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[Resource Sharing ]

Resource Sharing in Public library

Introduction

Public libraries are a worldwide phenomenon. They occur in a variety of societies, in differing cultures and at different stages of development. The Public library has an important role as a public space and meeting place. This is particularly important in communities where there are few places for people to meet. It is sometimes called ‘the drawing room of the community’. Use of the library for research and for finding information relating to the user’s education and leisure interests, brings people into informal contact with other members of the community. Using the Public library can be a positive social experience.

The primary purposes of the public library are to provide resources and services in a variety of media to meet the needs of individuals and groups for education, information and personal development including recreation and leisure. They have an important role in the development and maintenance of a democratic society by giving the individual access to a wide and varied range of knowledge, ideas and opinions

The public library is the local center of information making all kinds of knowledge and information readily available to its users.’(Manifesto)

A public library is an organization established, supported and funded by the community, either through local, regional or national government or through some other form of community organization. It provides access to knowledge, information and works of the imagination through a range of resources and services and is equally available to all members of the community regardless of race, nationality, age, gender, religion, language, disability, economic and employment status and educational attainment.

Information Explosion, the rise in cost of production, the dwinding financial position of libraries limitation of space in libraries, impact of technological advance in communication and the location of libraries in distance and remote areas necessitated the need of resources sharing of public libraries.

What is Resource Sharing

Resource sharing in the libraries is a very important areas of their management, which not enhances the use and utilization of library resources and services but also ensures optimum benefits to their users in the utilization of library resources of all kinds. It serves not only to effect economy in terms of time and money but also ensures much better services to the users.

The two Resources Sharing can be analyzed as follows:

Resources – All of the resources of the library Sharing – To be participated in sharing of the resources. Hence in the context of libraries the meaning of resources sharing is to provide resources of the libraries to other libraries on demand, when they are in needs. Sometimes before it was called Resource Sharing, which is one of the cooperatives way of doing work.

Resources sharing is nothing that but sharing of library resources by certain participating libraries among themselves on the basis of the principle of co-operation. It denotes a mode of operation common by a number of libraries. Resource sharing can be implemented in the areas of documents, manpower, facilities, services, building, space or equipment. The philosophy of resource sharing is “Each for all and all for each”. In other words, Resource Sharing is the common use by two or more libraries of each other’s assets, whether they are, equipment, staff knowledge and expertise, materials, facilities, and/or information resources. Although the majority of resource sharing has been the sharing of bibliographic information and document exchange through interlibrary loan, it also includes the staff, expertise, technology, and services that enable this to happen

Thus, through resource sharing, libraries can improve the total collection of reading material, consolidated their technological capabilities, improve their information dissemination tools and extend their library and information service to a larger user community. On demand each participating library voluntarily come forward to share its existing resources with the other participating libraries so, in this system, each library is both giver and receiver.

Library resource sharing, library co-operation, library consortium, library network, are various activity which means that a group of libraries have come together are entered into some kind of formal understanding for the purpose of sharing the resources of each others material, function, services and the staff to their mutual benefits realizing that only through resources sharing the greatest amount of the best information can be provided to most of the users at the most reasonable cost. Resource sharing considered as an essential pre-requisite for effective library and information services.

Needs of Resource Sharing

Most libraries have been duplicated efforts and material; this has led to in adequate utilization of the overall resources of material and finances. There has been a great increase in no of users as also that demands. The information being sought has become extremely diverse, In the circumstance; the libraries are left grouping for way and means of providing a wider range of services and collection, Resources Sharing offers practical solution to these problem.

The developments in library and information science warrant the need for resources sharing. The fast expansion of human knowledge due to knowledge explosion contributes a lot to the cause of resource sharing.

Objectives of Resource Sharing

1. To provide better services 2. To provide more coverage of collections and facilities 3. To avoids duplication 4. To share experiences 5. To face financial crunch 6. To promote interaction 7. To provide wider access to users 8. To provide high quality library and information support services 9. Reduction in cost 10. Maximum accessibility of information without losing the identity of individual libraries. 11. Possibilities of concentrating in some specialized areas in terms of collection and services.

Usefulness of Resource Sharing

Maurice B. Line finds that cooperation in libraries or Resource Sharing in modern times is helpful in the following four main activities.

1.	“Acquiring books – Selection, Ordering, and Purchase etc. 2.	“Recording books – cataloguing and classification. 3.	“Making them available – their own books by consultation and lending books not held by them by borrowing from elsewhere. 4.	“Storing books – for present and future use”

Lows of Resource Sharing

Kaul has defined some of the laws for smooth functioning of resource sharing the seven laws of Resource Sharing are 1.	Library Resource are for Sharing. 2.	Documents in standard Database Form are the Dynamic Resource for Global Sharing. 3.	Every Resource its User. 4.	Every User His or Her Share of the Resource. 5.	Minimum the Non-use period of documents-in-Demand. 6.	Automatic Delivery Mechanisms of Resources will Progressively Grow. 7.	Resource Sharing is a Global Phenomenon.

Levels of Resource Sharing

Public library implement resource sharing plan at different levels in phased manner so that the activity is properly coordinated and implemented to achieve set objectives. It is suggested that the resource sharing can be implemented at different levels. Some of them are given be

1. Local 2. Regional 3. National 4. International

Prerequisites of Resource Sharing

Agreement among Library Authorities

For resource sharing, the participating libraries should agree on the following basics issues. 1.	The participating libraries should agree to share all resources they have. The terms and condition in this regard can be spelt out on mutual basis. 2.	There should be an written agreement on division of responsibilities on acquisition. 3.	There should be an agreement on document description also. If all the participating libraries in the system, agree to follow the same classification  code, shared cataloguing will be feasible. The use of computers in all participating libraries will pose less problems. 4.	There should also be an agreement in respect of some details, like loan period. Payment for loss of materials etc.

Union Catalogue

if the participating libraries have once agreed on the above issues the system has been set for the resource sharing. After setting the system of resource sharing among the libraries, the immediate problem that arises up then is how to know that which library is having a particular document. For this all the libraries of the system may be tried until the document is found. The process is time and labour consuming which should be avoided and an alternative should be restored to. For this, the best alternative is to compile a union catalogue within all the libraries.

Computerized Library Network

The uses of computer  and library networking have given resource sharing a new direction. A mainframe computer interconnects a very large number (more than 1000) of libraries into a well-knit network. Having complete computerization of the network, a library within the network can know instantiously the holding of other libraries participating in the system. It is also possible to know how many libraries have already placed order for a new book.

Schema of the system

Allen kent has drown a schema of resource sharing system. For this schema took into account two libraries, each one of them has two terminals. One for the users and the other for the librarian. The user can access the union databases which contains the detailed catalogue of the holding of both libraries.

Printed catalogue card servives

It is also the another form of shared catalogue. Some libraries, usually of national status undertake this responsibility of producing printed catalogue card which are available on a payment basis. Library of Congress and BNB are producing printed catalogue card service. The libraries following the same cataloguing rules, like LC, can easily obtain the cards from the LC and can use them.

Cataloguing in publishing

This is a programme, in which the cataloguing description is printed usually on the reverse of the title page. The description is given in the LC card format. The description given remains useful to all cataloguers irrespective of the cataloguing rules they follow us

Forms of Resource Sharing

Inter Library Loan Reynolds defined, Inter library loan system “It is a technique by which, one library lends its material to any individual reader through another library”. It is most important concept to be considering in a successful resource sharing venture.

On receiving an enquiry for information or documents from a library, the staff in the other library tries to locate the material, and informs of its availability to the requisitioning library. The material is either sent through courier/post or is picked up by the library. In the electronic system, the request is received through electronic mail and the information is also send through email. However, Hardcopies (books/photocopies/other form) are sent through the traditional mode.

At present, Inter library loan includes, computerized, teletype and even facsimile equipment; data or reference networks; bibliographic networks; subject networks etc.

Co-operative Acquisition

Most of the public libraries spent their valuable time, money, and efforts on acquisition of material. It is here that a great deal of co-operation is possible. This is because, the procurement procedures are uniformly similar among all the public libraries.

Cooperative acquisition helps libraries rationalize their acquisition, which is based on a predetermined policy vis a vis other libraries. Consequently duplicate acquisition can be automatically avoided. In the field of cooperative acquisition the new thrust has been in the cooperative subscription of journal which takes two forms. 1)	local arrangement between libraries 2)	consortia with formal agreement with the libraries.

In the network environment, the libraries have access to the latest information and order them fast online.

Cooperative Storage

Publications have been increasing in number, far beyond practical limits of easy storage. This has been happening with respect to publication on every subject and in every discipline. Storage cost money. Co-operative storage would result in economy of space and money. It would also keep track of catalogue entries and help avoid duplication. The concept of co-operative storage can be put into practice atleast in respect of less frequently used material like certain books and back volumes of serials. It reduces the duplication of material and provides more space for new books in the participating libraries.

Cooperative Processing Next to the acquisition of material, another phase of library operation which involves time and expenditure, is processing of material. Computer and other automated processes can be used to meet their cataloguing needs of books.

Union Catalogues

A Union Catalogue is the most useful location tool with a librarian participating in a inter library loan programme. Such Union Catalogue could be prepared and updated periodically, say once every quarter. It also important to note that a Union Catalogue is different from a collective catalogue.

Main purpose of Union Catalogue as listed here under: 1)	It shows at a glance, the total document resources of the libraries participating in a lending programme. 2)	It serves as a major bibliography in its own right. 3)	It help on identifying the material to be discarded because of less or no use.

Union Catalogue based services, which a cooperative library can offer, are: 1)	Database service 2)	Document delivery service 3)	Collection development 4)	Communication based service viz. referral, e-mail, bulletin board, etc.

Exchange of Personnel and Training facilities.

Exchange of personnel implies sharing of expertise. Most of the time, recruitment of an expert on permanent basis may be unnecessary. Such expertise may be required only for a short period. Borrowing the services of an expert from another library would automatically enable the training of in-house staff. The in house staff can easily carry on the exercise started by the expert.

Information Services

Specilized institutions in their libraries or information centers are generating information facilities and services. These can be easily shares through electronic mail and networking provided it is stored in machine readable form.

Translation Services

One is commissioning translation on cooperative basis and the other sharing the already translated materials. Translations that are already done like those by INSDOC) may be accumulated to set up translation bank created in machine-readable form.

Developing Special Collection

Agreement between libraries to procure documents on assigned areas in one of the important features of resource sharing. As other libraries are building up on penumbral areas, a library can be confident and comfortable about specializing in the areas of its interest. As information become quickly available through resource sharing networks, this process becomes all the more smooth and trouble free.

Web-based Resource Sharing

Computer and telecommunication technology are playing a vital role in the design and operation of resource sharing systems network. A library network means as a group of libraries are inter-related through different areas. Resource sharing through library networks helps the member libraries in avoiding duplication of procurement and in inter-library ending.

Web based resource sharing includes the sharing of resource hosted on the net. It is very important foe bibliographic control of the explosion of literature and knowledge. It also avoids duplication on purchase of costly documents. It facilities the adoptions of news areas in every field of knowledge and improves the mobility of data. Library web resource sharing is a helpful way to development the flow of information among the Public libraries.

Tools of Resource Sharing

Database

Exchange of information through electronic mail, online facility or a terminal is possible if a database is created. A database is an organized, integrated and often interrelated collection of computer-based data, records, files or information. The databases are collection of records on machine-readable form that are made available for searching from remote computer terminals.

There are available different types of databases, which are exceeding useful. In bibliographic databases the data stored, comprise of inputs of bibliographic details of a documents for identification, storage and retrieval purposes.

Bibliographic databases can be divided into two categories:

1)	Internal databases: - the internal bibliographical databases are those created by libraries and information centers of their published holding such a : book including monograph, conference proceedings etc, manuscripts or rare documents 2)	External databases:- it comprising of bibliographic or textual data of one or more libraries is a major resource sharing tool if it is available online to the users.

Union List

Union list are important resource sharing tool for current material in libraries such as periodicals. For instance DELNET created the union list of periodical available in 135 libraries and the database is regularly in use and is being updated. The lists can takes various forms such as the union lists of library resources or lists of current acquisitions, etc. Union list provides a basis for the sharing of less tangible resources such as subject knowledge, searching skills and ideas.

Online Public Access Catalogue or OPAC Over the past decade, a number of online databases have become available for public use on the INTERNET. As a result, the competition and standardizations has resulted in the creation of online public access catalogues.

OPAC is a online public access catalogue. In traditional library it provides information about what is available in the library. Present day OPACs mostly reflects now a days print as well as electronic collections. It playing important role in information retrieval. The availability of these catalogues in web allows any one to see the content of various library collections at their home. There are some of web OPAC’s, for e.g., SOUL web OPAC, Libsys web OPAC, Slim web OPAC and so on.

The OPAC’s over the INTERNET have now become more user friendly especially with the use of hyperlinks that enable the users to get related information from other INTERNET databases to supplements issues and ideas that need more explanation and references.

CD-ROM

A CD-ROM union catalogue can offer an off-line access to the resource of a library network, which is both convenient and inexpensive.

Internet

It is also knows by the name Information Super Highway. It is the network of many networks spreading over the world. Now a days WWW has become a major tool for resources sharing. However, we have to evaluate the right kind of resources on WWW, but eventually they will get standardized and access may become pinpointed with the help of library and information professional who have begun to handle the web resources.

Patents Information Access to patent documents is growing the world over. Especially through the web. The government offices and private agencies provide this information on the web. In India the National Informatics Centre has in its Patent database 28 million records from 1968 to 1997. it is available to the users.

Multimedia Databases

Multimedia databases are going to grow as major resource sharing tools, already databases have been created at important centers in the world using hyperlinks. Multimedia technology is growing very fasts to cover book and non-book material. Such databases are also becoming available on the INTERNET. The use of interactive multimedia application on the web is going to give birth to a variety of resources sharing tools.

Barriers of Resource Sharing There 	are many barriers to resource sharing both in the normal contest and in the electronic environment. Some of these are:

Restriction imposed by the authorities

Some authorities insist that library materials should not be shared with other libraries.

Lack of facilities to support resources sharing

Libraries many not have copying facilities or electronic document delivery systems.

Lack of fund

Lack of fund for automation, networking. Interlibrary loan operation etc. stands in the way of resource sharing.

Communication problem

Long distance between participating libraries impedes smooth functioning of the resource sharing system. In the electronic environment too the poor communication links stands as a perennial problem in developing countries like India.

Public libraries of India

Public libraries in India have a countrywide spread, consist of state central libraries in every state, district libraries, and urban public libraries at the cities and rural public libraries at the villages. State governments and local authorities, and some times mainly support public libraries by the central government, developmental agencies, non-government organizations and private trusts. The Delhi Public library (DPL), established in 1951 by government of India in collaboration with UNESCO, caters library and information services to the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Raja Ram Mohan Roy library Foundation (RRRLF) is the nodal agency of the Government of India to support public library services and system and promote public library movement in the country. The RRRL undertakes different functions in each state and union territory through a State library Planning Committee (SLPC) or State library Committee (SLC). Its headquarters’ is located at Kolkata and it has four zonal offices in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. RRRLF provides financial and technical assistance to public libraries and organizations engaged in the promotion of public library development through different schemes. Schemes of RRRLF broadly categorized as Matching Schemes and Non-Matching Schemes. Assistance under matching schemes is given from the resources shared on 50:50 matching basis with the state governments. Assistance under non-matching schemes does not have share of the state governments

Resource Sharing in Indian Public libraries

In India there appears to be no cases of resource sharing in the field of public libraries. However, resource sharing is in vogue in scientific libraries through not in the full fledge form. In India, National Union Catalogue of Serials scientific libraries in India (NUCSSI) compiled and published by INSDOC containing serial holding of 850 scientific libraries in India. On receipt of order for a document by the any library, the INSDOC tries to locate the document in its own library. The INSDOC visit the concerned library. Locate the required document and get it on inter library loan or get it photocopied. The photocopy of the document is dispatched to the user by mail.

Another example is the union database of current serials of DDC created by INFLIBNET on nearly 4000 unique serials titles subscribed by 6-university library. Any document located through this union databases can be requisitioned from the holding university library. Similarly NASSDOC has compiled a Union Catalogue of serials in Social Sciences, which is now made in machine-readable form.

The International Scenario

BLDSC (British Library Document Supply Center), Boston Spa with the help of 17 back up libraries provide document supply service, based on its most comprehensive collection of journals, reports, theses, conference proceeding and books. Inter library lending of these document is carried out by BLDSC within U.K. and with national centers abroad.

OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), Ohio is a nonprofit library network of more than 11,000 libraries in 41 countries. Its services include inter library loan system, serial control, acquisition, cooperative cataloguing. The bibliographic data on theses are held centrally on OCLC Computer. In order to obtain a document under inter library loan, a borrower library has to send an online request to the potential libraries until the request is filled.

Conclusion

Resource Sharing denotes a mode of library operation whereby all or part of the library functions are shared in common among several public libraries. The basic functions may be classified as acquisitions, processing, storage, and delivery of service. The effective resource sharing depends upon the availability of appropriate communication, technology, and delivery systems. Resource Sharing is based on the recognition that public libraries exist within a larger information continuum occurs within a multi-type library environment and is not limited geographically. Public libraries share their resources through an organized system to assist them in meeting the needs of their customers. The resource-sharing network allows for a diversity of participants with all libraries considered an integral part of the network. Resources Sharing of Public libraries based on a set of shared values and formalized operational agreements.

Bibliography

Block,Stanley B, and Hirt, Geoffrey A. : Foundation of Financial Management. 11th Ed., New York : McGraw Hill, 2005. 687pp

Sujatha, G : Resource Sharing and Networking of University Libraries. New Delhi : Ess Ess Publication, 2000. 227pp

Dhiman, Anil K, and Rani, Yashoda. : Resource Sharing and Library and Information Networks. , New Delhi : Ess Ess Publication, 2007. 478pp

MLIS-E6: Pubic Library System and Services

http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:Is2-5Rp29IAJ:forge.fh-potsdam.de/~IFLA/INSPEL/01-1japk.pdf+resource+sharing+in+library*+filetype:pdf&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=15&gl=in&lr=lang_en&client=firefox-a

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http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:3vLvVDj1Vc4J:www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/documents/lcvss/Provincial_Resource_Sharing_Policy_Oct_2007_web.pdf+resource+sharing+in+libraries+filetype:pdf&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=24&gl=in&client=firefox-a