INFORMATION CENTER : A CASE STUDY By Mrs. Sumadevi. S Librarain And Mr. Shivakumara R.M Asst. Librarian ACHARYA INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES # 89/90, Soladevanahalli, Hesaraghatta Main Road, Chikkabanavara Post, BANGALORE – Ph.: 080 – (O) Fax: E.mail:

CONTENTS  Introduction  Need for the study  Scope  Objectives  Methodology  NewGenLib  LIC  Conclusion

INTRODUCTION  Library is service oriented as well as non-profit organization.  The motto of the library is to serve the community of clientele efficiently & effectively and also satisfy the 3R’s.  In order to attain the goals, library has to implement the tools & technologies.  OSS is boon for LIS as well apt for meet user needs in ICT age.  This study reveal that NewGenLib is OSS-ILAP, how it is worthwhile to libraries.

NEED FOR THE STUDY  There are several software in the field of library and information science to automate the library through Government and private agencies.  Even in richest countries the library having inadequate financial problems.  Hence the open sources are helping the librarians to automate the library.  The present study has been tried to reveal features and characteristics of open source package NewGenLib.

SCOPE  The study covers only NewGenLib using at AIGS Library & Information Center, Bangalore.

OBJECTIVES  To support and achieve the goals and objectives of the organization.  To identify the collection, organize, store and retrieve the digital forms of information like bibliography, digital attachments etc.  To identify and evaluate NewGenLib software that can be helpful in automating the library.  To provide effective and efficient service to the organization with less budget involvement.

METHODOLOGY  To meet the objectives of the above case study we used best possible solution as NewGeLib software for automation of our library.  In order to achieve the objectives such as collect, select, store, dissemination, utilize, library resources over the network of the organization.

AIGS-LIC  Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies, LIC situated in Bangalore, Karnataka.  It was established in the year  The college offers Under Graduate and Post Graduate Programmes.  AIGS LIC has 700 registered users with collection of 6000 volumes of books, subscribed 60 journals/magazines print version, 370 CD-ROM’s including books, journals, students projects, e-learning etc.

AIGS-LIC Conti……..  Library is automated with open source software NewGenLib.  Implemented all the modules. We provide online access to catalogue.

AIGS-LIC Conti……..

 Apart from that user can avail the services through central library web site, by accessing open source literature, E-references, E- journals, book recommendation form, question papers, Syllabus, free online resources to the institute user’s community.

AIGS-LIC Conti……..

OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE  Open Source software is computer software whose source code is available under a license that permits users to use, change, and improve the software, and to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form” --Wikipedia  OSS Such as Koha, NewGenlib, Evergreen etc.

NewGenLib  New Generation Library Software, OSS-ILAP.  Which developed by KIIKM & VSPL in India at  It became an open source product under the GNU GPL License in January of  All modules like acquisitions, serials management, cataloging, circulation, and a patron access catalog etc are web based.  It uses Java and a back-end database as PostgreSQL.  It can be installed on Windows or Linux.

NewGenLib FEATURES  Freedom: Available under GNU GPL v3.  Functional modules are completely web based.  Supports international standards such as MARC-21, AACR-2, UNICODE, XML and Dublin Core.  Internationalized application (I18N) - Unicode 3.0 complaint - Easily extensible to support other languages

NewGenLib FEATURES  Allow multilingual data entry, storage and retrieval in Indian languages.  Uses chiefly open source components Scalable, manageable and efficient  z39.50 Client for federated searching  OS independent - Windows and Linux flavors available.

NewGenLib FEATURES  RFID integration  Networking – Hierarchical and Distributed networks  Automated /instant messaging integrated into different functions of the software  Form letters are configurable and use XML- based OpenOffice templates  Extensive use of set up parameters enabling easy configuration of the software to suit specific needs, e.g., in defining patron privileges  Supports multi-user and multiple security levels

QUALITIES OF NewGenLib  User friendly, easy to use, compatible with international standards  WebOPAC is self instructed interface and informative.  Allows the attachment of digital objects such as full text in PDF or MS-Word, image files, sound, video clips, etc., to catalogue records.

PROBLEMS FACED WITH NewGenLib  NewGenLib does not consider “zero” prefix in the beginning accession series (0001, 002), it consider only 1,2,3 series.  There is no field for inputting the price in the primary cataloguing while the conversion of retrospective bibliographical data.  Generating barcodes in the NewGenlib is incomplete.  Generating reports has not integrated with the same software, for which need to install additional desktop war package.

Conti……  While generating reports all existing file formats are not functioning properly.  There are hidden cost may be experience, spending time for monitoring.  Upcoming NewGenlib version may be commercial, so it is difficult to continue with the older version.

STRENGTH OF NewGenLib  Low cost  Ability to tailor to fit local needs  Free redistribution  Free Source Code the right to modify it is very important  Integrity of the author's source code  No discrimination against persons or groups, fields or endeavor  Distribution of License  License must not be specific to a product  License must be technology-neutral  There is no single entity on which the future of the software depends  It provides a new forum for democratic action

WEAKNESS OF NewGenLib  Unanticipated cost  Lack of coordination  Inadequate training technical support  AMC  Lack of guarantees and remedies  Scalability and speed

SUGGESTED CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING NewGenLib  There is current development activity  Supports international standards such as MARC- 21, AACR-2, UNICODE, XML and Dublin Core.  Current source code and documentation are available for downloading. under the GNU General Public License.  The product is currently in use in libraries.  Scalability is not an issue—There is no risk of database size or activity levels exceeding the capacity of the software.

CONCLUSION NewGenLib is open for all new generation librarians. It is boon or gift of IIKM & Verus solutions Pvt. Ltd., to libraries. NewGenLib is a full-fledged integrated library automation package, all modules are comprehensively established. Even though NewGenLib has some drawbacks/problems, with anticipation problems can be solved by next upcoming version, that should be remain OSS. Apart from that developer of NewGenLib has to provide much more online as well as off line support about proper training, technical help, annual maintenance etc. Then it would be smart product to the library community, and also parallel competitor to the commercial software packages.

Any Questions ? & Suggestions