Digitising libraries to be in pace with changing trends
The transition is to reach millennials and give access of books across the globe
Libraries for over centuries have been book lovers' paradise, a place of cultural exchange, and a knowledge hub. However, with technological advancements, libraries are increasingly getting digitised, providing an access to users across the globe.
Central government recently launched National Digital Library of India (NDL India) - a pilot project to develop a framework of virtual repository of learning resources with a single-window search facility. NDL India has been designed to hold content of all languages and provides interface support for leading Indian languages.
G Mahesh, co-author of a research paper 'Digital Libraries in India', says, "We cannot specify when the digitisation exactly started, but with the increasing popularity of automation and computer technologies since the 80s, it was only natural for libraries to go digital."
Most libraries in India are at different stages of digitisation. Despite the technology available, digitising library collections is not simple, as it involved the copyright hassle too.
"The new content is being acquired or licensed in digital form, which is translating in the increase in digital content in most libraries," adds Mahesh.
Nirupama Dutt, a Punjab-based poetess, feels one cannot avoid this transition and refers it as an inevitable and a welcome change. "Digitisation of libraries is a step towards saving the published material in a virtual space. What worries me is the decreasing popularity of hard copies."
People are still making efforts to keep alive the feel of books. "An organisation, Book Fairy, hides books in public places to surprise people and share the joy of reading," she informs.
Recently, British Council also digitised its libraries to provide access across geography, in the medium most suited to a millennial audience. So, most of the books here are now available on tablets, laptops and smartphones.
Antonius Raghubansie, head teaching center and library, British Council, said the transition, which took place in 2016, is for the young generation who are using their smartphones 24X7. "There are over 400 million mobile users in India and we wanted to reach them and give them access to books across the globe. There are over 50,000 software and 2-3 minute training videos, comics and 16,000 graphic novels, thousands of movies and classic TV titles, and full-length music concerts and documentaries available online," added Raghubansie.
Though the physical membership is increasing, but 20% members are online. "There are 25,000 members accessing the Digital Library and in Delhi, approximately 6000 members use the Digital Library. The only aim is to increase our reach and surprisingly elderly people have accepted this change. Earlier, they use to visit libraries with their grandchildren and now these young children are helping their elders to access books online."
Arun Chakraborty, director general, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library foundation and director general of National Library of Kolkata, said, "There are two forms of digitisation- books that are written only for virtual space fall under born-digital category and the ones that do not have copyright fall under digitise category."
He added, "Digitisation is important to know what is being published across the worlds and for the researchers it helps them not to duplicate the work of others. Moreover, young generation is also in favour of it."
Most authors still want to publish hard covers books so they live for generations, added Chakraborty.
A homemaker and an avid reader Renu Giri, who visits library twice a week, said, "Digitisation of libraries is a great step as one gets access to material from across the globe but visiting a library and searching for books is a habit that she loves will continue to do so."
By embracing digitisation, libraries are giving more people more access to more books.
Source | Times of India | 22nd November 2018
Mr. Pralhad Jadhav
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