Paper Presented in National Seminar on Networking of Library and Information Centres of North East India in Digital Environment (NLICDE-2011) (21-23 March 2011)ORGANISED UNDER THE AEGIS OF National Library, Kolkata Ministry of Culture, Govt. of IndiaByOrganized by Central Library, National Institute of Technology Silchar

1. Library and Information Networking in NE Region: Issues and ChallengesByProf. Pravakar Rath

2. LIS Scenario in NE Region: Libraries in NE Region Status of Automation and Networking Information Infrastructure Available in the Region including Internet Connectivity and Access Database and Content Creation Need for Library and Information Network in the Region

3. Libraries in NE Region Academic Libraries Public Libraries Special Libraries (R& D Libraries)

4. Status of Automation and Networking Libraries in General Lagging behind computerization and Networking except Central /State University Libraries ICT Knowledge Skills Information Handling Skills Knowledge Mapping Skills

5. Information Infrastructure Available in the Region including Internet Libraries Lack Inadequate Information Infrastructure ( H/W,S/W, Networking and Internet Infrastructure) BSNL as sole ISP in the Region Lack of Dedicate d Internet Connectivity and High Speed Bandwidth

6. Database and Content Creation Creation of New knowledge Optimal Use of Knowledge by all Sectors such as Government , industry, Rural and Civil Society Easy Access to Knowledge Relevant to their needs and Language

7. Need for Library and Information Network in the NE Region To Serve as a Gateway to National and Global Knowledge ( Classification and Cataloguing) Sharing and Access to Information and Knowledge Resources among participating Libraries Developing Open Source Web-enabled library management software supporting multiple Indian language scripts and dialects Developing Information Skills of the Users To bridge the gap between information rich and information poor.

8. National Knowledge Network(Connecting Knowledge Institutions) The NKN is a state-of-the-art multi-gigabit pan-India network for providing a unified high speed network backbone for all knowledge related institutions in the country The purpose of such a knowledge network goes to the very core of the country's quest for building quality institutions with requisite research facilities and creating a pool of highly trained professionals The NKN will enable scientists, researchers and students from different backgrounds and diverse geographies to work closely for advancing human development in critical and emerging areas

9. North East Region-Ground Realities Geographic Locations of 8 states including Sikkim Information Infrastructure available in the libraries Internet Access and Speed Increasing Bandwidth/ Use of Fiber Optics Awareness among Library Authorities Financial Support from the State Governments Automation and Networking Skills of Library Staff

10. LIS Networking in NE Region-To Begin With Feasibility Study and Sustenance Willingness of Participating Libraries/Defining Target Group Support from NEC/DONER/Ministry of Communication and Information Technology ( Financial and Technical) Cooperation from Existing LIS Networks

11. LIS Networking in NE Region-Benefits A Boon to the Academic Community and Public at Large Creation of Large Database Network Based LIS Services Easy Access and Sharing of Large amount of Information Resources at Regional, National and International Level Eliminating Duplication of Money , Manpower and Material. Bridging the Digital Divide and Contributing to “India as Knowledge Super Power”

12. LIS Networking in NE Region-Issues National Policy to Promote Modernization of Libraries ,Library Networking and Digital Library Government to Recognize “Libraries –As Gateways to Knowledge” and Contribute to National Development Creation of Indigenous Knowledge and Knowledge Specific to the Region Staffing Pattern, Reorienting and Training to the Library Staff Need for LIS Forum Cont…..

13. Professional Issues ( Changing Inf. and Communication Environment Technological/Technical Issues-H/W,S/W/Formats/Standards/Protocols Policy Issues-Digital Library, Digitization, OA Initiatives, Content Development in Electronic Environment. Legal Issues –Cyber Laws, Copyright and IPR Social, Cultural and Economic Issues ( Paradigm Shift, Reading Habits/Information Seeking Beahaviour, Use of Internet, Cultural Identity, Cost Benefit Analysis, Resource Mobilisation and Out Sourcing.

14. Challenges LIS Professional to develop Multi-Skills (Automation, Networking, Digitization, Information Literary etc) International Trends and Developments ( Open Source Movement, Open Libraries, Open Access, Open Archives) Institutional/ Knowledge Repositories Management of Digital Resources including Preservation , Copyright and IPR Management of LIS Network Right to Information

15. Conclusion Leading towards Knowledge Society-LIS Professionals as Knowledge Manager, Content Developer, Content Manager LIS Networking in NE Region can lead to National Development ( Educational and Economic Development) Provide access to Academic World ( Ownership Vs Access) Contribute to India’s Vision towards “ Knowledge Superpower-2020”

16. Thank You All Dr Pravakar Rath Professor and Head DLIS, Mizoram University ( A Central University) Aizawl-796004 E-mail: dlis_mzu@rediffmail.com