![Library Hi Tech News
Ranking of selected library software packages in India
R.S. Lihitkar Shalini R. Lihitkar
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R.S. Lihitkar Shalini R. Lihitkar, (2011),"Ranking of selected library software packages in India", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 28
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- 1. Library Hi Tech News Ranking of selected library software packages in India R.S. Lihitkar Shalini R. Lihitkar Article information: To cite this document: R.S. Lihitkar Shalini R. Lihitkar, (2011),"Ranking of selected library software packages in India", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 28 Iss 4 pp. 8 - 17 Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/07419051111154767 Downloaded on: 09 January 2017, At: 22:14 (PT) References: this document contains references to 10 other documents. To copy this document: permissions@emeraldinsight.com The fulltext of this document has been downloaded 1294 times since 2011* Users who downloaded this article also downloaded: (2011),"Comparative features of integrated library management software systems available in Delhi", The Electronic Library, Vol. 29 Iss 1 pp. 121-146 http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02640471111111479 (2014),"Open Source Software solutions in Indian libraries", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 32 Iss 3 pp. 409-422 http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ LHT-12-2013-0157 Access to this document was granted through an Emerald subscription provided by emerald-srm:525588 [] For Authors If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.com Emerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services. Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. *Related content and download information correct at time of download. DownloadedbyIndianInstituteofInformationTechnologyAllahabadAt22:1409January2017(PT)
- 2. Development of library automation software in India While the software industry is a well- organized sector, library software is largely confined to some premier institutions and their libraries. Many of the library automation efforts use in-house expertise. Initially, only simple and important functions such as acquisitions, circulation and cataloguing were automated; integrated packages were implemented at a later date. These efforts generally led to the development of a total integrated system, or were used to convince the authorities to purchase library automation software from the market. In some cases, the vendor of the library automation software helped to convert the automated data into a compatible form for use with the new software. Both the machine-readable cataloging and common communication formats are used now to develop bibliographic databases. After the introduction of the CDS/ISIS software package from UNESCO in Indian libraries in the mid-1980s, National Information System for Science and Technology, the Indian Institute of Science and National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources organized a number of training programs on the application of CDS/ISIS to library activities. These courses, besides training professionals in using the software, have made them aware of the benefits of library automation. Another benefit of the courses was that they introduced computer culture among the library and information science (LIS) professionals. This also gave impetus to many institutions to develop their own library software while putting special emphasis on the routines and services important to those institutions. Thus, began indigenous efforts towards developing integrated library software packages in the country. Statement of the problem With the exponential growth of digital information, libraries have to play vital roles in the community. India is experiencing the impact of new technology in every facet of information handling. There is a strong need to computerize library housekeeping activities and user services in the information age. In computerizing the library, it is essential to implement good library software that is user friendly. This study attempts to focus on the evaluation of major library software used in India. The study’s purpose is: . to enumerate the library software packages at the national level (India); . to compare the library software packages developed in India; and . to evaluate and rank library automation software packages in India. A literature search was carried out to collect data regarding library automation and software. The methods used in the study were survey, questionnaire and personal visits to local library software developers. The questionnaire was designed on the bases of software application, operating system used, hardware requirement and modules provided. These questionnaires were sent to all software developers. After receiving the results of the ten questionnaires, data were analyzed and tabulated. The last step was preparation of the report and drawing conclusions. A total of 72 library automation software packages have been developed in India. For this study, ten selected software packages have been chosen on the basis of their usability and implementation to libraries. After this study, one will be able to evaluate the library automation software packages and rank them according to their features. Librarians will be able to study the findings in order to implement the particular library automation software that is most useful for their own library. The paper provides a comprehensive picture of features, facilities available and services rendered by various library automation software packages in India. None of the research has been done before in terms of evaluation of these ten library software packages in India. This study is very important because library professionals should know which software is available for library automation. It is a comparative study, and it will help library professionals know which software is most applicable and useful comparatively to others for giving effective and efficient library services to users. This research enhances knowledge of library automation software, including special features of each for students, researchers and anyone else interested in this issue. Additionally, it can serve to create innovative steps in library and information services. It may be of value to researchers and policy makers as they considering future directions for implementation of library automation software. Analysis and interpretations of data Tables I-III present analysis and interpretation of the data. For library implementation, suitable hardware is needed according to the operating system (OS) of the software. The library selects software either 8 Library Hi Tech News Number 4 2011, pp. 8-17, q Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 0741-9058, DOI 10.1108/07419051111154767 Ranking of selected library software packages in India R.S. Lihitkar and Shalini R. Lihitkar DownloadedbyIndianInstituteofInformationTechnologyAllahabadAt22:1409January2017(PT)
- 3. Table II. Library software packages, operating systems and hardware requirements Sr no. Software packages Operating systems Hardware requirements 1. DELPLUS Windows Professional -98 P@233 MHz, 1.44 GB, 32 MB RAM, Colour Monitor (SVGA), 1.2 HDD, Windows 95/98, OS 40X CD ROM Disk Drive 2. I-Lib UNIX, Windows XP-2000 PIV, PC, Server Configuration, PC-AT, Intel 386/486 based meaning micro VAX 3. Libman UNIX, Windows XP-2000 P IV, 512 MB RAM, Laser printer 4. LibSys UNIX/LINUX, Windows Professional -98, Windows NT PIV, PC, Server Configuration, PC-AT, Intel 386/486 based meaning micro VAX 5. Libtech Windows Professional XP- 98, PIII Class Machine, 256 MB RAM, CD Drive 6. SLIM 21 Windows Professional XP-98 PIII, 500 MHz, 340 MB RAM, 20 GB hard disk, Colour Monitor, CD Drive 7. SLIMþþ Windows Professional XP-98 PIII, 500 MHz, 340 MB RAM, 20 GB hard disk, Colour Monitor, CD Drive 8. Softlib Windows XP-2000 P IV, 2.8þ, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HDD 9. SOUL Windows 98/2000/XP/NT Pentium@933 MHz with 128 MB RAM, 20 GB HDD with 200 MB free space, 48 x CD ROM Drive, 1.440 Floppy Drive, Colour Monitor (SVGA) Ethernet Card 10/100 Mbps 10. Wolk Soft Tech Windows Professional XP, UNIX PIV, 1.2 GB HDD, 500 MHz, Colour Monitor, CD Drive Table III. Library software packages, their programming languages/RDBMS and data storage techniques Sr no. Software packages Programming languages Database 1. DELPLUS – Relational database 2. I-LIB VB, VB Net, with ASP Net, ASP Relational database 3. LIBMAN VB, Oracle, SQL Relational database 4. LibSys C Inverted file and B-tree 5. LIBTECH VB 6.0, MS SQL Server-2000 Relational database 6. SLIM 21 Visual Studio 5.0 Relational database 7. SLIMþþ Visual Studio 5.0 Relational database 8. SOFTLIB VB, Oracle Relational database 9. SOUL VB, Oracle Relational database 10. WOLK SOFT TECH VB, Oracle Relational database Table I. Selected software packages used in India and their developing agencies Sr no. Software packages Developers 1. DELPLUS DELNET, New Delhi 2. I-Lib Infobank, Ramnagar, Nagpur 3. Libman Master’s Software, Nagpur 4. LibSys M/S LibSys corporation, New Delhi 5. Libtech Libtech Software Developers, Wardha 6. SLIM 21 Algorhythems Consultants Pvt. Ltd, Pune 7. SLIMþþ Algorhythems Consultants Pvt. Ltd, Pune 8. Softlib Synchronic Library Software, Nagpur (Rupesh Bhattad) 9. SOUL INFLIBNET, Ahmadabad 10. Wolk Soft Tech Wolk Soft Technology, Pvt. Ltd, Hyderabad Library Hi Tech News Number 4 2011 9 DownloadedbyIndianInstituteofInformationTechnologyAllahabadAt22:1409January2017(PT)
- 4. according to the hardware facility available at the college, or because the software requires less costly hardware. The operating system of the software is also selected according to the needs of library, the skills of available manpower, and availability of hardware. Programming language is an important aspect for the development or procurement of software because many facilities such as fixed field, variable field length, variable format and search facility are provided in the software by using suitable programming language. Every language or relational database management system (RDBMS) has some special features. Data storage techniques also play a vital role in search response time. Findings Major findings are described, and each corresponding table follows the description. Table IV shows the features provided in library software packages. It is observed that a total of ten software products provided cataloguing, OPAC, acquisition, circulation and serial control facility. Only five library software products provided any online facility. Superiority of the software packages depends upon their capabilities and versatility. Software providing more facilities to automate different activities in library and information centers may be treated as most suitable for libraries – as compared to those having limited facilities. Table V analyzes 39 features of library software. Out of ten library software products, LibSys is the most highly rated, having 37 software features, followed by SOUL software with 36 points, and 35 points for Wolk Soft Tech software. SLIM 21 and SLM þþ have 34 points. I-lib software has the lowest point score with only 20. It is necessary to improve the quality of software for providing effective library service. The credibility of the software depends on the features of the software. Table VI describes the circulation features available for the various software products. For circulation, there are 18 potential features. SOUL has all of the 18 features and is highly ranked. Following SOUL is Libman, SLIM 21, SLIM þþ and Wolk Soft Tech, each of which has 17 points, respectively. Libtech has 16 circulation features. Table VII describes OPAC features. In the OPAC module, 20 features have been studied. Out of 20 features, Libman has all 20 features and is highly rated – followed by SOUL software, which includes 19 features. Out of 20 features, LibSys has 18 software features. Table VIII details acquisitions features in the software. For acquisitions functions, out of 11 features, LibSys, SLIM 21 and SOUL all have 11 features – followed by DELPLUS, Libman and Libtech – having ten points each. Nine points are scored by Softlib software, followed by I-Lib and SLIMþþ (eight points). Table IX describes the six features for serial control. Out of six features, I-Lib, Libman, LibSys, Libtech, SLIM 21, SLIMþþ, Softlib and SOUL have all six features followed by DELPLUS, and Wolk Soft tech, which have four. Table X displays the rating of library software developed in India. SOUL is ranked first in terms of features. The credibility of library software packages is evaluated on the basis of their salient features and the facilities available in the software. On the basis of the salient features, and the facilities provided, the software is ranked by giving points to each facility as per features. SOUL software scored first in rank (90 points) among all ten software products, followed by Libman (84 points) and LibSys (83 points). Table IV. Facilities provided by library software packages Sr no. Software packages Cataloguing OPAC Online facility Acquisition Circulation Serial control 1. DELPLUS p p X p p p 2. I-LIB p p x p p p 3. LIBMAN p p X p p p 4. LibSys p p p p p p 5. LIBTECH p p p p p p 6. SLIM 21 p p p p p p 7. SLIMþþ p p p p p p 8. SOFTLIB p p X p p p 9. SOUL p p p p p p 10. WOLK SOFT TECH p p x p p p Total 10 10 5 10 10 10 10 Library Hi Tech News Number 4 2011 DownloadedbyIndianInstituteofInformationTechnologyAllahabadAt22:1409January2017(PT)
- 10. TableIX. Facilityofserialcontrolinsoftware DELPLUSI-LIBLIBMANLibSysLIBTECHSLIM21SLIM11SOFTLIBSOUL WOLK SOFT TECH Sr no.Items Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints Y/ NPoints 1.Monitoringreceiptofmultipleissuesofserialsx0 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1X0 2.Facilityofcombinedissuestreatedinthe serialsmodules x0 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1X0 3.Allowgraceperiodforreminders p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 4.Facilityofrenewalalerts p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 5.Facilitytoprocesssupplementaryinvoicesand partialschangesintheprocessedinvoices 00 00 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 6.Facilitytoaccepttherefundsfromthesuppliers andadjustinthebudgetdatabase p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 p 1 Total04060606060606060604 16 Library Hi Tech News Number 4 2011 DownloadedbyIndianInstituteofInformationTechnologyAllahabadAt22:1409January2017(PT)
- 11. FURTHER READING Adeniran, O.R. (1998), “A survey of library software in use in Southern Africa”, African JournalofLibrary,Archivesand Information Science, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 139-49. Chandratah, I. (1999), “Software for small libraries: problems and solutions”, International Library Movement, Vol. 21 Nos 1-4, pp. 135-9. Chaphale, A. (2001), “Use of library and information application software packages in selected special and academic libraries in the city of Nagpur: a study”, in Kesarwani, S.K. (Ed.) dissertation, Nagpur University, Nagpur. Francis, A.T. (1998), “Software problems in library automation in India”, in Mahapatra, M., Ramesh, D.B., Padhi, P. and Parida, B. (Eds), Proceedings of the 5th National Convention for Automation of Libraries in Education and Research (CALIBER) on Information Management in Academic and Research Libraries, 4-5 March, INFLIBNET, Bhubaneswar, pp. 60-4. Harinarayana, N.S. and Raghvan, K.S. (2008), “Retrieval capabilities of CDS/ISIS and LibSys: a comparison”, Annals of Library and Information Studies, Vol. 53, pp. 91-100. Lihitkar, R.S., Agashe, A.T. and Lihitkar, S.R. (2008),“Astudyoflibrarysoftwaredeveloped in Nagpur City”, Library Progress (International), Vol. 28 No. 1, pp. 97-112. Patel, D.R. and Bhargava, R. (1995), “Comparative study of software available in the Indian market for library automation”, DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 3-12. Ravinchandra Rao, I.K. and Abideen, P.S. (1999), “Features of library automation software: a comparative study”, Library Science with Slant to Documentation, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 211-28. Rowley, J.E. (1990), “Guidelines on the evaluation and selection of library software packages”, Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 42 No. 9, pp. 225-35. Saxena, S.C. and Srivastava, R.K. (1998), “Evaluation of library software packages available in India”, DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, Vol. 18 No. 5, pp. 9-17. ABOUT THE AUTHORS R.S. Lihitkar, is a Postgraduate in Library and Information Science, Education and Arts Cleared NET in LIS and Education. He was a Librarian in Rajaram Government College, Kolhapur in 2001-2003. Presently working as Librarian in Government Institute of Science, Nagpur. He is guiding for NET/SET examination. He has published 30 papers in State and National level conferences. Shalini R. Lihitkar has been involved in LIS Profession since 2002. She is a Gold Medalist from Nagpur University and worked as a Lecturer in DLISc, Shivaji Univeristy, Kolhapur from 2002 to 2003. Presently as a Head in DLISc, Rastrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur. Experience of teaching and guiding for UGC NET/ SET, P.O. and other competitive examinations. She published several papers in seminars, conferences and journals and has more than 85 papers to her credit. She has been invited as a resource person in various universities, colleges, for refresher courses, seminars and workshops. She is a life member of professional association, namely DLA, ILA, IATLIS, LISAA, SALIS and VLA. She has completed Information Literacy Project with UNESCO and SALIS as a member. She is a Principal Investigator for UGC-Minor Research Project on Profile of LIS schools and Faculty Members in Maharashtra and the Joint Secretary of SALIS Nagpur Chapter. She is a Joint Organizing Secretary of Golden Jubilee National Conference on Quality Assessment and Quality IndicatorsofLIS Education, on 10-12 November 2006. Columnist in Mahiti Yug Quarterly Journal published by Foundation of Dr P.S.G. Kumar and edited by S.K. Keservani from 2005 to 2009, Production Committee Member of Mahiti Yug from 2005 to 2008. She is a Organizing Committee member in XXI IndianAssociationofTeachersofLibrary and Information science (IATLIS) National Conference organized by Department of Library and Information Science, Nagpur in November 2004, Organizing Committee Member of Golden Jubilee National Conference on Quality Assessment and Quality Indicators of LIS Education, 10-12 November 2006, Treasurer of Alumini Association of Department of LISc, RTMNU from 2008, and a Organizing Secretary for Professor D. Rajyalakshmi Felicitation function organized by Department of Library and Information Science, RTMNU, Nagpur, 30 June 2009. In total, 22 project reports have been completed under her guidance for MLISc-II year. She is a Convener of Workshop on Technical Writing organized by DLISC, RTMNU in collaboration with HRD cell of RTMNU during 3-5 December 2009. She is a Co-convener of National workshop organized by DAKM. She is a Editorial Member of interdisciplinary research journals. She is a subject expert members in Definitional Glossary of LISc, project of Ministry of Scientific and Technical Terminology, Government of India. She has organized national workshop on e- Granthalaya software for automation and networking of libraries during 20-22 August 2010. She is a Coordinator for UGC refresher course in Library and Information Science. R.S. Lihitkar (rlihitkar1975@gmail. com), Government Institute of Science, Nagpur, India. Shalini R. Lihitkar (shanwaghmare @yahoo.com), R.T.M. Nagpur University, Nagpur, India. Table X. Rating of major library software packages used in India Sr No. Software packages Salient features Acquisition Circulation OPAC Serial control Total Rank 1. DELPLUS 33 10 13 13 4 73 2. I-LIB 20 8 13 14 6 61 3. LIBMAN 31 10 17 20 6 84 II 4. LibSys 37 11 14 18 3 83 III 5. LIBTECH 33 10 16 14 6 79 6. SLIM 21 34 11 17 16 4 82 7. SLIMþþ 34 8 17 16 6 81 8. SOFTLIB 34 9 15 14 6 78 9. SOUL 36 11 18 19 6 90 I 10. WOLK SOFT TECH 33 8 17 14 4 76 Library Hi Tech News Number 4 2011 17 DownloadedbyIndianInstituteofInformationTechnologyAllahabadAt22:1409January2017(PT)
- 12. This article has been cited by: 1. Margam Madhusudhan Department of Library and Information Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. Vikas Singh Department of Library and Information Science, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. . 2016. Integrated library management systems. The Electronic Library 34:2, 223-249. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] DownloadedbyIndianInstituteofInformationTechnologyAllahabadAt22:1409January2017(PT)