Page 85 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Foundation of Library and Information Science

Notes CALIBNET established a high-tech resource base and provides the following services:
Online/CDROM based global information search and retrieval services
Full-text document delivery

Database services
3. MALIBNET: The need for interconnecting libraries and information centres in Madras
was visualized in the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) in 1991.
Initially six major academic institutions were directly linked to the MALIBNET host system.
Two important databases have been created utilising the resources available in Madras
libraries. One is a Directory Database of Current Serials in Madras covering 30 libraries,
and the other is a Contents Database covering articles published in 300 journals available
in Madras libraries. Both these databases are continuously updated and also expanded.
They are available for online access to any user and the information is also supplied in
diskettes and hard copy. Photocopies of articles from member libraries can be supplied
within two days.
Madras has about 60 important libraries besides information centres like INSDOC. About
15 of these libraries have a holding of well over 100,000 items. These libraries act as good
resource centres on the network. As of December 1993, all the 60 libraries together invest
about Rupees 8,000,000 on acquiring journals and books every year. It is estimated that
40% of the information acquired is redundant. With the libraries networked and resource
sharing implemented, each user on the network can get access to a vast amount of literature,
and redundancy can be brought down significantly. A novel and unique feature of
MALIBNET is that the members will be permitted to offer their own innovative
information services on the network. A membership in MALIBNET is open to universities,
colleges, R&D institutions, industries and individuals.
MALIBNET presently offers the following information services:

Current serials acquired in about 60 libraries
Full journal holdings of about 60 libraries
Contents information of about 500 important journals
Electronic mail including internet connectivity

Door delivery system for document photocopies
It also offers access to about 1000 international databases
4. MYLIBNET: It is the first library network established in a small city. The launching of
MYLIBNET in association with Mysore City Library Consortium (MCLC) took place on
12th June 1995. There are 16 institutional members. The holding list of Mysore city libraries
has been computerised and software has been developed to enable users to access the
catalogue and information online. MYLIBNET provides e-mail facilities to its members.
5. BONET: The Bombay Library Network (BONET) was setup at the National Centre for
Software Technology (NCST), Bombay, on 6th November 1992. The Network is sponsored
by NISSAT. The aim of BONET is to build a low cost library information system which can
possibly be used as a model for future expansion of this service even outside Bombay.
BONET also benefits significantly from the experience gained, and facilities created, by
the Education and Research Networking (ERNET) project of the Department of Electronics,
Govt. of India, assisted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). BONET
is aimed at promoting cooperation between libraries in Bombay. The focus is on

80 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY