To introduce practical experiences of some important resource sharing activities in the PMNMDCH Library by focusing on digital activities and the HELINET Consortium of Rajiv Gandhi Health Sciences, University.
2. Resource sharing in e-environment: A Study of
P.M.N.M. Dental College and Hospital Library,
Bagalkot
Mr. Vijayakumar Y. Jalagar
Librarian,
P.M.N.M. Dental College and Hospital,
Bagalkot- 587101
E-mail: vijay.jy84@gmail.com
Mr. Shrikant G. Karkun
Assistant Librarian
Basaveshwar Engineering College, (Autonomous)
Bagalkot- 587103
E-mail: becshrikant@gmail.com
3. Introduction
Resource sharing is a concept which includes many cooperative
activities between libraries and Information centers. Advent of IT
and ICT’s have opened up new opportunities for greater
cooperation. So digital interactions, collaborative approaches to
digital repositories, providing Content Consortiums and other
practical experiences for sharing resources are promising
development in the recent years. Nowadays, PMNMDCH Library is
participating through HELINET Consortium, which is trying to
prepare an appropriate access to digital resources for all college
members in local, national and even international level.
4. Objectives:
To introduce practical experiences of some
important resource sharing activities in the
PMNMDCH Library by focusing on digital
activities and the HELINET Consortium of Rajiv
Gandhi Health Sciences, University.
5. Advent of IT and ICT:
In the recent times Library and Information Profession has face
serious transformation particularly with the proliferation of
Information Communications Technology (ICT) which has
transformed the way and manners business transactions,
education and learning, use of library and its numerous functions
including that sharing of information for education and general
social interaction. Library just like all other business organization
evolved into online base outfit, meanly due to the growth and
development recorded in Information Communications
Technologies such as the internet.
6. Definitions of Information Resource Sharing
Walden (1999) defines resource sharing as “a term used to
describe organized attempt by libraries to share materials
and services cooperatively so as to provide one another
with resources that might otherwise not be available to an
individual institution. It represents an attempt to expand the
availability of specialized, expensive, or just plain not-owned
resources beyond the bounds of a single
institution”.
7. Definitions of Information Resource
Sharing
Posner (2012) believes that: “Librarians are in a good position
to understand and mediate among all stakeholders so that
individual and societal interests in learning and in creating
new knowledge are ultimately served. Instead of merely
minimizing risks to their institutions, they should, instead, lead
discussions of how to improve the system for everyone.
Therefore, it is vital that librarians make all parties – including
the public – understand why open, free, convenient resource
sharing is crucial to scholarly communication and popular
culture, and to protect what is at stake – the intellectual
development of individuals and society – when it is
threatened”.
8. The Major Goals of Resource Sharing :
To facilitating users to have better access to library holdings
or services;
To conducting User Orientation Programme for fresher's;
To positive effect on library budget;
To enhance the library resources for the benefit of users;
To enable the users to be more aware regarding the resources
not available in their own library;
9. The Major Goals of Resource Sharing :
To easy made access to library information resources and
services through web
To acquire materials for students, academics and staff through
interlibrary loan and other resource sharing arrangements
powered by ICT and internet connectivity.
To adopt technology advancements for preparing electronic
catalogues and indexes for print resources available in the library.
To standardize software, hardware and databases, proper
policies and implementation rules, preparing manuals for
operations and training staffs and end-users, etc.
10. Benefits for Sharing Resources
Enhancement of services through access more information
available in consortia member libraries
Cheaper and more effective
Document delivery services
Selective Dissemination of Information and Current Awareness
Services
Electronic Conferences
Increased Human Cooperation
Increased cooperation and sharing
Improved purchase of electronic information and library
collection management
11. Benefits for Sharing Resources
Reduced library subscription
Provision of education and library services
Increased value (quality and quantity) of information resources
available to both staff and students, thus supporting the mission
of the institution.
Standardization of library services across the country
Standardization of library training facilities
12. About the PMNMDCH Library
The main objective of our library is to create a better learning
environment to the users and maintaining/ developing a variety of
learning resources like Books, journals, E-Databases of books
and journals in specific field of dentistry. A knowledge doorway to
accessing the main goal is preparing digital services, is
“Information Technology Division and lifelong Learning”.
The Library provides updated facilities by developing
Information Communication Technology and using new
technologies in order to prepare and deliver information services
to the wide range of end users.
13. About the PMNMDCH Library
The major activities of this unit are divided in three sub-divisions:
I. Technical Division; includes network, software and hardware;
II. Digitization Division; includes production, maintenance and
dissemination of digital contents; and,
III. Services to Users Division; includes Internet services and
library databases.
14. HELINET (Health Science Library Network)
Consortia:
HELINET Consortium is first of its kind in the country when it was
started in the field of health sciences information network in the
year 2002. About 600+ core international e-journals, 2000+ e-books,
1500+ videos and databases are being subscribed/
procured and provided to students and faculties and research
scholars pursuing their studies in various faculties of health
sciences of all the respective affiliated colleges under RGUHS.
About a million of scientific articles are being downloaded
annually by our academic community, which is a healthy recovery
of investments and enhancement of academic standards
empowering knowledge and skills.
15. Access to HELINET Gateways:
Clinical Key
MD Consult
Science Direct
Wiley Blackwell
Springer
Nature
Lippincott William and Wilkins
BMJ
Oxford University Press
Jaypee Digital
16. Conclusion
Resource Sharing is an effective tool towards providing
extensive access with limited financial resources. Users’
demands and expectations have also arisen with the
speedy growth of knowledge resources. Because of
budgetary cuts, libraries are unable to purchase the needed
material, so they should aim for mutual cooperation.
Nowadays, libraries preserve various shapes and formats of
information resources. E- resources and digital resources
are more popular these days due to their distinct features.
Digital Libraries (DLs) have its own strategy and process of
disseminating and transferring articulated knowledge items,
and librarians perceive this process as knowledge share.
There is a dire need for mutual formal cooperative
programs at different levels.
