Future Challenges in Academic Libraries: Innovative Practices and Envisioning Tomorrow

1. Innovative Library Services and Future Challenges Dr R.B. Gaddagimath University Librarian, Gulbarga University Kalaburagi - 585 106 - Karnataka E-mail: rbggug@gmail.com URL: www.guglibrary.net

2. Benchmarks and Parameters • Education is measured against global benchmarks and international parameters • University/College rankings are testimony of this globalized benchmarking of higher education

3. Transition in Higher Education • Student to Learner • Student to Lifelong Member Learning Community • Skills directed towards career goals • Interactive, collaborative and independent Learning • Faculty to Learner Centered Institution • Teaching, Design and Management of Learning Experiences • Faculty now act as a Facilitator

4. Impact of ICT and New Opportunities • Teaching and Learning • Accessing e-information to Enhance Quality of Education • Internet and WWW, Preprint Servers, Newsgroups • E-journals, databases, CD-ROMs • Communication, Storing and Handling of Information • Learning Resource Centre in Virtual Environment to support Self Learning, Developing Instructional Learning Materials

5. Paradigm Shift – Libraries • Information Provider to Facilitator of Information • Print to Electronic Media • ‘Active Users’ than ‘Passive Users’ • Emphasis on ‘Access’ instead of ‘Acquisition’ • Team work rather than Individual Contribution • Solitary Environment to Networked Environment

6. INNOVATION AND ACADEMIC LIBRARIES • The Library world is in the midst of Technological Restructuring • Is the Library Effective? (Able to Achieve User Satisfaction) • Is the Library Efficient? (Able to Achieve Objectives with Minimum Resources)

7. INNOVATIVE PRACTICES – NAAC, AICTE, MCI • Management of Library and Information Services • Collection and Services Provided to Users • Extent of the Use of Services • Best Practices for University/ Autonomous College Libraries

8. NAAC Best Practices to Support Quality Enhancement • Computerization of Library using Digital Software • Inclusion of sufficient Information about the Library in Brochure/Prospectus • Compiling Student/Teacher Attendance Statistics & Notifying the same on Notice Board • Displaying Newspaper Clippings on Notice Board • Career/Employment Information/Services • Internet Facilities to different User Groups

9. Information Literacy Programs • Signage Systems • Suggestion Box and Timely Response • Conducting Book Exhibitions • Organizing book talks • Instituting Annual Best User Award for Students • Organizing Competitions Annually • Conducting User Surveys Periodically • Maintaining Library Website, Public Relations

10. FEATURES OF FUTURE LIBRARIES • Social Space – Comfortable and dynamic space conducive to problem based learning, discussions and interaction between users. • Library everywhere - Remote access to e-resources • Outreach activities – Migrating from print to electronic collections and provide e-reference, SMS, RSS feed etc., • Digital lives – Repositioning library and information tools, resources, expertise and new skills.

11. Research environment - Creating library as learning hub to meet research and learning requirements of Researchers. • Virtual Research Environment - providing work and data in every detail, offering research tools and social networking to build scientific communities. • Print values - Digitization, enhancing ILL and Document delivery services. • Help in Research Assessment and measuring research out put • World Ranking of Universities and Institutions

12. ENVISIONING LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE • Library is seen as a guide to information • Growing number of ‘Maker Spaces’ or ‘Fab Labs’ being created • ‘Academic Commons’ ‘Learning Commons’ to provide new services like • Writing Centers • Students Advisory Units • Innovative Teaching Centers • Collaborative Spaces and Media Creation Centers

13. Innovation in Library Systems • Single Catalogues over very large areas (regional and national) using cloud data and software • Cloud Computing Technology integrated the Online Catalogue of Gulbarga University Library, PG Centers of Raichur, Bidar and Study Center - Sharana Sahitya Library, Basavakalyan

14. http://libcat-guglib.informindia.co.in/

15. Web OPAC using KOHA under Cloud Computing @ GU Library

16. Innovations in Funding • New Partnerships, Diversifying Income, and Seeking Donations to raise Funds • Identify the Donors or Social Institutions with Novel Ideas • Infosys Foundation, Bangalore supported Rs.1.00 Crorefor establishing Virtual Learning Resource Centre & Digital Library at Gulbarga University (Rs. 3.50 crore) reflecting University’s mission to be a leading “Learning Region” • HKRDB support

17. Virtual Learning Resource Centre & Digital Library

18. Resource Discovery Tools • Enables Users Simultaneous Search in real time from Multiple Information Resources in a Single Time the - • Library Catalogue • E-Journals, E-Books • Databases • Institutional databases • Publishers databases

19. FedGate @ Gulbarga University Library http://fedgate.cloudapp.net/muse/servlet/MusePeer

20. Mobile Library Tools • Special Mobile Applications for Library’s Bibliographical and Techno-based Alerts/Services • Dynamic Optimized Library Websites for Mobile Devices • Library Web App • Indian Law Mobile Library application by Madras High Court Advocates to access certain Indian Bare Acts from Mobile Phones • American University Library – Search Journals through Mobile Phones • University of Cambridge – Library Catalogue from Mobile Device

22. Research Support • Library supports to Researchers from Formulation of New Ideas, Assistance with Funding, Research Process, Dissemination of Research Findings • Ideal to have a Dedicated Library Professional • Skill Zone on Writing Skills, ICT Skills, Referencing, Plagiarism, Research Skills and Employability Skills

23. SKILLS - ZONE

25. Research Projects Writing • Report Writing • Research Papers Writing • Thesis and Dissertation Writing • Editing and Proof Reading • Reference Citation • ICT Skills and Search Strategies • E-Resources in Learning, Teaching and Research • Open source e-Journals and Archives (subjects) • Communication Skills/Public Speaking

26. Speed Reading • Study Skills & Examination Techniques • Note Making and Note-taking • Listening Skills and Memory Skills • Observation Skills • Improving Vocabulary, Spelling, Punctuation • Behavioral Skills • Career Opportunities • Resume Writing

27. Ryerson University Library Portal for Research Support

28. Social Space and Networks for Users • Social News (Dig, Propeller), Social Bookmarking (Del.lcio.us, Simpy, Blinklist), Social Networking (Facebook, Myspace, LinkedIn), Social Photo and Video Sharing (YouTube, Vimeo, Flickr) and Wikis • Use of these Social Networking Tools for Library Services

29. KendriyaVidyalaya Students Social Networking Site

30. CONCLUSION • Next Gen Librarians have to serve in capacities that include Leadership Roles in Core Library Functions and to Bring New and Innovative Ideas to the Information Workplace • Knowledge and Skills to Blog, Start Wikis, Design Web Pages, Create Podcasts, and Produce Videos and Other Technological Oriented Tasks

31. More Pro-Active Attitude to Make Library Resources and Services Visible and Effective • Create ‘Academic Commons’ ‘Learning Commons’ ‘Learning Space’ to support students’ enhanced learning, collaboration and interaction • User Training, User Education/Library Use Instruction Programs Integrated with Course Work

32. Explore and Integrate Bibliographical and Full Text Resources available on Web to Support Quality in Education and Learning • Address adequate Funding for ICT Infrastructure, e-Resources Collection, Training and Retraining of Library Staff

33. THANX