Hello, IGIDR library has taken some initiative in collecting journals holding data from some of the Indian libraries working in social sci, Management and related areas. The union catalogue of journal holdings are now available from our site. There is also an attempt to develop online Directory of library professionals in working in such areas. In this regard I have tried to answer some of the questions raised by Mr.Sukhdev regarding online directories of library professionals.
1. What is the AIM? and to whom it would benefit?
It may benefit all the librarians who try to get in touch with other professional collegues or a old friend in the profession. It gives boost for inter-library cooperation. It may also help the researchers who to try to seek help from a subject expert ( library sci related queries ).
2. What information would it contain, and what would be the data elements of the database?
Contact information, address, area of specialization, phone number, email ID ( Optional ). More details can be worked out.
3. Are INFLIBNET and INFOLIBRARIAN ready to give their data? If yes, then are their databases compatible? Do they have common structure?
The developers of INFOLIBRARIAN want to remain annonymous, therefore till the time they reveal their identity we need not think of it.
3a. I Remember ILA had similar effort, what is the present status, can some one check out? Can we integrate that data also?
I very much appreciate if this can be answered by the ILA members.
4. How its utility would be better then a discuss group like LIS-FORUM?
These two have different objectives. Individuals can decide their choice depeding on the need. I need such a directory for inter-library loan related activities and I personally do not prefer to use LIS-FORUM for such activities.
5. What are the factors of success/failure of exisitng similiar efforts. What lessions / best practices we can learn from the exiting initiative. How would this knowledge would help us in our proposed initiative?
Decentralisation could be the best solution. Formation of subject specific library Networks and then consolidating data gathered by such networks. Common data format, Coordination among various networks of the country.
6. Who will own the data?
It becomes a common property resource. All the participating networks or associations will have joint ownership. The data provided by various soc sci libraries for our union catalogue is considered as common proprety and cany participating library can take the complete data and host it from their website. I know, that these may are not the complete answers, I have tried to answer some of the questions with my experience of working for a social sci library network which is still is in conceptual stage. I also thank all the social sci and management libraries who have contributed data for our union catalogue programme. Efforts are on to host online directory of professionals working in these libraries. thanks g.k.manjunath ************************************************** CHIEF LIBRARIAN INDIRA GANDHI INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH FILM CITY ROAD ( GEN.VAIDYA MARG ) SANTOSH NAGAR GOREGAON ( EAST ) MUMBAI - 400 065 INDIA e-mail : gkm@igidr.ac.in http:// www.igidr.ac.in/lib/library.htm phone 91-22-28490653 ************************************************