Dear Professionals,
Herewith I have forwarded my response I sent through lis-forum soon after
the announcement of NewGenLib as open source software. My message answers
few questions raised by few LIS colleagues. Ther is no poin in discussing
the merits and demerits of SOUL, GRANTHALAYA, Maitreyee, Suchika, etc.
At this juncture of avilability of open source software, what should be
our (librarians) stand? What responsible institutions like INFLIBNET,
NISCAIR, DRTC, NIC, Keshavan Institute, etc should do? Government has
spent lot of money various agencies for the development of good library
automation system. Some of them were cooked half? Discontinued further
developments? some of them never saw the light of the day? Some of
them did not get good support after sale or implementation? While I have
full confidence in the capability and vision of present director of
INFLIBNET for developing SOUL as one of the good system, my basic question
is, at this juncture is it necessary still put efforts and spend
money on such developments, when so many open source softawre are
available? NEWGENLIB, apart from using open source flatform, uses only
open standards. It has stood test ofthe time. At national level we
should have customization, migration and support service
arrangements on any open system we adopt. MY LIS-FORUM MESSGE SENT ON
11 JAN 2008, GIVES SOME SUGGESTIONS IN THIS MATTER (Copy enclosed below)
Goudar
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:25:02 +0530 (IST)
From: I.R.N.Goudar
To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in
Subject: [LIS-Forum] NewGenLib-What next?
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 INSDOC 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
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