Abstract. The present paper discusses about the establishment of IITs, importance of

Transcription

1 DOORWAYS TO RESOURCE SHARING AMONG INDIAN INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY (IITS) LIBRARIES FOR CREATING 21 ST CENTURY LIBRARY & INFORMATION SERVICES UNDER DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT Dr. Harish Chandra Librarian Indian Institute of Technology Madras Chennai India URL: Abstract The present paper discusses about the establishment of IITs, importance of resource sharing, various factors, facilities, users strength available at IITs and the major initiatives taken by IITs. The paper further highlights the developments in S&T resource sharing in India with specific reference to the contributions of different organisations and library networks. The core areas for resource sharing and the major initiatives taken at IIT Madras are also mentioned. 1. Background Indian Institutes of Technology have been set up by an Act of Parliament with a specific declaration that these are Institutes of National Importance. They are conceived to act as leaders in technology invention, train the necessary manpower and promote generally the state-of-art of technology in the country. Their role is to enhance the country s techno-economic strength and technological self reliance. The basic objective of IITs is best described in the words of First Prime Minister Pt. JawaharLal Nehru to provide scientists and technologists of the highest culture who would engage in research and development to help building the nation towards self reliance in her technological needs. Accordingly, IITs have been contributing their share in upgrading the quality of engineering education in the country through QIP (Quality Improvement

2 Programme) and FIP (Faculty Improvement Programme). These Institutes are also helping the selected engineering institutions in laboratory planning. IITs have well fulfilled major objectives such as development of first-rate B.Tech graduates, upgradation of engineering education in the country, contribution to sponsored research and interactive programmes with industries, institutions and other agencies located in India and abroad. Libraries are the central support services of these temples of technology. Libraries are providing strong support to achieve the goals through ensuring quality based library and information support services to the students, faculty, staff and industries. Libraries are deeply committed to update the collections continuously in order to reinforce and enrich the knowledge base for assisting the institutes to achieve excellance in academic, research, development, consultancy, continuing engineering education activities. With the passage of time, the quantum and quality of users and their expectations have gone up. Besides this major factor, there are various other factors which motivated IITs to share their available resources within respective institutional framework. Some of them are listed below: Shrinking fiscal resources Price-hike in S&T journals Information is treated as the factor of production Publications explosion in the area of science & technology Avoiding duplication of information resources Dynamic and comprehensive R&D information needs Providing enhanced coverage of information resources and services Meeting potential information needs and satisfaction of users Recent trends and developments in the area of information technology Optimum utilisation of resources Before discussing further issues, it s desirable to have a quick glance at the resources available in these institutes. The following table lists the various resources,

3 faculty, students strength, current journals subscribed. The information has been collected from the printed publications. Table:I Facilities & Users Strength in IITs Institute Name Establishment Collection Students Faculty Journals IIT.Bombay IIT.Delhi IIT.Guwahati NA 500 IIT.Kanpur IIT.Kharagpur IIT.Madras IIT.Roorkee NA Source: 1. Commonwealth Universities Year Book, 75 th Edition, Volume I, Universities Handbook, 28 th Edition, Association of Indian Universities, The World of Learning, 50 th Edition, Major Initiatives at IITs The factors listed as above, available infrastructure and goals of respective institutes combindly motivated IITs for sharing their resources. Consequently, IIT Delhi took a lead in organising a group discussion of the Librarians of all IITs on 23 rd March, 1986 to discuss resource sharing so as to make use of each others resources effectively and efficiently. Next to this, during 1988, IIT Kanpur organised resource sharing meeting of all Librarians as well as the concerned Faculty involved in the library automation project at respective institutes with the objective to discuss the various practical problems and issues to implement resource sharing among IITs. Similarly, IIT Bombay took lead to organise resource sharing meetings of all Librarians of IITs, Tata

4 Institute of Fundamental Research, and Bhaba Atomic Research Centre during 1995 and Consequently, all Librarians agreed to finalise an agreement of co-operation containing the following major decisions: Consortium of libraries was conceived under which participating libraries will share resources through efficient inter library loan system. The consortium will explore the possibilities of availing the facilities extended by the publishers in susbcribing periodicals in multiple copies in print as well as electronic media. Each participating library will function as a provider library for a set of periodicals and thus be committed to maintain the subscription of these titles and will not delete any title without seeking the approval of the consortium. Each library will prepare a union catalogue of periodicals holding available in their library and make it available to the participating libraries. All participating libraries will maintain the collection of photocopies of articles received under the resource sharing agreement to meet repeated/multiple requirements and to avoid the duplicate requests. All participating libraries will open an account to deliver on-line document delivery service on priority Further to these initiatives, IIT Kharagpur also organised resource sharing meeting on 2 nd and 3 rd September, The Librarians reviewed the progress of the subscription of current journals on consortium basis. Other issues discussed were mainly the preparation of union catalogue, infrastructure and man power requirement, database creation of periodical holdings of all IITs and BARC, exchange visit of staff. The work regarding agreed activities like databse creation of periodical holdings is in progress which is being undertaken at IIT Madras. Pursuant to this, recently, IIT Madras has completed the project to compile the Catalogue of Periodicals containing the holdings of the periodicals subscribed by the Central Library of IIT Madras since inception. The Catalogue of Periodicals was formally released by Prof. M.S. Ananth, Director of IIT Madras on and the copies of publication were also sent to all IITs. Recently, IIT Kharagpur organised National Conference on Information Management in e- Libraries (ImeL) during 26 th - 27 th February 2002.

5 Special session on State of-the-art Libraries was arranged on and presentations from IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Madras were made. Special panel discussion on The Shape of Libraries in the New Millennium was also arranged. It was further resolved to implement resource sharing effectively and efficiently keeping in view digital developments and initiatives taken at respective institutions.. 3. Creating 21 st Century Library Services The libraries in the area of science and technology need to re-orient and re-design their efforts to provide quality based library and information support services to meet the growing & multidimensional information needs of end-users focusing on the followings: Providing Web-based Library and Information Services Bridging the Knowledge Gap Achieving Excellence in Service, Information Products, Collections Ensuring Quality and Satisfaction to End-Users Consortia based E-Collections Building Initiatives Providing Dynamic linkages to Information Resources Globalised Reach & Distance Education Application Digital Library Initiatives Shared Database Access IIT Madras has aleady initiated to provide world class IT infrastructure to the Central Library. Recently, digital class room has been created with LCD, INTERNET connectivity, Pentium IV systems, network pinters, latest photocopiers, automatic bindery machine. In addition to this, creating digital library is one of the top prioritoy of IIT Madras to provide information at doorstep to the stake holders. 4. Developments in S & T Information Resource Sharing in India The teachers and practitioners of Indian librarianship have already realised the dire need of resources sharing. Accordingly, number of times, Indian Library

6 Association, Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centers, Tamil Nadu Librarians Association, Madras Library Association, Delhi Library Association, UP Library Association, Medical Librarians Association of India and other associations have aleady discussed various issues, trends, developments, strategy, models. In addition to these associations, the following institutions are also deeply involved to implement resource sharing and providing role model solutions: 4.1 Indian National Scientific Document Center (INSDOC) INSDOC is deeply involved in resource sharing activities at national level in the country. The mandate of INSDOC is listed below To develop collections of sources of information in different fields of S&T To render information services to S&T community in the field of S&T To develop appropriate linkages with the information systems and services organized in India and abroad and to provide access to databases. To act as a national repository of entire S&T information generated in the country. To carry out R&D in information science and technology. To develop trained manpower for undertaking advanced level tasks in the field of information science and services. To adopt and promote appropriate technologies and management practices for increasing productivity of information networks and services in the country 4.2 Developing Library Network (DELNET) DELNET has been established with the prime objective of promoting resource sharing among the libraries through the development of a network of libraries. It aims to collect, store, and disseminate information besides offering computerized services to users, to coordinate efforts for suitable collection development and also to reduce unnecessary duplication wherever possible. DELNET has been actively engaged with the compilation of various Union Catalogues of the resources available in member-libraries. It has already created the Union Catalogue of Books, Union List of Current Periodicals, Union Catalogue of Periodicals, CD-ROM Database, Database of Indian Specialists,

7 Database of Periodical Articles, Union List of Video Recordings, Urdu Manuscripts Database, Database of Theses and Dissertations. 4.3 Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) INFLIBNET is involved in creating infrastructure for sharing information among academic and R & D institutions and also in the creation of union databases of Books, Theses, Serials, Experts, Projects. These databases are available for online access. It also coordinates the documentary delievery services through its six major libraries in the country. 4.4 Madras Library Network (MALIBNET) MALIBNET is actively involved to promote library networking activities in Chennai. All universities including IIT Madras are member of MALIBNET. The inititative to provide consultation cards facilities to the members is a very popular service. Under this system, the subscriber can use the resources of local libraries. 4.5 SCIENCE CITY Entire Guindy Tharamani institutional belt of Chennai metropolitan city, consisting of about 60 educational and research institutions like IIT, Anna University, Central Leather Research Institute and Science Center etc. belonging to both Central and State Government has been declared as Science City with the objective of promoting the science and technology. Science City contains more than 1500 Ph.D. holders and 3500 research scholars and more than 1500 research projects in the field of science, engineering and technology. One of the major project of Science City is to create a State wide data on science & technology, ensuring effective linking of libraries and also link all the laboratories, facilitating the sharing of the equipments and resources.

8 4.6 National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT) NISSAT has taken initiatives for promoting resource sharing activities, ensuring better utilization of information resources. Besides the development of library networks, the programme included preparation of union catalogues, consultative mechanism for rationalization of periodicals, development of a concept of universal library access, training and development of manpower in the country. 4.7 Calcutta Library Network (CALIBNET) CALIBNET a Government of India Project, has been launched by NISSAT and managed by the CALIBNET Society established under the West Bengal Government's Societies Registration Act 1961.The basic aim of CALIBNET is to provide the individual libraries and their reading members with cost-effective solutions to their problems. 4.8 Mysore Library Network (Mylibnet) Mylibnet was setup during May 1995 in the city of Mysore of Karnataka State with the assistance from NISSAT with the objectives to share resources available with all the libraries, to provide a faster communication to all the libraries through Electronic Mail facility, to setup a information base in collaboration with industries and also to create awareness in the field of latest Information Technology by conducting seminars/workshops/training programmes. 5. Core Areas of Resource Sharing: The following major core areas for resource sharing are identified: Union Catalogue Collection Building Strategy Exchange of Publications Training of Staff

9 6. Initiatives at IIT Madras Exchange of Experience and Expertise Document Delivery Service Consultation Facilities and Resources Consortium Approach Compilation of Staff Directory Reference Services The Central Library is one of the central support services of the Institute which has been awarded ISO-9001 certification by RWTUV of Germany for the establishment, application and maintenance of quality library systems and procedures. It is well equipped with all modern facilities and rich resources in the form of CD-ROM, On-line databases, printed and non-printed documents on Applied Sciences, Engineering, Technology, Humanities, Social Sciences and other new emerging areas. The Central Library holds 3,47,975 lakhs unique collection, 891 current journals and catering the needs of 5,307 members. Recently, the Central Library subscribed the digital library packages including Science Direct- offers online access to 1200 full text journals from Elsevier Science and the leading scientific and technical publishers. The Central Library also subscribes ACM digital library core package plan to provide online access to ACM full text journals and magazines under Intranet environment through the Central Library website ( The Central Library has also established CD- ROM networking system which facilitates to search CD-ROM databases namely, EI- COMPENDEX PLUS, INSPEC, CURRENT RESEARCH WORLDWIDE, ESPACE WORLD, FINDEX, and GRANTS DATABASE. Library membership is also open to corporate organizations, public and private sectors Realising the importance of resource sharing, input received from various meetings organised by different IITs and to satisfy the increased users information needs,

10 we have taken the following initiatives to implement and promote resource sharing in our Institute: Web-based Document Delievery Service Publishing the Catalogue of Periodicals Exchange of Reprints for Academic Use among IITs Exchange of Content Pages of Journals not Available at IIT Madras Enrolment of Alumnus of other IITs for Library Membership Exchange Visit of Library Staff Creation of Union Catalogue of Periodicals subscribed at IITs 7. Conclusion It can be concluded that there is an urgent need to utilise the resource sharing to generate the highest level of customer satisfaction. It is absolutely essential to have professional commitment and dynamic administrative support within institutional framework to implement resource sharing effectively and efficiently. References IIT Review Committee Report, 1986, pp.4-6