LIbrary Networking and India
1. Introduction: The explosion in the amount of literature that isavailable, increases among the number of users andtheir different needs, and the application ofelectronic media are forcing libraries to constructand participate in networks. Magnetic tapes, floppydisks, and CD-ROMs provide enough data storagecapacity. Retrieval through telecommunicationsnetworks and access to international databases areavailable for searching for information on varioussubjects. With the advent of networks, remotetransmission of texts and graphics, video clips andanimated clips are also possible.
2. Definitions: • A library network is broadly described as a groupof libraries coming together with some agreement ofunderstanding to help each other with a view tosatisfying the information needs of their clientele.
UNISIST II working document defines InformationNetwork as a set of inter-related information systemsassociated with communication facilities, which arecooperating through more or less formal agreements inorder to implement information handling operations tooffer better services to the users. •
The National Commission on Libraries & InformationScience in its National Programme Document (1975)defines a network as Two or more libraries engaged in a common patternof information exchange, through communications forsome functional purpose.
3. Objectives:
3.1 To promote and support adoption of standards inlibrary operations.
3.2 To create databases for projects, specialists andinstitutions to provide online information services
3.3 To improve the efficiency of housekeepingoperations
3.4 To coordinate with other regional, national &international network for exchange of information anddocuments
3.5 To generate new services and to improve theefficiency of existing ones
4. Network Development in India: Some factors that are responsible for the developmentof library and information networks in India are:
• The report of the working group of the planningcommission on modernization of library services andinformatics for the seventh five year plan, 1985-90
• The National Policy on Library & Informationsystems document (1986) accepted by the ministry ofHRD, Government of India.
• The report on national policy on universitylibraries prepared by the Association of IndianUniversities (1987)
• The UGC report on information systems for scienceand technology under the Department of Science &Industrial Research (DSIR) Government of India hasbeen vigorously promoting an integrated approach tolibrary automation and networking
5. Limitations in Network Development: A network may fail in the early stages if there is notproper planning or if adequate funds are notavailable. Moreover, a common memorandum of agreementsigned by the participating libraries at theinstitutional level is essential for the success of anetwork venture. On a more practical level, catalogdata must be in a standard, machine readable form forit to be shared and exchanged. And, finally, acontinuous flow of external assistance is crucial forthe network's survival.
6. Types of Networks: Presently, there are three types of computer networks:
6.1 LAN
6.2 MAN
6.3 WAN
6.1 Local Area Network (LAN): A LAN is a number of related computers and electronicdevices that share information over a transmissionmedia. A typical use of LAN is to tie together personalcomputers in an office so that they can all use asingle printer and a file server. The LAN can bewithin a building or a campus wide network.
6.2 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Attempts are being made to develop this type ofnetwork in metropolitan areas such Delhi, Calcutta,Bangalore, Madras, etc.
6.3 Wide Area Network (WAN): A large-scale network, involving offices in differentcities and countries is referred to as WAN, which isspecially designed to interconnect data transmissiondevices over wide geographical areas.
7.Categories of Network Library networks have been divided into twocategories: (A)General network and (B)Specialized network.
The latter can further be divided into metropolitannetwork and countrywide network.
General Networks in India
NICNET:
Title: National Information Center Network
Sponsor: Planning Commission, Govt. of India.
Membership: Four national and regional nodes, 32 stateand union territory nodes; seventy cities and towns Services: Bulk file transfer; teleconferencing; fulltext and bibliographic retrieval services
Application: ICMRNIC Center; MEDLARS in India;Chemical Abstracts database
INDONET:
Title: INDONET data Network Sponsor: CMC Ltd (1986) = Informatics India Ltd (1989)
Membership: Commercial computer network
Services: Database services such as DIALOG,COMPUSERVE; IP; SHARP Applications: ACME; file transfer; internationalGateway
I - NET (VIKRAM):
Title: I - NET
Sponsor: Dept. of Telecommunications, Govt. of India
Connectivity: Packet switched public data networkcovering nine cities
Services: Information exchange through e-mail / FTP;Bibliographic databases
Specialized Networks
Metropolitan Networks
CALIBNET:
Title: Calcutta Libraries Network
Sponsor: NISSAT - Govt. of India
Applications: Cataloging; serials control;acquisitions; circulation
Services: CAS; SDI; union catalog; partial database;editing and retrieval of records; global information;search; full-text document delivery; libraryautomation; CALIBNET INFO Services
BONET:
Title: Bombay Library Network
Sponsor: NISSAT & NCST (1994)
Objective: To promote cooperation among libraries inBombay
Services: online catalog; online document delivery;IRS; interlibrary loan; dissemination of information
DELNET:
Title: Developing Library Network S
ponsor: NISSAT & NIC (1988)
Objective: To promote resource sharing; develop anetwork of libraries; collect, store, disseminateinformation
Members: 165 Institutions, 600 Libraries, 15 States inIndia, 5 from outside India
Services: resource sharing; free Software; ICE onlinefacility; books database; thesis database; Indianspecialists; database
ADINET:
Title: Ahmedabad Library Network
Sponsor: NISSAT, DSIR (1994) & INFLIBNET
Objective: To bring cooperation among its regionallibraries; to develop databases; to integratescientific and technical information systems Members: nine libraries Services: library automation; library holdings;database in progress
MYLIBNET:
Title: Mysore Library Network S
ponsor: NISSAT (1994)
Objective: Developing software tools; conductingseminar; workshops/training programs; conduct surveys
Host Site: CFTRI,
Mysore Members: 116 Institutions
Services: MYLIB Database; E-journals; food patents;CFTRI Library Bulletin; public services.
Countrywide Area Network:
DESINET:
Title: Defence Science Information Network
Sponsor: DESIDOC, Delhi
Activity: Focus on scientific, research and defenseCommunities
ERNET:
Title: Educational and Research Network
Sponsor: Dept. of Electronics, Govt. of India; UNESCO(Financial assistance from UNDP)
Members: eight institutions (5 IITs, IISc., NationalCentre for Software Technology - Bombay, CCI wing ofDept. of Electronics)
Services: Communication services such as e-mail, filetransfer, remote log on, database access, bulletinboard etc.,
SIRNET:
Title: Scientific and Industrial Research Network
Sponsor: CSIR (Commissioned Agency- NCST, Bombay) Members: 40 labs and R&D Institutions
Applications: scientific communication; leathertechnology; natural products; food technology;medicinal Plants
VIDYANET:
Title: VIDYANET (Dedicated Communication Computer Net)
Sponsor: TATA Institute of Fundamental Research,Bombay
Objectives: To provide rapid means of communicationsby linking computers at various institutions in Indiato similar networks outside the country; to stimulatecorporate research, the day-to-day exchange ofresearch information and the execution of jointprojects and publications
Services: File transfer facility; sharing of computerresources and access to remote applications,databases, libraries, etc.
BTISNET:
Title: BTISNET (Specialized Information Network)
Sponsor: Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. Connectivity: 10 Specialized Information Centres ingenetic engineering, plant tissue culture;photosynthesis and plant molecular biology; celltransformation ; bio-process engineering. Services: Data processing using applications software;online communication access; facsimile facility
INFLIBNET:
Title: Information Library Network
Sponsor: UGC (1991) Connectivity: computer communication network ofuniversities and R&D; libraries and bibliographicinformation centers throughout the country Members: 200 Universities; 400 College libraries; 200R&D
libraries Services: catalog service; database Services; documentsupply services; e-mail; BBS: audio and videoconferencing, etc.
BALNET:
Title: Bangalore Library Network
Sponsor: JRD;. Tata Memorial Library (1995)
Members: 100 Libraries MALIBNET: Title: Madras Library Network Sponsor: INSDOC & NISSAT (1993)
Members: 15 Libraries
Activity: Two important databases, a directorydatabase of current serials in Madras and a contentsdatabase covering articles published in 300 journalsavailable in Madras libraries.
Conclusion: During the recent period quite a large number oflibraries and information centers are formingnetworks. The advent of computer networking as anaccepted part of the library and informationinfrastructure has had a very significant impact onthe way in which library and information systems areperceived. India is thus on the threshold to a new eraof computer communication networks both for generalpurposes and for library and information purposes.
References :
LIS forumSarandha Singh ADIS 2nd year Student Documentation Research and Training CenterISI,Bangalore-59,India.
More details visit:http://drtc.isibang.ac.in/~sarandha
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