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LCH 003

The document discusses the importance and implications of library automation, digital, and virtual libraries in modern society, emphasizing the need for efficient information dissemination due to the increasing volume of data. It outlines the objectives of library automation, its impact on library operations, and the various areas of application, including acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, and serials control. The document highlights the benefits of automation in improving service quality, operational efficiency, and user accessibility to information resources.

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Karan Sarkar
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
39 views17 pages

LCH 003

The document discusses the importance and implications of library automation, digital, and virtual libraries in modern society, emphasizing the need for efficient information dissemination due to the increasing volume of data. It outlines the objectives of library automation, its impact on library operations, and the various areas of application, including acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, and serials control. The document highlights the benefits of automation in improving service quality, operational efficiency, and user accessibility to information resources.

Uploaded by

Karan Sarkar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modern Library: Automated, Digital and Virtual MODULE - 1

LIBRARY, INFORMATION
AND SOCIETY

3
Notes

MODERN LIBRARY:
AUTOMATED, DIGITAL AND
VIRTUAL

3.1 INTRODUCTION
You are already familiar with different types of libraries and their functions and
services. Application of computers, in particular, to library operations has got
various implications. At present, users need pinpointed, speedy and in-depth
information on a specific field and that too as quickly as possible. Multifold
increase in the information output and its usage has made it a challenge for the
librarians to organize and disseminate required information quickly. Organizing
this enormous information, manually and by conventional methods is time
consuming. Therefore, there is urgent need to computerize libraries to provide
efficient and timely services to the users. Moreover, in this busy world every
minute of the user is valuable. It has thus, become a necessity for any service
oriented organization to save the time of the user and fulfill the fourth Law
of Library Science, i.e., Save the time of the user. The speed of processing, the
conservation of space by avoiding catalogue cabinets, the accuracy and
incorruptibility of the data and reliability of the systems are some of the
important considerations in advocating computerized management of libraries.
In this lesson, you will be introduced to various aspects involved in automation
of libraries, concepts of digital and virtual libraries. Before going further, we
shall understand in this lesson impact of computers in modern society.

3.2 OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
 describe the impact of computers in modern society;
 explain the need for library automation;

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 discuss different areas of application of library automation;
 explain the salient features of an automated library; and
 explain the difference between digital and virtual libraries.

Notes 3.3 IMPACT OF COMPUTERS IN MODERN SOCIETY


Development of Computers is one of the greatest scientific achievements of the
20th century. This is the age of computers and a vast majority of people are using
them. Today computers have become an integral part of our everyday life.
Computer technology has made communication possible from one part of the
world to the other in seconds. Computer technology has brought about many
changes in the way we live in this present society. This has affected not only
the individuals per se but also all organizations and society.
In our individual lives, we have seen computers, having a major impact on the
way we are able to communicate with each other. In the earlier years, when
computer technology was still in its infancy, reliance was on other forms of
communication methods, such as telegraph, post and later on telephone. These
were the only forms used for keeping in touch. Although, these forms in their
own way were effective, but at times these (e.g. post and telegraph) proved
to be unreliable with delays in receiving information. With the introduction
of network computers connected to phones as well as mobile phones, today we
are able to send and receive messages by E-mails via Internet. This provides
cheaper, easier and quicker method of sending and receiving information. In
addition, the technology also provides the facility to make video calls and video
conferencing on computers and mobile phones. Computers have really changed
the way people work. Computers handle many tasks in business, education,
manufacturing, transportation and many fields. Computers process and produce
new information so quickly and accurately that they are changing people’s view
of the world.
Automation in our society occurs in three stages: (i) we automate what we have
been doing manually; (ii) we find what we do, is changing; and (iii) society
changes in response to these forces (Martin, 1989). According to Martin, we
need not worry on this account because libraries have always stood ahead in
the use of technology. Hence, this development is a good prediction for libraries
of 21st century and information society.

3.4 NEED FOR LIBRARY AUTOMATION


Information, as an essential input for development process, has been well
accepted by scientists, technologists, researchers, teachers, etc., and becomes
valuable only when it acts upon its target user in time.

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Any planning and development activity needs quick access to right information,
whereas, searching and retrieving information manually is tedious and time
consuming. The options available are either to process and store information
electronically or rely on accessing large databases remotely to meet users’ urgent
needs. Hence, we are forced to depend on some means to ease the process and
in this context automation is the only solution. Recognizing this need, librarians
have started thinking seriously for automating their library activities, which Notes
enables them to put their entire collection for the timely interaction of the users
with the system. The need for automation arises due to:
 literature explosion and information overloads;
 need for handling large amount of data/information;
 complexity and scattering of information;
 interdisciplinary nature of research and information;
 speedy processing of information and its retrieval;
 flexibility in information search;
 better bibliographic control at local/regional/national/international level;
 economic implications of new information technology;
 geographical and other barriers to communication;
 optimum utilization of available resources either inside or outside the
library;
 improve the existing services (from the point of quality, user friendliness,
regularity, etc.);
 avoid duplication of work; and
 utilize the services of the existing staff effectively.

3.5 LIBRARY AUTOMATION


Library Automation refers to the phenomenon of mechanization of traditional
library activities, such as, acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serial control,
etc. In other words, library automation refers to the use of computers and other
technologies to minimize human intervention in the functioning of a library.
Library automation may be defined as the application of computers to perform
traditional library housekeeping activities such as, acquisition, cataloguing,
circulation, and serials control.
The main reasons or purposes of library automation are to:
 increase operational efficiency of the library;
 cope with increasing demand for services;
 improve the quality of services;

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 provide new services which are otherwise not possible;
 improve the management of information products and services;
 facilitate wider access to information for the users;
 facilitate wider dissemination of information product and services;
Notes  participate in resource sharing/ library networks and
 enable easy communication with other libraries and professionals.
The library entering into automation should examine the above reasons and
prioritize them according to their work. As a strategy, prioritization of the
reasons should be done in consultation with the user community, management
and the library staff. This will help in building awareness among the users, and
staff. This helps in seeking concurrence for implementation and adopting
process. It is also important to look into various factors that influence adoption
of library automation.
Although, computers have a major role in library automation, telecommunication
and reprography technology have equally important role to play, because of the
support they offer to library automation.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 3.1


1. Define Library Automation.
2. What are the main reasons for library automation?

3.6 AREAS OF APPLICATION OF LIBRARY


AUTOMATION
Traditional library work consisting of acquisitions, technical processing, serials
control, circulation and reference services entail time consuming manual work.
Though, these activities are essential for proper functioning of a library, they
consume considerable professional staff time that might otherwise go towards
user services and library development. Moreover, this work consists of a number
of inter-related activities, the data generated being useful in different sections.
Manual work involves repetition of work in different activities. The aim of
automation thus, is to integrate these activities and minimize repetition of work.
Integrated library management software (ILMS) packages are available, which
are used to automate libraries. ILMS package integrates all the activities and
routines of a library.
The basic activities of library automation irrespective of the type or size of a
library are:

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(i) Acquisition
(ii) Cataloguing
(iii) Circulation
(iv) Serials Control, and
(v) Reporting. Notes
The above mentioned activities are closely connected and are to be performed
in a sequence that leads to better library services. Diagrammatically, a
computerized integrated library management system with various operations is
shown below :

Integrated Library Automation System

Acquisition Cataloguing Circulaion Serial Control Reporting

Fig.3.1: Integrated Library Management System

The main objectives of library automation are to improve the level of service
and quality of output, and to fulfil needs that cannot be achieved by manual
system, such as: (i) sharing of resources, (ii) information that appears only in
electronic format (e.g. CD-ROM, Internet resources, databases, etc.
Let us discuss the main areas of applications of library automation in subsequent
sections.

3.6.1 Acquisition
The acquisition division in a library acquires reading material (books, electronic
material, maps, charts, etc). Other reading material including journals, newspapers,
databases, e-books, etc. are acquired by the serials/periodicals division.
Manual acquisition system requires the maintenance of vast amount of data,
innumerable files, records, etc., which involve tedious routine and repetitive
tasks. The computers can perform these tasks faster and more accurately. The
following are the main tasks in the acquisition section.
 Selection of documents
 Ordering of documents
 Create purchase orders
 Claiming/cancellation of documents
 Receiving/invoice processing

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 Extended procurements
 Gift tracking
 Maintaining information about all library related funds
 Tracking fund allocations and adjustments
Notes  Expenditure out of allocated funds
 Cash balance
 Updating of fiscal information through recording of specific transactions,
and
 Tracking up-to-date expenditures.
In a computerized system, bibliographic data of a document once entered can
be used for other routine activities such as, for duplicate checking, placing
orders, receiving, accessioning and importing data to the catalogue module for
entering cataloguing details. This avoids re-entering of bibliographic details for
the same document, as is normally done for each activity in a manual system.
All the above mentioned tasks are also carried out faster and more efficiently
by the computerized system than the manual system.

3.6.2 Cataloguing
Once a book is received in the library, it is processed, beginning with
accessioning followed by classification and cataloguing. Catalogues are the
windows to the library collection and their automation has far reaching effect
on the quality of services. In a manual environment, much valuable time of
professional staff is invested in the preparation of cards for each book, sorting
and filing of the cards. Checking for duplicate entries is another tedious and
time-consuming process. In an automated system, once the relevant data is
processed and is made available on the computer, the catalogue can be
generated in a standard format. Then exchange records with other libraries as
part of a library network and generation of various approaches is very fast and
efficient. Checking for duplication can be done quite efficiently through
computers as it facilitates search from any approach to any library material. The
computerized catalogue can generate list of recent arrivals, print catalogue cards
and prepare bibliographies.

(a) Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC)

Cataloguing activities using ILMS produces an electronic catalogue, that


provides access to catalogue for users, which is limited to search and display
and is called an Online Public Access Catalogue.

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OPAC is a computerized catalogue of library resources available to public for
searching online. In other words, OPAC is an interactive search module of an
automated integrated library management system (ILMS). OPAC is very
dynamic, in the sense, that it is highly flexible, easy and economical to maintain
and capable to meet almost every possible approach of the user. The searching
capability is very fast and accurate.
Notes
Earlier OPACs were developed as standalone online catalogues, which users
searched on the computer terminal available in the library. With the arrival of
Internet, most of the libraries have made their OPACs accessible via Internet,
which is accessible to users all over the world on 24X7 basis. Users can search
OPAC remotely and find information online. The search facility apprises the
users about the availability of each item for circulation, including current status
of individual copies of a title and reserve status.

(b) Web OPAC


Connecting the web with the online catalogue is a natural and unavoidable goal
for libraries today and these are called Web OPAC. Web OPAC is an OPAC
which is provided on the Web and with the help of Internet any user can access
it from anywhere.
Web OPAC is similar to OPAC in searching and browsing. The main difference
between OPAC and Web OPAC is that OPAC can facilitate a user to access
library materials from the library or campus of an Institute through Local Area
Network(LAN), whereas, Web OPAC can be searched from any corner of the
globe through Internet. In simple words, a user can search the library catalogue
through Web OPAC anywhere in the world. For example you can search the
catalogue of NIOS library by clicking the web link at http://220.156.188.239:8080/
jopacv11/html/SearchForm

3.6.3 Circulation
Circulation section involves direct interaction between users and staff, and
therefore requires efficient and speedy services. The main functions in the
circulation section are as follows:
 Issue (charge) of documents
 Return (discharge) of documents
 Renewal of documents
 Loan periods of documents
 Processing schedules
 Hold of documents
 Message notices to users

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 Transaction recording devices for off-line processing, and
 Inventory control.
The transactions at the circulation desk, such as: charging (issue), discharging
(return), re-issue, reservations, over-due reminders and statistics, etc., are time
Notes consuming, highly labour intensive and error prone. Automation in circulation
activities benefits the library. Barcode facilities tremendously improve the
speed, efficiency and accuracy of the circulation transactions.
Circulation module works with the help of two master files, i.e. database of
users and books. Integration of circulation module with library catalogue allows
the library staff to know about the status of a document and also the details
of the user in case it is issued to her/him. This facility helps to send notices
for overdue books. Late fee calculation is another activity to be performed in
circulation section for books returned after due date.
The trend these days is towards integration of circulation control systems with
other functions such as online public access systems, inter-library loans,
electronic mail reminders, book reservations, book status, etc. thereby, saving
the time of users. These days radio frequency identification (RFID) has also
been introduced for automation in circulation that also prevents theft of books.

3.6.4 Serials Control


Serials control is a very complex process involving large number of publications
and expenditure to be handled. The following are the main tasks performed in
the serials control section.
 Subscription of journals
 Subscription of e-journals & databases
 Subscription/renewals of journals
 Subscription/renewals of e-journals & databases
 Claiming of missing issues
 Replacements of journals
 Monographic serials, and
 Invoice processing.
Further, the problem of keeping track of receipts, reminders and non-receipt
claims, periodicity change, merger of titles, etc., is quite a task to be managed
manually, and thus, need special treatment under serials control.
Automation makes most of these tasks very easy and efficient. Apart from these,
generation of many types of manually is time consuming and at times not at
all possible, which is facilitated by the use of computers. For example, lists of

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AND SOCIETY
serials-subject-wise, frequency-wise, currency wise, country of origin, publisher-
wise, etc., can be easily generated.

3.6.5 Reporting
In addition to the operations mentioned above, the Integrated Library Management
System (ILMS) has to be managed in such a way that users get maximum Notes
benefit, safeguards are in place and timely access of material is ensured. The
reporting module of ILMS includes the following.
 Various reports and statistics related to library activities
 Tools for the analysis of statistical information
 Maintains Lists of user, publishers and suppliers
 Stock verification and develops stock verification report, etc.
Besides the above, this module generates messages for library staff and users.
It also generates reports on lost books, missing books, books sent for binding,
and so on for the purpose of library administration.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 3.2


1. Enumerate different areas of library automation.
2. What is the full form of OPAC? How does it help a user?

3.7 SALIENT FEATURES OF AN AUTOMATED LIBRARY


A library after automating its routines should provide automated services to
bring in the effect of automation to the front end (user). As discussed above
in the circulation division, the bar coding of books and user details, enables
the automated issue and return of books, which is the service any automated
library provides. The salient features of an automated library are to:
 provide users with timely access to library materials;
 eliminate routine tasks or perform them more efficiently;
 reduce the amount of time spent on material acquisition, serials management,
budget administration and record keeping;
 support new means of information retrieval by introducing users to global
information;
 allow users to use search strategies that exceed those that can be used with
card catalogue;

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 allow users to search library’s collection from locations outside the library’s
walls, and
 motivate users and equip them with problem solving and information
retrieval skills.
Notes

INTEXT QUESTIONS 3.3


1. Fill in the blanks with suitable answer.
a) An automated library provides users with timely access to
……………………
b) An automated library eliminates ……………….tasks.
c) An automated library reduces the amount of ………….. spent on
material acquisition.
d) An automated library supports new means of …………………
………………. by introducing users to global information.
e) An automated library allows users to use …………………………….
that exceed those that can be used with card catalogue.
f) An automated library allows users to search ………………………..
from locations outside the library’s walls.
g) An automated library motivates users and ……………………………
skills.

3.8 DIGITAL AND VIRTUAL LIBRARIES


Today, libraries are much more than storehouses for books, journals, and
newspapers, in print form. Present day libraries apart from print resources,
acquire e-resources, audio/visual material, multimedia material and other
resources depending upon the demands from the users. This change is evident
in all kinds of libraries. However, one thing that has not changed is the universe
of information or knowledge; it is forever expanding and is continuing to do
so at ever increasing speeds. Digital and virtual libraries are the outcome of
this speed. The following sections will explain digital and virtual libraries in
brief.

3.8.1 Digital Library


There are many definitions of digital libraries, in simple words; a digital library
is a library in which collections are stored in digital or electronic form and
accessible on computers and other electronic devices. In other words, a digital

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AND SOCIETY
library is a collection of documents in organized electronic form, available for
access on the Internet or on CD-ROM (compact-disk read-only memory) disks.
Depending on the nature of a specific library, a user may be able to access
magazine articles, books, papers, images, sound files, and videos using
computers.
Digital libraries, like traditional libraries, select, acquire, make available, and Notes
preserve collections. The major differences are that digital libraries consist of
resources in machine-readable form only. This implies that the traditional
concept of collection must be revised to accommodate materials that are
accessible electronically.
A Digital library is an organized collection of multimedia data with information
management methods that represent the data as useful information and knowledge
to people in a variety of social and organizational contexts. In general, the digital
library is a structured, processed and organized digital repository of knowledge.
Such a repository is created to serve the user community as the traditional
library. One of the best examples of a digital library is, Digital Library of India
(DLI).
DLI is a digital library of books, predominantly in Indian languages, available
to everyone over the Internet. Books are searchable and free-to-read. In addition,
it provides links to six online Indian newspapers such as Times of India, The
Hindu, Indian Express, Deccan Herald.

Fig.3.2: Snapshot of Digital Library of India < http://www.dli.ernet.in/>

Examples:
(i) Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, Government of India. http://www.tkdl.res.in/tkdl/langdefault/
common/Home.asp?GL=Eng
(ii) Digital Library of India http://www.dli.ernet.in/
(iii) Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) Digital Library, New
Delhi. http://www.ignca.nic.in/dgt_0001.htm

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AND SOCIETY
(iv) Vidyanidhi: Digital Library at Department of Library and Information
Science, Mysore University, Mysore. http://www.vidyanidhi.org.in/home/
index.html

3.8.2 Virtual Library


Notes The virtual library is a collection of full text e-books, journals and databases
from various publishers and sources which can be accessed by library members
at any time from any Internet connected computer, laptop or other portable
device. In simple words, a virtual library is the library without walls. It
is virtual in the sense that it does not have any physical collection of resources.
It aggregates distributed resources and provides links from its website.
The key characteristics of a true virtual library are given below:
 There is no corresponding physical collection.
 Documents are available in electronic format.
 Documents are not stored in any location of the library.
 Library only categorizes and provides links to these resources.
 Documents can be accessed from any workstation.
 Documents are retrieved and delivered as and when required, and
 Effective search and browse facilities are available on the website of the
virtual library.
Virtual libraries often contain more up-to-date information than physical
collections. Their sources can be searched more efficiently than those in
physical libraries, and the information they contain can be updated more
frequently. One of the best examples of a virtual library is WWW Virtual Library
(Fig. 3.3).

Fig.3.3: Snapshot of WWW Virtual Library < http://vlib.org/>


44 LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
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Examples:
(i) Mathematics WWW Virtual Library, maintained by the Florida State
University Department of Mathematics. <http://www.math.fsu.edu/
Virtual/>
(ii) Alabama Virtual Library < http://www.avl.lib.al.us/> Notes

3.8.3 Digital Library Vs. Virtual Library


The terms digital library and virtual library are used interchangeably but it is
not correct. They both have different characteristics which makes them
different.
A digital library is a library consisting of digital materials and services. Digital
materials are items that are stored, processed and transferred via digital devices
and networks and are accessible using computers. A digital library has place
based collection of e-resources and may have even print resources. It provides
access to e-resources held in-house as well as provide links to e-resources held
somewhere else. For example, Digital Library of India provides link to online
edition of various newspapers.
On the other hand, a virtual library is the library which exists only virtually,
that is, the library does not exist in real life. It consists of materials that are
organized in a virtual space using computers and computer networks. The
emphasis in virtual libraries is on organization and access, not on developing
physical collections. For example, The WWW Virtual Library is a catalogue
of web pages compiled by a confederation of volunteers, who compile pages
of key links for particular area in which they have the expertise. Individual Web
pages of these links reside on hundreds of different servers around the world.
A set of catalogue pages, linking these web pages is maintained by the website
of the virtual library at http://www.vlib.org/.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 3.4


1. What is a digital library?
2. List any two digital libraries in India.
3. What is a virtual library?

WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNT


 Computer technology has brought about many changes in the way we live
in this present society.

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MODULE - 1 Modern Library: Automated, Digital and Virtual
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 Computer based systems and telecommunication network continue to be
used in more and more in libraries with the overall aim of providing better
services to the user.
 Library automation may be defined as the application of computers to
perform traditional library housekeeping activities such as, acquisition,
Notes cataloguing, circulation, and serials control.
 The main objective of library automation is to improve the level of service
and quality of output.
 The main areas of library automation are: (i) Acquisition, (ii) Cataloguing,
(iii) Circulation, (iv) OPAC, and (v) Serials control.
 A digital library is a collection of documents in organized electronic form,
available for access on the Internet or on CD-ROM (compact-disk read-
only memory) disks. Depending on the specific library, a user may be able
to access magazine articles, books, papers, images, sound files, and videos
using computers.
 A virtual library is the library which exists only virtually that is, the library
does not exist in real life. It can consist of materials that are organized in
a virtual space using computers and computer networks. The emphasis in
virtual libraries is on organization and access, not on developing physical
collections.
 A Virtual library is the library without walls and without any physical
collection..

TERMINAL QUESTIONS
1. Discuss the need for library automation.
2. Briefly explain the areas of library automation.
3. What is the main difference OPAC and Web OPAC?
4. Describe the salient features of an automated library.
5. Distinguish between digital and virtual library.

ANSWER TO INTEXT QUESTIONS


3.1

1. Library automation may be defined as the application of computers to


perform traditional library housekeeping activities such as, acquisition,
cataloguing, circulation, and serials control.

46 LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE


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AND SOCIETY
2. The reasons for library automation are: (i) to increase operational
efficiency (ii) to cope with increasing demand for services; (iii) to improve
the quality of services; (iv) to provide new services which are otherwise
not possible; (v) to improve the management of information products and
services; (vi) to facilitate wider access to information for the users; (vii)
to facilitate wider dissemination of information product and services; (viii)
to participate in resource sharing/ library networks; and (ix) to enable easy Notes
communication with other libraries and professionals.
3.2

1. The main areas of library automation are: (i) Acquisition, (ii) Cataloguing,
(iii) Circulation, (iv) OPAC, and (v) Serials control.
2. OPAC stands for Online Public Access Catalogue. It is a computerized
catalogue of library resources available to public for searching online. In
other words, OPAC is an interactive search module of an automated
Integrated Library Management System (ILMS). OPAC is very dynamic,
in the sense, that it is highly flexible, easy and economical to maintain and
capable to meet almost every possible approach of the user. The searching
capability is very fast and accurate.
3.3

1. (a) library materials, (b) routine, (c) time, (d) information retrieval, (e)
search strategies (f) library’s collection, and (g) equip them with information
retrieval.
3.4

1. A digital library is a collection of documents in organized electronic form,


available for access on the Internet or on CD-ROM (compact-disk read-
only memory) disks.
2. Two digital libraries in India are: Traditional Knowledge Digital Library,
and Digital Library of India.
3. A Virtual library is a library without walls.

GLOSSARY
Acquisitions The method of procurement of all types of library materials,
whether by purchase, gift or exchange.
Barcode A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of
data relating to the object to which it is attached.
Cataloguing It is a process by which we render a collection of bibliographic
materials arranged in a chosen order readily accessible to the
users of the library.

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MODULE - 1 Modern Library: Automated, Digital and Virtual
LIBRARY, INFORMATION
AND SOCIETY
Circulation Covers all the aspects associated with the borrowing of
library materials by the users of the library.
IT Information Technology (IT) is the technology to access,
store, process and transmit information. It includes processing
and telecommunication technologies.
Notes Serials Control The activities related to acquiring, processing and maintaining
periodicals in a library.
OPAC Online Public Access Catalogue. It can facilitate a user to
access library materials while in the library with the help of
library automation software.
RFID Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is the use of a
wireless non-contact system that uses radio-frequency
electromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to
an object, for the purposes of automatic identification and
tracking.
Web OPAC Web OPAC is an OPAC. It is accessible all the time from
anywhere in the world with the help of Internet.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
Visit the nearest University Library and do the following tasks:
(i) Observe and note down different library activities;
(ii) Find out ILMS being used by the University library;
(iii) Search a book title using OPAC;
(iv) List the different modules in ILMS;
(v) Enumerate the different functions in each module of ILMS, and
(vi) Issue a book using barcode scanner.
(vii) Visit website of Digital Library of India, search for mission, goal and
current status of the library and prepare a write up of the same.
(viii)Visit Website of WWW virtual library and find out following information
about it- How it started, where it is located, and who runs it?

WEBSITES
(i) Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, Government of India.
<http://www.tkdl.res.in/tkdl/langdefault/common/Home.asp?GL=Eng>
(ii) Digital Library of India <http://www.dli.ernet.in/>.

48 LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE


Modern Library: Automated, Digital and Virtual MODULE - 1
LIBRARY, INFORMATION
AND SOCIETY
(iii) Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) Digital Library, New
Delhi.
<http://www.ignca.nic.in/dgt_0001.htm>
(iv) Vidyanidhi: Digital Library at Department of Library and Information
Science, Mysore University, Mysore.
Notes
<http://www.vidyanidhi.org.in/home/index.html>

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE 49

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