The document examines the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on three college libraries in Karimganj District, highlighting both the advancements and challenges faced in library automation. Despite some progress in ICT implementation, issues such as inadequate training, insufficient funding, and unreliable power supply hinder further development. The study presents recommendations for improvement, emphasizing the need for trained staff, workshops, and better infrastructure to enhance library services.

1. Impact of ICT in the three College Libraries of Karimganj District : A Case Study Ms.Sudipta DebRoy, Librarian,Vivekananda College of Education, Karimganj Sri Nijoy Kumar Paul, Central Library,Assam University,Silchar Sri Sankar Kumar Chakrabarty Selection Grade Librarian(Associate) Nabinchandra College,Badarpur.

2. North Eastern Region of India Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.

3. College Library In general, college is regarded as an institution of higher learning, which provide courses after school leading to Bachelor’s degree. Some of the prominent colleges also offer courses leading to Post- Graduate degree and Research work leading to Ph. D. Degree. The main objective of college library is to become instrument of instruction . The teaching in the classroom must depend more on library than the textbooks. Therefore library must become the integral part of teaching programme and collection development is the vital role of the college library.

4. The Growth of Information and Communication Technology during the last few years has been phenomenal. It has been implementing on every sort of human life. During this year of growth and popularity of ICT, numerous different features and facilities have been developed and marketed .Due to the growth of Information explosion, its use become so wide spread, there is a great need of applying certain technology to information works and activities to accelerate its use. It enables the storage, processing, retrieval and dissemination of information quickly and easily. The earlier libraries were open to their clientele for consultation within their premises. They have undergone radical changes and expanded their services over the year. Application of ICT has changed the traditional activities of Libraries. The Library environment has been leading towards Digital and concept of “electronic Library” i.e. the paperless documentation and information service has been taking place. Libraries are now automated i.e. all the housekeeping operations are now performed by using computer. Introduction

5. Definition of ICT The web definitions of information and communication technology are given bellow: Information and Communication Technology or Information Technology is the technology required for information processing .In particular in the use of electronic computer and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information from anywhere, anytime. Technology such as radio and the newer digital technologies like computers, satellite, mobile phones and the internet. Electronic collection, editing, storage, distribution and presentation of information.

6. ICT in Libraries ICT can be used in libraries and information centers for the development of new information services and computerization of library services. ICT is useful in a great extend .It is useful for: Improving productivity and efficiency of library services effectively. Provision of quality information. Saving the space using the electronic storage. Improving of cooperation in sharing of resource.

7. Significance of the Study The study entitled “Impact of ICT in the three college libraries of Karimganj District” covers only 3 provincialised colleges of Karimganj District i.e. Karimganj College, Rabindra Sadan Girls’ College and Nabin Chandra College, Badarpur.In this paper an attempt has been made to study the impact of ICT &the problems associated with the application of ICT in different libraries of Karimganj District and to provide suggestion for future improvement of IT environment in libraries.

8. Place of Study: Karimganj District is situated on the southern part of Assam, and it is bounded on the North by Bangladesh & Cacher District; on the South by Mizoram & Tripura; on the West by Bangladesh & Tripura and on the East by Hailakandi District. It also shares international border with neighboring country Bangladesh.

9. Objectives of the Study Objectives of the study are given bellow: To know the present Scenario of the libraries. To study the impact of ICT & the problems associated

10. Methodology For the authenticity of the data, a combination of questionnaire & interview method was used to collect data from the Librarians. Simple statistical methods were used to analyses the data.

11. Analysis & interpretation of Data Analysis of data collected from the questionnaires are presented in this chapter. The data elements gathered are grouped into different types of element such as staff attendance in Conference/Seminar, areas of IT applicable in the library, Hardware available , Total collections, No. of staff and so on.

12. Staff attendance in Conference/ Seminar/ Refresher: The chart below shows the total no of Seminar/ Conference/ Refresher attended by the staff in each library. The N.C.College library professional attended maximum number of Seminar & minimum number in R.S.Girls College. Out of total 19 numbers there is only 3 international levels Seminar.

13. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Karimganj College R.S. Girls College N.C. College Staff Attendance in Seminar/Conference/Refresher Course International Level National Level State Level Refresher Course Total

14. Areas of IT Applicable in Library The table shows that most of the libraries are using Cataloguing, circulation & OPAC modules. Only one library is fully automated.

15. Table- Areas of IT applicable in Libraries Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N.C.College Yes No No Yes Yes No R.S.Girls College Yes No No Yes Yes No Karimganj College OPAC Serial Control Acquisition Circulation Cataloguing Administration Institution

16. Hardware and Software Available The chart shows that R.S.Girls College has installed 9 computers, 3 printers& 1 Generator, but without Scanner& photocopy machine. The status of N.C. College library is encouraging. The hardware available in Karimganj College is very less in number. The three libraries are using SOUL Library software from INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad on Windows NT platform which is provided free of cost by UGC NERO.

17. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 Karimgang College R.S.Girls College N.C.College Hardware Available Generator/Inverter PHOTOCOPY Machine Scanner Printer Cmputer

18. Total No. of Collections The table shows that Karimganj College library has maximum number of collections including Journal &Periodicals but having no CD/DVD. Only N.C.College has 55 nos. CD/DVD. All the said libraries have huge collections of E-Journals & E-books under N-list Programme. Maximum no. of Reference books present in R.S. Girls College.

19. 55 0 0 CD/DVD 2154 2154 2154 E-journals 51746 51746 51746 E-book 08 16 21 Journals/Periodicals 613 200 1908 Others 650 5026 1487 Reference Book 9500 12000 26015 Textbook N.C. College R.S.Girls College Karimganj College Collections

20. No. of Staff in each Library The chart below shows that, total no. of staff present in the said libraries are inadequate. Only Karimganj College Library has maximum no. of staff and the minimum no. is in R.S .Girls College i.e. 2.

21. 0 1 1 1 N.C.College 0 1 0 1 R.S.Girls College 1 3 1 1 Karimganj College Other Lib. Bearer Lib. Assistant Librarian Institution

22. No. of Staff in Library 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 Karimganj College R.S.Girls College N.C.College Librarian Lib. Assistance Lib. Bearer Other

23. Problems The libraries of Karimganj District have the following problems in the application of ICT: Most of the libraries functioned with inadequate no. of trained library professional. Lack of proper training of manpower development. Inadequate fund provision for computerization of library & development of library museum. Irregular & unpredictable power supply.

24. Suggestions The following suggestions appear to be appropriate for the development of ICT environment in the libraries of Karimganj District. Sufficient trained staff should be provided. Frequent Seminar & Workshop on latest technology should be organized. Special fund provision should be projected in the annual budget for ICT & utilize properly. The authority should pay proper attention to develop ICT infrastructure in the Libraries..

25. Conclusion The above survey study reveals that, the impact of ICT in Karimganj District is little bit satisfactory , but still lags behind in the development and in the application of the automation software acquired for the purpose. Implementation of ICT in library operations is very complex, stressful and continuous process. Most of the libraries are not following a systematic plan in using ICT. It requires an imaginative, intelligent planning and huge investment of fund including the skilled human resources. Three librariesof Karimganj District have been trying their level best to elevate their services to the height and they show that zeal to give proper shape to their work. Therefore, we can expect that within a short period of time these three libraries will reached up-to-the mark.

26. Acknowledgements Sri Kishor Satpathy,Secretary,Organising Committee. Ms.KrishnaSingha,Asstt.Secretary,Organisi-ng Committee All Faculty Members,NIT,Silchar All Supporting staff of NIT,Silchar.

27. Thanks and Have a Nice Day