The document outlines the proposal for the Indore Library and Information Network (Indolibnet) aimed at enhancing resource sharing among educational institutions in Indore, India. It highlights the necessity of networking in libraries due to growing information demands and existing constraints such as lack of trained personnel and infrastructure. The proposal includes objectives for improved access to resources, development forums for professionals, and emphasizes the need for national support to ensure the network's success.

1. Kishor Chandra Satpathy Indian Institute of Management Indore-453331, MP, India E-mail: satpathy@iimidr.ac.in INDORE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION NETWORK (INDOLIBNET): A PROPOSAL SIS 2008 4-6 Dec 2008

2. AGENDA Library Networks in India: Overview INDORE at a Glance Networking among Institutions Vision & Objectives Issues & Constraints Suggestions Way Forward

3. Introduction No library resource centre of the world is self sufficient to meet the various information needs of the users. With the rapid growth of publications , knowledge explosion, shrinking resources , escalation of prices and ever increasing expectation of users compelled the library and information centres to go for networking for resource sharing. The most important goal networking is to maximize the availability of resources & services at minimum expenses.

4. REASONS: DEVELOPMENT LIBRARY NETWORK IN INDIA  Increased awareness of the need for resource sharing.  Resource crunch.  Increased computer installations or access facilities in library environment and enhancement of computer literacy among library professionals.  Improvement in computer communication facilities within and across geographical regions, and availability of general data networks

5. SOME ACTIVE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION NETWORKS IN INDIA PUNENET : PoonaLibrary Network, 1992 BONET : Bombay Library Network, 1992 ADINET : Ahmedabad Library Network.1993 MALINET : Madras Library Network, INSDOC, 1993 BALNET : Bangalore Library Network, 1995 MYLIBNET : Mysore Library Network, 1995 DELNET : Delhi/Developing Lib Network , 1998-99 CALIBNET : Calcutta Library Network, 1998 MANLIBNET : Management Libraries Network, 2000 RECNET/NITNET : REC/NIT Library Network NISSAT Funded….

6. Indore city is situated on the Malwa plateau at 553 m above sea level, on the banks of two small rivulets - the Saraswati and the Khan. They unite at the centre of the city where a small 18th century temple of Sangamnath or Indreshwar exists. The name Indore is due to this diety. It is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh state in central India . Today, Indore is spread over 3898 sq. km. with a population of 18,35,915 with literacy rate of 64.21%. It is the commercial capital of the state of Madhya Pradesh. INDORE AT A GLANCE

7. Indore city play the role in Central India as a education hub and standing as educational mile stone in the country, because Top educational/research institute of the country available here in different streams i.e. Indian Institute of Management (5 th IIM), Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT), National Research Center for Soyabean, Wheat Research Station, Military Headquarter of War (MHOW), Devi Ahilya VishwaVidyalaya (University Established in 1964), GSITS (Autonomous Institute, Established in 1952), MGM Medical College (One of the oldest college in Country 1884), Daily college (Residential School Established in 1885) , Veterinary College, Agriculture College & IIMI…… EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES IN INDORE

8. With a host of large number of educational Institutions, there has been a growing need to have NETWORK for these educational Institutions. There is a growing demand by the LIS professionals for the networking of said institutions & other state level institution libraries for better resource sharing. On this background, the idea for Indore Library & Information Network (INDOLIBNET) has come up. On the line of other active Library networks Like DELNET, INFLIBNET etc. it is proposed that Indore should have a network- Indore Library & Information Network (INDOLIBNET) for this Region.

9. VISION Provision of equal access to universe of knowledge, information and cultures & promote understanding of the cultural diversity of Indore.

10. Objectives: To utilize the resources in a better way, by concentrating on specific areas of interest. To generate new services and to improve the efficiency of existing ones. To develop forums for interaction among information professionals and users and thereby, helping them seeking solutions to common problems. To promote and support adoption of standards in library operations. To improve the national information infrastructure specifically in the State of MP To form a Indore Library Consortia . To promote better understanding among participating institutions & libraries.

11. 1. Who will take the initiative in bringing all the concerned institutions libraries on to one platform? 2. What will be the policies and guidelines for such a network? 3. Compatibility of existing hardware and software - guidelines need to be framed. 4. Manpower development in participatory institutes with special reference to information technology. ISSUES INVOLVED

12. CONSTRAINTS Lack of Trained Human & financial resources Lack of infrastructure facilities in LICs Lack of knowledge awareness in IT based information handling services. Lack of interest & motivation on the part of the library professionals in implementing the IT based information handling services in their libraries. Lack of legislative measures in the library Acts towards consortium / network based library services

13. SUGGESTIONS FOR INDOLIBNET National level intervention would be required for the coordination of such network and ensure adequate and reliable funding. However, this control must not affect the performance of the participating libraries, institutions and the individual professionals. The lack of adequate funding the major problem in libraries is not always due to lack of financial resource but due to lack of knowledge on the advancement information services and its importance. Provision of infrastructure facilities

14. Implementing the National Information Policy (NIP) for Information and Documentation Management activities Training of librarians and other information service providers is an essential component. Motivating the information professional people to go in for IT based information handling services in LICs.

15. WAY FORWARD For the success implementation of the INDOLIBNET, the Institute like IIM Indore, DAVV, CAT & NSRC etc should take a lead role. The organizations like IIMI, SIDBI, University and State Education department should help in setting up such a network. The INDOLIBNET will constitute a unique opportunity for the region to avail of cutting-edge Information Technology to give a fillip to the development of the region.

16. THANK YOU