Information technology and online resources in dental college libraries of Haryana.

Sharma, Chetan

Introduction

Information technology (IT) is not a new concept. In the last decade, IT education and applications have continued to move forward. IT education in the state of Haryana has been enhanced and strengthened recently. Haryana is among the smallest states of India in both population and geography, but it is committed to providing every kind of education to its students. It is taking the lead in the field of medical education, with nine dental colleges. In medical and dental science, IT is essential. Library professionals working with medical organizations have a great challenge to fulfill the needs of demanding users for library and information service and resources. The use of IT is necessary to give access to e-resources. This study reflects the current state of the implementation of IT in dental libraries, and attempts to evaluate the current potential of special and academic libraries to provide access to scientific and research information.

Objectives

* To study the IT infrastructures at dental college libraries of the Haryana State

* To find and examine the patterns of use of IT by the respondents in their professional activities

* To analyse respondents' perception of the appropriateness of different IT tools.

* To study the problems faced by respondents in using IT infrastructure.

* To study the obstacles and initiatives in implementing the IT infrastructure.

Previous Studies

A number of studies have been carried out on IT in universities and research organizations. Womboth and Abba (2008) found that The Federal University of Technology, Yola library has embraced ICT in its services. Catalogue cards are now produced by computer. FUTYLIS, locally developed software, is being used to prepare the library's OPAC. This is to be replaced by the more comprehensive ALICE FOR WINDOWS Software in order to completely offer online services. Out of the eight academic librarians, six are computer/Internet-literate. The library has seven computer operators. Saeed, et al., (2000) observe that availability of funds and lack of IT infrastructure were reported by a majority of the in university libraries of Pakistan. Similar results were found in a later study by Haider (2004). Ramzan (2004) reveals that 57 of out of 244 libraries did not any have any computers. The majority, 129 libraries, had fewer than 5 each, 48 had 5-20, and 10 libraries had more than 20 computers. Only 57 percent of academic and research libraries offered e-mail, and 53 percent had Internet access in their libraries. His studies also reveal a generally low level of IT knowledge among librarians. Askhita (2000) describes how since 1998, Al-Assad National Library has allowed its visitors to use the Internet, and has also published its online public access catalogue on an Internet-enabled server. He also advises that the Arab world should become involved in information production and e-commerce. Al-Zahrani (2000) says that Kuwait University library has introduced CD-ROM and Internet facility in its libraries. Similarly, University of Bahrain libraries have implemented an electronic check-out system, and are using CD-ROM databases. Taran and Gorman (1999) conclude state that many Vietnamese libraries now have basic IT hardware and software, and the telecommunications infrastructure has improved to the point that most libraries have reliable telephone links. Gorny and Jazdon (1997) recognize that the best developed IT infrastructure is found in academic libraries, while the situation is worse in special libraries, because of a lack of financial funds.

Methodology

A questionnaire was structured to collect the primary data. Visits were made to all the dental college libraries of Haryana, where the librarians were consulted. Information was also collected from the official documents of the colleges.

The study is limited to the dental college libraries of Haryana, which are listed in table 1.

There are nine dental colleges in Harayana state. All offer a bachelor's degree in dental surgery (BDS). All are self-financed except DHADC. Only two colleges, DHADC and MMDC provide a master's degree in dental surgery (MDS).

Discussion

Collections of the Dental College libraries

MMDC library has the largest collection, followed by GGSDC and SDDDC. Two-thirds of these libraries have fewer than 5,000 books. DHADC is the only government college in the group, and it has the lowest number of books. MMDC and DHADC have the largest collection of e-journals. A large majority have no collection of theses and dissertations.

MMDC library has the largest collection of journals, with 80. The rest have around 30 titles, with the government college DHADC at the bottom with only 14.

Library Automation

Only two of nine institutions are fully computerized, with four being partially computerized. DHADC has no automated services and none planned. This is a shocking outcome in the era of ICT, since new technologies are coming into existence very rapidly and older ones quickly becoming obsolete. Only MMDC library has standardized library software, i.e., SOUL, with the others surviving with locally-developed solutions.

Factors leading to automation

In all the six dental college libraries that are fully or partially automated, this is due to the initiative taken by the librarians. All the college libraries have implemented automation to improve the quality of the services except DLDC library. Along with the above factors, the managing authorities in MRDC, MMDC, and SDDDC were also willing to see the libraries automated. MRDC, GGSDC, and SDDDC libraries also implemented automation to minimize the repetitive work.

Steps in implementation

A majority of the college librarians have attended seminars or conferences on automation before implementing it. MRDC, MMDC, and SRDC libraries sent their staffs for training. Library personnel at MRDC, GGSDC, and SDDDC have also taken some more steps to lead library automation, i.e., study related literature, visit automated libraries, discuss with other librarians.

E-Journal subscriptions

BDA: British Dental Association; NPG: Nature Publishing Group; LWW: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

There are a number of online journal packages in the field of dental science, of which some popular packages have been listed in table 7. The libraries mainly subscribe to Blackwell and Elsevier. The absence of online journals in these libraries indicates that the level of research in these colleges is low.

Infrastructure

Less than half the libraries have telephones, and less that one fourth have faxing capability. The lack of these is a major barrier to communication. The same numbers have television and LCD projector, respectively. The dental college libraries of Haryana are facing a lack of basic facilities which needed in any library. Hardware

MRDC and DLDC libraries have the largest number of PCs. GGSDC and SRDC are next, with BRSDC and DHADC at the bottom. All the libraries have their own server except BRSDC and PDMDC. All have printers except BRSDC.

Operating systems

A majority of the libraries under study use Windows 98, while nearly half have implemented Windows 2000. Only MRDC and SDDDC have launched Windows XP. LAN installed

Networking is essential to optimize the use of automated services. All the institutions have set up a LAN except BRSDC and DLDC. Only MMDC and PDMDC have established a LAN at campus level.

Internet connection

Slightly more than half the libraries have leased line Internet connectivity. DHADC has broadband access. BRSDC and DLDC do not have Internet connectivity. Internet service provider

One third of the libraries use GLIDE as an Internet service provider. Libraries of DHADC and PDMDC use BSNL, and MRDC uses VSNL.

Conclusion

Most of the dental college libraries in this study are in a beginning stage, and will continue to mature. There is an urgent need for improvement in the IT infrastructure. There is a clear lack of e-resources. Due to non-availability of any external financial aid and the self-financed nature of the institutions, there has always been a state of financial crisis in these libraries.

References

Al-Zahrani, R.S. (2000). Perceptions concerning Information Technology (IT) innovations and IT training in university libraries in Saudi Arabia. Florida State University, Tallahasee, FL, Doctoral dissertation. (Dissertation Abstracts International, Online)

Askhita, H. (2000). The Internet in Syria. Online Information Review 24 (2):144-9.

Gorny, M., & Jazdon, A. (1997). The implementation of information technology projects in Polish research and academic libraries in the early 1990s: Questions of scope and effectiveness. Library Management 18 (6): 280-285.

Haider, S.J. (2004). Perspectives on coping with change: Issues facing university libraries in Pakistan. Journal of Academic Librarianship 30 (3): 229-36.

Ramzan, M. (2004). Levels of information technology (IT) applications in Muslim world libraries. Electronic Library 22 (3):274-80.

Saeed, H. (2000). Internet use in university libraries of Pakistan. Online Information Review 24 (2):15460.

Tran, L.A., & Gorman, G.E. ( 1999). The implementation of information technology in Vietnamese libraries. Asian Libraries 8 (10): 380-395.

Womboth, B.S.H., & Abba, T. (2008). The state of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Nigerian university libraries: The experience of Ibrahim Babangida Library, Federal University of Technology, Yola. Library Philosophy and Practice (December)

Dr. Chetan Sharma

Assistant Librarian

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

Delhi, India

Table 1

College Abbreviation Courses
 offered

B.R.S Dental College, Panchkula BRSDC BDS
D.H.A Govt. Dental College, Rohtak DHADC BDS, MDS
Jan Nayak Choudhary Devi Lal Dental College,
 Sirsa DLDC BDS
Manav Rachna Dental College, Faridabad MRDC BDS
Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental
 Science & Research, Mullana (Ambala) MMDC BDS, MDS
P.D.M Dental College & Research Institute,
 Bahadurgarh PDMDC BDS
Shri Guru Gobind Singh Tercentenary Dental
 College, Budhera (Gurgaon) GGSDC BDS
Sudha Rastogi Dental College, Bhopani
 (Faridabad) SRDC BDS
Swami Devi Dayal Hospital & Dental College,
 Barwala (Pachkula) SDDDC BDS

Table 2

College Books Thesis & E-Books
 Dissertation

BRSDC 3911 25 no
DHADC 880 30 no
DLDC 2423 no no
MRDC 1113 no no
MMDC 6373 no no
PDMDC 3004 no no
GGSDC 5800 no 12
SRDC 4050 no no
SDDDC 5225 no 25

College E-Journals CD

BRSDC no no
DHADC 20 no
DLDC no 30
MRDC no 50
MMDC 37 130
PDMDC no 161
GGSDC 07
 135
SRDC no 50
SDDDC 13 157

Table 3

College Indian Foreign Total

BRSDC 10 12 22
DHADC no 14 14
DLDC 08 18 26
MRDC 09 10 19
MMDC 16 64 80
PDMDC 05 15 20
GGSDC 15 15 30
SRDC 06 09 15
SDDDC 16 13 29

Table 4

 Year library Year of
College established automation Software

BRSDC 1992 no no

DHADC 1964 no no

DLDC 2005 2007 Lib. Mgt.
 System

MRDC 2006 2006 Gaba

MMDC Feb. 2000 2007 SOUL

PDMDC Sept. 2006 no no

GGSDC 2000 2001 In-House

SRDC Oct. 2002 2001 In-House

SDDDC 2004 2003 Libzee

 Automation
College Modules Status

BRSDC no no

DHADC no no

DLDC Circulation, Partially
 Maintenance
 Acquisition, OPAC

MRDC Circulation, Fully
 Maintenance
 Acquisition, OPAC

MMDC Circulation, Partially
 Maintenance
 Acquisition, OPAC

PDMDC no Proposed

GGSDC Circulation, Partially
 Maintenance, OPAC

SRDC Circulation, Partially
 Maintenance, OPAC

SDDDC Circulation, Fully
 Maintenance
 Acquisition, OPAC

Table 5

College Librarian's Users Workload Management
 initiative

DLDC yes no no no
MRDC yes no no yes
MMDC yes no no yes
GGSDC yes no no no
SRDC yes no no no
SDDDC yes no no yes

College Improve in Minimize
 quality repetitive
 work

DLDC no no
MRDC yes yes
MMDC yes no
GGSDC yes yes
SRDC yes no
SDDDC yes yes

Table 6

 Seminars and
 Conferences Visit
 Staff on Library Study Related Automated
College Training Automation Literature Libraries

DLDC no no no no
MRDC yes yes yes yes
MMDC yes yes no no
GGSDC no yes yes yes
SRDC yes no no no
SDDDC no yes yes yes

 Discuss with
 Other
College Librarians

DLDC no
MRDC yes
MMDC no
GGSDC yes
SRDC no
SDDDC yes

Table 7

College Blackwell BDA Elsevier Springer

BRSDC no no no no
DHADC yes no yes no
DLDC no no no no
MRDC yes no yes no
MMDC yes yes yes no
PDMDC no no no no
GGSDC yes no yes no
SRDC yes no yes no
SDDDC yes no no no

College Metaline NPG LWW Academic

BRSDC no no no no
DHADC no no yes no
DLDC no no no no
MRDC no no no no
MMDC no no no no
PDMDC no no no no
GGSDC no no no no
SRDC no no no no
SDDDC no no no no

College Prime

BRSDC no
DHADC no
DLDC no
MRDC no
MMDC no
PDMDC no
GGSDC no
SRDC no
SDDDC yes

Table 8

College Telephone Fax

BRSDC no no
DHADC yes no
DLDC no no
MRDC yes no
MMDC yes yes
PDMDC no yes
GGSDC yes no
SRDC no no
SDDDC no no

College LCD Projector T.V.

BRSDC no no
DHADC yes yes
DLDC yes no
MRDC no no
MMDC no yes
PDMDC no no
GGSDC yes yes
SRDC no yes
SDDDC yes yes

Table 9

College PCs Server UPS

BRSDC 04 no 03
DHADC 04 01 01
DLDC 30 01 06
MRDC 31 01 01
MMDC 05 01 04
PDMDC 05 no 05
GGSDC 19 01 22
SRDC 11 01 11
SDDDC 06 02 06

 Barcode
College Printer Scanner Scanner

BRSDC no no no
DHADC 01 02 no
DLDC 01 no no
MRDC 01 01 no
MMDC 01 01 no
PDMDC 01 01 no
GGSDC 02 02 no
SRDC 01 01 no
SDDDC 02 no 01

Table 10

College Windows 95 Windows 98 Windows 2000 Windows XP

BRSDC no yes no no
DHADC no yes no no
DLDC no no yes no
MRDC no no no yes
MMDC no no yes no
PDMDC yes yes yes no
GGSDC no yes yes no
SRDC no yes no no
SDDDC no no no yes

 Windows
College Vista Unix Linux

BRSDC no no no
DHADC no no no
DLDC no no no
MRDC no no no
MMDC no no no
PDMDC no no no
GGSDC no no no
SRDC no no no
SDDDC no no no

Table 11

College Institute Library

BRSDC no no
DHADC no yes
DLDC no no
MRDC no yes
MMDC yes yes
PDMDC yes yes
GGSDC no yes
SRDC no yes
SDDDC no yes

Table 12

College Dial Up Leased Line Broad band

BRSDC no no no
DHADC no no yes
DLDC no no no
MRDC no yes no
MMDC no yes no
PDMDC no yes no
GGSDC yes no no
SRDC no yes no
SDDDC no yes no

Table 13

College ERNET VSNL ASIA NET BSNL

BRSDC no no no no
DHADC no no no yes
DLDC no no no no
MRDC no yes no
MMDC no no no no
PDMDC no no no yes
GGSDC no no no no
SRDC no no no no
SDDDC no no no

College AIRTEL RELIANCE GLIDE

BRSDC no no no
DHADC no no no
DLDC no no no
MRDC no no no
MMDC no no yes
PDMDC no no no
GGSDC no yes no
SRDC no no yes
SDDDC no no yes