Indian institutions have to take giant strides to make libraries the sought-after knowledge centre for research, according to S.Raghavan, Senior Faculty of Electronics and Communications Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi.
Only a handful libraries in elite institutions qualify for the world class categorisation. Before according digital status or considering libraries as world class, there are quite a few factors to be kept in mind, says Dr.Raghavan, citing the observations he made during his recent stay at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) as visiting scholar.
They are: Book drop in boxes; Photocopying and printing facilities in every floor (self operation with smart cards); good number of high-tech computer terminals; automatic issue and full RFID (Radio Frequency Identification); a fool-proof unmanned exit gate; a dedicated floor for music library; individual and presentation rooms; typewriters; silent zones; and appealing furniture.
The user-friendly CSUN Library in spacious setttings, for instance, contains 1.4 million volume collections with three million microforms. The library provides extensive electronic databases, full-text journals and books and services through its web presence. It also contains an automated storage and retrieval system which houses 700,000 volumes. Few of the databases are Lexis Nexis database, Thomson Gale database and Chicano database.
Its Music and Media wing holds a collection of printed music scores and books and sound recordings on CDs, audio cassettes and laptops. Besides books on music, over 9,100 music tapes and DVDs for faculty or classroom use are kept in this area. Listening and viewing facilities are available for a variety of media.
Three new state of the art microfilm and microfiche self-service, digital laser printers are available in the Microform room. Viewing carrels are available for individual study, and a group viewing room provides preview and discussion space. Students also could bring their own videotapes, DVDs, audio tapes, CDs or slides for viewing or listening. The library has access to over 28,000 full-text electronic journal, magazine or newspaper titles from the databases to which the library subscribes.
Photocopying, printing and scanning services are available on all the four floors of the library. This is a boon to researchers. Most visitors utilize a value-added debit card. In addition, coin-operated machines are also available. Colour photocopying, facsimile services, drop-off photocopy services, and colour scanning including scanning with paper print, scanning to file, transparency page creation, and colour printing are available.
The library has three large rooms namely Presentation room that a seating capacity of 200, built-in sound with microphone, a video projector and built-in screen. There is also a conference room with conference tables and a built-in screen. Administration conference room has in addition to the above facilities, a smart board.
Quiet zones are available wherein study rooms are built. Group study rooms with white boards are open to the users. Two manual typewriters for patron use are located in one floor. Pay phones and 'campus only' phones are at the disposal of the users.
Courtesy: R.Krishnamoorthy, The Hindu, Madurai, November 5, 2007
