digital library status in the universities of j&k (india

Library Progress(International). Vol.36(No.2)2016:P.175-189 DOI 10.5958/2320-317X.2016.00015.5

Print version ISSN 0970 1052 Online version ISSN 2320 317X

175

DIGITAL LIBRARY STATUS IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF

J&K (INDIA): A STUDY.

Subrata Deb

University Librarian, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University KATRA, SPO. Kakrial

District: REASI -182320. (J&K) Mob: 9906903950. E-mail: [email protected]

Received on 25 September 2016: Accepted on 30 November 2016

ABSTRACT

To find the status of IT implementations in the digital library in universities

of the Jammu and Kashmir region information was collected through

questionnaire. Analysis of the responses helps understanding the status and

level of digital library implementation by taking right steps within the

existing resources. It will help formulation of recommendations for

establishing, implementing and enhancing existing level of the component

specially in pooling the resources by the universities.

Keywords: Digital Library, Survey,

INTRODUCTION

In order to study the pattern of IT implementations in the universities/university

Level bodies of J&K a survey was conducted using QUESTIONNAIRE method. 11

university level bodies were identified for conducting the study. Out of 11, nine (9) such

Universities/University equivalent organizations responded to the questionnaire.

Educational bodies identified are listed as follow:

Table 1: Universities/Institutions Covered for the study during survey.

S.

No.

UNIVERSITIES/UNIVERSITY EQUIVALENT

ORGANIZATIONS

Inception Year of

Library/Response

received

1. Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri

(BGSBU)

2005

2. Cent Central University of Jammu, Jammu (CUJ) Not Responded to the

survey

3. Central University of Kashmir, Srinagar (CUK) 2009

4. Islamic University Of Science & Technology,

Awantipora (IUST)

Not Responded to the

survey

mailto:[email protected]

Subrata Deb

176

METHODLOGY

The responses received were converted into a tabular form as covered in Annexure –I.

From the survey as represented in the table given in the Annexure-I, 40 attributes

identified from which following was found:-

Categories of Institutions: Out of the above, NITS and SMVDU are technical

universities, SKUAST- J and SKUAST-K are two agricultural universities, CUK, UOK ,

UOJ and BGSBU are the traditional universities while SKIMS is specialized in Medical

Sciences. The library in the various educational bodies caters to users ranging from

faculty members, students, scientists/research scholars and staff members for all

organizations, except SKIMS which doesn't support the staff members of the university.

Number of users per annum for NITS is 4000, SKUAST-K 36000, CUK 500, BGBSU

& SMVDU 1500, UOK 4550 while UOJ it is 100-150 users per day.

Media Type: Besides books, CD or DVD collections in the organizations like NIT-S,

SKUAST-K, SKUAST-J, CUK, SKIMS, BGSBU, UOK, SMVDU and UOJ are

respective 200, 1000, NA, 17, 475, 1500, not indicated, 3000+ and 122. NITS, CUK and

BGSBU libraries issue CD/DVD to its users to carry them home. SKUAST-K and

SKUAST-J provide access to such CD/DVDs through CD-Mirror Servers whereas NITS,

BGSBU and SMVDU dump the CD content on the server for providing access to its

users. The survey indicates that barring a few with specific type, all the CD/DVDs can

more or less be accessed seamlessly and effectively.

From the survey it was found that library orientation programs are being carried out by

all the libraries.

5. National Institute of Technology, Srinagar (NITS) 1960

6. Sher - i - Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences,

Srinagar SKIMS

1982

7. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences

and Technology of Jammu, Jammu (SKUAST-J)

1999

8. Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences

& Technology , Srinagar (SKUAST-K)

1982

9. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra

(SMVDU)

2005

10. University of Jammu, Jammu (UOJ) 1969

11. University of Kashmir, Srinagar (UOK) 1949

DIGITAL LIBRARY STATUS IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF J&K (INDIA): A STUDY.

177

Library automation of all these universities have been done except the CUK which is a

new setup and automation is under process. SKIMS, SMVDU, UOJ are using Libsys

software for their libraries, SOUL software is being used by the SKUASTs, BGSBU, and

CUK. Koha & Virtua VTLS is being used by NITS & UOK respectively.

Use of such software enables catalogue searching or browsing both by author, title or

keywords. Apart from these, Boolean search facility is also available.

Digital Library has been established in all the Libraries except SKUAST-J & UOJ in

their respective subject areas. The Digital Library software being used mainly are DSpace

and GSDL. DSpace software is used by SKUAST-K, UOK and SMVDU whereas GSDL

is being used by BGBSU, UOK and SMVDU. The number of records in digital library is

SKUAST-K 1200, BGSBU 1500, UOK 1000 and SMVDU 3000 respectively. Digital

Libraries of NITS, UOK, SMVDU are equipped with Servers and PCs whereas

SKUAST-K is equipped with Mirror and Blade servers.

The digital library has been developed by library professionals in SKIMS, BGSBSU,

UOK and SMVDU. Infrastructure support has been provided by the networking section

in case of SMVDU and support of IT department in case of SKIMS whereas NITS and

CUK have procured commercial Digital Library software.

The survey also shows that taking advantage of information technology, particularly

internet technology, libraries of NITS and UOK is rendering Virtual Reference Service

whereas other libraries are still continuing with the traditional reference service with

minimal IT implementation.

Libraries of UOK, UOJ are RFID enabled whereas SKIMS and SMVDU libraries are

under consideration and under process of going ahead with RFID technology

implementation of their library. SKUASTK, SKIMS and UOK are CCTV enabled, it is

under progress in SMVDU library.

Infrastructures like servers (server software, file server), OS, and scanners, are

available in BGSBU, UOK,SKUAST-K, and SMVDU. SKUAST-J has only the Digital

Library - software while CUK being a new setup possesses only the server. File server is

not available with NITS and UOJ.

Digital Library server software is available with SKUAST-J, BGSBU and SMVDU,

while BGSBU does not have OCR Software. It is indicated that only UOK has storage

server while rest do not have. NAS mirror is available with NITS, SKUASTJ and UOK,

while CD Server is available with SKUAST-K and SKIMS only.

All the universities are equipped with some or the other networking technology except

NITS.

SKUAST-J is using WLL and is the only user of Cloud technology,

Subrata Deb

178

LAN/WAN/Extranet: SKIMS is using LAN, INTRANET and WAN/Extranet. BGSBU,

SMVDU and UOJ are equipped with LAN and INTRANET while SKUAST-J is the only

user of Cloud technology. UOK uses INTRANET; CUK uses WAN/Extranet while

SKUAST-K uses both LAN, and WAN/Extranet

From the survey with regard to trained manpower it came to fore that with reference to

infrastructure management — UOK is equipped with highest trained Library staff of 30

and 20 other than library staff followed by SKUAST-K with 8 Library staff and 8 others,

BGSBU with 6 and 7 respectively and SMVDU with 2 trained library staff and 1 other

than library staff. Rest of the organizations like NITS, SKUAST-J and CUK have 3, 3, 2

with trained library staff respectively. Further for Digital Library, trained library staff

available are 10 in UOK, 8 or 9 in SKUAST-K and also the computer professionals, 2 in

CUK with 1 other than library staff, BGSBU and SMVDU each with 2 trained Library

staff.

The common mode of informing or sending alert services to users is basically through

e-mail by all the libraries. However, in SKUAST-J alerts from consortia is an additional

mode, phone/display/website in CUK, in BGSBU through RSS Feed, Blog, and letters;

while displaying notices in SMVDU is the additional mode.

For providing Information or reference service, the sequence of the source of

information preferred by majority of the universities such as SKUAST-K, SKUAST-J,

CUK, BGSBU and UOK are:

1. = Books & journals available in Library

2. = databases, digital library available within the Library sources;

3. =Internet; and

4.=ILL/Information Networks/Consortia

However, in case of SKIMS reference service, follows is only the first three steps (i.e. 1,

2, 3) in order whereas it is 1, 2, 4, 3 in case of UOK and SMVDU. UOJ follows a very

different path of ILL first, databases / digital libraries then they look for Internet and

lastly the print resources at last.

With reference to possession of IT skills, talent of Library professionals vis-à-

vis in the organizations as per survey are enumerated are as follows:

Web page authoring: in NITS, BGSBU, SMVDU and UOJ

Bibliographic database creation and management: NIT-S, SKUAST-K, CUK,

BGSBU, UOK, SMVDU and UOJ.

Convert PC /Desktop to Local server that can be accessible through LAN: NIT-

S, SKUAST-K, SKUAST-J, BGSBU, UOK, SMVDU and UOJ

GUI enabled database: SKUAST-K, UOK, SMVDU, UOJ.


179

Digital Library software Management: SKUAST-K, CUK, BGSBU, UOK,

SMVDU

Institutional repository: NIT-S, SKUAST-K, CUK, BGSBU, UOK, SMVDU

Programming: BGSBU, UOJ

Cloud computing: BGSBU

Co-browsing: SMVDU

eLearning:SKUAST-K, BGSBU and SMVDU

Web 2.0 & Lib 2.0: SKUAST-K, SKUAST-J, CUK, BGSBU

Mashup: SKUAST-J

Blogging:. Tweeting, q. Facebook: SKUAST-J, CUK, BGSBU, UOK, UOJ

RSS Feed: SKUAST-J, CUK, BGSBU, and UOJ

Moodle: BGSBU

MySQL: NIT-S, SKUAST-K, BGSBU, UOK

MySpace: CUK, BGSBU, and UOJ

Metadata: SKUAST-K, BGSBU, UOK, SMVDU, and UOJ

Webinar and PIM: None

YouTube: SKUAST-J, CUK, BGSBU, UOK, UOJ

Chat: SKUAST-J, CUK, UOK, SMVDU, and UOJ

VOIP : UOK, SMVDU

SMS: SKUAST-J, UOK, SMVDU

Knowledge Management: SKUAST-K, SKUAST-J, CUK, BGSBU, UOK and

SMVDU

Wikipedia: SKUAST-K, SKUAST-J, CUK, BGSBU, UOK, and UOJ

However the table indicates that Library of UOJ is using skills like : web

authoring, database creation, GUI and facebook whereas SMVDU is using Webpage

authoring, bibliographic database, converting PC/desktop to local server that is accessible

through LAN, Digital Library software, Institutional Repository, etc.

While classifying libraries of the covered organizations, Universities were asked

to identify themselves mainly with the type of collection it holds.

Following responses from various universities regarding classifying their library

were received through the survey.

Print+ electronic +Intranet: SKIMS

Print+ electronic +Intranet +Virtual: SKUAST-J and UOJ

Print +electronic +Intranet +Virtual +Digital: NIT-S, SKUAST-K, CUK,

BGSBU, UOK, SMVDU

Consortium: From the responses it was found that all of the universities except SKIMs

subscribe to consortium membership. SKUAST-K & SKUAST-J is a member of CeRA;

CUK, UOK, and UOJ are members of UGC-INFONET Consortium. NITS is a member

of INDEST-AICTE. BGSBU is a member of UGC-INFONET and DELNET whereas

SMVDU is a member of INDEST-AICTE, DELNET and UGC-INFONET.

Subrata Deb

180

The main funding bodies for the universities covered in the J&K region is

a. University itself: SKUAST-J, CUK, BGSBU, UOK, SMVDU (mainly SMVDSB

trust), UOJ

b. State: SKUAST-K, SKUAST-J, SKIMS, BGSBU, UOJ

c. National Body (UGC): Except SKUAST-J and SKUAST -K which is funded by

ICAR rest of the organizations like CUK, BGSBU (+NBHM), UOK,

SMVDU(+NBHM), UOJ are funded by UGC.

NITS is funded by UGC alone. CUK and UOK is funded by the University itself.

SKIMS is state-funded university. UOJ and BGSBU is simultaneously funded by the

university itself, state and the UGC, NBHM is also funding BGSBU in addition to the

mentioned three. SMVDU (mainly SMVDSB Trust) and UGC together fund

SMVDU. ICAR and state funds SKUAST- K and SKUAST- J in addition to the itself

for SKUAST-J.

Data analysis shows profound knowledge resources available within the manpower

resources of this region.


181

Subrata Deb

182


183

Subrata Deb

184


185

Subrata Deb

186


187

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS RESEARCH.

It is recommended that a consortium be set up for sharing the following resources:

1) Journals subscribed by the University Libraries of J&K enabling and avoiding

duplication of subscription involving majority of Library fund

a) Let all university libraries participate and create holdings of each journal in each

library, share such valuable resources to avoid duplication of subscription.

b) Resources saved can be utilised for procurement of other journals or resources

2) Books: for ILL facility and eBooks and search OPAC implementing federated

search enabling locating availability of books and journals in other universities in

Jammu and Kashmir.

3) e-Reprint service has to be taken up with publishers without violation of copyrights

4) Reference Service: enabling 24x7 service in the state shared by all the participating

universities from their respective locations

5) Collaborate in preparation of Library instructions and sharing them

6) Creation of legal book depository

7) Library manpower development by sharing expert resources pooled together.

8) Various Current Awareness Service and Alerting services

9) SDI services

10) Share new technology implementation of IT and infrastructure of mutual interest in

the region

11) Promote R&D information exchange and sharing

12) Cloud based technology to promote collaboration, and resource sharing at a regional

level and OR at University Grants Commission level i.e. at INFLIBNET level.

CONCLUSION

The study shows that there is a major metamorphosis has taken place over the

years from traditional print media library in terms of IT infrastructure and knowledge

based manpower influenced by IT has started building up in the Libraries of the

Subrata Deb

188

Universities or its equivalent institutions of J&K. However, lots are to be done in

connection to manpower development in IT obviously linked to Library and new media

at first and extending to the level of IT orientation in order to think out of box in order to

exploit to the maximum to best use of available resources. This will ultimately lead to a

major metamorphosis in services influenced by information technology.

REFERENCES

1. Ashraf, W Z, & Adil, A (2014). Open Courseware Repositories: An Analysis of Content

Diversity and Visibility. World Digital Libraries- An International Journal, 7(1), 43 – 55.

2. Aswath, L. (2009). Knowledge Management Tools and Academic Library Services. In

International Conference on Academic Libraries (ICAL-2009). Web

http://crl.du.ac.in/ical09/papers

3. Balaji B Preedip, Kumar, V. (2011). Use of web technology in providing information services

by south Indian technological universities as displayed on library websites. Library Hi Tech,

29(3), 470 – 495. Web

http://www.drtc.isibang.ac.in/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1849/506/Use_of.pdf?sequence=1

4. Bhat, M. H. (2008). Open access publishing in j& k state an assessment. Trends in

Information Management[TRIM] V 4 (1) Jan - June 2008, 4(1(Jan-June)),20–37.

5. Web http://www.doaj.org/doaj?func=search&page=3&template=&query=Jammu and

Kashmir&currentYear=2013&uiLanguage=en&filter=media%3A%22article%22

6. Bhat, W. A., & Quadri, S. M. K. (2011). Open Source Code Doesn’t Always Help: Case of

File System Development. TRIM, 7(2), 135–144

7. Bisen, R. S. (2011). Library Management: A New Outlook. Journal of Library & Information

Science, 36(1/2), 29–34.

8. Chachoo, M. A., & Quadri, S. M. K. (2011). Morphological Analysis from the Raw Kashmiri

Corpus Using Open Source Extract Tool. Trends in Information Management[TRIM], 7(2),

176–187.

9. Deb, S., Chakraborty, H (2015). Information Technology and the University Libraries

of Jammu and Kashmir: A Literature Survey. Library Progress (International) 35(1)

65-70.

10. Dubey, P. (2011). A Study to Examine the Digital Divide Factors: Jammu and Kashmir

Perspective. BVICAM’s International Journal of Information Technology (BIJIT), (July

2010). Web

http://bvicam.ac.in/bijit/Downloads/pdf/issue6/03.pdf

11. Gul, S., & Shah, T. A. (2011). Managing Knowledge Repository in Kashmir: Leap towards a

Knowledge Based Society. TRIM, 7(June), 41–55. Web

http://www.inflibnet.ac.in/ojs/index.php/TRIM/article/viewFile/1231/1121

http://crl.du.ac.in/ical09/papers


189

12. Hashim, T., & Jan, T. R. (2011). Institutional Repositories: An Evaluative Study. TRIM, 7(2),

229–236.

13. Khan, N. A. (2011). Open Source Tools for Varied Professions. TRIM, 7(2), 104–115. Web

http://ojs.uok.edu.in/ojs/index.php/crdr/article/view/15

14. Lone, F. A. (2011a). The digital divide among the college students of Kashmir, India. IFLA

Journal, 37(3), 211–217. Web 10.1177/0340035211418729

15. Lone, F. A. (2011b). Internet use by the college students across disciplines: a study. Annals

of Library & Information Studies, 58(2), 118–127.

16. Madasamy, R., & Alwarammal, R. (2009). Doctoral degrees in library and information

science in India during 2003-2008ı: A study. Annals of Library and Information Studies,

56(December), 262–266.

17. Mudasir, K., Huma, S., & Uzma Q. (2013) Contribution of SAARC Nations towards World

Digital Library (WDL).World Digital Libraries- An International Journal, 6 (2), 133- 142.

18. Rufai, R., Gul, S., & Shah, T. A. (2011). Open Access Journals in Library and Information

Science: the story so far. Trends in Information Management (TRIM), 7(2), 218–228. Web


19. Saha, N. C., Nandi, S. G., & Ghosh, K. (2008). Present Status of Browsing E-Journals by

Science Scholarsı: A Case Study of Visva-Bharati University. In 6th International

CALIBER-2008, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, February 28-29 & March1, 2008 (pp.

671–683)..

20. Sharma, D., & Singh, V. (2011). ICT in universities of the Western Himalayan Region in

Indiaı: Performance analysis Dhirendra Sharma Himachal Pradesh University , India

Vikram Singh. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and

Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 7(1), 86–109.


digital library status in the universities of j&k (india

Documents