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delnetNewsletter

Vol. 6 No. 2 December 1999

DELNET is promoted by National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India and India International Centre, New Delhi.

Library Networking in South Asia: AnOverview of Progress in Bangladesh,

Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri LankaH. K. Kaul

Modernisation of libraries in SouthAsia has been in progress especiallysince the 1990s. We have been dis-cussing the automation and network-ing of libraries in India in various forumsbut there has always been a desire toknow about the progress theneighbouring countries have beenmaking in this field. I had the privilegeof participating in the conference on'Networking for Effective Libraries andInformation Services' (NETELIS)organised by I FLA and Sri Lanka Li-brary Association in Colombo in Octo-ber 1999. The conference was suc-cessful and gave an insight into theprogress made by the SAARC andASEAN countries in the networking oftheir libraries. In this column I wouldlike to give an overview of the workdone in networking of libraries inBangladesh, Maldives,Nepal, Pakistanand Sri Lanka. My observations arebased on the presentations made byDr. S. Mannan of the University ofDhaka, Mr. Ahmed Asif of the Ministryof Planning and National Development,Maldives, Mr. Krishna Mani Bhandaryof Tribhuvan University Central Library,

Nepal, Mr. Zafar Javed Naqvi of PakistanInstitute of Development Economics,Islamabad and Ms. Sumana Jayasuriyaof the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Bangladesh

Library cooperation has been inprogress on an informal basis in generalbut there have been institutions like theNational Health Library and Documenta-tion Centre, and Bangladesh Institute ofDevelopment Studies that have devel-oped proper arrangements for inter-library loan. Efforts have been made toestablish library networks and promoteresource sharing among libraries but thishas mostly been done in the fields ofScience and Technology.

The Bangladesh National Scientificand Technical Documentation Centre hasbeen working on the project 'Automationand Networking of Science and Technol-ogy Libraries in Bangladesh' in order tolink about 50 specialised libraries anddocumentation centres. This work wasplanned in three phases. The participat-ing libraries have started creating thedatabases and it is hoped that the net-work will become functional soon.

The Bangladesh Agricultural Infor-mation Network was planned to be setup in 1982 by the National AgriculturalLibrary and Documentation Centre butit has not been started. However, theAgricultural Information Centre estab-lished in 1988 regularly contributes toCARIS and AGRIS. Information net-works in rural development and healthscience are functioning but not aslibrary networks. A survey has beenconducted for networking of librariesand it is hoped that the libraries will benetworked in due course of time.

Maldives i

The libraries in Maldives havenot been modernised and there is nonetwork of libraries. Government Of-fices and institutions prefer to useINTERNET. However, the networkingof libraries is being considered by thenewly set up Ministry for Communica-tion, Science and Technology.

Nepal

There are more than 1,600 librar-ies in Nepal. The demand for relevantinformation available in the libraries isincreasing and efforts are being madeto plan the networking of libraries. How-ever, in the absence of an operationallibrary network, the first attempt wasmade to establish the Scientific andTechnological Information Network(STIN)by the Royal Nepal Academy of

featureScience and Technology (RONAST).This attempt did not work. However,the National Library of Nepal whichwas established in 1995 is planning toestablish the network in which thelibraries are also likely to participate.The Tribhuvan University Library isworking as a major library for resourcesharing purposes at present.

Pakistan

The networking of libraries is con-sidered necessary in Pakistan. A num-ber of organisations such as the Paki-stan Instituteof Development Econom-ics, National University of Science andTechnology and Lahore University ofManagement Sciences (LUMS) havewell organised and computerised li-braries. These libraries have fullINTERNET connectivity withINTRANET facilities. In addition, thescholars have been making use ofSERNET(Serial Network), DEVINSA,H.E.J. Science and Technology Infor-mation Network, Lahore Business andEconomic Libraries Network(LABELNET) and National Documen-tation Centre Library Information Net-work (NADLIN). SERNET was the firstmajor serial network and it was sup-ported under the Netherlands LibraryDevelopment Project. DEVINSA, whichwas used in the developing countrieshas been closed down by IDRC. TheH.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistryis planning to establish an electroniclibrary system in addition to variuousactivities for promoting research.LABELNET is a pilot network of librariesand documentation centres and is sup-ported by IDRC and LUMS. NADLINwas established by the Pakistan Coun-cil of Research in Water Resources andis primarily established for collectingand disseminating information on re-

search and development activities in wa-ter resources and allied fields.

Pakistan has not yet established amulti-type library network at city or na-tional level.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka there has been atradition of informal and in some casesformal cooperation among the libraries,especially among academic and speciallibraries. Bibliographic networks havebeen recently established to share re-sources. The Sri Lanka Technical andInformation Network (SLISTINET) wasestablished in 1997 by the National Sci-ence Foundation. The major activities ofSLISTINET include the creation of unioncatalogues, union lists, other databasesand promotion of cooperative acquisi-tion.

Health Literature, Library andInformatiion Services Network (HELLIS)which was established as a sequel to theWHO/SEARO consultative meeting in1979 is one of the active library networksin Sri Lanka. HELLIS offers access toabout 480 journals that are available inits member-libraries. It provides ILL facili-ties and photocopies besides organisingworkshops and seminars.

Agriculture Information Network(AGRINET) was established in 1984 as asub set of SLISTINET. It shares informa-tion among 28 member-libraries in thefield of agriculture. Another sub set ofSLISTINET is Technical InformationNetwork (TECHINET) at the Centre forIndustrial Technology. It has fourteenmajor technical libraries as its members.

Environmental Library Network(ENLINET), established in 1993 has 20libraries attached to it. The network offersunion list of books and periodicals and

supports the creation of similar data-bases. Another network, InformationNetwork in Social Sciences (INNES)was established in 1991 to share li-brary resources. The network was es-tablished at Marga Institute with fivemember-libraries and 13 associatemember-libraries. This network cre-ates database of grey literature be-sides other types of documents. Oneof the recent networks in educationhas beenthe National Information Net-work on Education. It was establishedin 1995 and serves as a focal point forseventeen libraries in the field of edu-cation. In addition to the projectsalready mentioned, the National Li-brary of Sri Lanka formed NATNETLANKA in 1996. The main object ofthis network is to bring all networksoperating in Sri Lanka together andpromote cooperation among the net-works.

It goes without saying that SriLanka has been making efforts tomodernise the libraries in varioussectors, especially during the last tenyears. It is backed by a good commu-nication network operated by the SriLanka Telecom and Lanka Educa-tional, Academic and Research Net-work (LEARN).

Looking at the above scenario oflibrary networking in South Asia in-cluding India about which we havebeen writing in the DELNET Newslet-ter in the past, there is an urgent needto promote library networking furtherin each country and share resourcesat the regional level.

TheNETELIS Conference at itsResolutions Plenary Session whichwas chaired by Mr. Russell Bowdenadopted the following resolutions:

delnet Newsletter 2 Vol. 6, No. 2, December 1999

featureResolutions

Preamble

These Resolutions are directed toall organisations (e.g. international andregional agencies, national govern-ments, local authorities, parent-organisations, professional bodies andcompanies in the private sector) withresponsibilities for libraries and infor-mation services and that have inter-ests in creating an effective Informa-tion Society.

1. Librarians and information pro-fessionals and their services are al-ready helping to build the InformationSociety within the countries of SouthAsia. Continuous development of theseskilled resources in librarians and theirlibrary services will further benefit na-tional development.

2. The Government must recognisethe role of librarians and informationprofessionals in building an informa-tion society for the development of thenation.

3. The most cost-effective invest-ment the government can make to de-velopthe Information Society is throughthefullest involvement of librarians andinformation professionals and themodernisation of their services in orderto become effective change agents inthe Information Society.

4. Librarianshipshould emphasisethe following areas:

* Leadership in information literacy;

* Provision of IT facilities to thecommunity, e.g. mobile outreach ser-vices;

* Provision of community informa-tion services, e.g. to medium and smallindustries;

* Information at the doorstep;

* Income generation programmesand activities.

Networks

1. The Information Society is built ona foundation of collaboration and com-munication enabled by human and elec-tronic networks.

2. The establishment of specialisedand multi-type library networks in thecountries of South Asia at state, nationaland regional levels is essential and shouldbe supported by governments, nationaland international agencies.

3. Library and information networksshould become the backbone of a learn-ing society.

4. Organisations have a responsibil-ity to ensure that library and informationnetworks are as comprehensively avail-able as other public utilities and providedat reasonable cost.

5. Librarians must develop strongand sustainable working relationships withotherspecialiststodevelopcollaborationfor promoting and modernising libraryservices in their countries.

Policy, Planning and Management:

1. Each country in South Asia shoulddevelop its own national policy for librar-ies and information services with dueemphasis on the networking of libraries.

2. A national centre should be identi-fied or established in each country tomonitorand coordinate the developmentof library networking in the country and inthe region which should be nurtured andsupported by I FLA.

3. International and local professionalassociations should promote the devel-opment of professional library communi-ties through networking, such as the cre-ation and local moderation of electronicdiscussion lists.

4. All types of library services inSouth Asia, especially public and schoollibraries, need to be enhanced andmodernised to keep pace with the de-velopment, andtomeetthechallenges,of the Information Society.

5. IFLA's Regional Standing Com-mittee for Asia and Oceania (RSCAO),or any other body, should convenemeetings of interested parties to con-sider the creation of a regional consor-tium as an interested communityemerges. This should act as a catalystto develop leadership champions for:

* creating a culture of sharing;

* developing policies and guide-lines;

* encouraging collaboration withindustry;

'developing regional consortia forlicensing and procurement.

Technology

1. International standards shouldbe adopted by libraries to facilitate theexchange of information within thecountry and globally and to encouragethe development of inter-operable sys-tems.

2. In the modernisation of libraries,international bibliographic standards,in particular MARC, AACR2,specialised thesauri and national au-thority databases should be adopted.

3. Libraries can effectively functionas centres to provide for public accessto electronic information and thereforeshould be given priority in gettingINTERNET and other communicationfacilities.

Funding and Marketing

1. IFLA's Regional Standing Com-mittee for Asia and Oceania (RSCAO)should create a database of fundingsources.

delnet Newsletter Vol. 6, No. 2, December 1999

feature2. The RSCAO should encourage

more workshops with all potential part-ners on project planning, fund-raisingand marketing, value added services,writing successful project proposals.

3. Librarians and information pro-fessionals must market their servicesto the private sector for sponsorshipand support.

4. Librarians and information pro-fessionals must form lobby groups tofoster support from all sections of soci-ety.

Human Resources Development

1. Organisations operating librar-ies and information services must beencouraged to develop education andtraining to enable librarians to under-take their professional developmentcontinuously throughout their careers,e.g. in information management, librarynetworking, library standards, contentcreation, effective communication, in-formation entrepreneurship, etc.

2. Library associations, academicinstitutions and other organisationsshould develop Continuing ProfessionalDevelopment (CPD) programmes toallow librarians to enhance skillsand develop core professionalcompetences for the management ofelectronic resources, e.g. leadership ininformation inf rastructure-builidng, datamanagement, electronic library man-agement, needs assessment, etc.

3. Library authorities in each coun-try should create a suitable environ-ment and provide incentives to moti-vate library professionals to take upcontinuing professional education inorder to become effective changeagents in the Information Society.

4. The appropriate authorities must

recognise that the teaching ofLibrarianship and Information Science(LIS) requires the provision of IT work-shops equipped with up-to-date hard-ware and software and INTERNET con-nectivity.

5. Recognising the increasingly in-terdisciplinary nature of LIS studies, LISDepartments should work with other dis-ciplines to ensure that the curriculum isbroadly based.

6. LIS Departments and nationallibrary associations should worktowardsthe establishment of systems of profes-sional supported, where relevant, by aninternational professional organisation.

7. Curricula of LIS departmentsshould be revised to integrate IT applica-tions and library networking as significantcomponents.

Immediate Actions

1. Delegates from each country toapproach appropriate bodies to imple-ment the above resolutions.

2. Proceedings and reports to beposted on I FLAN ET.

3. Create an E-mail list for delegates.

The above Resolutions were agreedand adopted by consensus on October21, 1999 by more than seventy Work-shop participants from Bangladesh,Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan,Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, Malaysia,Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom andUnited States (including Representativesof I FLA and its Regional Standing Com-mittee for Asia and Oceania and its Ad-vancement of Librarianship and Univer-sal Data Transfer Core Programmes)under the Chairmanship of ProfessorRussell Bowden.

DELNET is organising a

TWO-DAY TRAININGPROGRAMME

on

"Exploring INTERNET and itsApplications"

and

"Web Site Creation, Designand Hosting"

on April 17-18,2000

Fee: Rs. 2,000/- percandidate which includesrefreshments and lunch.

As the seats are limited,preference will be given on afirst-cum-first-served basis tothe nominees of member-libraries. Applications shouldreach the Director, DELNET byMarch 30, 2000

National Convention onLibrary and Information

Networking

NACLIN 2000

organised by

DELNETto be held in Oct./Nov. 2000

atNT Chennai

For details contact:

Dr. Harish ChandraLibrarian,

NT ChennaiEmail : [email protected]


multimedia

Multimedia Library Services on SingaporeONE Network

Yeo Kim Hee*

1 Introduction

The National Library Board (NLB)has been actively exploring andprototyping new services to makelibrary and information services asconvenient, useful, affordable andwidely accessible as possible. To dothis, the NLB is now in the process ofconnecting its network to SingaporeONE (One Network for Everyone).Singapore ONE is the world's firstnationwide broadband networkthat willenable the NLB to deliver richer andmore interactive multimediaapplications to users in libraries and athome. This infrastructure will beexploited to allow the NLB to deliverWebcast programmes such asstorytelling and talks on topical issues,collaborative interaction through virtualcommunities, as well as a range ofmultimedia services that includestreaming of CD-ROMs and digitisedvideos. In the process of prototypingsuch services, a numberof issues havearisen which serve as a challenge tothe NLB in its efforts to achieve theLibrary 2000 vision of helping Singaporebecome a learning nation.

2 The NLB Library System

The National Library Board (NLB)of Singapore operates a three-tierlibrary system-regional, communityand community children's librarieswhich caters to Singaporeans from allwalks of life. All its libraries are linkedby computer networking, enabling thewidest accessibility to its library andinformation services in a convenient,useful, and affordable manner.Currently, the NLB has one regionallibrary, 15 community libraries and 41community children's libraries. By the

* Project Manager (Multimedia Applica-tions), National Library Board, Singapore

year2003, there will be4 regional libraries,18 community libraries and 100community children's libraries serving apopulation of approximately three millionpeople.

2.1 Regional Library

The regional library has an extensivecollection of around 500,000 items. It istargeted not only at the people living inthat particular region but also at thosewho have more specialised informationneeds. Such a library offers a wider rangeof reference materials, in print, non-printand multimedia services, in addition tothe general collection. The regional libraryalso functions as a test-bed for manynew services before full roll-out to thecommunity libraries.

2.2 Community Library

A community library services thepeople living in that particular region. Itcaters to the information needs of thecommunity and has a balance of bothfiction and non-fiction materials, in print,non-print and multimedia services. Value-added services like video lending andCD-ROM lending services are being rolledout in stages to the community libraries.Community out-reach is supplementedby regular library programmes both forchildren and adults. NLB's communitylibraries comprise stand-alone librariesand shopping mall libraries with collectionsize of 200,000 and 150,000 itemsrespectively.

2.3 Community Children's Library

Community children's libraries arelocated in the void decks of housingestates, and are targeted at children up to10 years old. They have a collection sizeof about 10,000 items. Inaddition to books,there are multimedia computers to makelearning fun.

Following the inception of the NLB in

September 1995, the Board hasembarked on an 8-year plan totransform library services in Singapore.A key strategy involves the deploymentof information technology to meet theincreasing demand for library andinformation services in Singapore. Thishas led to a radical change in the waythe library services its customers.

As a result, library usage hasincreased significantly to 18 millionvisitors, with total loans exceeding 24million last year. To-date, one in threeSingaporeans is a memberof the library.

3 Singapore ONE- High BandwidthNetwork

With its many regional, communityand community children's librariesspread throughout Singapore, the NLBmakes optimal use of Singapore ONEto deliver multimedia-rich services toits users where they can be easilyaccessible from anywhere. SingaporeONE, One networkfor Everyone, offersthe NLB an ideal platform and uniqueopportunity to explore and prototypemany innovative multimedia servicesto its users at a fast speed.

Singapore ONE is the world's firstnationwide broadband network. It is thekey component of the nation's IT2000vision of transforming Singapore into anintelligent island, to enhance the qualityof life for Singaporeans at home, workand play. Instead of textand still graphics,the NLB can now deliver multimediaservices, such as CD-ROM-on-demandand video-on-demand, which are richer,more exciting and interactive; users canembark on a new learning experiencethat stimulatestheirsensesthrough bothsight and sound.

Besides library multimediaservices, Singapore ONE will also


multimediaenable users in the library to access many other applications and services availableon the Singapore ONE network itself, and hence experience the benefits broughtabout by the IT2000 initiative.

Examples of some Singapore ONE applications and services include onlineshopping, home banking, news and travel information, distance learning, video-on-demand and Government services. The NLB can thus act as a hub where the generalpublic can be educated on the benefits of Singapore ONE.

The NLB is connecting its network of libraries to Singapore ONE in stages.Currently, 28 public libraries, out of atotal of 57, are already connected to SingaporeONE. The NLB adopts three local network access modes to connect to theSingapore ONE network infrastructure.

(i) Asynchronous Transfer (ATM)

ATM is a dedicated-connection switching technology that can transmit digitalinformation at fast speed of 45Mbps, 155Mbps or 622Mbps.

(ii) Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line Modems (ADSL)

ADSL is a technology for transmitting digital information at fast speed usingexisting phone lines to home and businesses. ADSL is generally offered at downstreamdata rates from 512Kbps to about 5Mbps.

(iii) Cable Modems

A cable modern is a device that connects a PC to a local TV line and can receivedata at about 1.5Mbps. This data rate far exceeds that of the prevalent 28.8Kbps and56Kbps phone modems. The advantage of cable over phone modem access iscontinuous connection.

The NLB Connection to Singapore ONE

cRegional Libraries

• 155Mbps

622 Mbps

Community Library

Community LibrariesCommunity Children's Libraries

Community LibrariesCommunity Children's Libraries

4 Descriptions of MultimediaServices

With Singapore ONE, the NLB hasbeen able to introduce a number of newand innovative multimedia services toenhance its range of library andinformation services. These newmultimedia services enable the usersto experience new ways of learningthat are interactive, fun, and stimulatingto their senses. Users are able to accessthese new multimedia servicesconveniently from over 350 multimediacomputers in 28 libraries, which is madepossible through the Singapore ONEbroadband network. Access to somemultimedia services is charged at anaffordable rate of $2 an hour. Paymentis by cash card, which is a local cashlessmode of payment.

Here arethe summary descriptionsof the respective multimedia services.

4.1 Video-on-Demand

Currently, the NLB has acquiredsome 660 full-length digitised videotitles from various content providers.These digitised video titles are onsubscription basis, similar inarrangement to the subscription ofelectronic databases such as Reuters,or FT Asia.

Thedigitisedvideotitlesare loadedinto, and streamed from a central videoserver, over the Singapore ONEbroadband network, to all the NLBlibraries. Users can access all 660digitised video titles from theconvenience of any multimediacomputer. They can choose to viewany video title, and have access tovideo controls such as, stop, rewind,play, etc. similar to controls availableon a home video cassette recorder(VCR).

The video-on-demand service isone of the more popular multimediaservices. The duration of the videotitles can be classified into three groups:less than 15 minutes, less than 30minutes, and about 60 minutes in length.


multimedia

The video titles available for selection cover a wide range of subjects that arerelevant and useful to teens and adults.

Art

Computers

Engineering

Learning

Music andPerforming Arts

Pet Care

Astronomy

Customs

Geography andTravelLiterature

Plants andAnimals

SocialProblems

Biographpy

Earth Sciences

History

Management

Philosophy andReligion

Sports andRecreation

Biology

Economics

HomeEconomics .Maths

Physics

Transportation

Chemistry

Education

Language

MedicalSciencesPolitics

4.2 CD-ROM -on-Demand

Most children enjoy the CD-ROM-on-demand multimedia service. There aresome 300 CD-ROMs available for on-demand selection from any multimediacomputer within the libraries. CD-ROMs are loaded into a central CD-ROM serverand are streamed over the Singapore ONE network to all the NLB libraries.

Users can access any of the 300-plus titles from any multimedia computer in thelibraries. The range of CD-ROM titles available for on-demand streaming covers thefollowing subjects:

Art

History

Aviation

Language

Environment

Literature

Geography

Maths

General

Science

4.3 Webcasting

Like most libraries, the NLBconducts some 3,500 libraryprogrammes-storytelling, talks andperformances a year. To reach out to awideraudience in an effective and moreeconomical way, the NLB has exploredthe use of webcasting technology todeliver its programmes over theSingapore ONE broadband network.At the moment, only the more popularand highly demanded libraryprogrammes are webcast live.

Webcasting requires a videocamera to capture the libraryprogramme while it is in session. Theaudio and video signals from the videocamera are fed into a webcast computerwhere they are encoded andcompressed immediately into digitialsignals for transmission throughcomputer networking, in this case,Singapore ONE. Users can tune in toreceive the live transmission of digital

signals using any multimedia computerfrom the convenience of their homes,schools or libraries, without having to beactually present at the library where theprogramme is currently in session.

The above mode of webcasting isknown as live webcasting. The alternativemode is delayed webcasting, whereby avideo tape recording of the libraryprogramme is later digitised and placedon the web for viewing at any time in thefuture. Webcasting is similar in its processto live news television broadcasting, exceptthat the transmitted signals are receivedthrough computer networking and notthrough airwaves.

4.4 VEGAS

Virtual Exhibition Gallery System, orVEGAS, is a web-based image retrievalsystem jointly developed by the NLB andKRDL (Kent Ridge Digital Labs), an ITresearch institute. It enables users to browseand search through a digital image bank ofsome 2,500 local photographs, postcards

and campaign posters dating back threedecades ago. The main objective ofVEGAS istoeffectivelydisseminatetheseimages and serve library users in a moreuseful way.

4.5 Cybrarian

The Cybrarian is derived from twowords : cyber (as in cyberspace) andlibrarian. It is a service that enables auser to communicate remotely with alibrarian through video-conferencingand is now on trial in two libraries.

The Cybrarian service has thecapability to allow two parties, the userand the librarian who are located indifferent places, to observe each other'sactions and interact on the same web-based applications through theSingapore ONE network. In this way,the librarian is able to show the user, ina step-by-step manner, how to searchfor information, and at the same time,maintain voice and face-to-face videocontact with the user. A recent internalsurvey of library users indicates that agreat numberof users find the Cybrarianservice to be very helpful and useful.

4.6 Virtual Communities (SVC-www.lib.gov.sg/svc)

Virtual communities are web-basedcommunities. They attempt to fosterone-to-one relationships through thedelivery of personalised and meaningfulonline information, and multimediacontent through the effective prof iling ofits users. The other salient distinction ofvirtual communities is that it encouragesgreater interaction, exchange of ideasand views, and generation of newknowledge among the users.

Recently, the NLB launched itsStudent Virtual Community (SVC) atthe School Libraries' Conference onSeptember 23,1999. Two other virtualcommunities are still underdevelopment, and these are: BusinessVirtual Community (BVC) and ChineseVirtual Community (CVC).

The SVC is designed to providethe necessary online resources to


multimedia

facilitate students in upper primary andsecondary schools, and junior collegesin their project-based research.Currently, the SVC has a membershipof 850 students. Thetarget is to increasethe membership to about 2,500students before the end of 1999. TheSVC is accessible from schools,libraries and homes. Students andteachers can access resources ontopics such as World War II, Crime andMysteries, Mythology, Science Fiction,and Biography. The topics are updatedon a periodic basis depending on theneeds of the students and schools.

The features in SVC include:

(a) Resource Files

This section contains relevantresources such as CD-ROM titles,digitised videos, book covers, table ofcontents, sample pages, website links,books, newspapers and journal articlesrelating to a number of education topics.

(b) Project Skills

Students are taught project skillslike how to plan, search for information,organise, and present their projects.

(c) Online Resources

This section provides useful andrelevant links to websites,encyclopaedias, dictionaries andtheasuri to help students in their projectwork.

(d) My Communities

The SVC provides tools that allowstudents to build their own microcommunities similar to personal homepages wherethey can gather, interact,share their interests and views.

(e) Gallery

Students are encouraged to publishtheir projects in the Gallery and sharetheir completed projects with otherstudents, and also to gather feedbackabout their projects.

(f) Virtual Workspace

A workspace that allows studentsto save and organise their research

findings, compose and work on theirprojects. The SVC provides each studentwith 5 MB of workspace.

(g) Discussion Forum

Discussion forum allows studentsand teachers to hold discussions, shareideas, and exchange knowledge overcyberspace.

4.7 InfoXpress

This service started off as an FAQdatabase that library staff used to captureanswers to frequently asked questions.Users can access the searchable FAQdatabase directly. It is a popular serviceamong students.

The FAQ database contains answersto general knowledge and queries aboutSingapore and its neighbouring region.

To date, there are over 1,000 FAQsinthedatabase. Each FAQentrycontainsa short summary of the information on thetopicand a reading list of books, magazinearticles or electronic materials for follow-up research.

Come November, a Chinese versionof InfoXpress will be launched to meetthe needs of the Chinese community.

4.8 NL. Line (www.lib.gov.sg)

NL. Line is the NLB's library userswebsite. It offers a range of virtual servicesthat users can access from their homes,offices and libraries.

The suite of virtual services are:

(a) Online catalogue(b) Reservation(c) Checking of loan status(d) Renewals(e) Reference enquiry(f) Request for home delivery(g) Subscription to reminder service(h) Report loss of membership card,

and(i) Recommend a book

NL. Line also provides a schedule oflibrary programmes, book reviews, newaudio-visual arrivals, useful webresources, and an online newsletter "@the Library". It is the official information

channel on the latest news andhappenings at the libraries. The numberof NL. Line accesses has steadilyincreased from about 4,000 in April1995 when the service was firstlaunched to about 190,000 in June1999; a forty -fold increase over a four-year period.

4.9 TIARA (www.digilib.org.sg)

TIARA for Timely Information forAll, Relevant and Affordable is a nationaleffort to bring intergrated informationservices online to Singaporeans in acost-effective, timely, convenient andeasily accessible manner. Currently,the TIARA service is provided free toSingaporeans.

It gives students, researchers, andthe business community access to awide range of information sources,which were previously not r» .dilyaccessible to the individual user. Theinformation sources include libraries inSingapore, leading informationproviders and over 200 databases fromall over the world.

TIARA's services include:

(a) Information Services

Users can access over 200information databases from leadingcontent providers such as Dialog,Reuters, Cambridge Scientific amongothers, in a seamless and easy manner.

(b) Library Services

Through a single search interface,users can access the catalogues ofparticipating libraries.

(c) INTERNET Resources

Pertinent and useful websites areidentified and maintained for specificsubject areas.

(d) Ask TIARAAn enquiry servicethat allows users

to send questions or seek assistancefrom library staff.

(e) Chinese LibServ

This service allows users to access


multimediathe Chinese collections' catalogues atthe libraries.

5 Issues and Challenges

Over the last two years, the NLBhas explored and introduced a widerange of innovative multimediaservices, as described above, to meetthe varying and increasinglysophisticated needs of its users.

The NLB's key strategy to exploitinformation technology, especially theSingapore ONE broadband network,has benefited its users from timely andup-to-date information services tomultimedia-rich services that intrigueand inspire the users' imagination,knowledge, and learning experience.

In the course of exploring anddeveloping these new and innovativemultimedia services, several key issuesand challenges have been observed.

5.1 Content Licensing

Content providers for full-lengthvideos and CD-ROM titles are still inthe midst of establishing a licensingmodel that will allow their contents tobe streamed over the Singapore ONEnetwork to home users.

Increasingly, content providers ofdigitisedvideosarebecomingmoreopenand receptive to allowing the NLB todeliver such content to home users.

5.2 Protection from Piracy

When the issue relating to contentlicensing is resolved and multimedia-rich content can be streamed to homeusers, another issue relating to theprotection of content from piracy willneed to be addressed.

To protect against content piracy,a secure delivery mechanism will needto be developed to manage all contentdelivered to home users.

The secure delivery mechanismwill ensure that the requested contentis streamed to the rightful users whohave purchased it, together with somebuilt-in software controlled restrictionson its use, such as disallowing copying

and printing to prevent subsequent re-distribution.

5.3 INTERNET Payment

When more and more value-addedlibrary information and servicesbecome available for home accessthrough the INTERNET, or SingaporeONE broadband network, charging forthem may become a seriousconsideration.

To handle payment through theINTERNETthere is a need to develop anelectronic payment system that is secureagainst errors and attacks, and is scalableto accept the various payment methodsavailable, such as credit card and cashcard payments.

If payment anonymity is important,the electronic payment system mustprotect the users against organisationsresorting to gathering information on theirspending habits, amount of purchase,location involved, types of goods orservices purchased. Misure of suchinformation could give rise to a seriousbreach of personal privacy. In Singapore,payment by cash card over theINTERNET is anonymous.

5.4 Network Bandwidth

As at June 1999, the numberof userson Singapore ONE is about 60,000, upfrom about 10,000 users when it waslaunched slightly overayearago in 1998.Although 98 per cent of all homes inSingapore can get connections toSingapore ONE, a large numberof usersare still connected to modem access.

To be able to access multimedia-richcontent, users should be alreadyconnected to Singapore ONE. Modemaccess is not suitable to accessmultimedia-rich content because of itsslow speed and narrow bandwidth.

The challenge is to get more modemusers to switch to Singapore ONE for itsfast speed and high bandwidth. With thevarious national initiatives in place,Singapore ONE is well on its way to achieveits target of 100,000 users by the end of1999, and 400,000 by the end of 2001.

5.5 Video Digitisation

When digitising videos from sourcetapes, thereare many important choicesto make. All of which have a profoundimpact on the playback quality of thefinal digitised video on a multimediacomputer.

Digitising videos for low bandwidthmodem access is a great challenge.Video digitsation requires a soundunderstanding of all the choices,complemented by a good deal ofexperience. The consequence ofmaking the wrong video choice is poorplayback quality, such as droppedframes resulting in jerky video, blockypatches, muffled audio, etc.

The NLB sees all the issueshighlighted above as challenges, andis actively working to providealternatives and solutions.

The NLB will continue to exploitinformation technology to pursue itsmission to expand the learning capacityof the nation by delivering libraryservices that are convenient, useful,affordable and widely accessible to theusers from the comfort of their homes,offices and libraries.

References

1 Report of the Library 2000 ReviewCommittee, Library 2000- Investingin a Learning Nation. 1994, pp.3-14.

2 Twinkle in the Eye: Throes ofDeployment. International Journalof Information Technology. Vol. 4,No. 1 June 1998, pp.1-7.

3 Internet Interactive: The Businessof Virtual Communities. Internet &Intranet Business and TechnologyReport. Vol. 2, No. 7, November1998, pp. 15 and 18.

4 Singapore Well PositionedtobetheVirtual Community Magnet for theRegion. National Computer Board,Press Release May 19,1999.

5 Singapore Ready for MultimediaAge. National Computer Board,Press Release June 22, 1999.


library networking

Library Networking in AustraliaJohn Shipp*

1 Introduction

With the development of theINTERNET, there has been a continualadoption by libraries in Australia ofnetworking and other technologies.Research libraries have taken a moreinternational approach and regularlyuse bibliographic utilities locatedoutside Australia if they can provide thebest service for library patrons. Theinnovative use of technology has hadmany benefits but there is a tendencyto overlooktheroleof non-technologicalinteraction between individuals andbetween institutions.

The INTERNET provides anexcellent vehicle for libraries to sharetheir resources and to provide accessto a wider range of information thanthey could afford to purchase in print.At the same time, it providesopportunities for the control andcommercialisation of information to anextent that has not previously beenpossible. This globalisation andcommercialisation of information ischallenging many of the public goodconcepts championed by libraries.These include the right of access toinformation, the ability to lend itemswithout further payment to the publisherandthefairdealing provisions containedin the copyright legislation of manycountries.

The world is changing and, formany, the triumph of technology is seenas desirable, inevitable and all inclusive.Publishers, particularly in the science,medical and technology areas, arerapidly adopting networking technology

* University Librarian, University of Sydney,Sydney, Australia

as the only means of distributing theirproducts. Whilethe new style of publishingmay facilitate access to information, italso brings with it the possibility ofincreased social and economic inquiry.The successful implementation ofinformation technology requires changesto the way in which libraries are fundedand operate as well as substantialchanges to the way in which librariansthinkof themselves andtheir roles. Thereis a need also for publishers to rethinkhow they operate. Most significant is thenecessity for librarians to develop newskills and personal networkingrelationships.

Simply acquiring the technology isnot sufficient. To be effective, it must besupported by strong links between peopleand institutions. Indeed, much can bedone without expensive technology. Thesuccess of library networking in Australiais due largely to many years of librariesworking together and developing strongrelationships which use availabletechnology effectively and appropriately.

Outwardly Australia is a developedeconomy which possesses all the benefitsand riches that such a status shouldentail. Yet many Australians thinkthat it isan imperfect society and look longingly tothe United State as a place to copy. Theidealised lifestyles portrayed in populartelevision shows and the technologymarketed by American companies areseen to be at a higher standard thanprevail locally. There are, however, justas many Australians who wish for a lesscomplicated lifestyle and a return totraditional values which appear to havebeen lost or devalued.

Within Australia there are thecontradictions which occur within any

nation. The gap between richer andpoor may not be as wide as in someother countries but it does exist.Although communication technologiesmay have lessened some of thedifferences between rural and urbancommunities, in many ways there is agrowing social and cultural rift. Whilemost Australians enjoy a high standardof living including access to education,health care and the INTERNET forsome each day is a battle for survival.Many of the things which are regardedhighly by some members of oursocietyare of minimal interest to the majority.Libraries and advances in networkingtechnology, for instance, are importantonly if there is a direct and immediatebenefittothem. For most, theirconcernsare with the particular not the general,with local issues not global ones andwith the traditional rather than with theinnovative.

Australia has well-developed libraryservices which support education,research, government and the generalcommunity. Although the nature andquality of these services varies acrossthe country and within the sectors, theyare linked by a strong nationalinfrastructure which uses computerandcommunication technologies as wellas a wide range of non-technologicallinks. Much of the national libraryinfrastructure has been developed overthe past thirty years and is the result ofthe vision of a few individuals and thehard work on the part of many. Whilethe various technologies have beeninfluential to the effectiveness ofnetworking between Australianlibraries, nothing would have beenachievable without the willingness ofindividuals to cooperate and to do soaltruistically.

2 Development of NationalInfrastructure

The development of the nationalinfrastructure has been influenced by a


library networkingnumber of factors including:

the history and pattern of settlementof the country.

politics

- theinfluenceofparticularindividuals

- technology

non-library issues

- international events

The continent of Australia is roughlyequivalent to the area of the UnitedStates of America excluding Alaskaand Hawaii but with a population of lessthan 22 million. The country is dividedinto six states and two territories with athree-tier system of government:national, state and local. Much of thecentral part of the continent is arid andsupports a very small population. MostAustralians live in the eight urban areassurrounding the state and nationalcapital cities. Yet, the bulkof the nation'sexport earnings are derived fromprimary industries, particularly farmingand mining.

This means that there isconsiderable economic and politicalpower associated with non-urban partsof the country and a tradition ofminimising the differences in servicesand commodity prices between ruraland urban areas. While services suchas libraries, communication networksand transport are less costly to provideto the bulk of the population, it isexpensive to extend the same level ofservices across the country. Duetothesize of the country and the smallpopulation, the cost of providing andmaintaining infrastructure services hasbeen greater than in many otherdeveloped economies.

The task of providing aninfrastructure which can be accessedby all members of the Australian

population has become easier withadvances in technology. Australians havealways been ready adopters of technologyand have been particularly quick to takeup advances in communication. Thisstems, in part, from the sense of isolationwhich the nation feels both within thecountry and internationally. Until the1960s, Australia looked to Britain as itscultural, political and economic mentor.In recent years, Australia has acceptedthat its geography makes it part of Asiaand that it should develop a broadernetwork of economic, political and culturalties. The nation's dominant cultural links,however, remain with Europe, althoughthis is graduallychangingasmoreoftheAustralian population now has ethnictiesto countries in the Asian region. Thenation's strategic allegiance is linkedstrongly to North America.

International events are well reportedby the Australian media as much of thepopulation has family links with anothercountry and there is'an interest in thosecountries with which there are economicor sporting ties. Australia has a high percapita useof televisions, telephones andthe INTERNET. This is coupled with anexpectedly high average literacy rate aswell as a high per capita income level.

With a relatively small population andgood communication systems, interactionbetween libraries and librarians is highand most senior librarians within eachsector are well known to one another.This facilitates networking andcollaboration of all kinds. Thereare manyfacilitators of library networking inAustralia including:

• Australian Library and InformationAssociation

• National Library of Australia

• State, Territory and Public Libraries

• University Libraries

3 Australian Library and InformationAssociation (ALIA)

ALIA operates as both aprofessional association and as anational body representing the interestsof libraries. It has developed a strongrole supporting networking betweenindividuals as well as between libraries.Support for individuals includesconferences, training programmes andopportunities to participate incommittees. The most notable activityfor institutions is the management ofthe national interlending voucherscheme. Vouchers sold by ALIA areexchanged when libraries borrowfromone another. This facilitates theinterlending process as libraries do nothave to draw cheques or raise invoicesto pay for their transactions. ALIAcharges a commission on each voucherand receives interest on the vouchercharges which are invested in a trustaccount. Although the voucher schemeis likely to be replaced by electroniccommerce, it has been a very effectiveway of helping libraries to network.

4 National Library of Australia

During the past forty years, theNational Library of Australia has takena major role in promoting a range ofnetworking activities. Some of theseenterprises are dependent oncommunicationtechnologies but manyare reliant fortheir success on effectivecommunication and relationshipsbetween people and institutions.

The National Library of Australiawas established in 1923 as theCommonwealth National Library. It hadresponsibility for providing library andarchival services to both the AustralianParliament and to the nation. In 1960,legislation removed responsibility forarchive and parliamentary services andcreated the National Library of Australia


library networking

with responsibility to "cooperate inlibrary matters ( including theadvancement of library science) withauthorities or persons, whether inAustraliaor elsewhere, concerned withlibrary matters".

It achieves its objectives in variousways including:

• developing collections,particularly those relating toAustralia and the Australianpeople

• providing services which facilitatethe use of the collection

• developing and supportingservices such as bibliographicalservices which enhance theactivities of Australian libraries

• encouraging interaction betweenlibraries nationally andinternationally.

The National Library has played aninfluential role in the development ofnetworking between libraries primarilyby providing elements of theinfrastructure as well as coordinatinginteraction between participants.Possibly its majorcontribution has beenthe development of a national databaseof material held in Australian Libraries.Formerly this service was called theAustralian Bibliographical Network(ABN) but has been reformed and isnow called Kinetica. (www.hla.gov.au/kinetica)

Kinetica provides a national unioncatalogue, online cataloguing,searching and downline loading ofMARC records as well as support forinterlibrary lending. The databasecontains over 10 million bibliographicalrecords and details of almost 28 millionholdings. As a consequence of theNational Library hosting the national

catalogue, Australian libraries have beenable to make considerable savings intheir cataloguing costs. Even the largeacademic libraries customarily obtainmore than 85 percent of theircataloguingrequirementsfromthe Kinetica database.

Although Kinetica now uses theINTERNET to provide its services, thecopy cataloguing service began usingmicrofiche and printed cards. Similarly,the interlending service commenced at atime when telex was the leading edge ofcommunication technology.

The National Library provides a widerange of other networking support. Thesehave included hosting national summitson issues such as interlending, metadataand copyright. The Library also hosts theAustralian Libraries Gateway whichprovides information about more than5,000 libraries and their servicesthroughoutthecountry. (www.hla.gov.au/libraries) The libraries are responsible formaintaining the information and manyhave direct links to their own web pages.The Gateway makes it easierfor librariansand members of the public to findinformation about libraries throughout thecountry.

5 State, Territory and Public Libraries

In addition to the networking supportprovided by the national library, eachstate and territory library provides a rangeof network-based services which are usedheavily by public libraries. The extent andnature of these services varies betweenstates but usually includes managementadvice, access to database and specialarrangement for interlending. In somestates, public libraries are administeredcentrally while in others they are fundedand operated by local governmentauthorities. In all states, public librarieshave developed effective networking

arrangements to enhance their abilityto deliver services to their patrons.

The State Library of New SouthWales has developed a state-wideservice which allows public librariesto connect to a range of databases.w w w . s l n s w . g o v . a u / N S n e t /content.htm.) The Library alsocoordinates an interlending agreementwhich allows public libraries to borrowfrom the State Library collections at nocost. This is a considerable saving asloans acquired through the nationalinterlending scheme cost a minimum of$12 each.

To maximise the resourcesavailable to public libraries, the StateLibrary maintains a large collection ofnovels and other general interest booksin languagesotherthan English. Thesematerials are made available to publiclibraries on long loan for use by theirpatrons at no charge. Public libraries inthe Sydney metropolitan area haveeach accepted : responsibility forspecialist collecting in particularsubjectareas. The concept is a good one butlibraries are experiencing difficultyjustifying the purchase of items whichare not in demand by their users andwhich can usally be acquired from thestate library or one of the universitylibraries.

6 University Libraries

Australia has thirty-six public andtwo private universities. All theuniversities are connected to theAustralian Academic and ResearchNetwork (AARNet). Other participantsinclude the Commonwealth Scientificand Industrial Research Organisation,the Australian Nuclear Science andTechnology Orgranisation and otherresearch institutions.


library networkingAARNet is used extensively by

university libraries for activities suchas:

• access to the national database(Kinetica)

• provision of access to cataloguesand information databases.

• E-mail

• discussion lists

All the university libraries havecataloguesavailableon the INTERNETand use automated systems for lending,acquisitions, serial control and othermanagement processes. The librarieshave well-developed web pages forboth library staff and for patrons.

There is considerable interactionbetween libraries and, with theexception of one of the privateuniversities, all the libraries aremembers of the Council of AustralianUniversity Librarians (CAUL). TheCouncil was established to provide aforum in which university librarianscould exchange information. Athoughit meets only twice each year, there isconstant interaction between membersusing E-mail. CAUL also maintains acomprehensive web page whichprovides access to a range ofinformation which university librarianswould otherwise have to collect forthemselves. (http://online. anu.edu. au/caul)

For some years, CAUL has soughtto negotiate with providers of electronicinformation on behalf of its members.This has been very successful and hasenabled universities to save moneyand provide better access to informationresources.

In pursuing better access toinformation, CAUL has developedstrong ties with colleagues overseas.

The Council of New Zealand UniversityLibrarians participates in the negotiationswith vendors and there are periodic jointmeetings of the two councils. CAUL isalso a member of the InternationalCoalition of Library Consortia(www.library.vale.edu/consortia) andmaintains links with various other bodiesincluding the Consortium of UniversityResearch Libraries inthe United Kingdom.

7 Case Study: The University ofSydney Library

The University of Sydney is the oldestuniversity in Australia and has 28,926undergraduate and 8,050 postgraduatestudents. The seventeen faculties covera broad range of disciplines includingmedicine, engineering, agriculture, lawand the arts. The main campus is locatedwest of the Sydney central businessdistrict and there are another eight smallcampuses each of which has a library.On the main campus there are fourteenlibraries. The total library collectioncomprises almost five million print itemsas well as electronic publications.

The distributed nature of the Librarynecessitates effective networking both inthe provision of technology andcommunication between people. TheLibrary invests about $1.2 million eachyear, or 5 per cent of its budget, oncomputertechnology. Each staff memberhas an E-mail account and most have aterminal on their desk. All the staffcomputers use Windows NT and areequipped with standard word processingspreadsheet, E-mail and INTERNETsoftware. Appropriatetraining is providedto staff to ensure that they are able to usethe equipment and software.

Within the University there is anIntranet which connects each of thebuildings and there are network points inmost rooms. Unlike many other Australian

universities, the University of Sydneydoes not have standardised softwarefor functions such as E-mail and wordprocessing. This is duetothetraditionalfunding arrangements which devolvefunds and decision making to theacademic units. Strong pressure isbeing exerted to reverse this practicebut it will take some time to achieve.The diversification is costly asadvantage cannot be taken of bulkpurchase, staff have to be trained inmultiple systems and software used inone part of the University is sometimesincompatible with that used elsewhere.

The University also providesaccess to the INTERNET to all staff,most postgraduates and toundergraduates if access is essentialto their course of study. There arecomputer laboratories throughout theUniversity which are available tostudents and many have access fromtheir homes. Library databases can beaccessed from any computerconnected to the University's networkand there are terminals in each of thelibraries.

To improve networking andcommunication, the University uses itsweb pages to make availableinformation about its activities. The dataavailable includes public informationwhich prospective students might seek(www.usyd.edu.au) as well asinformation specifically for staff. Thestaff information includes details ofsalary rates, copies of forms and adirectory of all staff.

The Library has a similararrangement. The public website(www.usyd.edu.au) includes accessto the catalogue and databases aswell as information aboutopening hours and other policies.


library networkingAccess to the Library staff pages(www.library.usyd.edu.au/staff) isrestricted to Library staff and containsminutes of meetings, internal policydocuments as well as a weekly newsbulletin.

8 The Future

Within five years, most researchjournals published in North Americaand Europe will be available only inelectronic format. The same may wellbetrueformany academic monographsalthough textbooks, novels and otherpopular literature will continue to beprinted as well. Many, if not allpublishers, will seek to use networkingtechnology to control access to theirproducts and prevent unauthorisedcopying and distribution. Intead ofbuying a publication and being able toaccess it freely in perpetuity, thecombination of electronic publishingand network technologies will allowpublishers to charge each time an itemis accessed, to vary those charges atwill and to deny access at any time. Atthe sametime, there will bea continuingexpansion of the INTERNET as arepository of all sorts of informationwhich may be freely available if it canbe located.

A continuation of current trendswill see much of the world's academicpublication, as well as its entertainmentmedia, controlled by afew multinationalcompanies whose prime motivation willbe to maximise their profits. On thepositive side, networking technologywill allow information to be readilyaccessible throughoutthe world and, ifused appropriately and creatively, willenable greater interchange betweencultures and facilitate more flexibleeducational opportunities.

The new order is already with us andis presenting challenges tor librariansand libraries. Therearefewlibraries whichhave enough money to purchaseeverything they desire fortheircollections.Choices have always been made butthey were possibly less difficult when itwas not so easy to know the extent ofwhat was not obtainable. Networkingtechnology has reduced many of thebarriers to knowledge but it has erectedsome of its own. These include the:

• necessity to replace equipmentregularly to cater for developments

• potential widening of the gap betweenthose who can afford the technologyand those who do not have theresources

• increased dominance of English asthe INTERNET lingua franca

• need for computer and informationliteracy to be regarded as basiceducational skills.

For librarians, the networked worldof the future may be both frightening andexciting. Failure to adapt may mean theloss of employment and perhaps thedemise of individual libraries. Adaptingwill not require the abandonment of allour ethics and practices but it will requiretheir re-evaluation. Librarians havealways been prepared to accept changeand have often been ahead of thecommunities which they serve.

Experience in Australia has shownthat libraries need to become more activein lobbying politicians and other decisionmakers about the effects which changesin policy and legislation will have forsociety. Australian libraries have beenvery active in drawing attention to theconsequences of changes in copyrightlegislation not just nationally but

internationally. They have also spokenout about emerging practices inelectronic commerce which would leadto the increased dominance of particularnations. By taking a wider perspectivethan justthe effect on libraries, librarianshave been able to influence decisions,protect their own interests yet appearto be acting altruistically.

Australian libraries have found thatthere is considerable truth in the sayingunited we stand, divided we fall. Bynetworking effectively, it is easier toachieve results whether they areassociated with influencing politicians,achieving better rates with vendors orproviding better services to our patrons.Librarians in Australia have adoptednetworkingtechnology enthusiasticallyand adapted it to suit Australian needs.More importantly, there has been astrengthening of the networkingbetween individuals and institutions.Technology is no more than a tool whichfacilitates and enhances the work ofpeople. It must not be elevated to thestatus of a deity which controls anddictates.

In a future in which technology willbe increasingly dominant, librarianshave a potentially exciting role. Theirnatural tendency to network andcooperate will enable them to providenew services to their patrons and toreach well beyond the confines of theirbuildings and countries. The technologywill be important but it will be nothing ifwe do not establish and maintain ourpersonal networks. We may do well toadopt the marketing slogan-thinkglobally, act locally. In other words, touse the benefits of networking (regional,national and international) to providethe best possible services to ourpatrons.


national convention

NACLIN '99B. K. Suri*

Rapporteur - General

The National Convention onLibrary and Information Networking1999 was inaugurated on October 13,1999 by Shri M.K. Kaw, Secretary,Department of Education. Theinaugural session was chaired by Dr.N. Seshagiri, Director-General,National Informatics Centre. Dr. S.Varadarajan, President, Delhi LibraryNetwork, in his welcome address,mentioned that DELNET which had amodest beginning, thanks to theleadership of Dr. Kaul had graduallyassumed the role of a national network.It had many institutional members fromoutside Delhi.

Dr. H. K. Kaul, Director, DelhiLibrary Network, in his introductoryremarks, mentioned that DELNET wasthe first operational library networkwhich offered access to a large numberof databases and had the largestnumber of institutional members.However, he felt that much remainedto be done. DELNET wishes to enlargeits databases, it wants more and moreinstitutions to join the network andbenefit from its resources. Elsewherein India, most of the networks have yetto become operational.

Shri M.K. Kaw in his inauguraladdress, referred to the poor conditionof the public libraries and observed thatthe quality of service being providedby them had to undergo a sea changeif they were to serve as a vehicle foreducating the masses and forpromoting literacy. He mentioned thatnetworking of libraries at the state and

national level should be an essentialactivity of the state and centralgovernments. While referring to theINFLIBNET, he said that besides thehighcost associated with the creation ofinformation technology infrastructure, thelack of trained manpower was a majorimpediment for the successful running ofa network. He observed that the librariesplay a vital role in educating the massesand in eradicating illiteracy.

Dr. Seshagiri in his Presidentialaddress mentioned that the developmentsin information technology were takingplace at a rapid pace and if we don't catchup with them, we will be bypassed. Heregretted that the country was laggingbehind in generation of contents. It hardlyhad a content industry worth its name, andthat the content industry was likely toemerge as large as the software industrywithin a few years. He attributed the slowgrowth in this area to the conservatismprevailing in the library system in India.He visualised that the virtual librarieswould become the order of the day in twoyears and in five years, the libraries wehave would become museum pieces. Hewarned that if we do not absorbtechnology and do not become part of the

change, we will all be left behind.

The Convention was divided intonine technical sessions and also hada panel discussion.

There were two papers presentedin the First Technical Session chairedby Ms. Rebecca McDuff, Director,American Information ResourceCentre in India. In his exceedinglyinformative paper entitled 'ResourceSharing Technology', Dr. Kauldiscussed the developments takingplace the world over in developing andfinetuning technologies aimed atfacilitating access to databases,processing of interlibrary loan requestsand delivery of documents. He arguedthat the standards, protocols andsoftwares that convert data from oneformat to another should be ofinternational standards and that therewas an urgent need for providingmechanisms to reduce the existingfragmentation of information andservice delivery.

Dr. Sanjaya Mishra reported thefindings of his study of four networks,namely ADINET, CALIBNET, DELNETand PUNENET with special emphasis

* Librarian, IIPA, New Delhi Dr. N. Seshagiri releasing the NACLIN 99 Volume


national conventionon the status of participating librariesin the network; resource sharingactivities in the networks; and theusage of the networks. His findingsrevealed that there was hardly anystandardisation or uniformity in the useof softwares, record formats andsubject heading lists; the electronicrecord development of participatinglibraries was not very encouraging;contribution of records to networks interms of quantity and quality left muchto be desired; and only DELNET stoodout as a network which had achieveda modicum of success.

The Second Technical Sessionwas chaired by Ms. Lygia M.Ballantyne, Field Director, Library ofCongress, New Delhi. The paper wastitled AACR2 and its importantfeatures, the MARC programme withparticular reference to UNIMARC andUSMARC formats. She emphasisedthat USMARC and AACR have beeninstrumental in the development ofsuch bibliographical utilities as OnlineComputer Library Centre, theResearch Libraries InformationNetwork, the Washington LibraryNetwork and the University of TorontoAutomated Library Systems which areall boons to the bibliographical world.

The Third Technical Session wasdevoted to 'Multimedia Applications inLibraries and Library Networks'. Thepaper titled 'Multimedia: An Overview,Role and Application in Library andInformation Centre' contributed by Dr.T.A.V. Murthy andTapan Kumar Mandalwhich could not be presented, as thetitle implies, gives an overview ofmultimedia, its components, its role inlibrary and information centres and itsapplication in academic libraries,besides suggesting the hardware andsoftware requirements for multimediaworkstations.

Ms. Neeta Verma presented a paperon 'Multimedia Applications in Libraries'.She affirmed that the application ofmultimedia had revolutionised the wayinformation is presented; it had broughtin qualitative change in human-computerinteraction; it had opened up new vistasin IT. applications; and it was beingdifferently perceived by differentindustries.

There were six papers listed forpresentation in the Fourth TechnialSession on Library Resources on theINTERNET which was chaired by Dr.Madhav Reddy. Thulasi and Rajashekarin their paper 'Web Resources forINTERNET Use in Libraries' brought outthe uses of Web resources for improvingvarious library functions—librarymanagement, acquisitions, cataloguingand sample case studies. S.G.Guruprasad, V. Nirmala and RaviAnuradha in their paper titled' AccessingINTERNET Resources on theINTERNET: DEBEL Experience' arguedthat while there was a well establishedcataloguing and indexing system forinformation retrieval in a conventionallibrary, information on the INTERNETwas widely scattered and not organisedto any specific standard.Rohit KumarSahu besides describing various typesof search engines and their basicfunctions and methodology used forindexing the Web pages on theINTERNET, provided a comparativestudy of five popular search enginesnamely, Atavista, Hotbot, Excite,InfoSeek and Lycos. He also tabulatedthe common characteristics of thesesearch engines. Among the papers whichcould not be presented, S.S. Prabhakarin his paper'INTERNET'

The distinguished participants in thePanel Discussion on 'Library Networking

in the 21st Century' were Dr. N.Vijayaditya, Prof. R. Satyanarayana, Dr.T.B. Rajashekar and Dr. H. K. Kaui.Thesession was chaired by Prof. T.Vishwanathan. Prof. Vishwanathaninitiated the discussion and urged theparticipants to focus on the futurescenario in terms of specific issues. Dr.Vijayaditya observed that the pace ofchange was far greater than what hadbeen witnessed in the precedingdecade. There was tremendous growthin terms of the spread of computer andcommunication technology. Prof. R.Satyanarayanan focussed on the typeof manpower which would be requiredin the fast changing scenario. Helamented that the culture relevant to aninformation society had not beenimbibed because of the fear psychosisand that the future schools in thecountry were not restructuring theirprogrammes for providing a thrust inexposing their students to the use ofinformation technology. Dr. Kaulvisualised that there would be a liberalexchange of data among the libraryand information professionals; thenational policies would becomeincreasingly flexible in allowing accessto databases in other countries; whilethe use of international standards willincrease, the number of thesestandards will decrease; ILLmechanisms will be increasinglyadopted; language barriers will becomeless cumbersome; there would besafeguards to protect the interests ofthose who create contents; and everyprofessional would strive to becomepart of the global network. Prof.Vishwanathan in his concludingremarks observed that the 'fear' ofbecoming irrelevant was misfounded.Many fundamentals which we apply ina conventional environment would hold


I national conventiongood for electronic resources and thatthe virtual library environment wouldnot be effective unless knowledge oflibrary science was applied to it.

The Fifth Session was devoted toCommunication Tools. Dr. SRamakrishanan made a presentationon communication infrastructure inIndia. He mentioned that everythingwas becoming Webcentric and that thelibraries had gone beyond the fourwalls. He maintained that we need tounderstand what the communicationtools stand for in the paradigm shift. Hegave a preview of what thecommunication tools are and what theymean to the libraries in terms ofrelevance. He mentioned that thenetwork is in the paradigm shift todayepitomised by the presence and rapidgrowth of INTERNET.

The Sixth Technical Session on'Language Databases' was chaired byProf. R. Satynarayana. Prof. K.S.Raghavan and V. Chandrakumar intheir paper 'Mulit-Script BibliographicDatabases in Indian Languages'highlighted some of the major issuesfrom the perspectives of technologyand standards for character sets andbibliographical data handling relevantin the creation of databases ofmaterials in Indian languages.Sangeeta Kaul made a presentation on'UNICODE: Solution for Multi-Languages/ Multi-Script Processing'based on DELNET's experiences. Shehighlighted some of the problemswhich were encountered during multi-script processing by using GIST cardin the Pilot Project on the NationalBibliographical Database. She gave abrief synopsis of what the UNICODEwas and how it could be used as asubstitute for GIST. Dr. T.A.V. Murthy

and Dr. M. Kanakachary discussed aproposal for establishing a national levelcentre for networking foreign languageteaching institutions in India in place ofthe defunct National Resource-cum-Documentation Centre which was set upatCIEFLin 1989.

The SeventhTechnical Session wasdevoted to 'Bibliographical Control andStandards' chaired by Dr. S. B. Ghosh.Sunita Murthy's somewhat exhaustivepaper succeeded admirably in bringingout the need for bibliographic control byway of a standardised bibliographicrecord and desirability of setting up of anational bibliographic agency forestablishing an authoritative form ofnames for the country's personal andcorporate authors. She concluded byaffirming that bibliographic control by wayof a standardised bibliographic recordwas the need of the hour and that thebibliographic control can start from thelocal to the regional to the national leveland can go upto the international level.Dr. Kaul observed that LCSH wasaccessible through networks.

Usha Mujoo-Munshi in her paper,'Library Networking Softwares: Trendsand Issues', presented at the EighthTechnical Session chaired by Mr. P.Jayarajan discussed the general featuresand application requirements which alibrary software should possess and thetrends and developments taking place inintegrating these features.

Technical Session IX devoted to'Library and Information Resdurces onEnvironment' was chaired by Dr. AshokKhosla. Dr. Harjit Singh dwelled upon thelong-term and short-term objectives ofthe ENVIS, activities of the ENVISnetwork, responsibilities of the ENVIS asa national Focal Point and RegionalService Centre of INFOTERRA Network

and as an implementing agency forSNDR Besides, he gave an overviewof the activities it would take up infuture. Surekha Kaul besidesdescribing various models of resourcesharing and investigating the role ofinformation technology in resourcesharing, discussed a model of resourcesharing for the EnvironmentalEconomic Unit of the Institute ofEconomic Growth.

The recommendations of theconvention are as follows:

1 Recognising the need for librarynetworking as the basis for all resourcesharing activities, the NACLIN 99 urgesand recommends to the Governmentof India to initiate efforts to formulate adetailed policy statement for librarynetworking encompassing differentcategories of libraries with particularreference to public libraries andnational libraries;

2 Given that library networkingbecomes meaningful and effective onlywhen library resources are accessiblein electronic form, the conventionrecommends that immediate efforts beinitiated by the concerned authoritiesto create machine readable databasesof resources available at the majorresource centres throughout the country;

3 In the aforesaid context, theConvention strongly feels theGovernment of India should takenecessary steps to activate the NationalBibliographic Agency;

4 In the context of the fact thatIndia is a multi-lingual/multi-scriptcountry, the Convention recommendsthat necessary steps be initiated toexpand the scope of the NationalBibliographic Database Pilot Projectutilising appropriate technology and in


conference

consonance with the existing andemerging international standards in thisarea;

5 In the above context, theConvention emphasises the need forefforts and financial support by theGovernment of India and otherconcerned agencies for identifying andadopting appropriate technology forhandling multi-script records withfacilities for romanisation for wider useand exchange purposes;

6 Considering the need forspeedy retroconversion of bibliographicrecords to facilitate networking, theConvention urges library networks andother agencies to evolve andimplement appropriate strategies toaccomplish this task expeditiously, andfor this purpose to design and conductsuitable training programmes inrelevant areas;

7 In view of the emergingscenario of enhanced communicationinfrastructure and INTERNET basedresources and services, theConvention calls for the initiation ofimmediate efforts by all concerned tofully utilise the technology not only forenhancing the quality of informationservices, but also for Web compatiblecontents creation; and

8 In the changing scenario ofnetworked information resourcesharing and also preparation ofbibliographical records for libraryautomation and networking, theConvention feels that the universitiesand other educational institutionsinvolved in manpower developmentand organisation of programmes forinformation professionals shouldprovide for design of coursesemphasising and incorporating thenecessary knowledge and skill in theircurriculums.

An IFLA 99 ExperienceSangeeta Kaul*

I had never imagined in my wildestdreams when I applied for a DanidaTravel Grant to participate in the 65thIFLA Council and General Conferenceheld in Bangkok from August 20- 28,1999 and that too on the last day of thesubmission of the applications, that Iwould be one of the 40 Danida Grant-ees selected from nearly 35 countries ofthe world for the year 1999. This was myfirst maiden participation in any confer-ence held outside the country. A closeinteraction through E-mail from the se-lection notification to the flight itinerary,tothe moment I landed in Bangkok mademe free from worries. The 1,813-milejourney from New Delhi to Bangkokstarted on August 20,1999 midnight andwas quite pleasant. I never thoughtBangkok would be such a well plannedand sophisticated modern city. On arriv-ing atthe Bangkok Airport, I immediatelynoticed an information booth for IFLAdelegates which gave me a feeling ofbelonging. I was being provided hospi-tality in Hotel King Park Avenue alongwith nearly 40 other Danida recipients.There were shuttle buses plying fromthe hotel to the BITEC, venue for theconference. After getting registered, Ifound that the IFLA Conference wassomewhat different from other confer-ences. There was an OrientationProgramme for First Timers and rel-evant brochures were available depict-ing the I FLA structure and organisation,IFLA Divisions, Sections and RoundTables. The programme was attendedby the senior office bearers.

The Conference had been officiallydeclared open by Her Royal Highness

* Network Manager, DELNET

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn whohad also graciously delivered a key-note speech on Monday, August 23,1999. The opening ceremony beganwith Khunying Maenmas Chavalit,Organising Secretary, IFLA 99 report-ing on the conference. ChristineDeschamps, President, IFLA reportedon IFLA. I had witnessed for the firsttime that a Princess attended a libraryconference for the whole day and thatmight be the main reason for theflourishing of the library movement inThailand with the Government sup-port.

I presumed that the sessionswould begin only from Monday, Au-gust 23, 1999 but Saturdays and Sun-days almost kept us busy attendingthe various steering body sessions.The papers and documentation pro-vided were excellent. Full paperswere available in the CD-ROM andadditional papers submitted late wereavailable at the Paper Handling Cen-tre at the conference venue. The con-ference venue BITEC was modernand sophisticated and was wellequipped with efficient telecommuni-cation facilities. A free INTERNETfacility for half an hour was provided forthe delegates to keep in touch withtheir near and dear ones.

A large number of parallel ses-sions were organised and sometimes

, it was difficult to decide which one toattend. Some of the sessions, espe-cially the Core Programmes on Uni-versal Bibliographic Control, UniversalAccessibility to Pulications, etc. werereally interesting and added a lot to ourknowledge. Topics such as Metadata,


r 1conference

ISBD Standards, GuidelinesforOAPCDisplay, Multilingual/Multiscript Cata-loguing, UNICODE, Digital Library De-velopment, Interlending and Docu-ment Delivery/ Practices and Proto-cols and ISO ILL Protocols and manymore were discussed in detail. It gaveme an opportunity to interact with thesenior, learned library professionals likeSally McCallum, Library of Congress,Ingrid Parent, National Library ofCanada, Peter Haddad, National Li-brary of Australia, etc. I also attended aspecial session organised by OCLCabout their activities and addressed byJay Jordan, President, OCLC. I wasalso privileged to attend the Work-shop for the Regional Section: Asiaand Oceania and the Round Table onthe Management of Library Associa-tions with the theme'Common Prob-lems, Different Solutions: ManagingLibrary Associations in DevelopingCountries' held on August 26, 1999,organised by IFLA Asia OceaniaRegional Section and was chaired byAmelia McKenzie and other membersof the Committee.

An exhibition was also organisedand a large number of internationalcompanies exhibited their products.Gale Group, Elsevier Science, OCLC,3M, Adroit, were to name a few. Itprovided a great opportunity to interactand to know about the latesttechnologies available in the marketand also about their varied range oflibrary products. The library visitswere also organised in order toprovide an insight into the modernlibraries of Bangkok to the interna-tional participants. Depending uponthe kind of institutions the participantwas working in, the visits to University/School /Col lege/Publ ic /Specia l

libraries were organised. I haddecided to visit NIDA-National Instituteof Development Administration(www.nida.ac.th). The institutionspecialises in areas of administrativesciences and development. The mainservices of the library include informa-tion services by online access to inhouse,local and foreign databases, circulation,book reserve service, document photo-copying, study rooms,etc. The library wasusing INNOPAC, the library automationsoftware and includes data of books,serials, research works, term papers,theses and dissertations. The librarynetwork is connected to the NIDA Cam-pus network and the INTERNET. Thelibrary is one of the best examples of amodernised library.

The receptions were all amazing:the Gala Reception with the Princess,and the International Reception for theDanida Grantees. The cultural visits werealso organised to provide a glimpse ofthe land's rich cultural heritage. With theconference, I had the chance to experi-ence the renowned traditional Thai hos-pitality, a glimpse of their culture and ataste of their exotic food. Truly Thailandis a land of smiles and we found thehosts constantly smiling and brimmingover with energy.

Finally, I would liketothankDANIDAwho had made it possible, I FLA/ALP,especially Birgitta Sandell and PensriGuaysuwan for all their suppport, coop-eration and inspiration and also the ThaiOrganising Committee Membersforsuchan eventful, unforgettable experience.

The66th IFLA General Conferencewill be held in Jerusalem, Israel fromAugust 13-18, 2000. I would encourageyou to apply for a Danida Travel Grant asyou could well be one of the recipients.

DELNET STATISTICS(as on December 1, 1999)

Participating Libraries132

DELNET DatabasesUnion Catalogue of Books: CCF

5,25,03 records

Union Catalogue of Books: MARC

16, 965 records

Union List of Current Serials

6, 203 records

Database of Periodical Articles

1,50,000 records

Specialists' Database

2,000 records

Multilingual Books

Sample database

CD-ROM Database

800 records

Union List of Video Recordings

1,700, records

Union List of Sound Recordings

500 records

Urdu Manuscripts' Database

210 records

Union List of Newspapers

70 records

Database of Theses andDissertations

612 records

DEVINSA Database

20,000 records

Union List of Serials: Petroleumand Natural Gas Sector

871 records

Union List of Serials:

Management Libraries

800 records

Union Catalogue of Hindi Books

3,000 records


R. No. 59477/94 • ISSN 0972-0790

membership

Knowledge flows through DELNETAccess It

DELNET offers services to nearly 150 Indian and foreign libraries.It treasures more than 25 best databases of Indian Library resources.

DELNET m accessible through INTERNET.

Membership RatesAdmission FeeIndividual Membership fee(for libraries with 10,000 or more book collection)

Associate Institutional Membership fee(for libraries with less than 10,000 book collection)

Libraries wishing to avail themselves of ILL ONLINE facility are charged as follows:

Rs. 5,000Rs. 7,500 per year

Rs. 10,000 per year

Libraries in Delhi

Libraries outside Delhi

Rs. 4,000 per yearActual photocopying charges,if any, will be extraRs. 4,000 per yearActual photocopying charges,if any, and courier/postal charges will be extra.

For Membership details contact:

Director ¥Delhi Library Network . :

40 Max Mueller Marg, Lodi Estate ;New Delhi-110 003 i

Phone : 4619325, 4610802, 4619328, 4619431 Ext. 306 \Telefax: 011-4619325 ' ''.

E-mail: [email protected]: http://delnet.nic.in

The recent publication from DELNET

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION NETWORKING:

The proceedings of the National Convention onLibrary and Information Networking - NACLIN 1999

Edited by

H. K. Kaul

340 pp 2000 Rs. 500/-

Libraries will be given 20% special discount

Send your orders to:

The SecretaryDelhi Library Network

40 Max Mueller Marg, Lodi Estate, New Delhi - 110003. Fax : 91-11-4619325Email: [email protected]

Edited and published by H.K. Kaul, Director, DELNET, for Delhi Library Network (DELNET), 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi-110 003.Printed by H.K. Kaul at Kaveri Printers, Darya Qanj, Delhi-110 002.


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