Open Access Resources: A Door of Knowledge for Local Community

1. TWO-DAY NATIONAL SEMINAR
on
ICT Enabled User Driven Library Services: Issues and Challenges
Organized by
Central Library & IQAC of Gokhale Memorial Girls' College
In Collaboration with
Raja Rammohan Roy Library Foundation (Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)
Topic: Open Access Resources: A Door of Knowledge for Local
Community
Presented by : Tanmay Saha
Librarian
Asansol Girls’ College

2. Library: People’s University
At the centre of all civilizations that have advanced architecture,
literature and culture since ancient times were the various libraries. At
present time also, it is the duty of library to educate and literate
community to build an advanced nation. That’s why library is called
peoples university

3. Library resources are materials in a library for the use of library patrons.
Traditionally printed copy of books, Journals, News papers are the
resources.
Now e-journals, e-books, IDR, various online database have made their
appearance due to advancement of ICT.
Library Resources:

4. Combination of two words, “open” and “access” means “unlocked” and “freely
accessible”.
Information is unrestricted for everyone. Any kind of digital content can be OA,
from texts and data to software, audio, video, and multimedia.
Example- egyankosh, epgpathshala
Combination of two words, “Closed” and “Access” means “locked” but
“accessible”.
Information is restricted but accessible only to those that have a license for specific
articles or database.
Example- ProQuest, SciFinder
Closed Access
Open Access

5. Benefits of Open Access
It's free
Rapid Access:
Availability
24X7:
Fast Searching:
Digitized Documents: More Citation:

6. Open-Access Resources in Academic Libraries for Community Learning:
NMEICT
ePG-
Pathshala
eGyankosh
National
Digital
Library
SWAYAM
Swayam
Prabha
Channel,
Virtual
Lab
Spoken
Tutorial

7.  Initiative run by the Ministry of Education
 Part of the national mission on education through ICT(NME-ICT)
 Under UGC supervision
 Advanced syllabus based reading lessons for PG students on various subjects
 Subject matter experts from various universities and R&D institutions in India are
working on various domain like sociology, humanities, science, linguistics, etc.
 https://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/

8.  Digital repository of IGNOU
 Started its journey in 2005
 Launch for public in June 2008
 Provides more than 70,000 self-instructional text materials (Source:
https://egyankosh.ac.in).
 IGNOU extended its service through eGyankosh to African and western
countries' community
 Contain modules of open and distance learning
https://egyankosh.ac.in/

9. NDLI well-known virtual e-repository of India developed by IIT Kharagpur
 Funded by the Ministry of Education to support the National Mission on Education through
NME-ICT
 National and international level learning resources of various popular educational
institutions and research organizations
A new feature “Study at home” started in covid period
NDLI CLUB a special wings of NDLI.
I. Helping community to utilize NDLI resources
II. Way towards democratizing of education
III. Conducts events to facilitate students to gain knowledge, skill, and traits beyond the
regular curriculum
https://ndl.iitkgp.ac.in/

10. SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) India’s own MOOC
platform.
 Launched on 9th July 2017 by Ram Nath Kovind, Honorable President of India
Offering various online courses in all disciplines like Science, Social Sciences, Law,
Management, and Humanities.
Nine National Coordinators appointed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development viz
UGC, NPTEL, CEC, IGNOU, NCERT, NIOS, IIMB, NITTTR & AICTE create the courses.
Registration free for SWAYAM online courses. Minimal fee required to get certificate.
https://swayam.gov.in/

11.  Group of 34 DTH channels run by GSAT-15 satellite.
Telecast high-quality educational videos at all times.
Every day new topics are discussed for at least 4 hours which are repeated at different times
throughout the day
Helps community residing in very remote areas
Contents provided by prestigious institutions like NPTEL, IITs, UGC, CEC, and IGNOU
The DTH Channels cover educational video lecture for Higher Education (channel no.1 to
channel no.23) for School Education (channel no.24 to channel no.34)

12.  Consortia of twelve participating institutes
 Coordinating institute: IIT Delhi
 Over 100 Virtual Labs consisting of approximately 700+ web-enabled experiments
available for remote-operation and viewing
 Supporting Science and Engineering Colleges lacking in good lab‐facilities and/or
instruments.
 Simulations-based experiments accessible remotely via internet.
https://www.vlab.co.in/

13.  Free and open-source software
 Platform where every learning community can learn FOSS like Linux, Scilab,
LaTeX, PHP & MySQL, Java, C/C++, LibreOffice etc available in many Indian
regional languages
 All tutorials are audio video content with self learning methodology
 Spoken Tutorial Forums for friendly online discussion
 Nominal fee in case of training and workshop
https://spoken-tutorial.org/

14. Obstacle in the Path of Open Access
Open access is continuing its service under many obstacles
Lack of Internet connectivity, broadband services. Rural Internet
broadband Subscribers 36.24% .
source: https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/QPIR_27082021.pdf )
Hike in internet packs
Lacking electricity in rural and remote areas
Digital divide

15. Conclusion
In spite of being many obstacles open access is continuing its efforts to educate the
masses with the help of library. Various academic and public libraries are making a
concerted effort to disseminate them widely among the community at all levels. The
Government of India has taken unique steps to transform India into a knowledge-
based society and these steps of government are being brought to the doorsteps by
various public and academic libraries opening the door of knowledge for all.