Now, hit the books at 256 libraries set for upgrade

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday ordered upgradation of 96 village libraries as branch libraries and 160 part-time libraries as village libraries. To administer these upgraded libraries, 96 posts of Grade-III librarians and 160 posts of village librarians will be created.

The pay scale for the Grade III librarians will be Rs 5,200–20,000 with a grade pay of Rs 2,000, while the village librarians will get a special time pay scale of Rs 2,500- 5,000 with a grade pay of Rs 500.

The move will help students in particular, an official press release here said and recalled the view of former chief minister C N Annadurai on the importance of libraries: “Our people are particular about having separate rooms for performing poojas, cooking and sleeping. We can become truly enlightened people only when we are keen on having a separate room for reading too in our houses.”

MORE NEWS AT: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/now-hit-the-books-at-256-libraries-set-for-upgrade/284412-60-118.html

Ten Reasons to Love the Library

Whether it’s here in New Delhi or somewhere else entirely, for National Libraries Day or all year round, here are 10 great reasons why using the public library service is a really good idea:

1. Because it gives a huge boost to your community

Libraries are fantastic community facilities – in a world where public space is shrinking almost daily. To visit the library you don’t need to take out an expensive subscription or spend money in order to be welcome. And you’ll meet people from all walks of life there too. Libraries have something to offer no matter what your goals and ambitions – you can find a wonderful, escapist novel to read or a magazine with advice on getting fit. You can get a book to help you with a favourite hobby or to learn the skills you need to run a business. You can catch up with current affairs, trace your family history or do a computer course. Libraries truly offer something for everyone, and their fantastic, free facilities make our communities better and more prosperous places to live.

2. Because if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it

The library service is judged on two things – how many people go through the doors and how many items are borrowed. The council is currently committed to transforming the way it offers services in the future and, make no mistake about this, if library services are not well-used then they will be cut. The single most effective way to support your library is to use it regularly, make sure you know what’s on offer and tell other people.

3. Because a library card gives you access to all kinds of online subscriptions that you can use from home

In New Delhi you can access a great collection of reference resources from your computer at home. These include historic newspapers, dictionaries and encyclopaedias, journals and business publications, arts and literature resources and public information. And more subscriptions, including family history websites, are available from computers in branches. 

4. Because using the library is more easy and flexible than ever before

These days you can manage your account in person, by telephone or online. You can visit big or small branches, use mobile libraries or make use of online subscriptions. You can borrow fiction and non-fiction, e-books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs and DVDs as well as using reference services. And, if you can’t get into a branch due to a disability or mobility problem, there’s the home library service. There is a way of being a library member that will suit you and your lifestyle – it’s just a question of finding out what suits you best.

5. Because buying all the latest bestsellers costs a bomb

But the library service stocks them. Usually with multiple copies, often displayed prominently as you walk through the door. And, if the book you want is not on the shelf, then it can usually be tracked down for a small reservation fee. Don’t even get us started on the cost of providing a heap of picture books to a story-hungry toddler every month. And where else are you absolutely welcome to browse through the magazines without having to buy them? Using the library can save you a load of money on leisure and entertainment – and we haven’t even mentioned cost-effective music and DVD rental.

6. Because it’s a really simple, cost-free way to try out e-books

E-books can be quite worrying. For instance, do you have the right kind of device? Do you understand exactly what you are buying and what you can do with it? Are you getting value for money? How secure is the information you’ve provided to the publisher, and will you be bombarded with advertising messages? But use the library’s ebook borrowing service and many of these problems disappear. Hertfordshire offer ebooks in PDF and audio books in MP3 formats that work with a wide variety of devices. And they cost nothing to borrow.

7. Because libraries can help you keep up with interests, hobbies and current affairs

What do you like doing? Reading fat thrillers, escapist romances or the latest candidates for a literary prize? Catching up with memoirs or biographies of famous or interesting people? Flicking through glossy magazines or reading the supplements of broadsheets in detail? Pursuing hobbies like cooking, gardening, walking, travel, DIY, sport, fitness, fashion, pets, art, history, family history, crafts or collecting? Reading blogs and online news sites? Catching up with films or TV shows on DVD? Grabbing an audiobook to make your daily commute or a long journey more tolerable? You can access all these things (and many more) at your local library, either for free or for a very small charge.

8. Because you can get essential, reliable information to help you achieve your goals

What do you want to achieve? The local library can help you with personal goals like better fitness or a more healthy lifestyle. It can offer resources for learning a new language, improving your literacy and numeracy or mastering English as a second language. You can find out how to do important business tasks like accounting, project management or personnel management. You can learn more about your ancestors, understand how to manage a medical condition so it has less impact on your life, improve your computer skills, find out how to write an effective CV or brush up your interview technique, as well as checking job listings in local, national or specialist publications. You can master the driving theory or citizenship test, find out about educational courses, courses for fun, local groups and events going on in your community. Whatever you want to do to make your life better, there’s likely to be some help on offer.

9. Because you can get fast, easy Internet and PC access as well as free Wi-Fi

You’ve got Internet access and a computer at home, so why would you possibly need to use the library facilities? Because computers break like any other appliance and need time-consuming repair or replacement. Because Internet connections sometimes also break down, or other members of your household need to use the equipment at the same time you do. Because you occasionally need to make a copy or scan a document – but not often enough to invest in the equipment yourself. Where do you turn if any of this happens, just as you have an urgent task to complete? In Delhi Public Library, library members can enjoy a free hour’s PC and Internet use a day with just a small charge for non-members.

10. Because you never know what you’ll find until you look

One of the greatest pleasures of visiting the library is the fact you will be constantly surprised. Browse along the shelves and you never know what you might find there. It’s this sense of potential that makes library fans love their libraries so much. From a great new author to an interest you’ve been meaning to follow for years, a magazine you never knew about before or an undiscovered film by your favourite director, there’s always something wonderful and unexpected waiting for you at the library, however big or small it is. And long may it continue.

PU library to digitise PhD theses, insist on soft copy of new research

 By:-Snehil Sinha

Chandigarh The A C Joshi library in Panjab University is all set to digitise and convert all the PhD theses that it has stored in hard copy format. The new researches will also now be accepted only along with a soft copy of it. According to the library staff, a grant of Rs 25 lakhs from the PU funds was allocated, in principle, for this purpose, by the previous vice-chancellor, R C Sobti, before the completion of his term about three months ago.
The proposal is now awaiting final approval by the Finance Committee. The finance development officer is to decide upon a suitable date to call for a meeting and make final decisions on the sanctioning of the grant.
The A C Joshi library has a record of over ten thousand doctoral theses, in print format. The plan is to procure equipment and staff to convert these into digital soft copies. The librarian, Raj Kumar, said, “We will try to get the work outsourced once the grant is sanctioned, so that it gets done faster.”
Equipment will be procured to scan and convert the theses into pdf format and then a software will also be acquired for character recognition within the scanned files. This will be done so that keyword search in these files are possible.
According to the Dean University Instructions, Bhupinder Brar, “The process of digitisation is a step ahead towards using technology to prolong the lives of these researches. However, it can lead to an increase as well as decrease in plagiarism.”
He said that while it will become easier to copy and paste material, it will, at the same time, become easier to detect such an act.
In a similar manner, the process of saving digital copies of rare manuscripts and books had been initiated at PU about seven years back. A scanning camera was gifted to the library by an alumni in 2005. Since then, 744 manuscripts, out of a total of 1492, have been able to be scanned and saved electronically.
Raj Kumar said, “We don’t have much manpower and this work requires great precision. Many of these manuscripts are thousands of years old and one needs to be very careful with scanning each page at a time. It is a lengthy and cumbersome process which is why it is taking time. Besides only one person can do it as there is just one machine.”
A proposal of 1 crore, for the same purpose, was sent to the University Grants Commission (UGC) about a year ago.
However, when no response was received from there, the University decided to initiate the process itself, at a more modest level and the VC gave his nod to the 25 lakh project.
PU might also soon be a part of a UGC project, Shodhganga, a web portal of Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET), to make all its theses available online. However, this project is still in the pipeline and a panel meeting is to be held before a Memorandum of Understanding can be signed between PU and UGC.

INFLIBNET Centre is an Autonomous Inter-University Centre (IUC) of UGC, involved in creating infrastructure for sharing of library and information resources and services among Academic and Research Institutions and works collaboratively with Indian university libraries.

More News at: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/pu-library-to-digitise-phd-theses-insist-on-soft-copy-of-new-research/993268/

e-library on law inaugurated in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: An electronic law library named after justice V B Raju was inaugurated at the metropolitan court in the city.

The Late Justice Shree V B Raju e-library was inaugurated by Justice Anant Dave, Gujarat high court judge, and principal session judge S H Vora.

The e-library has four computers and two printers and the access would be totally free. The library, according to S V Raju - senior lawyer and son of Late Justice Shree V B Raju - will have the latest judgments of the high court and the Supreme Court. The library will also have the central and state laws.

"A person coming for research would have to pay for the printouts only," said Raju.

Ahmedabad rural district and session judge J N Patel was also present on the occasion. Inaugurating the library, Justice Dave asked bar members and advocates to use the e-library facility optimally.

More News at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/e-library-on-law-inaugurated/articleshow/15593506.cms

Digital content fast replacing books(TOI)

KOZHIKODE: Digital content is fast replacing printed books in libraries of higher educational institutions in the country, according to experts attending a five-day international workshop on digital libraries. The workshop began at the Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode (IIM-K) on Monday. 

"Digital content in libraries at premier educational institutions has already grown to an unprecedented 70-80% as against printed books. Many journals are now available only in digital format," said M G Sreekumar, head, Centre for Development of Digital Libraries (CDDL) at IIM-K and Unesco coordinator of Greenstone Support for South Asia. 

He said there had been a paradigm shift in the way information resources were being handled by libraries following the massive influx of digital content. 

"Traditionally, libraries owned books and journals they bought or subscribed to, allowing them to make best use of the resources. But digital publishing has changed those concepts. Libraries now only get the licence to use electronic information, and even this is issued for a prescribed period," he said. The digital libraries have now become the crucial component of global information infrastructure and offer new levels of access to broader audiences. 

Inaugurating the workshop, Debashis Chatterjee, director of IIM-K, said the knowledge professionals of today should acquire the capacity and capability to foresee the future course of information and knowledge landscape in line with the new emerging world order. 

The workshop focused on Greenstone Digital Library Software, an open source software system for developing digital libraries promoted by the University Of Waikato, New Zealand and sponsored by Unesco. 

Participants will be instructed on how to design digital collections of different publications in a variety of file formats. They will also receive the Greenstone Digital Library Software.

More News at: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/Digital-content-fast-replacing-books/articleshow/15594485.cms

Rare books at Directorate of Library Services

Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, Aug 21 – A repository of information and wisdom of eras long gone by continues to draw in people from today’s knowledge society. And as time goes by, its highly regarded items will only gain in value.

The collection of rare books in the Directorate of Library Services Assam at Ambari here houses some of the most difficult-to-obtain books and journals in the State. Most of the books are no longer in circulation, and therefore, difficult to acquire. The authors of some were forgotten with the passage of time, while some others went on to earn distinction in different fields.

According to official sources, the rare books section contains more than 2,370 titles in English, which include books on Assam written during the colonial period. Assamese books currently available to the reading public number nearly 900.

A book with an intrepid sounding name is Hill Tracts between Assam and Burmah and the Upper Brahmaputra. Written by Lt R Wilcox, it was published way back in 1825. It shares shelf space with other works such as the Report on the Manufacture of Tea and on the Extent and Product of the Tea Plantation in Assam, printed in 1839.

Like its protagonist, who travelled well beyond the horizon, Gulliver’s Travels managed to find its way to the exceptional book collection. The first edition of Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World (in four parts) by Lemuel Gulliver, printed in 1726, was presented to the Shillong Public Library by the ‘Raja of Hill Tipperah’ through CW McMinn of the Indian Civil Service. After Meghalaya became a separate State, it moved to its present location.

A wide range of books in Assamese, no longer available in bookshops, offers insights into the way authors in the past perceived their subjects. Lakshminath Bezbaroa’s Nomal, Hem Baruah’s Asamiya Byakaran, Debakar Sarma’s Anka Path and Ram Sarasawti’s Geet Govinda are only a few of the priceless works in the rare books section, said an official.

Although not many lay people visit the rare books section, researchers from this region as well as abroad find it an interesting destination. Those acquainted with the facility agree on the need to create a digital database of the extraordinary books as their conditions will naturally deteriorate with age.

More News at: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=aug2212/city05

How should academic libraries communicate their own value?

Libraries are not synonymous for a 'large undergraduate study hall'. Instead, they can provide vital support to research and teaching roles, says Stephen Barr

A library is more than a ‘large undergraduate study hall’. Photograph: David Levene

A common complaint from my librarian friends: too often users fail to appreciate that the resources they use online are only available to them because the library has purchased them. This is aggravated by confusion about what an academic library is. Researchers actively using library resources online may not think of themselves as using the library because they have not recently visited the building.

Libraries need to overcome such confusion to ensure that the contributions they make to the university are fully appreciated. Demonstrating value is key if libraries are to be able to continue to claim their share of institutional funding.

As part of a wider focus on working with the library community, SAGE recently commissioned a research project from LISU, the Library Information Science unit at Loughborough University. Although not the first research piece on this issue, LISU's research offers an up to date, accessible insight into best practices for libraries in demonstrating value, not just in terms of use, but also in terms of impact on research and teaching outcomes.

Drawing on research from the UK, the US and Scandinavia, the LISU study shows a world in which libraries are actively engaged in gathering evidence to demonstrate their value – but challenges remain. Though a good deal of evidence is collected, much of it is evidence of activity rather than evidence of value and impact. The kind of evidence provided by the 2009 CIBER global library study, demonstrating that per capita expenditure and use of e-journals is strongly correlated to research performance, is more challenging for individual institutions to develop.

Evidence is critical not only because administrators are increasingly required to justify expenditure, but also because librarians cannot take faculty support for granted. Though librarians do get a lot of positive feedback from faculty, the LISU study shows many librarians believe that researchers do not really know how to use all the library's resources. There is also a strong sense that teaching staff are often surprised by the sorts of support on offer.

Library buildings are increasingly geared towards meeting the needs of students, with cafés and social space provided alongside information resources. At the University of Utah, a recent survey showed that many teaching and research staff regarded the library as a large undergraduate study hall. With material available online and document delivery being made directly to offices, many faculty never visited the library building.

This creates an increased risk that faculty support for libraries will erode if faculty no longer perceive themselves as actively supported by the library. Disconnects of this kind are widely perceived. One librarian said: " ... most faculty really do ignore us or take [the library] for granted, while most librarians think that we are a central part of the faculty's mission".

The LISU study highlights a number of areas where libraries are actively engaging with faculty and students, providing evidence of value more effectively. The biggest trend is in collaborative working between librarians and faculty to support research and teaching roles. Library teaching embedded in departmental courses has become an important role for libraries, contributing to enhancing students' skills in information literacy and other areas.

Some universities, particularly in the US, have moved further in developing co-teaching courses. At others, there is librarian involvement in curriculum design with a view to ensuring that information skills are embedded in the course from the start. This kind of close working between faculty and librarians can also apply in research partnerships. An example cited is the involvement of subject librarians at the University of Nottingham in systematic reviews: their time is costed and documented as part of the research project in recognition that library skills are key to the successful delivery of the project, and librarians contributing to systematic reviews are cited as co-authors on the publications.

While there are gains to be made, library contributions to teaching and research can also pose significant challenges - notably that of time management. Providing embedded information training is a time-consuming support service for the library. Librarians are also aware of the limitations on faculty time in any partnerships.

For librarians to understand the perceptions of faculty and students and know how to reach and influence them, requires effective marketing - but this isn't just a question of promotion. The research found that in delivering shared services, Purdue University emphasises the importance of framing services from a faculty rather than from a librarian perspective. Librarians engaged in research support need to "present themselves as someone who can solve a problem research staff are having directly". A similar concern came across in the issue of using appropriate language – at the University of Sussex, sessions on electronic resources are presented as 'awareness raising' rather than 'training' to avoid generating unnecessary resistance.

Asked about the biggest impediment to promoting library services, one librarian summarised the issue as: "lack of time: for library staff to have time to promote resources to individuals; for academic staff to read and digest emails or other communications". This challenge was expressed in all three regions surveyed. Given the reality of time challenges on both sides, libraries need to be smart in identifying ways of building relationships and communicating value which are effective and scaleable.

There are also recommendations for senior university managers – the full report can be downloaded here. We undertook this project as a chance to better understand how libraries can support teaching and research staff. What LISU has reported on are just a small number of examples of best practice from case studies internationally: we'd welcome further input from you and your experiences here or on the Library Value blog.

Professor Stephen Barr is president of SAGE International

Read More at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

Librarians a neglected lot: The Pioneer

If librarians are not treated with disdain, they are not respected either. In colleges, they are considered inferior to the teaching and the administrative staff. But considering the multifarious roles that they play and the skills that are required of them, they should be given a better deal, writes Zafar Alam Khan

Despite a number of libraries in the State Capital, ‘Librarians’ Day’, observed on the 120th birth anniversary of renowned librarian, SR Ranganathan on August 12 across the country, passed unnoticed in Bhopal. Not a single programme was held on the occasion in the city.

A librarian is considered to be a specialist in the care and management of a library, trained in library science and engaged in library services. A librarian has many important roles to play. Unfortunately, their lot remains neglected due to varied reasons, including the indifferent attitude of the policy makers, perhaps because of their lesser numbers.

SR Ranganathan, considered as father of library science, developed five laws in 1931. He said:

• Books are for use
• Every reader his or her book
• Every book its reader
• Save the time of the reader
• The library is a growing organism

With a few simple adaptations, Ranganathan’s laws hold good even today.

Sachin Chourasiya, assistant librarian in Sadhu Vaswani College, who has written many letters to the Government to draw its attention towards the problems of the librarians, while talking to the Viva City, said “though the number of books has increased in the 31 departmental libraries of the State from a mere dozen to thousands, the number of librarians has remained the same. Besides, there is no fixed standard for their salaries. They are the lowest paid compared to those who are in the same rank in Government jobs.”

A senior librarian serving with the State Government, on condition of anonymity, said “unfortunately, Madhya Pradesh is one of those States where Library Act has not been implemented though the Bill for the purpose had been tabled twice in the State Assembly. It is not an Act till now. This also reflects the unwillingness of the State Government. Librarians across the State are of the view that the State Government would have to show strong commitment for getting the bill passed in the State Assembly.”

Chourasiya said the lesser number of librarians was the major reason for the plight of the community as other cadres like those of doctors, teachers, nurses, patwaris and RIs, etc succeeded in getting their demands fulfilled due to larger numbers and strong unions. The salary of the librarians was also not uniform like other cadres and it varied from department to department. There promotion chances were bleak due to lesser number of posts.

He said the lesser number of librarians did not empower them to raise their voice before the Government and therefore they expected that the Government would act unilaterally on Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay’s policy sentence “pain of last man standing in last queue needs to be resolved.”

MP Library Association and College Library Association are the two bodies meant for working in the interest of the libraries and librarians in the State, but the irony is that both the associations are inactive.

Chourasiya said the need of the hour was that the problems of the librarians, that included uniform wages, promotion guidelines, etc, should get all the benefits that others on equivalent posts were getting and that they should be awarded respectable status.

Nepal Singh Jadon, library and information officer, Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), said “the librarians working under the Central Government are lucky in this regard as the Union Government acting on the recommendations of the Chattopadhyay Committee fixed uniform wages for the library staff. Besides, there is a promotional policy for them.”

Unfortunately, most of the libraries in the State have inadequate staff. The non-progressive attitude of our society is to be partially blamed for this brain-drain in the field of librarianship. Even in academic institutions their wages are not comparable to that of teachers and other administrative staff. They are rarely a part of the policy-making body.

Librarians are considered not more than clerks. Even the authorities concerned have failed to implement a proper service structure, and have not come up with an effective promotion formula till today. Further obstacles that hinder the recognition of librarianship as a noble profession enlist the attitude and working habits of supporting staff in libraries.

Calcutta’s treasure trove lies in tatters at Writers’ library

Kolkata Spiders crafting cobwebs on a record maintained at Fort William in 1863. A copy of a census of the population of Calcutta in 1770 gathering dust at one corner of a dingy and damp room. An atlas of Calcutta made by historian James Rennell in 1779-81 lies in tatters.
This is what one finds at the library under the land and land reforms department at the Writers’ Buildings, thanks to the neglect of both the Left Front and the incumbent Trinamool Congress government.
The library houses books, documents, records, maps and other materials from the days prior to the arrival of Job Charnock, regarded as one of the founders of Calcutta. According to experts, parts of the collection are comparable with those in the Library ofCongress in the US, British Museum in London, Khuda Baksh Library of Patna and National Library of Kolkata.
In fact, it was the land and land reforms department that the British first set up for revenue collection and distribution of ownership of land among the people. Started in Fort William in 1740, the library was later shifted to Writers’ Buildings, which was built in 1776. At present it is located in a sprawling hall measuring 578.27 sq metres on the ground floor of Writers’.
The collection includes 34,500 rare documents and books, district gazetteer of 1800, Calcutta gazette of 1700, printed records after the Sepoy Mutiny (1857), proceedings of the legislative council during the Raj, proceedings of the state Assembly from 1937 — when it was set up - to 1980-82.
Since no stock-taking has ever taken place in the library and numerous documents remained unexamined, nobody has any idea how many invaluable documents have been lost to neglect.
Once in a while, researchers and officials from various government departments use this library manned by one librarian and two employees. However, since no cataloguing has ever been done, it is difficult to locate documents.
In 2007, The Indian Express first wrote about the plight of the library. At that time A K Patnaik, then commissioner general of land and land reforms, who also happened to be then principal secretary of sports, gave Rs 1 lakh from the sports department budget to the library. There has been no more government assistance since then.
After the Trinamool government took over, librarian Mita Rani Ghosh did something very unusual. She went to the residence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Kalighat and told her about the condition of the library.
Thereafter, Ghosh wrote a letter to Mamata on June 7, 2011, as to how the library can be upgraded. On September 13, Alpana Saha, assistant secretary in the land and land reforms department, wrote to Ghosh that the matter was being looked into. There has been no development since then.
Researchers say the library needs urgent attention. “I have seen invaluable records, particularly after the mutiny (1857), in the library. But they are in a shambles,” Benoy Bhishan Choudhury, former professor of history at Calcutta University, told The Indian Express.

Suvaprasanna, chairman of the State Heritage Commission, said he was not aware of the existence of the institution at Writers’ Buildings. “I will bring it to the notice of the highest authorities,” he said.

More News at: http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/calcuttas-treasure-trove-lies-in-tatters-at-writers-library/990997/

Importance of e-journals stressed: The Hindu

Change in the field of library and information science has been enormous

The e-journals resource available at several research organisations or online at several educational institutions should be made use of effectively to help improve the research activity in the country, opined a Defence Research Development Organisation scientist.

At the Andhra Loyola College at its Fr. Gordon Library organised a lecture on `e-journal and its usage’ and the keynote address delivered by DRDO Scientist T. Ashok Babu kept the students captivated. The library organised the programme in collaboration with ALC Department of Physics and in his lecture the resource person, Mr. Ashok Babu highlighted the importance of e-journals in libraries across the globe and its special importance in the DRDO. At the laboratories for scientific work, various journals and conference papers of various scientific institutes like “NASA, ISRO” are available for users and any one can make use of the available e-content from various sources, he said.

The students from physics background can better understand this and make use of them for their future studies and research, he observed. College Principal Father GAP Kshore gave welcome address and described the importance of e-content in the present education system and highlighted some user issues with regard to books and journals in the college library.

He also said that students of all subjects must convert themselves to the changing environment and benefit from the technology advancements. The librarian G. A. Prasad Rao spoke about the changes that were taking place in the information and communication technologies (ICT) and he asked all the students to make use of all the advancements in e-content development and delivery. The change in the field of library and information science was enormous, he added. Department of Physics head A. V. Ravikumar, proposed vote of thanks and Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres meeting of south India was also organised at Andhra Loyola College.

Delegates from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala in addition to Andhra Pradesh participated.

More News at: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/article3784600.ece

13 Things You Pay For That Your Library Has For Free

If it has been a few years or a few decades since you've ventured into your local library, you're going to be very surprised by what you find. No longer are these dusty institutions of quiet corners, musty books and stern librarians, they are home to bestsellers, coffee carts, teen rooms, community, and civic gatherings. Libraries offer computer classes, babysitting workshops, tutoring programs and literacy programs, most of which are free, or are offered at a nominal fee. Not all services mentioned in this article are available at every library, but it's worth finding out if your local library offers a similar option. (For some books that you might be interested in, check out 10 Books Worth Investing In.) TUTORIAL: Budgeting Basics

1. Read for Free

Libraries are known for books, offering fiction and non-fiction hardbacks, paperbacks, and eBooks. The eBooks can be downloaded into nearly any format to fit your computer, eReader or other device. The downloaded books will expire at the end of their loan period so no returns necessary. Overdrive is one provider of download services to libraries. Take a look to see how simple it is: http://www.overdrive.com/. 

The cost of an average hardcover book is $18.99, an average children's picture book is $12.99, an average paperback book is $6.99 and an eBook download is between 99 cents and $9.99.

2. Magazines and Newspapers for Free
Magazine titles from Reader's Digest to Vogue to Hot Rod, including back issues are available for loan. Local newspapers and the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times and others are available for reading in the library. 
The average cost of a magazine (monthly) is $5.99 and the cost of an average newspaper subscription is $60 per year.

3. Listen for Free

Music CDs from classical to rock and roll are waiting. If you need music for a children's party, wedding, anniversary or just listening while relaxing you can find it here. If you prefer your music downloadable, libraries offer MP3 downloads with a limited loan period. 

The average cost of a music CD is $10.99 

You can also check out audio books on every subject for your commute to work, for waiting on your kids at various sports practices or to listen to while you walk. The average cost of an audio book is $21.99

4. Free Periodical Searches
If you are a high school or college student, you will be required to cite sources, footnote your thesis, or find some obscure fact for a class. If you find you need an article that appeared in Time Magazine on global warming from 2004, the library will have it on a database. The only cost would be for print/copies. Here's a quick look: EBSCO Periodical Search.

5. Librarian Access 24/7

If you can't find the answers you need, libraries await your question. In Ohio, they have Know it Now, (your local libraries will have different names for this feature) which gives 24/7 access to an online research librarian. 

6. Internet and Wi-Fi

You can have free internet access and Wi-Fi, all you need is a library card. Be aware that most libraries utilize "censoring" programs for juvenile users, and parental consent may be required to use the Internet. 

The average cost of internet service is $22.00 monthly.

7. Watch Movies for Free

Libraries offer children's movies like "Sponge Bob," "The Magic School Bus" and Disney movies to informational DVDs from National Geographic and the Travel Channel, to How-To instructional videos as well as major motion pictures. 

The cost of an average movie DVD is $12.99, and $3.99 for a DVD rental.

8. Learn a Foreign Language - Free

Traveling abroad on business or vacation than check out the free foreign language learning databases. Using a service from BYKI, patrons can choose to learn over 70 languages. Their interactive learning site offers individual learning, flash cards, and words of the day.

9. Job Preparation for Free

Learning Express enables you to study for hundreds of tests including civil service, military entrance exams and preparation tests for SAT/ACT, MSAT, LSAT and dozens of others. You will find practice tests at all levels. You can practice, save your test, see your results and try again all for free.

10. Find Your Family History for Free

For family genealogists, libraries offer free access to search programs such as Ancestry.com, and HeritageQuest.com. These databases usually require you to search in the library, but occasionally some libraries will allow you to search from home after logging in with your library card number. Some libraries also have research librarians and genealogists on staff to assist with your search. 

The cost of an online genealogy membership is $25.00 (monthly).

11. Free Books for Parents

The library is a significant resource to parents. Where else could your children find a free summer program that encourages reading, allows them to take home armloads of books free and usually gives them prizes for encouragement? Throughout many summer programs, authors, wildlife experts and a myriad of others drop by bringing their special knowledge to share. (For more money saving tips, read 5 Painless Ways To Save More Money.)

12. Free Auto Repair and other Databases

For those who don't like to read for recreation, there are practical free databases in auto and truck repair provided by ARRC, reference databases such a Kelly Blue Book, Antiques Weekly and Standard & Poor. 

13. Other Free Services

Many libraries have a notary on staff (there may be a fee for notary services), offer tax forms, have dedicated internet computers to the IRS and Social Security sites, voter registration forms, test proctoring and fax services, and larger metropolitan libraries offer passport processing.

The Bottom Line

Obtaining a library card is simple. Visit the library, fill out a card application, present identification and you have instant, free access to a world of information. Check out your local library for some amazing programs and unbeatable bargains this summer.

Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0611/13-Things-You-Pay-For-That-Your-Library-Has-For-Free.aspx#ixzz23mOTXj7B

E-Books Go on Holiday

Source: Hindustan Times (Life Style), 14th August 2012, Page No. 5

In the age of electronics, Nilgiris library promotes reading through book club

UDHAGAMANDALAM: In an age of electronics where the habit of reading is facing a losing battle, the Nilgiri Library is making valiant efforts to revive it by conducting book club activities, hosting cultural events and scheduling story-telling and reading sessions for children over the last two years. The library is located in a Victorian building with striking gothic style architecture, on Commissioner's Road in Ooty.

Members of the book club meet every second Saturday to discuss the book selected for the month. This past Saturday marks the beginning of the third year of the club. "It is an interesting experience. It is not necessary to agree with popular sentiment regarding the book. You are free to agree or disagree with the reviewer or ideas and concepts of the author," said Kamala, the coordinator of the book club.

The book to be read is announced well in advance, usually three months before the discussion happens. The reviewer chooses the book to be read. This coming Saturday the book to be discussed is 'The Secret Life of Plants' by Christopher Bird and Peter Tompkins. Ravindran Govindan, who chose the title, will review the book followed by a debate on its content among club members.

Members really look forward to the Saturday meetings. In fact, one member who knew that she would be missing one such meeting sheepishly asked if it could be recorded. Another member, Dr Kousalya would like to meet every week. "These meetings are very gratifying," Kamala said. A few recently reviewed books include White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway.

The 150-year-old library also conducts reading and storytelling sessions for children. A small children's corner has been identified inside the library for the purpose. "Children are very enthusiastic about the reading sessions and they participate actively," said Kamala.

A garden club has been formed by the library members to maintain the area surrounding the library building. "We want the library to be a hub of cultural activities," said Ramakrishnan Nambiar, secretary of the Nilgiris Library. About 40 saplings of indigenous trees were planted inside the campus a few days ago.

The library also organizes talks by authors, audio visual sessions, dance and music programmes to draw more members. They also plan to come out with a cinema club. Last week it screened the Oscar award winning Iranian movie, The Separation. The screening was sponsored by INTACH, the Nilgiris chapter. "We plan to screen art movies and award winning movies for our members," said Nambiar.

The cultural activities organized have attracted another 150 members to the library. Presently, the library which houses more than 40,000 books, some as old as 400 years, has 600 members.

Run by a committee, it came into existence in 1858 to cater to European readers. Among visitors to the library are many distinguished personalities including I K Gujral, former Prime Minister of India, Fatima Beevi, former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Rajam Krishnan, a renowned writer.

More News at: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-11/coimbatore/33152836_1_nilgiris-library-library-members-cinema-club

Library law 'fails' to take off

BERHMPUR: The "poor implementation" of a law on public libraries has affected an initiative to build a network of such institutions in the state, experts said on Sunday.

"The Odisha Public Libraries Act was enacted to establish a network of the public libraries from block level to the state level. But even after 10 years of its enactment, the Act was not implemented fully," said RK Mohapatra, a professor of library science at Sanjay Memorial Institute of Technology ( SMIT).

Mohapatra was speaking at a function to celebrate the birth anniversary of SR Raganathan, the father of library science in India, at Chhatrapur in Ganjam district. The meeting was organised by the district library.

"The scenario is equally bad in several other states. Beside Odisha, 17 states have enacted legislations on building of public libraries. But only 10 states have implemented the law in the right spirit," Mohapatra added.

The Act also called for formation of a public library council to monitor the initiative. "The government has failed to set up the body. Even now, most of the blocks lack the proposed state-run Gandhi Pathagar," said Ashok Choudhury, former MLA of Chhatrapur.

More News at :http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Library-law-fails-to-take-off/articleshow/15471981.cms

Nine Reasons to Save Public Libraries

By Emmily Bristol

Credit: Flickr (Creative Commons)

While the War on Women and Chick-fil-A might be getting all the juicy headlines lately, there’s another issue quietly smoldering in the background noise of this election season. It’s buried under all the campaign rhetoric and doom-and-gloom forecasts about the economy.

Our public libraries are not just threatened this election season. They’re fighting for their lives — and with them, the livelihoods and well-being of hard-hit communities all over the country.Library districts in California, Illinois, Ohio, Nevada, Texas, Washington, and more have measures or proposals to slash budgets in 2012. California alone is looking at 50% budget cuts. Where I live, the library district is facing a 30% budget cut, which will close at least two branches. According to the American Library Association, 23 states are looking to cut library budgets in the most recent fiscal year.

But I have yet to see a demonstration to save the libraries. Or read national news coverage about the potential collapse of one society’s most valuable resources. Indeed, it wasn’t by accident that our nation’s founding fathers established the first American lending library.

But the truth is that the state of our public libraries is a kind of litmus test of not only our economic health but that of our democracy, too. After all, libraries are the free, democratization of education, unbiased research, and uncensored enlightenment.

It was President John F. Kennedy who made this plea for the sanctity of our libraries:

"If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty."

Here are some reasons why our libraries are still the place where we as a nation will achieve our destiny:

1. The house of the 99%: The foundation of democracy is an educated electorate. When the economy is down, it is all the more vital that we the people have access to information, education, news… and now in modern times the internet, computers, and other sources of media tools as well. Libraries do that. For everyone.
2. Libraries build equity: Research shows that depressed neighborhoods and declining communities are not just culturally enriched by libraries. The institutions serve as a community focal point, like a town square, and communities that have that resource rebound.
3. Community hope chest: Libraries don’t just curate the Harry Potter series and lend copies of the latest blockbusters on DVD, they also house special collections based on the needs and unique identities of the communities they serve. The library district where I live houses a special collection on a World War II magnesium plant that helped turned the tide of the war (as well as establishing the second largest city in Nevada). That’s living history that gets lost without a public space to keep it alive.
4. Renewable resource: How much do you save by being able to borrow materials from the library? How helpful is it to have this resource — especially now that even retail bookstores, movie rental shops, and record stores are closing? There’s a calculator for that.
5. Literacy: Studies show (PDF) that children’s literacy is greatly improved by access to summer reading programs and preschool reading programs at public libraries. And children’s literacy is a building-block of adult literacy. When I was in college I interned at a non-profit that worked on illiteracy, targeting at-risk youth. I worked in their summer reading program at an elementary school with one of the lowest rates of economic depression in the state (Oregon). This meant that most of the kids who went to that school were enrolled in summer school — even if they were good students — simply because it was a cheaper alternative to child care. At the end of the program each child got to pick out one brand-new book to keep. For all but just a few of the children, it was the first book they ever owned. Maybe you don’t “own” the books at the library (although, as a tax-payer I would argue we do), but the libraries are a place where the socio-economic realities that push the starting line so far back for so many can be equalized. And that’s like a small miracle in the life of a child who has already had to learn how to be hard in the face of a world that cuts them no breaks. There are very few individuals who could buy every child a book and start them on the road to literacy. (And it’s been shown that access to books in childhood is one of thebiggest predictors of literacy.) But all of us together can buy a kid a building full of books. That is a miracle.
6. Leveling the playing field: Libraries offer vital resources for communities that might not otherwise be served or feel integrated. People learning English (or other languages), the elderly, deaf people, the homeless… the list goes on.
7. Safe space: In some communities, the public library may be the only free space available that is also a safe space. Young victims of bullying, kids who live with domestic violence, LGBT youth, and many more can find a safe place (and often a caring librarian) at the library. I know from personal experience — having spent time camped at my local library when I had no other safe place to go as a teenager.
8. Cultural touchstone: Many libraries showcase art — often by local artists. Likewise, the buildings themselves are often architecturally significant and enhance the beauty and character of the communities they serve.
9. Drop in or drop out: Libraries can also be a place that means the difference between a child’s success or failure in school. Many libraries offer tutoring programs, free classes, as well as access to volumes of information and technology that a kid might not have anywhere else. Believe it or not, even in these modern times there are kids who don’t have computers at home who need to type their papers for school. There are kids who can’t afford the expensive private tutor to get through Algebra. Libraries can make the difference to a kid teetering on the edge. And high school dropout rates have a direct correlation to the health of a community.

These days, there are a lot of people talking about how nobody reads anymore. But that’s just wrong. People are reading ALL THE TIME. People are on Facebook, on Wikipedia, on blogs… They are using e-readers to read virtual copies of books. They are downloading newspapers to their tablet devices. People still read. And people read books — with pages and paper and bindings — too. But the fact is, there’s all kinds of other stuff besides books that libraries do for people in our community every day. Book programs for shut-ins. After-school and summer programs for youth. Did I mention toddler story time?

But more than that, it may just be the last free space that is truly free and there for everyone — homeless, young, old, rich, poor, and any race under the sun. We are all welcome there. We are all equal there.

Doesn’t that seem like a space too valuable to lose?

More News at :http://ivn.us/2012/08/08/nine-reasons-to-save-public-libraries/