Medha Ray

Srijani Kundu

Ankit Das

Kaustuv Chakrabarti

(Student of MLIS, Department of

Library & Information science,

University of Calcutta)

NML And Implementation of Virtual Libraries for Differently Abled Learners –A

Study

In the modern age of 21st century, the traditional libraries have

been transformed to digital libraries.

On 4th May, 2012 the President of India Shri Pranab

Mukherjee launched the National Mission on Libraries

(NML). The mission of the working group of NML is to set up a

project of National Virtual Library (NVL).

The NML aims to modernize and digitally link public libraries

through the virtual library network across the country.

This study represents the essential needs of virtual library for

differently-abled learners.

Introduction

The first study about virtual library was

conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology under the leadership of J.R.C

Licklidier in the 1960s. Virtual library is a

Gateway of integrated access to

resources and library services whether

traditional or virtual,

Uniform interface of resources connecting

the global village through internet,

“Library without Wall”

Virtual Library

National Virtual Library

A dream project of National Mission for Libraries

under the Ministry of Culture, Government of

India

A platform for users to access information

digitally available in India via Internet.

A key to enter in Knowledge Society,

One of the target group is “Differently Abled

Learners” .

NML & National Virtual Library

Differently Abled Persons Differently-abled persons rather the persons with disabilities do

not have just a health problem. It is a complex phenomenon

reflecting the interaction between features of an individual’s

body and features of the society in which he/she lives. The four

broad categories of differently- abled persons include:

Visual impairment

Hearing impairment

Physical Impairment

Multiple Disabilities

To study the present scenario of the Public Library System in Kolkata for the Differently abled learners.

To identify the problems in the conventional library faced by the differently abled learners

To determine the effectiveness of National Virtual Libraries proposed by National Mission for Libraries in 21st Century.

To draw an overview of the suggestive virtual library services for the differently-abled learners.

To explore the issues and challenges to carry out the NVL project.

Objectives of the Study

This study attempts to cover the present status of 2 district libraries and 4

town libraries and their Differently abled patrons in Kolkata domain

according to West Bengal Public Library Network.

SCOPE & COVERAGE

District Libraries• State Central Library• Kolkata Metropolitan Library

Town Libraries

• Bag bazar Reading Hall• Vivekananda Pathagar• Yuba Sangha Pathagar• Dipayan Library

Survey was conducted among the 4 categories of differently abled learners of

the above mentioned libraries.

Survey was done through

1. Observation Methods

2. Questionnaire and Free Flow Discussion

Total number of respondents

1. Visually Impaired – 15

2. Hearing Impaired - 03

3. Physical Impaired - 05

4. Multiple Disabilities - 02

Methodology

SERVICES SCL KML BAG BAZAAR READINGLIBRARY

VIVEK ANANDA PATHAGAR

YUBA

SANGHA PATHAGAR

DIPAYANLIBRARY

Braille book × × × × ×

Talking book × × × × ×

Audio Cassettes × × × × ×

Telephone service × × ×Various software × × × × ×Assistive Technology

× × × × ×

Braille Section × × × × ×

Accessible catalogue

× × × × × ×

Internet Facility × × × ×Newspaper Service

Services provided by the libraries of Kolkata for those who are visually challenged Learners

Newspaper service is available in all the libraries.

Services like Braille book, Talking book, Audio Cassettes, Various

software, Assistive Technology, Braille Section, human guidance

are provided only in SCL.

Telephone service is provided only by SCL, Yuba Sangha Pathagar

and Vivekananda Pathagar.

Internet service is provided by SCL and KML.

No accessible catalogue for visual impairment is found in any of the

libraries.

Services provided by the libraries of Kolkata for those who are visually challenged Learners

Services SCL KMC BAG BAZAR

READING LIBRARY

VIVEKANANDA PATHAGAR

YUBA SANGHA

PATHAGAR

DIPAYAN LIBRARY

Assistive technology

× × × × × ×

E-mail service

× × × × × ×

Amplifier Device

× × × × × ×

Computer Assistive technology

× × × × × ×

Audio /Video

× × × × ×

Services provided for hearing impairment

Services like Assistive technology, E-mail service,

Amplifier Device, Computer Assistive technology for

hearing impairment learners are not provided in any of

the above stated libraries.

Only Audio /Video service is provided in the

Vivekananda Pathagar.

Services provided for hearing impairment

Facility SCL KML BAG BAZAR

READING LIBRARY

VIVEKANANDA PATHAGAR

YUBA SANGHA

PATHAGAR

DIPAYAN LIBRARY

Ramp Facility

×(Ground Floor)

× ×(Ground Floor)

×(Ground Floor)

Elevator In Progress

× × × ×

Wheelchair × × × × × ×

Moving space

× × ×

Shelving × × × × × ×

Layout × × × ×

Library infrastructure facility for the person of special need

 

Ramp facility and layout service is provided only in

SCL and KML.

Elevator service is provided in SCL while the elevator

service is under construction in KML.

Moving space is provided by Vivekananda Pathagar,

SCL and KML.

No wheel chair service is provided in any of the

libraries.

Library infrastructure facility for the person of special need

Infrastructure problem

No proper entrance gate

Inaccessible building

Moving problem

Inaccessible stack area

Non adjustable desk

Identified problems faced by the differently-abled learners within the library

Inadequate service

Lack of Assistive

Device

Lack of assistive

technology

Poor telecommunic

ation technology

In accessible format of resources

No referral serviceNo special

facility

Time consuming

No telephone service

Inadequate

library

orientation

programme

Lack of skilled professionals

No internet facility

Identified problems faced by the differently-abled learners within the library

Other problems

• Evaluate their special need

• No coordination with other rehabilitation centre

• No facility of FAQ

• Lack of digital resources

• No special guidelines

• Lack of Human assistance

• Insufficient CAS

Identified problems faceD by the differently-abled learners within the library

Serial No Criteria National Virtual Library Traditional Library

1. Duration of Access No limitation Limited

2. Physical Presence Not required Essential

3. Multiple Access Possible Not possible for the print materials

4. Accessible Format Possible through using different software

Convenient form

5. Access the stack With virtual reality Hard to them

6. Online courses Supports efficiently No such facility

7. Library updates on Easy to make Not easier

8. Efficient search possible Quite possible

9. Assistive device Not essential Essential

10. Manipulate Text Possible Not possible in a wide range

Effectiveness of virtual library comparing to traditional Public library in respect to their need

Newspaper aggregation1.Indian Language2.National3.InternationalPublished all news in India & About India

Digital Resources1.Databases of Indian Institutional Repositories2.E-Books, OA Journals3.Thesis & Dissertation

Official Documents1.Gazeetteers2.Census Data ,INB3.ASI news , Disaster management information ,Directories

Current Awareness resources1.Carrier Guidance, Magazines2.Sports News, multilingual resources3. Multiple Resources, Awards of excellence

Databases of National Virtual

Library

RESOURCES OF NATIONAL VIRTUAL LIBRARY

The findings of the survey are:

1) Problems faced by for the differently abled learners to come to the library;

2) Dissatisfactory services provided by the traditional public libraries;

3) Cause of inability to provide services;

4) NVL is able to aggregate all of the digital resources published in India over

the internet;

5)The hub of resources containing NVL is accessible by anybody from

anywhere at anytime. Their lies the effectiveness of virtual library for the

people special-need.

FINDINGS

Virtual Library

Just -in time libraryInformation

Retrieval in accessible

format

E-books

Open access Journals

Audio Video resources

Newspaper serviceCurrent

Awareness Service

Telephone Service

Different Website

User education

Web based Catalogue in accessible

format

Talking books

Distance learning

Internet

model SERVICES can be used BY NVL for differently abled learners

Willingness of both library professionals and users of library for carrying out

these projects to

1) Organize workshop and seminars;

2) Advertisement, bulletin boards etc supporting the NVL Project by RRRLF

( nodal point);

Cost Factor

1) Fund is allocated by the National Mission on Libraries;

Library Orientation Programme

1) Bibliographic instruction;

2) User orientation programme;

Trained Library Staff

1) Trainings, project, workshop by skilled professionals;

Legal Issues

1) Follow the Guidelines of IPR and Copyright;

Issues , Challenges & remedial measures

IT infrastructure

1) Hardware, software ;

2) LAN,MAN, WAN etc;

Organizing & managing the vast information resources

1) Prepare comprehensive database in systematic and logical manner;

Creating a Virtual Reality

1) Arrange the databases in such a manner that patron can enjoys the relaxation of being able

to access information without physical moving;

Choosing Proper & Adequate Telecommunication Gadgets and Channels

1) Maintain E-mail, fax, social networking site, mobile facility etc to ensure 24x7 library service;

Make it up to date and providing service throughout the India

1) Information professionals should be appointed;

Issues ,Challenges &remedial measures (Cont...)

National Virtual Library is a new gateway towards information literacy,

formal education and Life Long learning for the special need individuals.

This project should develop various assistive technologies and

standard format so that the differently-abled learners can evaluate,

filter, choose the proper web content which will lead them towards a

better education orientation in the knowledge society.

Concluding remarks

NVL can adopt/adapt

1. Accessible format of resources

2. Assistive technology

3.Guidelines for using the library

4. Improved feedback system

SUGGESTIONS