Impact of ICT in the three Impact of ICT in the three College Libraries of College Libraries of

Karimganj District : A Karimganj District : A Case StudyCase Study

Ms.Sudipta DebRoy,Ms.Sudipta DebRoy,Librarian,Vivekananda College of Education, Librarian,Vivekananda College of Education,

KarimganjKarimganj

Sri Nijoy Kumar Paul,Sri Nijoy Kumar Paul,Central Library,Assam University,SilcharCentral Library,Assam University,Silchar

Sri Sankar Kumar ChakrabartySri Sankar Kumar ChakrabartySelection Grade Librarian(Associate)Selection Grade Librarian(Associate)

Nabinchandra College,Badarpur.Nabinchandra College,Badarpur.

North Eastern Region of North Eastern Region of IndiaIndia

Arunachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Assam, Manipur, Manipur, Meghalaya, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Mizoram, Nagaland, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Sikkim, and Tripura. Tripura.

College LibraryCollege Library In general, college is regarded as an institution of In general, college is regarded as an institution of

higher learning, which provide courses after school higher learning, which provide courses after school leading to Bachelor’s degree. Some of the prominent leading to Bachelor’s degree. Some of the prominent colleges also offer courses leading to Post- Graduate colleges also offer courses leading to Post- Graduate degree and Research work leading to Ph. D. Degree. degree and Research work leading to Ph. D. Degree.

The main objective of college library is to become The main objective of college library is to become instrument of instruction . The teaching in the instrument of instruction . The teaching in the classroom must depend more on library than the classroom must depend more on library than the textbooks. Therefore library must become the integral textbooks. Therefore library must become the integral part of teaching programme and collection part of teaching programme and collection development is the vital role of the college library. development is the vital role of the college library.

The Growth of Information and Communication Technology The Growth of Information and Communication Technology during the last few years has been phenomenal. It has been during the last few years has been phenomenal. It has been implementing on every sort of human life. During this year of implementing on every sort of human life. During this year of growth and popularity of ICT, numerous different features growth and popularity of ICT, numerous different features and facilities have been developed and marketed .Due to the and facilities have been developed and marketed .Due to the growth of Information explosion, its use become so wide growth of Information explosion, its use become so wide spread, there is a great need of applying certain technology spread, there is a great need of applying certain technology to information works and activities to accelerate its use. It to information works and activities to accelerate its use. It enables the storage, processing, retrieval and dissemination enables the storage, processing, retrieval and dissemination of information quickly and easily. The earlier libraries were of information quickly and easily. The earlier libraries were open to their clientele for consultation within their premises. open to their clientele for consultation within their premises. They have undergone radical changes and expanded their They have undergone radical changes and expanded their services over the year. Application of ICT has changed the services over the year. Application of ICT has changed the traditional activities of Libraries. The Library environment has traditional activities of Libraries. The Library environment has been leading towards Digital and concept of “electronic been leading towards Digital and concept of “electronic Library” i.e. the paperless documentation and information Library” i.e. the paperless documentation and information service has been taking place. Libraries are now automated service has been taking place. Libraries are now automated i.e. all the housekeeping operations are now performed by i.e. all the housekeeping operations are now performed by using computer.using computer.

IntroductionIntroduction

Definition of ICTDefinition of ICT

The web definitions of information and The web definitions of information and communication technology are given bellow: communication technology are given bellow:

Information and Communication Technology or Information and Communication Technology or Information Technology is the technology Information Technology is the technology required for information processing .In required for information processing .In particular in the use of electronic computer and particular in the use of electronic computer and computer software to convert, store, protect, computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information from process, transmit and retrieve information from anywhere, anytime.anywhere, anytime.

Technology such as radio and the newer digital Technology such as radio and the newer digital technologies like computers, satellite, mobile technologies like computers, satellite, mobile phones and the internet.phones and the internet.

Electronic collection, editing, storage, Electronic collection, editing, storage, distribution and presentation of information.distribution and presentation of information.

ICT in LibrariesICT in Libraries ICT can be used in libraries and information ICT can be used in libraries and information

centers for the development of new centers for the development of new information services and computerization of information services and computerization of library services. ICT is useful in a great library services. ICT is useful in a great extend .It is useful for: extend .It is useful for:

Improving productivity and efficiency of Improving productivity and efficiency of library services effectively. library services effectively.

Provision of quality information.Provision of quality information. Saving the space using the electronic Saving the space using the electronic

storage.storage. Improving of cooperation in sharing of Improving of cooperation in sharing of

resource.resource.

Significance of the StudySignificance of the Study

The study entitled “Impact of ICT in The study entitled “Impact of ICT in the three college libraries of Karimganj the three college libraries of Karimganj District” covers only 3 provincialised District” covers only 3 provincialised colleges of Karimganj District i.e. colleges of Karimganj District i.e. Karimganj College, Rabindra Sadan Karimganj College, Rabindra Sadan Girls’ College and Nabin Chandra Girls’ College and Nabin Chandra College, Badarpur.In this paper an College, Badarpur.In this paper an attempt has been made to study the attempt has been made to study the impact of ICT &the problems impact of ICT &the problems associated with the application of ICT associated with the application of ICT in different libraries of Karimganj in different libraries of Karimganj District and to provide suggestion for District and to provide suggestion for future improvement of IT environment future improvement of IT environment in libraries.in libraries.

Place of Study:Place of Study: Karimganj District is situated on Karimganj District is situated on

the southern part of Assam, and the southern part of Assam, and it is bounded on the North by it is bounded on the North by Bangladesh & Cacher District; on Bangladesh & Cacher District; on the South by Mizoram & Tripura; the South by Mizoram & Tripura; on the West by Bangladesh & on the West by Bangladesh & Tripura and on the East by Tripura and on the East by Hailakandi District. It also shares Hailakandi District. It also shares international border with international border with neighboring country Bangladesh.neighboring country Bangladesh.

Objectives of the StudyObjectives of the StudyObjectives of the study are givenObjectives of the study are given

bellow:bellow:

To know the present Scenario of the To know the present Scenario of the libraries.libraries.

To study the impact of ICT & the To study the impact of ICT & the problems associatedproblems associated

MethodologyMethodology

For the authenticity of the data, a For the authenticity of the data, a combination of questionnaire & combination of questionnaire & interview method was used to interview method was used to collect data from the Librarians. collect data from the Librarians. Simple statistical methods were Simple statistical methods were used to analyses the data.used to analyses the data.

Analysis & interpretation of DataAnalysis & interpretation of Data

Analysis of data collected from the Analysis of data collected from the questionnaires are presented in questionnaires are presented in this chapter. The data elements this chapter. The data elements gathered are grouped into different gathered are grouped into different types of element such as staff types of element such as staff attendance in Conference/Seminar, attendance in Conference/Seminar, areas of IT applicable in the library, areas of IT applicable in the library, Hardware available , Total Hardware available , Total collections, No. of staff and so on.collections, No. of staff and so on.

Staff attendance in Conference/ Seminar/ Staff attendance in Conference/ Seminar/ Refresher:Refresher:

The chart below shows the total no of The chart below shows the total no of Seminar/ Conference/ Refresher Seminar/ Conference/ Refresher attended by the staff in each library. attended by the staff in each library. The N.C.College library professional The N.C.College library professional attended maximum number of attended maximum number of Seminar & minimum number in Seminar & minimum number in R.S.Girls College. Out of total 19 R.S.Girls College. Out of total 19 numbers there is only 3 international numbers there is only 3 international levels Seminar.levels Seminar.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Karimganj

College

R.S. Girls

College

N.C.

College

Staff Attendance in

Seminar/Conference/Refresher Course

International Level

National Level

State Level

Refresher Course

Total

Areas of IT Applicable in Areas of IT Applicable in LibraryLibrary

The table shows that most of the The table shows that most of the libraries are using Cataloguing, libraries are using Cataloguing, circulation & OPAC modules. Only circulation & OPAC modules. Only one library is fully automated. one library is fully automated.

Table- Areas of IT applicable in Libraries

Institution Administration

Cataloguing

Circulation

Acquisition

Serial Control

OPAC

Karimganj College

No Yes Yes No No Yes

R.S.Girls College

No Yes Yes No No Yes

N.C.College Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Hardware and Software AvailableHardware and Software Available

The chart shows that R.S.Girls College has The chart shows that R.S.Girls College has installed 9 computers, 3 printers& 1 installed 9 computers, 3 printers& 1 Generator, but without Scanner& Generator, but without Scanner& photocopy machine. The status of N.C. photocopy machine. The status of N.C. College library is encouraging. The College library is encouraging. The hardware available in Karimganj College hardware available in Karimganj College is very less in number. The three libraries is very less in number. The three libraries are using SOUL Library software from are using SOUL Library software from INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad on INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad on Windows NT platform which is provided Windows NT platform which is provided free of cost by UGC NERO.free of cost by UGC NERO.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Karimgang

College

R.S.Girls

College

N.C.College

Hardware Available

Generator/Inverter

PHOTOCOPY

Machine

Scanner

Printer

Cmputer

Total No. of CollectionsTotal No. of Collections

The table shows that Karimganj College The table shows that Karimganj College library has maximum number of library has maximum number of collections including Journal collections including Journal &Periodicals but having no CD/DVD. &Periodicals but having no CD/DVD. Only N.C.College has 55 nos. CD/DVD. Only N.C.College has 55 nos. CD/DVD. All the said libraries have huge All the said libraries have huge collections of E-Journals & E-books collections of E-Journals & E-books under N-list Programme. Maximum no. under N-list Programme. Maximum no. of Reference books present in R.S. of Reference books present in R.S. Girls College.Girls College.

Collections Karimganj College

R.S.Girls College N.C. College

Textbook 26015 12000 9500

Reference Book 1487 5026 650

Others 1908 200 613

Journals/Periodicals

21 16 08

E-book 51746 51746 51746

E-journals 2154 2154 2154

CD/DVD 0 0 55

No. of Staff in each No. of Staff in each LibraryLibrary

The chart below shows that, total The chart below shows that, total no. of staff present in the said no. of staff present in the said libraries are inadequate. Only libraries are inadequate. Only Karimganj College Library has Karimganj College Library has maximum no. of staff and the maximum no. of staff and the minimum no. is in R.S .Girls minimum no. is in R.S .Girls College i.e. 2.College i.e. 2.

InstitutioInstitutionn

LibrarianLibrarian Lib. Lib. AssistantAssistant

Lib. Lib. BearerBearer

OtherOther

Karimganj Karimganj

CollegeCollege 11 11 33 11

R.S.Girls R.S.Girls

CollegeCollege 11 00 11 00

N.C.CollegeN.C.College 11 11 11 00

No. of Staff in Library

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Karimganj

College

R.S.Girls

College

N.C.College

Librarian

Lib. Assistance

Lib. Bearer

Other

ProblemsProblems

The libraries of Karimganj District The libraries of Karimganj District have the following problems in the have the following problems in the application of ICT:application of ICT:

Most of the libraries functioned with Most of the libraries functioned with inadequate no. of trained library inadequate no. of trained library professional.professional.

Lack of proper training of manpower Lack of proper training of manpower development.development.

Inadequate fund provision for Inadequate fund provision for computerization of library & computerization of library & development of library museum.development of library museum.

Irregular & unpredictable power Irregular & unpredictable power supply.supply.

SuggestionsSuggestionsThe following suggestions appear to be The following suggestions appear to be appropriate for the development of ICT appropriate for the development of ICT environment in the libraries of Karimganj environment in the libraries of Karimganj District.District.

– Sufficient trained staff should be provided.Sufficient trained staff should be provided.– Frequent Seminar & Workshop on latest Frequent Seminar & Workshop on latest

technology should be organized.technology should be organized.– Special fund provision should be projected in Special fund provision should be projected in

the annual budget for ICT & utilize properly.the annual budget for ICT & utilize properly.– The authority should pay proper attention to The authority should pay proper attention to

develop ICT infrastructure in the Libraries..develop ICT infrastructure in the Libraries..

ConclusionConclusionThe above survey study reveals that, the impact of The above survey study reveals that, the impact of ICT in Karimganj District is little bit satisfactory , but ICT in Karimganj District is little bit satisfactory , but still lags behind in the development and in the still lags behind in the development and in the application of the automation software acquired for application of the automation software acquired for the purpose. Implementation of ICT in library the purpose. Implementation of ICT in library operations is very complex, stressful and continuous operations is very complex, stressful and continuous process. Most of the libraries are not following a process. Most of the libraries are not following a systematic plan in using ICT. It requires an systematic plan in using ICT. It requires an imaginative, intelligent planning and huge investment imaginative, intelligent planning and huge investment of fund including the skilled human resources.of fund including the skilled human resources.Three librariesof Karimganj District have been trying Three librariesof Karimganj District have been trying their level best to elevate their services to the height their level best to elevate their services to the height and they show that zeal to give proper shape to their and they show that zeal to give proper shape to their work. Therefore, we can expect that within a short work. Therefore, we can expect that within a short period of time these three libraries will reached up-to-period of time these three libraries will reached up-to-the mark.the mark.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Sri Kishor Sri Kishor Satpathy,Secretary,Organising Satpathy,Secretary,Organising Committee.Committee.

Ms.KrishnaSingha,Asstt.Secretary,OrMs.KrishnaSingha,Asstt.Secretary,Organisi-ng Committee ganisi-ng Committee

All Faculty Members,NIT,SilcharAll Faculty Members,NIT,Silchar All Supporting staff of NIT,Silchar.All Supporting staff of NIT,Silchar.

Thanks Thanks and and

Have a Nice DayHave a Nice Day