Resource sharing and Networking cuts library cost
The paper gives an overview of the ways
of functioning of various institutions and organizations involved in the work
of promoting networking of libraries by the use of newer information technology
equipments and techniques. It further throws light on the objectives and
guiding principles of these organizations. It gives an account of the funding
pattern for these initiatives. It also gives a bird’s eye view of various types
of existing networks viz. Star network. Hierarchical network and Distributed
network. Later on, it brings forth the utility of networking and explains how
it cuts library cost. It also harps on the age-old concept of resources sharing
but from a new perspective. The paper finally looks in to the initiatives taken
by the government of India for successfully implementing networking and
resources sharing through its various schemes and projects.
Keywords: Networking, Resource
sharing, Networks, Information systems, Delnet, information networks, Library
cost.
In the “Information” context a “Network is defined as a group of
libraries or information centers that are interconnected for the purpose of
resource sharing”. The resources include the collection of documents and the
bibliographic information identifying them. The ultimate goal of such a
resource-sharing endeavour for a given library or information center is to
provide better service to its users.
Examples of cooperative activities in a network include acquisition,
cataloguing, authority control, serials control, reference and interlibrary
loans.
No single library or information center can be wholly self sufficient
in responding to the needs of the research and planning community in ones own
country. Thus the concept of resource sharing becomes attractive. Such resource
sharing attempts would be consistent with the principles of Universal
Bibliographic Control (UBC) and Universal Availability of Periodicals (UAP).
UBC envisages a system in which each country undertakes the responsibility of
recording the publications produced in that country and makes the bibliographic
records in accordance with standard, which are internationally accepted and
acceptable. UAP intends to make documents either in the original form or in the
form of copies available to users everywhere regardless of when they are
published, where they are published or the actual location of the documents.
PREREQUISITES
OF A SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING OPERATION
1.Clearly defined
objectives.
2. A stated policy
and detailed plan for design, implementation and
evaluation of the network.
3. Agreement and
adherence to set guidelines and standards.
4. An ongoing
source of financial support.
OBJECTIVES
The
first step in defining objective of a cooperative information network is the
identification of participants needs and of the ways in which they would expect
the proposed system to satisfy these needs. A network exists ultimately to
serve the user, the objectives will be user-oriented and could be any or all of
the following :-
·
Increase in the range and depth of the service
·
Reduction of cost
·
Elimination of record duplication
·
Creation of a union catalogue
·
Rationalization of collection development
·
Improving bibliographic control
·
Strengthening exchange agreements
·
Provision of document delivery
·
Exchange of information with other
cooperative networks
·
Creation of authority files
·
Service to a wider user community
In formulating the
objectives, the existing and projected financial and human resources must be
considered. These objectives are not rigid. They can be modified in the light
of the changing needs to network participants and their clientele.
GUIDING
PRINCIPLES
For
making and ideal networking system the following points must be taken in to
consideration.
1. Need for a clear-cut definition
and specification of objectives
It is better to organize the system
as a need-based and purpose oriented to get maximum benefits out of it. It is
desirable to spell out clearly as to what is intended of the system and
specialization of ways and means to achieve intended or planned objectives.
2. Need for a networking manual
Networking
manual is to be drafted by competent experts by analyzing the minute details
about various operations of the system. It should clearly specify the nature
and degree of automation, communication link and organization structure to
monitor the system.
3. Standardization
All the
member libraries should follow the standardize pattern of Information,
Acquisition and processing.
4. Sense of belongingness
Success
of the system largely depends on the level of co-operation, co-ordination and
mutual trust among the member libraries. Therefore a sense of belongingness of
cared and shared approach is to be developed among participating libraries.
5. Trained staff members
With
the phenomenal explosion of information coupled with galloping speed of
development in information technology pressurizes one to update one’s own
skills and knowledge arised out of the function in the midst of networking
system. Therefore the regular training of professionals is required in latest
technology.
TYPES OF
NETWORKS
1.
Star Network
2.
Hierarchical Network
3.
Distributed Network
Star
Network
“A” is the main
library, which usually possesses a mainframe computer with a very large memory.
The satellites B, C, D, E, F and G are the other libraries. All the libraries are connected
to the mainframe computer of library “A” and each library is provided with a
terminal. The terminal is used to interact with the mainframe computer situated
at A to
input data and elicit required information. Each library within the network
procures a book individually and process through the computer.
HIERARCHICAL NETWORK
In this
network A is the
main library B1
and B2
are linked with A and C1 to C5 have formed local
networks for sharing resources. For inter-library loan if the book is not
availability within the network C1-C2-C3 they can interact with B1. if B1 has the
required document they can get the same. If it is not available with B1, they
can contact A
and get the book. If it is not available with A, then A can find out
whether it is available with B2 or C4 and C5. Hierarchical
network is useful for acquisition, inter-library loan etc.
The defect of the network is that
the libraries of one locality cannot interact directly with the libraries of
another locality.
DISTRIBUTED NETWORK
In this network all the libraries are connected in such a way that they
can interact with all the libraries within the system directly. This networking
is useful for inter-library loan, exchange of documents and so on.
LIBRARY NETWORKING IN INDIA
Library networking efforts using computer communication technologies
started during the late 1980s with the initiation of metropolitan/ city
networks like Calcutta Library Networks (CALIBNET) and Delhi Library
Network (DELNET) followed by the national level information and library
network (namely INFLIBNET) of the UGC. The UGC proposed INFLIBNET for
networking libraries of all the institutions of higher learning and research
and development. These library networks started functioning in the 1990s only.
Apart from these some more city library networks like the Bombay Library
Network (BONET), the Pune Library Network (PUNENET), the Madras Library
Network (MALIBNET), the Ahmedabad Library Network (ADINET), the Mysore
library Network (MYLIBNET) and so on started functioning later on.
INFORMATION NETWORKS IN INDIA
Apart from the above mentioned
library networks there exist some other information networks in India. Some of
these are as follows:-
NICNET (National Informatics Center
Network)
One of
the main services provided by the NIC is the value-added ‘electronic mail’. It
enables all users to transmit and receive mail. This mail service has been
custom-designed taking into consideration the network architecture and
operation environment. It provides an individual service with certain privacy
measures. It provides broadcasting and bulletin services too.
INDONET
Networking activity in India was
pioneered through INDONET. The services provided by INDONET can
be categorized in to the following
a.
Distributed data processing facility
b.
Computer service bureau consultancy
c.
Promotion of advanced networking
technologies.
d.
Providing computer power to users across
the country
e.
Public data-base service
f.
Software export.
RABMN
a.
Computer messaging
b.
Connection to public telex network
c.
Connection to packed switched public data
network (-NET)
d.
Connection to international gateway packet
switch
INET
At present the network provides the
following services
a.
Interactive data communication
b.
Connection to international gateway-GPSS,
through Bombay node.
c.
Connection to remote area business message
network.
ERNET
Presently the ERNET facilitates the
following services:
a.
Electronic mail
b.
File transfer
c.
Remote log on (Terminal access)
d.
Bibliographic database access
e.
Audio and audio plus conferencing
VIDYANET
This network allows users to get the
following services:
a.
Transfer files of any type: data,
programmes, documents
b.
Receive and send electronic mail to one or
more users.
c.
Exchange immediate messages
d.
Share computer resources
e.
Access remote application, databases,
libraries
SIRNET
This network is designed to organize indigenous on-line database
services on such subjects as leather technology, food technology, natural
products, chemistry, radio physics, etc.
This network
provides the following services:
- Administrative information
services
- Financial information exchange
services
- Exchange of library resources
- E-mail services
HOW NETWORK CUTS LIBRARY COST
No library is self
sufficient regarding the collection of documents. Through library co-operation,
resource sharing and inter-library loan facility the documents of one library
can be shared with another library. Networking helps to avoid unnecessary
procurement of documents, which may be present in any another library and thus
saves the library cost. It can also provide the facility of using a single file
of records by which an individual library can reduce its cost to a great extent
through sharing of storage and access.
CONCLUSION
Development and
management of library networks involves high commitment and tenacious work,
particularly in the Indian environment where majority of the libraries do not
have qualified and skilled manpower and also financial resources to introduce
automation. Hence it is very essential to foster technological co-operation,
not only among libraries, but also among library networks.
REFERENCES
1)
Devarajan, G. New frontiers of
knowledge in Information Science. New Delhi: Ess Ess Publications, 2004.
2)
NISSAT. “Information Industry
Promotes-use Interaction-National met”, NISSAT News letter 14(1): 3-10(1995).
3)
Raish, M. and Ensor, P. (1996)
(eds). Key guide to electronic resources. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc.
4)
Ford, Simon (ed). Art, Art
History and Design. Munchen: K.G.Saur, 2001.
5)
Tiwari Aravind. Evaluation of
Electronic Libraries. New Delhi: APH Publishing Corporation, 2002.
No comments:
Post a Comment