1. Swapan Deoghuria Scientist-II, Computer Centre Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science Kolkata - 700032, INDIA Email ccsd@iacs.res.in. URL: www.iacs.res.in/deoghuria.pptccsd@iacs.res.inwww.iacs.res.in/deoghuria.ppt Are Research Libraries in India Prepared in Digital Age?

2. Why Digital Library?  Better Delivery of Information  Anytime Anywhere Access to Information  Brings the Library to the User  Information can be Shared

3. Concepts Changed by Technology Library Collections  Not Confined to Physical Materials  Licensing of Access for Online Journals Access Services  Users may not go to the Library  Users may not be a Member of the Library Library Hours  Round the Clock Library Hours

4. Are Research Libraries Prepared? Financially?  Rising Journal Prices (Print and Online both)  Frequent Hardware/Software Obsolescence  To Train Existing Library Professionals Technically?  To Develop and Maintain Online Catalogs and Web Server  To Collect and Maintain Digital Resources  To find Scholarly Information from “Hidden Web” Culturally?  Coordination with Computer Professionals  Attitude Towards this Changing Environment

5. Hard Realities Journals are Expensive Journal Prices Increased 210% between 1986-2001 Commodification of Information Major STM Publishers from 13 to 7 (1998-2002) Bundles of e-Journals with Multiple Year License Outcome Access to Scholarly Information is Costly Forced to Curtail Book Purchase Forced to Cancel Journals from Small Publishers

6. Hard Realities Frequent Hardware and Software Obsolescence  Digital information is very hard to preserve  Digital information exists in wide variety of formats  There are many versions of each format  Higher versions need upgraded hardware Result Extra financial burden for research libraries

7. Hard Realities Lack of expertise/infrastructure CD/DVDs are not properly used Rely on commercial search engines to find scholarly information like any other user Develop and maintain online catalogs and Web server on their own is difficult Lack of resources to access digital information from the library itself Maintenance of digital repository is difficult  Financial liability to train library staff  Service rendered by library staff is inadequate

8. Hard Realities Organizational structure Majority don’t have full time computer professional Lack of coordination between computer professionals within and outside of the organization Lack of interest on usage and user behaviour Lack of interest to provide value added service Implications Maintaining online catalogs and Web server is difficult Researchers access remotely and may waste their valuable time in finding scholarly information

9. Fluid Environment Scholarly information Available both in print as well as online No unique file format for digital information Subscription based as well as open access journals Pattern of information use Users like both online and physical copy of journals E-journal users still print out articles that are judged useful E-books are still not very popular Service demands Web based information services Round the clock library hours

10. Challenges for Research Libraries Maintain both physical and digital contents Inadequate infrastructure to cater e-services Library as a physical place for social interaction is diminishing Library staff are facing problems to help researchers to find scholarly information Not fully aware about Open Access Initiatives

11. New Opportunities Institutional Repository Research publication, reports, theses by faculty and students Born digital content - not owned nor licensed by the library Formation of Consortia by similar libraries Acquisition of online journals - easy and cost effective Online Access from Library Make room by relocating less frequently used print journals Provide electronic classrooms to expand e-access Online catalogs and library management software Integrated with Web with search facility Should collect and catalog free Web resources

12. New Responsibilities Authenticity of Digital Resources Can certify the integrity of digital resources Maintenance of links for free Web resources Essential due to transient nature of free resources Monitor the Trends of Information Usage By seeking feedback from current users Produce Next Generation Library Professionals Encourage Universities to upgrade LIS courses

13. New Responsibilities Organize Digital Information Research libraries can play a vital role Encourage Open Access Initiatives Encourage faculty to publish their works where open access is possible Library as a place Organize events to increase social interaction Attitude towards changing service demands Must be positive

14. Problems and Probable Solutions Journals are costly Organizational structure Information availability Unorganized information Changing service demands Library as a place Embrace Open Access Recruit computer professionals Institutional repository Should take a lead role Positive attitude Organize events

15. Conclusions Research libraries need to work with scholars and scientists to develop scholarly communication systems that serve the educational enterprise rather than exploit it. Research libraries can play an important role in the organization and availability of digital information.

16. Thank you!