NETWORKING AND RESOURCE SHARING OF THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE LIBRARIES IN MAHARASHTRA: A STUDY

The library professional has never been exposed so much in past to the changing information scenario as it has been done now. In this age of information explosion, the technology has progressively replaced the old method of information collection, storage and retrieval. Today the walls of the library are giving way to electronic environments to establish links with information and virtual libraries that are getting shaped on the resource sharing and networking. Each individual library is acting as a place for storage and services to the users while the trend is to provide shared information to the users. Emphasis is given to access to information rather than owning it. It is also possible to create their own institutional digital repositories by transforming their institutional publications which are in print. All this needs cooperation and support from the authorities of the colleges and active participate of library professionals. Academic libraries in India have long desired one-stop shopping for their customers and in this electronic age their customers are demanding it to search from a single point at any physical location, and retrieve information from the library catalogue, citation form journal indexes and full text information electronic resources. Academic libraries are facing increasing pressures from multiple sources. Libraries can no longer be expected to support research and development from their own resources due to the information explosion, increasing cost of library materials, shrinking library budgets etc. The global computer network providing access to online bibliographic information and full text delivery of request will change the way work is performed in the libraries. The most important advantage of the information age for libraries may be that the information is not limited to the items held by library rather than user can access any modern library in the world through the World Wide Web. Libraries must provide reliable, cost efficient access to information whether print or multimedia whether held locally or remotely. The need to provide information services that remove the barriers of distance and time become even more important. In earlier times libraries have always acquired and organized material so that the information is accessible more easily. No library today can be expected to directly hold all of the resources to fulfill all the needs of its users. Rather, most libraries supplement their local collections through resource-sharing arrangements that allow them to offer their clientele access to a broader universe of materials. Libraries participate in local, regional, or global services for the borrowing and lending of materials, supported by different types of organizational relationships and technical infrastructure. (Islam, 2013) Resource Sharing is typically composed of two activities. The first is collaborative collection development, whereby subject specializations are intended to be distributed among libraries within a clearly defined geographic region, so that individual libraries need not attempt to collect resources in all fields; but can concentrate on a particular field. The second form of resource sharing is through various document delivery mechanisms. Inter-library loan might suitably fall into this category (Grycz, 1997). No library is able to satisfy all the needs of information resources. Most libraries did not, do not and will not have all the information resources that their patrons need (Hwa-Wei Lee). Needs of information resources can be met through the mechanism of library cooperation of sharing of resources. The appreciation of the need for cooperation leads to the formation of library consortium. To materialize the concept, first of all sever all libraries are required to come together for the mutual benefit of the respective user in the form of library cooperation. Secondly, libraries linked together with the help of communication system in terms of networking and finally they come together to acquire traditional and e-resources under the umbrella of library consortium (Chatterjee, 2007). Network of college libraries under the umbrella of universities have been widely discussed, many projects have been initiated and undertaken at global level. In India particularly, ICAR, UGC and various educational bodies’ recommendations also emphasized the necessity of networking of college libraries. The role of university library in clustering, resource sharing among the colleges and information access by avoiding the duplication of efforts and resources is immense. The INFLIBNET and NAAC are also emphasizing university and college libraries network and ensuring the role of university library in promoting the information environment of affiliated institutions. Application of new information technology has brought dramatic changes in the library and information field. With technological advancement, libraries and information centers around the world have computerized their library routines, developed databases for shared use on computer networks. Besides, improving services and operations for improved performance, libraries have also been able to evolve effective computer networks with an aim to optimize utilization of resources and facilities