation.

The figure on the left above shows an authority file segment where the sorting and searching in Marathi is demonstrated. The other snapshot was taken after the user had asked for the Devnagari display of the data entered in Kannada. The field names appear in Marathi because the user desired that way.

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