Essay: COLLEGE LIBRARY AT A GLANCE

COLLEGE LIBRARY AT A GLANCE
3.1 Introduction:
Growth developments are two different terms. The terms growth means quantitative change, where as development includes quantitative as well as qualitative changes. Education is the backbone of development. The continuous process of education is based on students, parents, teachers, various media and more importantly books. There is need of books on very large numbers of subjects and equally large number of specialization. The continuous research in all areas gives rise to birth of many books. The students, teacher, researchers and many others are in need of information related to specific issue in short duration of time. Therefore, it leads to collect, preserve, manage, update and disseminate the information through libraries. A library contributes significantly in systematic and scientific management of books.
The present chapter includes the discussion on the concept and definition of education as well as library. It also takes into account the expansion of higher education in India. The rapid technology changes have also affected to expectation of society. The issues related to modern society and higher education have been discussed in this chapter. Keeping library as a center point, various national polices on development of libraries, information systems and services are also overviewed. For the development of libraries efforts has been made at central, state and other levels. As a part of these efforts, various commissions and committees have been established in India. They take into consideration the present scenario of libraries and gave recommendation for future development.
By the act of central government, central statutory body namely AICTE has been established for the implementation of various academics programmes. The college library situation is also discussed, as the present study is based on Management College libraries affiliated to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad. So far many academicians and researchers have pointed out various problems and challenges in library administration leading of automation. For the sake of automation library management software plays the important role at the back end. A large number of library software are also available in the market. The chapter includes exploratory discussion on evaluation of this software.
3.2 Education and Higher Education in India:
Education is a continuous process leading to progressive change in behavior. The progressive change can be observed in terms of physiological, emotional and intellectual.
The word education is derived by two ways-
1. Educare- To rear, to nourish, to bring up.
2. Educere- To read out, to draw out.
In general definition of “education” is the “all dimensional development of an individual”. The various national and international thinkers and philosophers have also defined the terms education.
According to Aristole “Education develops man’s faculty especially his mind so that he may be able to enjoy the contemplation of supreme value truth, goodness and beauty in which perfect happiness essentially consists. It is the creation of a sound mind in a sound body” (Jadhav, 2005).
According to Mahatma Ghandhiji “Father of Nation” by education, I mean, all round drawing out of the best in man-body, mind and spirit” (Kundale, 1977).
The importance of education is realized by many philosophers and social reforms. According to a born teacher and president if India Dr. S.R.Radhakrishnan, “we are building a civilization not a factory or a workshop. The quality of civilization depends not upon the material equipment or political machinery, but on the character of men. The major task of education is the improvement of character” (Sagar, 2006).
3.3 Library and Role of College Libraries in Higher Education:
In every formal as well as information education systems library is the important indistinguishable part. The next section deals with concept and definition of library.
3.3.1 Library:
The latin word liber means book whereas in french word Librairie means bookseller or to copy. The word library is derived from the latin word liber. The meaning of word \’Library\’ given in the Random House Dictionary of the English Language (1987), as \”A place set apart to contain books, periodicals, and other material for reading, viewing, listening, study or reference, as a room, set of rooms or building where books may be read or borrowed.\”
According to Ranganathan (1989) father of library science described \”A library is a public institution or establishment charged with care and collection of books and the duty of making them accessible to those who require using them.
The word \’library\’ can be referred as collection of books. Clean, attractive, beautiful, knowledge centre is also referred to as library. With the change in time library became cultural centers. In the 21st century, it is treated as an information centre.
3.2.2 College Library:
The name of college is given to a institution imparting higher education leading to bachelor’s degree. Every college must have a good library and it occupies a prominent position in the college campus. The library is the heart of every college campus. The importance of college library is inevitable in every teaching and academic programme. Now-a-days college education is becoming more and more student centre and thereby it encourages students to pay a vital and creative role in their education. The college library provides ample opportunity for self-education to the students, apart from supplementing the class lectures.
3.3.3 Role of College Library in Higher Education:
Education is the acquisition of the art of utilization of knowledge. The main aim of education is to build character, increase strength of mind and expand intellect. Mahatma Gandhi, Ravindranath Tagor and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru have also laid the stress on the same objectives. In order to achieve these objectives, library plays multi-dimensional role. Following discussion elaborates on the role of library.
Library plays an important role to educate the literate, dispel their ignorance and to provide opportunities for continuing education to the educated. Another media role played by library is the communicator between the teacher and students. Library is a media centre with learning environment artfully designed to have stimulating and enriching effects upon students. In formal education system, teaching is supplemented by classroom taking the maximum help of teacher. During the stage of higher education, the focal point of learning should gradually shift from classroom to the library. In the non-formal education, the help of teacher is minimal. The students by the large have to acquire knowledge through self-study. In non-formal education the main responsibility of supporting the education rests with libraries. Provision of suitable library facilities, leads to divert the great potential energy of young men for reading, constructive thinking and making them disciplined, respectful and senior citizens of the country.
Library centered teaching will promote mutual respect between the teachers and the taught and they will appreciate books and library. Education is a continuing process in which self-education starts at the end of formal education. There are great personalities who on the basis of self-education, attempt highest place of perfection in knowledge. Libraries are appropriate agencies which provide suitable ground for self-education. According to Mahatma Gandhi the concept of adult education is to make men and women better citizen with the idea of individual development to community development. The term adult education has been changed to social education and therefore library services are now extended to the community even outside the library building. Academic library also offers effective library services to the community.
The successful propagation of research activity needs past information Due to continuous growth of publication researcher is in need of lot of information. Due to multidisciplinary research and seepage of literature into a variety of fields, there is an increasing demand for libraries to support and encourage research. Library also plays the role by preserving the cultural heritage of the human race. The representative and selective collection of books on spiritual and religious, ideological theme as well as permanent value, may inspire people to have high ideal life and inculcate values in them.
In the changing scenario of higher education and research, the ease of availability of information to the required use has also changed the role of librarian and information professionals from knowledge custodians to knowledge facilitators. Now-a-days the invent of new technologies have provided access to vast volume of information in a competitive spirit. It improves both quality and quantity of higher education.
Library can also be characterised as social institution. Society has decided what library should be in the past and what it should be in future. Even though library is an archival collection, it is essential for cultural survival. Library is not only center of culture it served, but it is also a form of insurance against social disintegration of decay.
3.4 National Policies on Development of Libraries, Information System and Services:
Information has very important role to play in the development of society and nation in general. For the appropriate suggestions and recommendation to create new facilities in libraries so as to meet the demand of increasing number of users, an integrated national plan for library development is needed at national level.
National policy in general can be understood as set of decisions taken by a central government applying laws and regulations to orient harmonious development of the information dissemination service to satisfy information needs of the citizen of nation.
In India before and after independence various commissions and committees have been established to formulate the national policies on libraries, information systems and services, viz; Hunter commission (1982),l Indian University Commission (1902), Sadler commission (1948), The library Commission (1957), Advisory Committee (1958), Review Committee on Library Sciences (1961) Kothari Commission (1964), Pal Committee (1970), National Policy on Library and information system (1986), Malhotra Committee (1988), Committee on National Network System for University Libraries (1988), Curriculum Development Committee on Library and Information Science (1990).
3.4.1 Committee on National Network System for Libraries:
In the seventh five-year plan (1985-90) working group on \’Modernisation of library services and infirmities; was set up by planning commission. The chairman of this working group was Dr. N. Seshagiri. The committee proposed to develop a computer network interlinking all special libraries in India. UGC in 1988 constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Yash Pal. The main responsibility of this committee was to suggest measure for networking of libraries and information centers in university, deemed university, institution of national importance, UGC information centre, Research and Development institutions and colleges. The committee further constituted a working group to prepare a project report on information and library network (INFLIBENT). The working group also cover the issues regarding output and services, INFLIBENT organization, standardisation for information handling application software requirement, computer hardware, technical specialisation, required manpower and training need, management mechanism, implementation mechanism and cost implication. Information and Library Network (INFLEIBET) initiated in 1991 with its headquarter at Gujarat University Campus, Ahemadabad. Since 1996, it is an autonomous inter university centre under University Grants Commission. The aim of this network is to contribute to pooling. Sorting and optimization of resources, facilities and services of university and college libraries. It is a national level resource sharing centre. This network is very useful to all libraries and their readers. About 170 university libraries, 500 autonomous college libraries and 200 research and development institution libraries are the number of this network. Besides network services it organises training program to university and college library professionals. More than 1100 college library professionals have been trained under this training program.
3.5 Role of UGC in Academic Library:
Central government of India on the basis of recommendation received from Radhakishan Committee (1948) established University Grants Commission in 1953 under the chairmanship of Dr. C. D. Deshmukh. In 1956 UGC came into existence as statutory autonomous institutions for the wellbeing of higher education in India. The functional role of UGC is multidimensional. In the present section an attempt has been made to focus the light of role of UGC in academic libraries.
The Central government made the sincere effort for promoting the higher education in India by allotting adequate and appropriate grant through UGC for various important scheme such as; Wheat Loan Education Exchange Programme, Book Banks, Regional Library Centre, Study Centers, National Information Centers, Area Study Centers, Collection Developments and Library Buildings.
The year 1960 was observed as a golden period for the development of academic libraries in India. During this period UGC launched the exchange programme for academic librarian with the United States and huge grant for the purchase of American Books and scientific equipment. Since establishment, UGC is pursuing the issue as follows:
1. Allocating sufficient grant to each college library to purchase sufficient number of books.
2. Each library must have text books in addition to reference and other books.
3. Each college library must be govern by a librarian of minimum lecturer grade and is assisted by a person with degree in library science and some with certificate courses.
4. Each college library must be financially supported for library building, fitting and furniture.
The findings of the seminar on “Work Flow” sponsored by UGC organize in 1959 and directed by Dr. S. R. Ranganathan were as under:
1. Book selection, book purchase and preparation of books should be evenly spread over the year.
2. Open access system should be introduced with all necessary safeguards.
3. The librarian should be member of the faculty.
4. The administrative work should be distributed to the library staff in such a way that they will avail maximum time for reference services.
5. Librarian should provide necessary assistance to students to promote their reading habit.
The UGC sponsored workshop on \”Formulating standards for College Libraries\” was also held in 1979 at Khandala. The important recommendations of this workshop include 4 percent of the college budget provision be made for books, journals, bindings and other library material.
With the pace of time, modernisation of college libraries is very essential. Modernization means not only computerisation but any innovative programme which brings the efficiency to the system. Thus college library should adopt modern management procedure and techniques, system analysis and information technology (Kaushik, 2006) UGC on the basis of comprehensive study based recommendations, making an effort to redesign the state of art of modern college libraries.
3.6 College Library Point Focus:
The present section deals with importance of college library, objectives, functions, services, resources, user community and library staff. The outline of problems and challenges in library are also discussed.
3.6.1 Importance of College Library:
College education is the first stage of higher education, which provides completely different environment for students aspiring higher studies. Usually in colleges size of class is very big as a result, individual attention by a teacher is limited. Therefore, a college library help student to meet the challenges, which they are facing at colleges, college library extends opportunity for self-education to the deserving and enthusiastic students without any distinction. College library is the workshop of the students where students are stimulated to obtain, evaluate and recognize knowledge and to familiarise themselves with the trends of knowledge for further education and learning new discipline.
3.6.2 Objective of the College Library:
To achieve the academic excellence, the objectives of the college library are as follows:
1. To keep up-to-date record of knowledge according to growing needs and requirements of present and future period.
2. To provide necessary resources for staff and students.
3. To help faculty member regarding availability of various opportunity for using library resources in teaching.
4. To extend practical demonstration about seeking of the information.
5. To assist faculty in organising systematic method of teaching.
6. To display time to time the documents to the notice of students.
7. To carry out all though activities which stimulate reading habit with pleasure, self-realization, personal growth and development, cultivation of intellectual excellence for entertainment.
3.6.3 Functions of the College Library:
The main function of a college library is the collection and preservation of knowledge for its dissemination to the users. It has to perform the functions like acquisition of reading material, processing of reading material, reference and other reader services, training the student in the use of libraries and certain administrative and managerial functions. In particular, college library performs two dimensional function viz; teaching and research. The function related to teaching, is reference and information services, orientation courses and lectures, and advisory services. The function related to research and classification, subject area and language specialization, documentation and bibliographical. In general, the function of college libraries is to serve college community, to serve alumni, to create positive influence in society for the expansion of knowledge.
3.6.4 Services Rendered by the College Library:
The college library is expected to provide reader services and auxiliary services. The exhaustive list of all these services is as follows:
The reader services include circulation, home lending services, reservation of books use of union catalogue, inter library loan service and display of current edition.
The service related to reference books are reference collection, reference service in action to meet the information need, to advice the users about what to read, tracing books and periodicals, to assist in preparation of bibliographies, to arrange exhibition, to arrange lectures and cultural programme and to play a role of information mediator.
The auxiliary services include documentation services like current awareness list, selective dissemination of information, indexing and abstracting services, translation services, reprographic services, micro recording, microfilm, micro recording, microfiche, filmstrips, to work as a documentation centers and to work an information centers.
3.6.5 Resources of College Library:
The expected resources in the college libraries are broadly classified as printed and non-printed material. Printed resources include textbook, reference book, encyclopedia, dictionary, handbook, year book, manuals, bibliographic and geographical tools, gazetteers, atlases and journals. Non printed resources include microfilms, microfiche, micro card, filmstrips and recordings.
3.6.6 User Community:
User community of library is not restricted to only students and faculty members but it also includes various classes of the society such as researchers, authors, writers, speakers, lawyers, medical practitioners, non-government organizations, politicians, etc.
3.6.7 Library Staff:
For the efficient execution of the library the proposed staffing pattern is as follows.
3.6.7.1 Professional Staff:
Professional staff includes librarian and Assistant Librarian.
3.6.7.2Technical Staff:
Technical Staff includes Library Assistants, Library Clerk and Library Attendants.
3.6.7.3Unskilled Staff:
Unskilled staff includes caretaker, cleaner, sweeper and book lifter, etc.
3.6.8 Problems in Development of College Library:
Even though the history of development of library goes back to centuries, number of problems realized at national as well as local level restricted reading habit of students up to only text books. Lack of administrative staff in the library, inadequate funds, lack of user training, problem in acquisition of sources, inadequate space for library, no separate library building are some of the notable problems.
A few problems, which are prominent even today, also are unused percentage of books, limited freedom in the library and lack of importance of journals in student’s community, lack of salesman attitude of librarian, organizational problem and interaction among the librarians.
In the present era, the efforts have been made to increase the efficiency of library services. From many years the process of automation is taking place at some places. The problems realized in the automation which have become the hurdles in mass level automation are failure of suppliers to deliver software and peripherals, after sales service, lack of trained library staff, variation in software, poor planning and implementation.
3.6.9 Challenges in Development of College Library:
In observing the slow progress of library automation and thereby improving the efficiency of library services the remarkable challenges are cost involved in automation, lack of sufficient trained and specialized manpower to plan and operate automation, absence of research and development environment to motivate automation, lack of professional support and encouragement, lack of support from parent organization and ill availabilities of technologies.
3.7 Need for Library Automation:
The term automation is defined in number of ways. The most suitable definition of automation relating to library functions has given in McGraw Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology (1960), \”Machinery that mathematically manipulates information, storing, selecting, presenting and recording input data or internally generated data as required.\”
In the present world of globalization and competition the thirst of knowledge is increasing everyday of various level and on various subject. It has been rightly said that \’knowledge is power\’. To be very powerful, there is a great demand to provide quick information. To satisfy this demand a need of efficient and accurate system is established. Generally, the process of mechanisation is treated as automation. In industrial sector many production units are automated. On the similar line one can think for automation of library. The great need of automation in library is due to following reasons:
1. Repaid growth of library collection.
2. To create efficient and accurate services.
3. To introduce new services.
4. To deplete budget and overcome the scarcity of library staff.
5. To control the rapid growth of information.
6. High degree satisfaction of users.
7. Possibility of networking and thereby resource sharing.
8. Searching of various databases.
9. To avoid repetitive and duplicative in house activity.
10. Availability of information in different forms.
3.8 Library Software Packages:
Various software development companies developed a wide range of library software packages. The differentiation in software can be done on the basis of front end and back end tools as well as the specific needs. The library software’s are of two levels namely international and national. The brief discussion on silent features and Software Company of international library software’s is as follows:
3.8.1 International Library Software’s:
1. Dynix:
The UNIX based system is developed by Ameritech library systems. Primarily it was design for public and academic libraries, which provide various modules such as public access, MARC based cataloguing, acquisition, serial control, circulation, reserve book room, media scheduling, journal citation database and report writing.
2. Horizon:
This client server system was also developed by Ameritech library systems. This system is portable on different UNIX based system. It uses Sybase SQL server for relational database. It is a graphical version can be run under IBM, UNIX and Windows NT and OS/2 operating systems. This system is useful in corporate as well as academic libraries.
3. ALS:
The name of this software is given after its developing company, automated library systems ltd., The module available in this system are OPAC, community information, UKMARC, cataloguing, circulation and acquisition.
4. The Cataloger on-line:
This product was launched by Anewalt Library Services; it is library catalogue management systems which provide cataloguing utility and an online catalogue. This software is compatible on personal computer as well as network; higher version includes the future of import and export MARC records.
5. Search Me:
This PC compatible CD-ROM based public access catalogue was introduced by Apak System Ltd., This software is fully equipped for searching databases. Optional cataloguing module provides the facility to modify and create its own databases.
6. Impact:
Auto graphics Inc. have launched range of three software’s to satisfy the specialised need. It is a microcomputer based product useful for library with less than fifty thousand titles. The menu driven software includes online catalogue and system administration. Another product Online includes online catalogue (IMPACT/PAC), MARC based (IMPACT /CAT), and inter library loan module (IMPACT / ILL). Impact / ACCESS provide access for users about citation and full text databases. The third IMPACT/NET is a set of software and services regarding internet access. The package includes internet connection, electronic mail, graphical utilities for web access, Gopher sites, News reader, Telnet and File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
7. Best-Seller Portfolio Library Management System:
This software is developed by Best-Seller with Info Centre Corporations in Fourth generation language namely speed wares. The version 7.0 products along with regular module provide an additional facility of Web browsing to access online catalogue of library.
8. Best web Intelligent Interface Builder:
This product by based seller is known for easy conversion of catalogue into HTML. Access of library database through www and integrated search engine are the remarkable additions in this package.
9. BSL:
The product due to BLCMP Library Services Ltd., is a large scale automation system including public access, acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serial control, inter library loan, community information, management reports and electronic office module.
10. Tails:
This UNIX based library automation product is also developed by BLCMP Library Services Ltd. This software takes care of more clients. It released on open system, network standards and Sybase relational database management systems. The customer of this product has a facility to access central database of more than eleven million MARC records.
11. Precision One Catalogue:
This CD-ROM based cataloguing utility is developed by BRODART Automation. This software facilitates searching and extracting records, printing cards and book labels.
12. Le PAC and Media Minder:
These two products are also developed by BRODART Automation. LEPAC is a CD-ROM based software including public access catalogue and inter library loan module. Media Minder is a PC based booking and reservation system for the administration of resources in a media centers.
13. Library Works:
This software is developed by CASPE Inc. It also supports the regular module like cataloguing, serials, acquisition and online catalogue. It also supports databases like Eric through library browser interface.
14. Library Browser:
It is also developed by CASPE INC. Windows and Macintosh support this software. It is an OPAC module for accessing data from library using library work integrated system.
15. CARL:
This software is designed by CARL Corporation. It is a large scale library automation system that runs on tandem mainframe system. This software is specially suited for multi-institutional life and library. All regular module support by this system. It offers a graphical public searching module especially for children called a kid\’s catalogue. Recently graphical OPAC namely Everybody\’s catalogue is also available on CARL. More four hundred and twenty libraries are successful using CARL.
16. AMICUS:
This software is a successor to the IBM mainframe based DOBIS/Labis system, developed by CGI INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT INC. National library of Canada release on this system for its twelve million records bibliographic database.
17. C2 System:
It is integrated software developed by CONTEC DATA SYSTEMS along with regular module acquisition, cataloguing, OPCA, circulation and other module includes multimedia, document imaging, multiple catalogue and reference database.
18. C3 Electronic Course Reserves:
This software is also developed by CONEA DATA SYSTEMS. It allows course reserves through an image based document management system. It highly supports college and university libraries that manage supplemental regarding for academic course.
19. Cuadra Star:
It is an information management and indexing system developed by CUADRA ASSOCIATES INC. It is a more of general text management system that is highly used for search and retrieval of information. Standard library functions like acquisition, circulation, cataloguing and serials are available in this software. MARC plus module facilitate the import and Export MARC records.
20. Supermax Library System:
The software with UNIX based and using ORACLE relational database management system is developed by DANSKL DATA FLEKTRONIK A/S. The modules included in this software are catalogue and information retrieval, holdings management, circulation, acquisition, serial control; inter library loan and management information and statistics.
21. Data Research System:
It is a large scale library automation system operating on VAX/VMS computers. It is designed by DATA RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (DRA). Along with regular modules special are report writer DRA\’s resources includes DRANET, which support to access other DRA libraries and large number of commercial databases.
22. Graphical Library Automation System:
This product is developed by DATA TREK INTERNATIONAL AND IME SYSTEM Ltd. It is a window based integrated system including acquisition, cataloguing, circulation and serials. It is special software for Go PAC graphical online catalogue and data bridge utility to import and export MARC records. Images can be used in online catalogue using image link module.
23. Net PAC:
It is a Microsoft windows based search client through internet connection. It allows retrieving information from library catalogue though out the internet. This software is also developed by ELECTRONIC ONLINE SYSTEMS (EOS) INTERNATIONAL.
Electronic online system has also launched full featured PC compatible system having all regular module along with Data Bridge for import and export of bibliographic records in MARC format. The product manager series developed in 1981 has been continuously upgraded with regular modules and Data Bridge.
24. Voyager:
The product released by ENDEAVOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS is a Microsoft Windows based including all modules and incorporate many library and computer industry standards. This software is used by one thousand three hundred academic and research library around the world.
25. Image Server Image Management System:
This product is also developed by ENDEAVOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS. It allows library to offer image based collection through Voyager system. Scanning and image storage along with linking of image to the voyager online catalogue are the main features of this product.
26. ALEPH Library Automation System:
The Unix and VAX/Open VMS based integrated software is developed by EXLIBRIS Ltd., This product is functioning in twenty-five countries of the world, It support many international language. The system has capacity to accommodate title up to nine million, it also has World Wide Web interface.
27. Davex Plus:
The Davex Plus developed by FAXON CANDA Ltd., includes corporate and government libraries. Modules includes in this system are OPAC, Cataloguing, Serial Control, acquisition and media management.
28. ADVANCE:
GEAC COMPUTER INC. have developed UNIX based library automaztion system, advance for academic and public library. Advance is capable to run on a variety of hardware platform. The modules include in this system are online catalogue, bibliographic control, circulation, acquisition, serial control, administration and report writer. The module director work station allows extracting management information system and statistics and viewing the results through graphical interface using an SQL interface.
29. Zebra 2000:
This product runs under pick database environment. The Unix-based software, developed by GENERAL AUTOMATION INC. can operate in conjunction with the UNIX data relation database management system. The module Zebra 2000 are online public access catalogue, acquisition, material selection, serial control MARC data import and export, circulation, inventory reserve, online communication with vendor and reports.
30. CAIRS-TMS:
Lather head information technology Ltd. announced a multimedia and large scale full text retrieval system. This system is compatible with Microsoft Windows and uses sophisticated indexing technology to create automatic indexes and provide a wide variety of methods for retrieving information.
31. Silver Learning:
The library corporation has announced the integrated library system with module OPAC, cataloguing with authority control, circulation, acquisition, inventory or reports, material booking and web interface.
32. URICA:
MCDONNELL DOUGLAS INFORMATIONS SYSTEMS has developed this software for public, academic, special and national libraries; worldwide over one thousand library used this software. Modules available in this system are information retrieval, OPAC, circulation control, cataloguing, serial control, acquisition, search / SDI; inter library loan, reserves and management information.
33. Unicorn Collection Management System:
Initially SIRSI CORPORATION launched a library system targeting public, special, government and academic library. It includes all regular modules. It uses BRS/search information retrieval engine. The new version can be operated with windows Macintosh and UNIX work station.
34. Soft Link:
This Pc-based integrated software was developed by Soft link America Inc. This software is developed in Australia and marketed in ninety countries, covering ten major languages with a client support of ten thousand or more. Soft link is regarded as a world leader in library automation. The core modules of this software are OPAC, Circulations management, Acquisition, CD-ROM record import, serials management, reports, advanced booking, Union catalogue and general indexing. Soft link leads to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of library operations in corporate, commercial, special, primary, secondary tertiary, community and educational libraries.
35. Book Plus:
The IBMAA/400 Mini Computer compatible system is developed to STOWE Computing Ltd., The module present in this system are OPAC, Circulation, and Cataloguing with authority control, Acquisitions, Serials, Statics and Management Reporting. The software is marketed in Australia, England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, New Zealand and South Africa.
36. VTLS:
This also called VIRTUA. It is a ISO 9001 certified software marketed in thirty-two countries in more than nine hundred libraries. Instant access to digital content with a web browser, tools to facilitate digitalization of all material including, rate objects, or historical documents, simultaneous access to diverse content and metadata are the silent features of VTLS software’s.
37. CDS / ISIS:
UNESCO in collaboration with Secuola Normale Superiore, in Pisa Italy. The first version this software was operating in a multi user environment on the digital equipment corporation. This software is DOS and windows compatible providing facilities to create larger databases can change can be made to take care of local needs.
38. TV+V Systems:
This system is treated as generalise database management systems useful for bibliographic and factual information management. The package is available for free of cost for non-profitable instructions in developing countries.
39. Minisis:
Minisis is an ideal package for bibliographic information management and textual database application. This software is developed by International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada. It provides facility for online catalogue, circulation control, serial control and report generation.
40. Superdoc:
The superhot is developed by the THERMODATA Group in Grenoble, France. It is user friendly software. It is also flexible to apply in many applications in library such as catalogue, bibliographies and indexes.
3.8.2 Indian Library Software:
1. SOUL:
Software for university libraries is developed by INFLIBNET. It is a state of art user friendly software developed to work under the client server environment. While developing this software the international standards, bibliographic formats, networking protocols, were taken into account. It supports international standards such as MARC 21, CCF, AACR 2, ISO 2790, etc. Presently more than one thousand four hundred libraries are practicing this software to facilitate quick services. INFLIBNET have established service center at Mumbai, Patiala, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The modules covered in SOUL are acquisition, cataloguing, Circulation, OPAC, serial control and administration. The silent feature of SOUL is nominal cost, multiple user environments, training support by INFLIBENT, Free updation, modification and technical assistance.
2. SLIM++
Software for library information management is an integrated multi user, multi-tasking library management software operated on single window machine or client server having multi-platform environment. SLIM++ covers various classes of libraries like university, research, financial institutions, corporate libraries, public libraries, softwares houses, engineering firm, school libraries, college libraries or even individual collections. The module available in SLIM++ are cataloguing, circulation, OPAC, acquisition, serial control, web based OPAC, bulletin printing, Statistical analysis, import export of information, selective dissemination of information, DB bridge and inter library loan. The silent features of this software are online help, validation check, bar code support, minimal data entry, multimedia links, data capture in various formats, internet linking, and integrated check, multiple selection criterion, multi script or multi font letter formatting, etc.
3. Autolib:
This software is developed in 1998 and it requires a platform of other windows or LINUX. The standard modules available in this software are cataloguing, circulation, report generation and system administration. The advance modules covered in this software are acquisition, serial control, article indexing and abstracting and online stock verifications. The web modules included in this software are web library, web counter reports and cataloguing of digital library resources. Presently more than one hundred twenty-five libraries are automised using this software.
4. EasyLib.:
EasyLib Software Private Ltd. developed this software in 1999 and revised in 2005. The new version is available in four parts namely EasyLib OPAC, EasyLib E-PAC, Web OPAC EasyLib batch and EasyLib Main. Presently around seventy-five libraries are using this software. The modules available in this software are cataloguing with MARC 21 formats, accessioning, circulation system, serial control, budgeting and acquisition.
5. E-Granthalaya:
This software is developed by National Informatics Centre. The low cost software is useful for many libraries. The systems provided number of security checks.
6. Librarian:
The librarian software provides all routine module with silent feature such as accessibility of MARC 21 format, AACR II cataloguing and use of bulletin method for searching.
7. Library Manager:
This software is available either for single user or multi user. The modules available in this software are information creation, acquisition, management updation, circulation, overdue charges, serial control, barcode and administration.
8. LibSuit:
Soft-Aid Computer Pvt. Ltd., developed this software. This is a product by ISO 9001-2000 company. This product is based on windows and LINUX technology. The software used in forty libraries have the feature like enterprise security managements, use of BS 7799/ ISO 2709 standards.
9. Libsys:
Libsys Corporation developed this software using JAVA, J2EE. It is opted in windows UNIX /VSM /LAN platform. The modules available in this system are acquisition, technical processing and database developing, circulation control, OPAC, serial management, administration and system setup. The software since developed in 1984 and implemented in one thousand libraries including Jaykar Library of Pune University. The silent features like client server module, co-operative cataloguing, Web OPAC, Access to MARC 21, UK MARC, UNI MARC and CCF format.
10. Rovan LMS:
Rovan Technology have developed this software and available in three editions namely Rovan LSM Gold, Rovan LMS Silver and Rovan LMS Bronze. This software provides acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serial control OPAC and administration. This product is launched in 2002 and installed in twenty-seven libraries in Tamilnadu State.
11. Granthalaya:
INSDOC has developed this software originally for MS Dos platform but now available in UNIX and LAN version also. The software is at affordable price, suits the requirement of different kinds of library and aimed to provide maximum functionality required by librarian. Along with regular modules system also provides necessary security.
12. Sanjay:
This software is developed DESIDOC, New Delhi. A library automation package based on CDS/ISIS, capable of interlinking two or more database for single application and library house-keeping operation.
13. Libman:
The Master Software Company developed this multi user software. The software facilitates number of languages. Regular module acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, OPAC, Serial control MIS analysis and reports are available. The silent features of this software are based training without previous computer knowledge, complete user manual, more accuracy and security, minimum data entry, bar code supports multi scripts. / Multi font, interface with MS-Word, Word Pad and MS-Excel.
14. Delplus:
DELNET have developed this software with accessibility to modules like acquisition, cataloguing, OPAC, circulation, article indexing, serial control system administration, reports, import export and stock verification. The salient features of this software are bar code support, multi users, use of international standards, online help, special report generation, identity card generation, advanced search and budgeting facilities, no due certification generation and currency calculation facilities.
1.5 Net lib / Vidut:
Nettlib / Vidut is the product of Captron Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. It can work on network or stand-alone configuration. The modules include circulation, cataloguing, abstracting, acquisition and serial control. It supports Indian languages. It has security features. and web-enable management system which can perform important function.
16. Troodon.
Trooden was developed by the Comtek Services Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi in 1992. Its latest version 4.0 has seven modules viz; database maintenance and retro-conversion, acquisition, circulation, serial control, OPAC, Web OPAC and administration. It is stand alone and there is RDBMS at the back end.