A WALK THROUGH CONVENTIONAL V/S PROGRESSIVE LANES OF LIBRARY
Dr. Raj Kumar Singh ( College Librarian) L. S. Govt. P G College, Adalhat, Mirzapur (U. P.)
Abstract: -The IT explosion and its implementation changed the entire scenario of the present world.
Dynamic multimedia information is needed to meet the requirements of user, today. Progressive libraries have become important elements in this era of Information Technology. Numerous terms are used by organizations as well as individuals to denote the concept of Progressive libraries. Generally, it denotes converting a document from non-digital medium to digital medium for better information storage and retrieval. In this paper I try to discuss about definition, characteristics, advantage and disadvantage of Progressive libraries followed by Conventional libraries, Progressive libraries and type of libraries in today’s perspective, as detailed.
Keywords: I.T., Multimedia, Networking, On-Line Resources.
Introduction
The Progressive Library is ICTs based system for acquiring, storing, organizing, searching and distributing information in digital format. The concept of a “Progressive library” is not merely equivalent to a digitized collection with information management tools. It is rather an environment to bring together collections, services and people in support of the full life cycle of creation, dissemination, use and preservation of data, information and knowledge. The IT explosion and its implementation changed the entire scenario of the present world. Dynamic multimedia information is needed to meet the requirements of user of today. Progressive libraries have become important elements in this era of Information Technology.
Progressive library does not mean library in the classical sense, but a network of multimedia systems, a media server or group of interlinked workstations, connected through high-speed networks. Unlike a conventional library, where clientele are provided with physical materials from many sources, a Progressive library is a group of distributed repositories that clientele see as a single repository in digital form. In other words, in the Progressive library, the information arrives as needed at the users’
screen. Library without walls and Progressive library have been used interchangeably to describe this broad concept. Depending on the specific library, a user may be able to access magazine articles, books, papers, images, sound files, videos, etc. Numerous terms are used by organizations as well as individuals to denote the concept of Progressive libraries. Generally, it denotes converting a document from non-digital Medium to digital medium for better information storage and retrieval.
Characteristics
Following are the important characteristics of a Progressive library;
To expedite the systematic development of procedures to collect, store and organize the information in digital form.
To encourage cooperative efforts to save and share the investments in research sources, computing and communication network.
To strengthen the communication and collaboration between creator and the user of the information.
To provide the leadership for the successor for dissemination of knowledge in the area of research.
To preserve the library reading material for a longer duration and saving the space.
To solve the resource crunch in the library budgets being spent for the purchase of hard copies of books and journals.
To create a comprehensive networked information environment.
To facilitate quicker and efficient handling of information.
To provide better services in a more personalized way and also provide retrospective services efficiently.
To maintain and handle large amount of digitized databases.
To help to save the time of library personnel by avoiding routine jobs.
To present coherent view of all information within a LIC (Library Information Centre) in any format.
To serve to widely dispersed communities throughout the network.
Components
Important components include; Hardware, Software’s, well designed LIC systems with LAN!
WAN facility, Databases of Holdings in machine readable form, On-line Compatible systems to coordinate and manage multifaceted digital LIC resources, Communication facility like, email, fax, etc., Accessibility to Server, Network with Internet facility, Competitive manpower, etc. A Progressive library can be built around specific repository software. The best known examples of this are D-Space, E-Prints, Fedora, Greenstone Progressive Library Software, etc. The Reference Model for an Open Archival Information System (OAIS) provides a framework to address digital preservation.
Progressive Collection
It has the following components: Data- Technical data, Numeric data, Photographs, Audio, Video, Indexing, On-line resources, Local database of Public books in machine-readable form, E-books, virtual books, electronic text, map, image, sound, video, multimedia, E- journals and off-line resources.
Advantages of Progressive Libraries
No physical boundary.
Round the clock availability.
Multiple access.
Preservation and conservation.
Solves space problem.
Networking.
Optimal use of ICT environment.
Structured approach.
Ability to deal with large data sets.
On-line learning environment.
Wider range of materials.
Access to latest information.
Faster information retrieval.
Lower maintenance.
Cost effective.
The advantages of Progressive libraries as a means of easily and rapidly accessing books, archives and images of various types are widely recognized by commercial interests and public bodies alike. Conventional libraries are limited by storage space; Progressive libraries have the potential to store much more information, simply because digital information requires very little physical space to contain it. As such, the cost of maintaining a Progressive library is much lower than that of a Conventional library.
A Conventional library spends large sums of money paying for staff, book maintenance, rent and additional books. Progressive libraries do away with these fees. Both types of library require cataloguing input to allow users to
locate and retrieve material. Progressive libraries may be more willing to adopt innovations in technology, providing users with improvements in electronic and audio book technology as well as presenting new forms of communication such as wikis and blogs;
conventional libraries may consider that providing online access to their OPAC is sufficient. An important advantage to digital conversion is increased accessibility to users.
Disadvantages of Progressive Libraries
Initial cost is high.
Copyright and IPR issues.
Speed of access and Bandwidth problem.
Lack of information policy and information culture.
Efficiency issues.
Environment problems.
Preservation issues.
Digitization is not a permanent /long term solution.
Conventional Libraries Vs Progressive Libraries Conventional Libraries
Manual form of catalogue.
Searching the book/journal is difficult, limited search options.
Difficult to know the status of issued out books.
CD-ROM Searching is difficult, one CD/One Reader at a time.
Hard copies of journals, abstracts- difficult to consult, etc.
Progressive Libraries & New web based Library Services
OPAC to Web OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue)
CD-ROM to web-based indexes and databases.
Manual reference service to digital reference service/virtual reference service.
Manual document delivery to electronic delivery services.
Dedicated library networks, improved search interfaces.
New information services, such as a home page linked to a collection of electronic texts, databases and other Internet resources.
Documents may be shared across all major networking platforms.
Information is accessible regardless of the user location.
Fill-in forms used for feedback and services.
Requests for purchases, reservation and general library suggestions.
Interlibrary loan and circulation.
Reference questions.
Virtual Library Tours.
Library maps & floor plans.
Photographic Views.
Library Web Sites.
Subject Gateways or Library Portals.
Web-based User Education.
Library Calendar.
Web Forms.
Bulletin Boards.
Discussion Forums and List serves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
With the application of Web 3.0, following more expanded services are available for Progressive library users, i.e. semantic web, linked data, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, Mashups, APIs, etc. Personalized OPAC services includes; access to TM, RSS feeds, blogs, wilds, tags, public and private profiles within the library’s network, etc. Libraries have become a place where one can not only search for books and other resources but also interact with a community, a librarian and can also share the knowledge and understanding with them.
Types of Libraries in Today’s perspective Conventional library: The collection of the Conventional library is mostly print media, manuscripts, etc. and is not generally well handy organized.
Automated library: A library with machine- readable catalogue, computerized acquisition, circulation and OPAC is called as automated library.
Electronic library : When automated libraries goes for LAN (Local Area Networking) and CDROM networking/mirroring, etc. and started procuring e-journals, e-books and other similar kind of publications then it is known as electronic library.
Progressive library: It is a later stage of electronic library. In Progressive library, high speed optical fibre, etc. is used for LAN and its access is over WAN and provides a wide range of internet based services i.e. audio and video conferencing, institutional repositories and like others.
Hybrid library: The libraries, which are working both in electronic or digital and print environment, are known as hybrid libraries.
Most of the libraries, which have been computerized in India, are of this category.
Current Indian Scenario
Progressive libraries, like in other parts of the world, are fast emerging in India. India has the expertise to meet the challenges and to set up Progressive libraries in the country. We are at the threshold of breaking into cyber space and navigate through internet and World Wide Web.
Through internet, it has now become possible to be a part of “Global village” and exchange information instantly. To mention, a few national level examples of Progressive libraries are;
Vidyanidhi.
Kalanidhi.
E- Library of India, Department of Information Technology.
KrishiPrabha: Indian Agricultural Doctoral Dissertation Repository.
The digital library of ERNET.
Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC) Digitization Project.
Digital Library of Library and Information Science (DLL) at DRTC, Bangalore.
Million Book Universal Digital Library Project.
Nalanda Digital Library Project.
National Institute of Technology (NIT), Calicut.
Following are some of the national digital library networks which are important in the country:
DELNET (Developing Library Network).
INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network).
NICNET (National Informatics Centers’
Network).
I-NET (Integrated Network).
ERNET (Education and Research Network).
SIRNET (Scientific and Industrial Research Network).
CALIBNET (Calcutta Library Network).
EGRANTH: Strengthening of Digital Library and Information Management under NARS. etc.
Progressive Libraries and Websites on Internet: Global examples
Project Gutenberg, Google Book Search, Windows Live Search Books, Internet Archive, Cornell University, The Library of Congress World Digital Library, The Digital Library at the University of Michigan and Carnegie Mellon University’s Million Book Project are considered leaders in the field of Progressive library creation and management. Some of the others include:
ACM digital library- www.acm.org/dll
ALA (American Library Association)- www.benedict.com
Alexandria Digital Library- www.alexandria.sdc.ucsb.edu
Argus Clearing House-
http://www.clearinghouse.net/
Berkeley digital library Sun Site- www.sunsite.berkeley.edu
BUBL Information Service- http:/Ibubl.ac.uk/
California digital library- www.cdlib.org
Columbia university digital library collections-
www.cc.columbia.edu/cu/librariesdigit al
Digital Library Federation (DLF)- www.clir.org/diglib
Digital library.net-
www.digitallibrary.net
IFLA digital libraries-
www.ifla.org/ll/diglib
Info media digital video library- www.informedia.cs.cmu.edu
Internet Index-
http://sunsite.berkeley.edulintemetjnd exj
Internet Conventional Library- http://www.ipl.org/
Library of Congress- www.loc.gov
National digital library- www.memorvioc.gov/arnmem
Penn Electronic Library
http://www.library.upenn.edulresourc
e/ WWW Virtual Library- http://www.edoc.com
New Roles for Librarians in the Progressive Library Environment
Subject Matter Specialist like Bioinformatics Librarian.
Cyber library.
Digital Librarian.
Electronic Librarian.
Electronic Resources Librarian.
HTML Coder.
Information Analyst.
Internet Cataloguer.
Web Classifications.
Internet Information Consultant.
Internet Librarian.
Knowledge Manager.
Library Manager.
Virtual Librarian.
Navigator.
Network Manager.
Web Master, etc.
Copyright and Licensing
Some people criticizes that Progressive libraries are hampered by copyright laws and IPR issues, because works cannot be shared over different periods of time in the manner of a Conventional library. The republication of material on the web by libraries may require permission from right holders, and there is a conflict of interests between them and publishers who may or may not wish to create web versions of their content for commercial reasons. There is a dilution of responsibility that occurs as a result of the spread-out nature of E- resources. Complex intellectual property matters may become involved since digital material is not always owned by a library. The content is, in many cases, public domain or self-generated content only.
Some E- libraries, such as Project Gutenberg- is to digitize out-of-copyright works and make them freely available to the public. Other Progressive libraries incorporate copyright concerns by licensing content and distributing it on a commercial basis, which allows for better management of the content reproduction and the payment (if required) of royalties. The fair use provisions under copyright law provide specific guidelines under which circumstances libraries are allowed to copy E- resources. Four factors that constitute fair use are purpose of use, nature of the work, market impact, and amount or substantiality of use.
New Interpretation of Five Laws of Library Science in the Progressive Library
Environment
Libraries serve humanity.
Respect all forms by which knowledge in communicated.
Free access to knowledge.
Use technology intelligently to enhance services.
Honor the past and create the future.
Conclusion Conclusion
Progressive library technology is becoming an essential enabler of library services. The Progressive library network within the users’
community saves a lot of access time and energy of both the users and the library or information personnel. Digitization involves huge money to create and maintain a Progressive library. There are many software packages available for Progressive libraries; among these Greenstone,
D-Space and E-Prints are becoming more popular in India and abroad. Digital preservation refers to the various methods of keeping digital material alive into the future, Progressive libraries are not going to replace the physical existence of documents completely but no doubt to meet the present demand, to satisfy the non local users, digitalization must be introduced. So it will not be strange if now, my library or your library will go for digitalization.
In digital environment, the librarians and information scientists are needed for packaging and repackaging of information, for electronic publishing, for reference purpose, for virtual reference, to advise the user about the strategy to identify relevant electronic sources, etc. Thus the librarian is more or less a hypertext engineer. In the new environment, it is very difficult for the librarian to decide what should be organized? How to organize the collection?
Etc because the new environment is really challenging one for the librarians. In the new environment, anyone who has access to the network of Progressive libraries can be a publisher by merely posting messages to an online discussion group or by other means. A virtual environment is really open for all. Large scale digitization projects are underway at Google, the Million Book Project, MSN, Google and Yahoo. With continued improvements in book handling and presentation technologies such as optical character recognition and e- books, and development of alternative depositories and business models, Progressive libraries are rapidly growing in popularity as demonstrated by Google, Yahoo!, and MSN’s efforts. Just as libraries have ventured into audio and video collections, so have E- libraries such as the Internet Archive.
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