Network (DELNET): Objectives and Services KM Musthafa Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002 E-mail:
[email protected] Abstract The author has broadly described the objectives, facilities and services of the DELNET after its transformation from the old ‘Delhi Library Network’ to the new ‘Developing Library Network’ 1. Introduction ‘A system of computers, from large mainframes to laptops, is linked to share information, that is a network’. Networking is a new mode of information sharing among organizations or persons. In the context of library science, Alphonse F. Trezza has defined, Networks as ‘a formal organization among libraries for co-operation and sharing of resources, in which the group as a whole is organized into subgroups of which it is a member’. DELNET has been in operation since January 1988 as a metropolitan area network among Delhi libraries. Later it became ‘Developing Library Network’ enlarging its membership through out the country and even out of India. History of DELNET The Delhi Library Network has been in operation since January 1988 and was registered, as a society in July 1992, sponsored by NISSAT, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India. It is being promoted by the National Informatics Centre, Planning Commission Government of India and India International Centre, New Delhi. The main objective of DELNET was ‘to promote sharing of resources among the libraries, by collecting, storing and disseminating information and by offering computerized services to the users to coordinate efforts for suitable collection development and reducing unnecessary duplication wherever possible’. In the beginning there were only 31 institutions as institutional members and three associate institutional members all from Delhi. Later gradually its membership increased. This growth of membership out of Delhi necessitated the making of an amendment in its name. Thus on September 13, 2000 the name was changed from Delhi Library Network to the Developing Libraries Network. This change expanded the scope from a metropolitan network without any limitation of borders, serving the users any where in the world. Now the membership of DELNET is growing at a fast rate. In 1997-2000 the total number of member libraries were 153 but it reached 276 on 1st November 2001. From almost all the states of India and from other SAARC countries such Oman, Philippines and United States, covering general, science and technology, social sciences and humanities libraries, which include all types of libraries such as academic, research/special, public, government, diplomatic mission, UN agencies and other miscellaneous libraries. Kelpro Bulletin, 6 (1) June 2002
40
2. Objectives of DELNET • • • • • • • • • • •
To promote sharing of resources among the libraries by developing a network of libraries, by collecting, storing and disseminating information and by offering computerized services to the users. To undertake scientific research in the area of information science and technology, create new systems in the field, apply the results of research and publish them. To offer technical guidance to member libraries on collecting, storing, sharing and disseminating information. To co-ordinate efforts for suitable collection development and reduce unnecessary duplication wherever possible. To establish/facilitate the establishment of referral and/or research centers, and maintain a central online union catalogue of books, serials and non-book materials of all the participating libraries. To facilitate and promote delivery of documents manually or mechanically. To develop specialized bibliographic database of books, serials and non-book materials. To develop database of projects, specialists and institutions. To possess and maintain electronic and mechanical equipment for speedy communication of information and delivery of electronic mail. To co-ordinate with other regional, national and international networks and libraries for exchange of information and documents. Organize national workshops and meets.
3. Facilities from DELNET DELNET is providing the following facilities to members: 3.1 Delnet Databases a) Union Catalogue of Books - CCF: Delnet online union catalogue has 10,26,827 bibliographic records. It is continuously updated and the request for inter library loan can be placed through the online system. b) Union catalogue of books - MARK format: Delnet union catalogue of books in MARC book format presently has 27,231 records. c) Union list of current periodicals: DELNET has created union list of current periodicals in science and technology, social sciences and humanities. This database is available online to DELNET users. It now lists 16,497 periodicals and is regularly updated and new titles are added annually. d) Union catalogue of periodicals: union catalogue of periodicals maintained by DELNET presently contains 15,487 records, which include full holdings data of the libraries. e) Database of periodical articles: this can be searched under the title, author, compiler, name of periodical and subject. At present the database contains 2,18,218 records. f) CD-ROM Databases: it is a compilation of bibliographic database of CDROMs available with the member libraries. It has 1,214 records. g) Union list of Video Recordings: this is a database of videocassettes available in DELNET member libraries and has about 2,278 listings.
Kelpro Bulletin, 6 (1) June 2002
41
h) Union list of Sound Recordings: this union list consists of audiocassette records available in member libraries. This has 708 listings. i) Database of Urdu Manuscripts: this list 210 manuscripts available in Delhi libraries. j) Database of Theses and Dissertations: A database of theses and dissertations submitted to Indian Universities, which covers various subjects, has been started. The database has 16,587 records. k) Indian Specialists Database - who is who: this database now has 2000 records. Entry can be searched under the name area of specialization, subjects interests, languages known, etc. l) Union list of Newspapers: this database of newspapers records the title, name of editor, place of publication, email address and web address of internet edition. m) Serials - Management Libraries: a database containing nearly 800 serials, received in various management libraries has been made online. n) DEVINSA Database: Development Information Network for South Asia (DEVINSA) is a special database on socio-economic issues. It has nearly 20000 records of periodical articles, books and unpublished materials on socioeconomic issues. o) Profile of member libraries: a directory containing information about the member libraries is available. 3.2 Access to Database through INTERNET DELNET provides access to the following database and listervs through INTERNET/NICNET. a) GISTNIC: DELNET provide access to GISTNIC database of the National Informatics Centre. b) LOC: DELNET provides online access to the library of congress catalogue. c) NLM: DELNET provides online access to various databases of the National Library of Medicine like Medline, AIDSline, Popline etc. d) U.S. Patents: the online access to full text US Patents. e) Index to The Hindu: Delnet is providing index to The Hindu online newspaper to its users. One lakh indexed news items are available covering its 1996-98 period of the Chennai edition. f) NET HAPPENINGS g) IFLA h) LIBJOBS i) BOOK REVIEWS FROM INTERNET j) Current contents 3.3 National Bibliographic Database DELNET undertook the compilation of the national bibliographic database with the support of the department of culture, Government of India in 1998 as a pilot project. 50,000 records of books were created at Punjab University, Patiala and International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai. At present compilation works are going on at Andhra University, Asiatic Society of Bombay and Asiatic Society, Kolkata.
Kelpro Bulletin, 6 (1) June 2002
42
3.4 DELNET – AICTE MOU DELNET recently has signed an MOU with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to modernize and network through DELNET all the technical institution approved by AICTE in the country. 3.5 Training Programs Delnet arranges tutorials, workshops, lectures and training programmes every year time to time besides a National Convention on Library and Information Networking (NACLIN) 3.6 Software Development DELNET has development some library software such as: a) DEL-DOS: It is based on the DOS Platform b) DELMARC c) DEL PLUS 3.7 Other Services a) Retro-conversion: Delnet undertakes retro-conversion projects periodically. b) Referral center: Delnet maintains a referral center to provide reference facilities to participating libraries. c) Database creation: DELNET assists the participating libraries in creation of bibliographic databases. It also provides technical assistance to member libraries in handling IT applications in libraries. d) ILL Online: ILL requests can be registered online for books. It is an optional service and an amount of Rs. 4000/- per year plus delnet photocopying charges has to be paid. e) E-mail: DELNET provides, RENNIC E-mail and INTERNET Facilities. It is also an optional service. f) Internet TCP/IP connectivity: full Internet TCP/IP connectivity is given to members in Delhi through NIC. 4 Publications i)
The Delnet Newsletter Through this newsletter Delnet spreads the message of library networking and increases awareness about latest developments. It is also used to communicate with the members about the progress Delnet is making in various fields. 5 Conclusion The rebirth of Delnet as Developing Library Network is a new dimension in the realm of resource sharing and information networks in India while the INFLIBNET concentrates among the universities and academic libraries, Delnet tries to solder the links with all kinds of libraries irrespective of their types and subjects. This hetrogenic nature of resource center helps the Delnet users to have their information, which is diverse in nature. Because of this peculiarity, and effective services there is a daily growth in the membership of Delnet.
Kelpro Bulletin, 6 (1) June 2002
43
References 1. Katz, William A. Introduction to reference works. Vol. 1 Ed. 7, pp44 2. Khan MTM. Information organization and communication. 3. Sehgal, RC (1996). Introduction to library network, New Delhi, ESS ESS publication 4. Kaul, HK (2001). Director’s Report 2000-2001, Developing library Network. 5. Hewitt, Joe A Ed (1987). Advances in library automation and networking: A research annual, London, Jai Press 6. http://www.delnet.nic.in
Kelpro Bulletin, 6 (1) June 2002
44
