Approaches to Modern Librarianship

About the Book The libraries saw their advent in their present shape towards the end of 19th Century. Information became capital and a saleable commodity in the 2nd half of 20th Century. Application of information technologies- computer, telecommunications and document reproduction-in 1960's for a variety of purposes gave birth to information revolution. Libraries could not afford to avoid the magnetic touch of these technologies. In fact, a library has one of the first few areas where the potential of information technology was successfully tested and exploited. The four walls of libraries are crumbling under the onslaught of these technologies, culminating into face-lifting of modern librarianship.

The present book 'Approaches to modern librarianship' includes all the modern approaches which a Library at following in this IT Era.

About the Author Dr. Ajit Singh Siwatch (b. 12-1- 1952) has obtained his M.A. (Economics), LL.B., M.Lib & 1. Sc., degrees, besides Ph.D. from the Faculty of Management, M.D. University, Rohtak.

He has organized several . 'Training Programs for Computer Application in Libraries' and Refresher Courses for Library and Information Science professionals.

He has also participated in national level seminars and conferences on Library and Information Science and presented nearly two dozen research papers on modern library techniques.

He is a member of the Executive council of the Indian Library Association for the last several years and a leading office bearer of Haryana University Libraries Association.

He has a rich professional experience of more than 27 years.

Presently he is Deputy Librarian and In charge, M.D. University Library, Rohtak (Haryana).

Preface The trinity of knowledge, information and libraries has been in existence since time immemorial; though they existed in different forms and sizes at different times. The libraries saw their advent in their present shape towards the end of 19th Century. Information became capital and a saleable commodity in the 2nd half of 20'h Century. Application of information technologies - computer, telecommunications and document reproduction- in 1960's for a variety of purposes gave birth to information revolution. Libraries could not afford to avoid the magnetic touch of these technologies.

In fact, a library has been one of the first few areas where the potential of information technology was successfully tested and exploited.

The four walls of libraries are crumbling under the onslaught of these technologies, culminating into face-lifting of modern librarianship.

Organizational change is an arduous task. Flawless planning lies at the core of successful change. Introduction of information technologies in libraries warrants systems study, strategy for automation, cost estimates, determination of hardware requirements and specifications, decision about software, standards to be adopted, planning of card catalogue retro-conversion, etc. The chapter: "Planning for Library Automation", provides a comprehensive insight into all these planning aspects.

Internet has revolutionized not only the communication process; it has swayed library services with equal impact. The chapter: "Internet: Development, Fundamentals and Impact on Libraries in Indian Scenario", provides a very simple and effective description of historical development of Internet, its definition and governance, connectivity options, different Internet tools and services, growth of Internet in India, and its impact on Indian libraries.

Information in print-on-paper form is giving way to digital form. This new media is posing challenges to the libraries in areas of information collection, organization, and delivery to the library patrons. The chapter: "Development and Management of Digital Resources", focuses on the emergence of digital resources, types of digital resources, their impact on library and information services, digitization of rare documents, development of digital collection, techniques and technologies for storage of digital information, creation of metadata, and use of Internet for making the digital resources accessible to information users.

Provision of exhaustive and right information to its patrons with minimum loss of time is the motto of each library. Application of information technologies in libraries is vital for the accomplishment of this objective. The chapter: "Digital Reference Service", describes with the use of ITs for the complete reference process including conducting reference interview, analyzing queries, searching and providing reference service to the library patrons with an emphasis on reference services in digital environment.

Researchers have little time for scanning of documents for keeping themselves posted with the latest literature. The library and information science professionals felt the need for development of some mechanism for collection, storage, retrieval and dissemination of current information to the information seekers. Their efforts culminated into the development of Information Retrieval Systems to help the researchers and other information seekers to lay their hands on information of their interest. The chapters: "Information Retrieval System" and "Basics of Computer-based Library System" provide excursion through the processes involved in the collection, storage, retrieval and dissemination of current information.

Substantial amount of information in now available in electronic form. Majority of this information is stored in the computers of commercial vendors located in developed countries.

Access cost to these sources is prohibitive for individual Indian libraries. Establishment of 'Consortium of Libraries' has been found to be an economic alternative to access these databases. The chapter on "Electronic Resources for Indian Management Schools (ERIMS)" describes the approach, establishment and present status of efforts for e-resource development at Indian Management Schools, as a sub-component of INDEST consortium.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages