Nafiz Zaman Shuva, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Presented at the 2010 Electronic Resources & Libraries Conference. Abstract: This article examines the existing status of use of electronic resources in different types of libraries of Bangladesh. An attempt has been made to identify the constraints that hinder the use of electronic resources in libraries of Bangladesh. Finally it proposes some solutions to promote the use of electronic resources in libraries of Bangladesh.

1. Electronic Resources & Libraries Conference-2010
Presentation on
Nafiz Zaman Shuva
Department of Information Science & Library Management
University of Dhaka
& Erasmus Mundus Scholar for International Master in Digital Library Learning

2. • Bangladesh emerged as an independent and
sovereign country in 1971 following a nine month war
of liberation. It is one of the largest deltas of the
world with a total area of 147,570 sq km. Bangladesh
has a population of about 140 million, making it one
of the densely populated countries of the world. The
literacy rate of Bangladeshi people is 43.1%. Over
98% of the people speak in Bangla.
• Bangladesh is among the poorest countries in the
world. The UNDP lists it as number 146 according to
the Human Development Index 2009, a composite of
development and human development indicators.
The per capita income is $554 (BBS, 2008).
• More than 35 million people in Bangladesh, around
a quarter of its population, face acute poverty and
hunger.

3. Source:
Source: http://www.taxigourmet.com/wp- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jatiyo_Sangshad_Bhaban_(R Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cox's_Bazar_boats.jpg
content/uploads/2009/12/800px-Rickshaws_everywhere.jpg oehl).jpg
Source: http://home.chello.no/bdeshan/images/Pohela_boishakh.jpg Source: http://org.ntnu.no/bco/shahid%20minar.jpg Source : http://wallpaper-s.org/15__Royal_Bengal_Tiger,_Bangladesh.htm

4.  First Mainframe computer came to Bangladesh
in 1964.
 Internet came late in Bangladesh, with UUCP e-
mail beginning in 1993 and IP connectivity in
1996.
 SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable connectivity 21
May 2006.
 According to the Internet World Stats as of
September, 2009 there are currently 556,000
internet users in Bangladesh and the internet
penetration is 0.4%.

5. 1.36 % Computer 0.20 %
Access E-mail Access
• 4.88 in Urban
Areas
• 0.17 % in Rural
Areas
Source: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), HIES 2005 (provisional)

6. Source: http://www.research4development.info/images/articles/mobile_lady2.jpg

7. Library
Movement
Started in 1854

8. Government -68
Non-Government
Public Libraries-
1603

9.  National Library of
Bangladesh-1972
 National Health and
Source: http://www.ndl.go.jp/en/cdnlao/newsletter/055/bagladesh.JPG
Documentation Center
(NHLDC)-1974

10. 31 Public University Libraries
53 Private University Libraries
1600 College Libraries
Under National University of
Bangladesh
1200 Intermediate College
Libraries
Source:
http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/Images/UniversityDhakaCentralLibrary.jpg

11.  There are around 1000 special
libraries in Bangladesh.
 The exact number of special libraries
functioning is not known since no one
has taken this initiative up to now.
 Notable special libraries includes:
ICDDR-B Library, BIRDEM, SAARC
Agricultural Information Center, CIRDAP
Library, Community Development
Library etc.
Source: http://centre.icddrb.org/activity/index.jsp?activityObjectID=69

12. 1980s considered as the beginning of the
automation era as far as libraries and information
centers in Bangladesh are concerned.
 International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease
Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) Library and
Agricultural Information Centre (AIC) are pioneers
in creating bibliographic databases on specialized
fields using microcomputers.

13. Frustration Ahead

14.  Among the 68 government public libraries
only14 public libraries have computers for
administrative use.
 Bangladesh Central Public Library has 18
computers and the other 13 libraries have
one computer each.

15. Sorry Internet
Service is Not
Available !!

16. Frustration Continues.....................
Source: http://media.photobucket.com/image/frustrated%20baby/Roo_1961/Cute%20babies%20and%20kids/grumpybaby.jpg

17.  Currently, National Library of Bangladesh has only
03 workable computers with internet facility.
Automation Section of National Library was set up in
1996 with 6 computers.
 Users are not fully satisfied with the traditional
services provided by National Library of Bangladesh.
 ICT status in National Health Library and
Documentation is better than National Library of
Bangladesh.

18.  ICT status of some private university libraries
are quite satisfactory. They are offering time
befitting services to its users.
 ICT status in public university libraries in-
comparison with some private university
libraries are not satisfactory.

19.  The largest university library in Bangladesh-
University of Dhaka Central Library has ICT
facilities but does not deserve praise for its
ICT related services.
 Frustrated situation exists in all other
academic libraries of Bangladesh specially
affiliated to National University of
Bangladesh.

20.  Special libraries of Bangladesh offer good
number of ICT based services to its users.
 Special libraries based in Dhaka offer time
befitting, up-to-date library services to its
users.

21.  E-journals
 Electronic books
 E-Dictionaries
 E-Reference books
 Reference databases
Source: http://www.pennhighlands.edu/library/MPj04019420000[1].jpg

22.  Public Libraries
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fofurasfelinas/2400510905/
Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!

23.  National Library of Bangladesh
Source: http://www.aef.org.uk/downloads//NO%20at%20Heathrow.jpg

24.  National Health and Documentation Centre
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fofurasfelinas/2400510905/

25.  University Libraries both Public and Private
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eyefruit/179553810/

26.  College Libraries both Government and Private

27.  Ministerial Library-Government of Bangladesh
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/megabytesaspiringartists/3833841212/

28. Bangladesh INASP-PERii Consortium

29.  MoU between Bangladesh Academy of
Sciences and INASP-2006
 Bangladesh INASP-PERI Consortium (BIPC)
established in 2007
 Trial basis free of subscription in 2006
 Participating libraries during the trial period-
10

30.  i) A Coordination Committee headed by the
Director of BAS with Primary Contact
Officers from all institutions as members.
 ii)An Advisory Committee headed by the
President of BAS with heads of institutions
as members.

31. 40 38
35
30
30
25
20 No. of Participating
16
Libraries
15
10
5
0
2007 2008 2009

32. Members Profile of the Consortium
1 1 Public University Libraries
Private University
10 14
Libraries
Special Libraries
Regional University
Library
International Islamic
12 University Library

33. Year Fees ($) No. of
Libraries
Participated
2007 80,000 16
2008 120,000 30
2009 170,000 38
Source:
http://mooreslore.corante.com/archives/images/Dollar%20sign%20with%
20Shadow.gif

34. Source: http://www.cavunp.ab.ca/MembershipIcon.jpg

35. Number of Articles Downloaded
120000 111000
100000 93000
80000 77000
60000
40000
20000
0
2007 2008 2009 (June)

36.  INASP sends a list of
resources offered for
Bangladesh.
 Coordination Committee
selects the resources from
the list provided by INASP.
Source: http://www.pennhighlands.edu/library/MPj04019420000[1].jpg

37.  Consortium offer technical support to the
participating libraries .
 3% of the contributions from the institutions
are retained at BAS for in-country
management / operational costs.
 Consortium performs promotional activities
to encourage more and more use of
electronic resources among the users of the
participating libraries.

38.  Number of libraries
Surveyed-15
 3 Public University
Libraries
 4 Private University
Libraries
 06 Special Libraries
 01 National Library
 01 Public Library
Source: http://netsuccessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/survey_header.jpg

39. Name of the Year Year of Number of Number of Total Number Staff with
Library & of Establishment Inception of Computers Computers for of Staff Electronic
Information ICT Available in the Users with Resource
Centre Library Internet Management
Connection Skills
Bangladesh 1958 - 18 411 40
Central Public
Library
Bangladesh Bank 1962 2003 12 12 19 10
Library
Bangladesh 1972 2000 40 19 29 10
National
Parliament
Legislative
Information
Centre
BUET 1962 1998 61 44 43 Almost all
BIRDEM 1975 2003 09 05 12 06
BSMMU 1965 2000 17 15 28 03
East West 1996 2000 16 06 22 12
University
ICDDR-B 1962 1987 23 12 08 08
Independent 1993 35 35 22 05
University
Ministry of Law, 1963 2008 (Partial) 01 - 04 02
Justice and
Parliamentary
Affairs Library

40. Name of the Year Year of Number of Number of Total Number Staff with
Library & of Inception of Computers Computers for of Staff Electronic
Information Establishment ICT Available in Users with Resource
centre the Library Internet Management
Connection Skills
National 1972 1997 03 03* 63 07
Library of
Bangladesh
North South 1992 2000 55 35 21 11
University
Library
SAARC 1985 - 03 01 03 02
Agricultural
Information
Centre
South East 2002 2006 03 02 * 07 01
University
Library
University of 1921 1998 60 57 237 30
Dhaka, Central
Library

41. 5
E-book
10 Printed Book

42. 08 libraries have website
07 libraries have training
program on use of electronic
resources

43. Need to
Establish
National E-
Resource Task
Force
Source: http://mayavi.info/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/proposal11.jpg

44. Secretary, Cultural Ministry , Chairman of the Task Force
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology, Member
Chairman , University Grant Commission, Member
Representative from Dept. of Information Science & Library Management, University of
Dhaka, Member
Director, Bangladesh Central Public Library, Member
Director, Directorate of Archive and Libraries, Member
Representative from Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Member
Representative from Bangladesh Computer Council, Member

45.  1st Phase
 All Ministry library based in Dhaka
 Legislative Information Centre, Bangladesh
National Parliament
 Bangladesh Central Public Library
 National Library of Bangladesh and National
Health Library and Documentation Center

46.  2nd Phase
 Remaining Government Libraries Including
Judicial Libraries Based in Dhaka City
 Public libraries in district town of Bangladesh
 Government offices in district town of
Bangladesh
 3rd Phase
 All remaining government libraries including
the libraries in rural areas

47. Chairman, University Grant
Commission
Vice - Vice - Representative
Chancellors Librarians
Chancellors From
From All From All
From All Bangladesh
Respective
Public Private Academy of
Universities
Universities Universities Sciences

48.  Major Problems
 Lack of sufficient funds
 Absence of comprehensive
national and local ICT
policies
 Lack of ICT knowledge and
skills
 Resistance to change
 Bureaucratic procedures
 Low priority given to
libraries
Source: http://www.dixieit.com/dixieit/images/computer.frustration.jpg

49. Unskilled and shy librarians
Lack of proper planning
Lack of cooperation among the libraries
and lack of cooperative spirit among the
librarians
Lack of international cooperation
Lack of government support
Lack of strong, effective library
associations in Bangladesh

50.  Improvement of ICT
infrastructure .
 National E-resource Task
Force should be created
immediately.
 Creation of E-resource
Consortium is a must.
Source: http://www.emmettidaho.com/files/u4/Clipart_Work_Together_Idea.jpg

51. The Government of Bangladesh
should allocate sufficient funds in
the budget for the development
of library sector in Bangladesh.
Practical electronic resource
management course should be
integrated in the LIS curriculum
at the university level.
Source: http://www.trilliumassociates.com/images/magnify1.JPG

52.  Library and information science teaching and training
institutions should introduce different types of training
programs for unskilled library professionals.
 The library associations of Bangladesh should organize
seminars, workshops, etc. to create awareness among
librarians about current developments in technology.
 Database service providers should offer some packages for
the developing country libraries. Service fees should
increase gradually.
 International cooperation is a must in the library field.

53. Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JtlCE5dJtCI/SwlJbxOGq0I/AAAAAAAAAlQ/rN-
_Fc7yGhI/s1600/digital+1.gif & http://www.freewebs.com/dhaka2/bangladesh2.gif

54. Photo Credit: http://community.scholastic.com/attachments/scholastic/snapshot35/84/1/Thank%20You%20Bodies.jpg

55. Want to conduct research on
Bangladesh?
I am here to help you!!
nafiz_z@hotmail.com