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Unit 5: Resource Sharing and Networking

the objectives or interests of the participating libraries. However, there might be situations that Notes
may call for minor adjustments with regard to methods of operation.

5.1.2 Objectives of Resource Sharing

The objectives of resource sharing are very idealistic. They are aimed at providing convenient
access to information to library users irrespective of the location of the resources. In other
words, libraries go beyond their own resources to satisfy the user requirements. This is achieved
by sharing the resources of other libraries. The main reasons for this activity are:

reduction in all round cost;
avoidance of unnecessary duplication of information resources and their processing and
maintenance costs;

provision of greater access to information resources to a wider category of users; and
development of specialised areas of collection building, each library concentrating on
areas of its own concern.

The basic activity of resource sharing is aimed at maximising the availability of library materials
and services at the minimal expense. The emphasis is on provision of access to information
sources rather than possession and ownership of such resources, although ownership is, not
completely excluded.

!
Caution The basic assumption is that no library can possess the entire world’s literature
and, hence, has to depend on other libraries for serving all the needs of its clientele.

5.1.3 Developments in India

The world has been witnessing a knowledge and information explosion during the past few
decades. Over 10 million journal articles are published every year besides news items, editorials
and articles that are appearing in popular print media. Information professionals who would be
the leaders in the 21st century depend on information for their work. Access to information
holds the key to development. Libraries which are store houses of knowledge and information,
and information centres which disseminate knowledge and information, form two important
components of present day society.

While there is a deluge of information on one hand, the cost of collecting, processing, storing
and disseminating information has been spiralling up on the other hand. This calls for heavy
budgets for libraries even to maintain a reasonable level of acquisition of journals, books and
reports. Estimates show that a three to fourfold rise in library budgets will be needed by AD
2000 to maintain the same acquisition level as in 1990. Information buying power of libraries
has been declining year after year. Because of this, resource sharing and cooperative functioning
through networking have become inescapable for libraries and information centres worldwide.
India is no exception; for that matter, it is even more necessary to network libraries in newly
developing countries like India than in the developed nations. Efficient resource sharing can be
achieved by using the recent advances in information technology for realising a network of
libraries. Information technology signifies the coming together of the disciplines of electronics,
computer hardware and software, communications (in particular telecommunications), artificial
intelligence and human/machine interface.

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