Dear Professionals, Great news! NewGenLib, library automation software has become open source software. I appreciate the initiative and gesture of Dr. LJ Haravu and his team of Keshvan Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management, Hyderabad and also those who are behind this move. I am proud of this unique gift for L&IS and KM community in the world by Indian librarian community. I have seen the demonstration of this software, it uses open source platforms and other tools, confirms to open source standards unlike many commercial software. The features and the functionalities are of high standard. I am quite sure that this move will revolutionise library automation and digital library activities in a big way especially in India. This welcome development raises many questions: a. What would be the role of Mr. Haravu and his colleagues now onwards? b. Who would support the further development of NewGenLib? c. Who would give the support for installation, customization and porting the whole data if one would like to migrate to this software? d. What about the libraries who have baought NewGenLib earlier? etc I have following suggestions in this matter: a. Few Government institutions like DESIDOC, DSIR, NIC, INFLIBNET and Erstwhile INSDO also have developed library automation software like Maithriyee, Sanjay, SOUL, E-Granthalaya, Granthalaya, Suchika, etc. I strongly feel that all these institutions and others interested should put their efforts in further development and implementation of NewGenLib in all academic, specialized, public and industrial libraries in India in a synergized manner instead of wasting their manpower, time and money on their products. b. All Indian LIS schools should teach NewGenLib software as a part of their curriculum. Institutions like, DRTC, NCSI, NISCAIR can take the lead for developmental activities and training program. Keshavani Institute should get sizeable aid from Governmental agencies to carry forward the activity. Dr. Haravu's group can help the individual libraries for installation, customization, porting, etc and charge nominally for the service. c. National Knowledge Commission, ILA, IASLIC, SIS and other library associations should make note of this development and extend suitable help and guidance. d. Departments of Public Libraries of different states should not only adopt this software, but try to extend their help in the development of this software. e. We should stop promoting KOHA in our country. f. All professionals should come forward in further development of NewGEnLib and should help to compile good manual. Better we have a discussion group specifically meant for this puepose. g. NewGenLib has a nice module for Union Catalogue. We should make use of this to have Union Cataloges say of all Universities, State level Public Libraries, all CSIR Labs, etc. Initially we should hold one day brain storming round table meeting of selected 15-20 top level Indian librarians in the country who have successfully automated their libraries in a big way and few LIS Faculty along with Dr. Haravu and his technical team. I request Dr. ARD Prasad of DRTC to take a lead in this matter. ONCE AGAIN CONGRATULATIONS AND HEARTFELT THANKS TO DR. HARAVU AND KESHAVAN INSTITUTE. Goudar -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. I.R.N. Goudar Tel: 91-80-25086081 Sci F & Head, Information Centre for 91-80-25235315 Aerospace Science and Technology Fax: 91-80-25268072 National Aerospace Laboratories E-mail:goudar@css.nal.res.in Airport Road, BANGALORE-560 017 India http://www.icast.org.in/staff/goudar.html -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.