SHORT - TERM PROGRAMME

National Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh, organized a short term programme on Digital Library Management. Programme was conducted for five days from 18th January to 22 January 2016 . Mr. K. U. Farooqui, Librarian from Dronacharya College of Engineering , Gurgaon attended the programme. Total 21 participants across the northern region Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh ,Uttrakhand attended the programme.

The main objective of the programme was to provide comprehensive & indepth knowledge of Digital Library content.

On day one in first session, customary registration and inauguration of the course was conducted. Dr. Manmohan Singh, Librarian NITTTR Chandigarh, welcomes to participants and give a talk on the importance of Digital Library Collection in the present day scenario. He very rightly said that now - a - days Digital Library Collection is a very much integral part of the library collection and libraries should organize their Digital Library Collection in such a way that it should be user friendly to the users. Total 15 sessions were covered in the programme.

Dr. Raj Kumar, Librarian, Punjab University gives a talk on Digital Library: Experience of Punjab University and shared his experience. He said now - a - day e - books and e - journals are very popular among the academic community and various open source software are available for managing these resources. He also shared his experience of automatised circulation system at the Punjab University Library. He said we have put two ATM (3M) machine at circulation counter for automatic circulation. In open access system reader just took the book and place it under the machine at designated place after putting his / her card, and just feed pass word , transaction took place . The detail of the transaction is displayed on the display and machine gives a slip for the transaction. Reader just took the book and passed in security gate. For any un issued item security gates gives beep. For returning an item reader need not to come inside the library just drop the book at the window counter (ATM Machine) details of the transaction displayed and slip printed. Whole process is user friendly; it saves the time of the reader and same time staff is not required for the circulation. Furthermore ATM Machine can work up to any time decided by the library policy, in the case of Punjab University Library it is 9.00 A M to 9.00 P M. I have seen working of these machine while we have visited the Punjab University Library. We may implement this technology to our library, it has a good potential on return on investment.

Dr. Jatinder Kumar Librarian, Baddi University , Baddi (H P ) gives his presentation on Digital Library Technologies: Koha, an open source library automation software. How digital collection of a library can be easily manage with the help of this library. He also give emphasis on On - line courses available free or with very little cost to enhance professional competencies. He examples of Massive Open On - line courses (MOOC) and Moodle. Various courses in different fields are available also on by John Hopkins University, Stanford University, U N University and Yale University etc. While learning on - Line one can also earn certificate from these world famous institutions.

Dr. Neeraj Kumar from Punjab University Library gave a presentation on Greenstone, an open source software for Digital Library Management. He gives detailed talk on how Greenstone software can be downloaded, installed and configured. Various documents in the library can be scanned and digital files can be uploaded on the software for easy access. In first phase software Greenstone for the old question papers, syllabi for different courses and photographs of different events can be used. A tutorial with hands on practice on the software was also given by him.

Dr. Neeraj Kumar also discussed ICT retrieval tools, RSS, Blogs, Wikis and Social Media (Facebook and Twitter) and their application to library services. He also suggests library should have a facebook page to interact with the users as social media is very popular among new generation.

E - Books; how to manage them is covered by Dr. P Khurana Director American Information Service, Chandigarh Centre. E - Journals in the libraries is covered by Ms Neleema from PGI Library Chandigarh. Both give emphasis on licensing agreement before acquiring e - resources for the Library. Terms & conditions for e - resources should be discussed thoroughly with the vendors like down able limit, concurrent users and archival access etc.

Dr Manmohan Singh also gives a presentation on Cloud Computing & Libraries. How resources can be shared and may taken out on rent with service provider on cloud without spending on hardware and software cost. Digital Right Management (DRM) is an important issue while taking out services.

It was a very good learning experience to attend a very contemporary short term course on Digital Library Management. It gives me a chance to interact experts in the field with practicality and refreshed my knowledge on Digital Library Management covering almost all aspects of the Digital Library Management. The STC has improved my skills and knowledge in the field and will improve Digital Library Management (on - line resources, E - Journals, and other digital contents) in the college library. It also provides me an opportunity to keep updated with the latest developments in the area.

Programme was very informative and contemporary to present day requirement in relation to new information communication technology.