Use the Net to revitalize library networks

By Muhartoyo

JAKARTA (JP): The idea of library networking in Indonesia has been around since the 1970s. The idea was born of four main reasons which are still valid.

First, librarians realize that not a single library can fulfill information needs of its users. Second, existing library collections should be intensively and properly utilized. Third, good information networking would enable librarians to discover the strength of each library collection and reduce the duplication of library collections during acquisitions. Fourth, library networking improves dissemination of information among potential users and end-users.

Traditionally to facilitate library networking, librarians produced the Union Catalogs, or the Union Lists of Bibliographies, i.e. a printed catalog or bibliographies of all member libraries indicating the title of collections, usually in alphabetical order.

To create such union catalogs and union lists requires concerted and laborious effort among librarians involved in the network. Besides, regular updates have to be done otherwise the union catalog will not reflect the real collections of member libraries.

This networking system was centralized in nature as the hub of the network assumed responsibility in coordinating and compiling data from member libraries.

This type of library networking was practiced in the late 1970s and involved major libraries such as the libraries of the Center for Scientific Documentation and Information-Indonesian Institute of Sciences, the Bandung Institute of Technology, Gadjah Mada University, Bogor Institute of Agriculture, Surabaya 10 November Institute of Technology, Airlangga University, Hasanudin University and North Sumatra University.

The publication of union catalogs and bibliographies has enabled users in local libraries to trace the availability of specific information in other libraries.

However, union catalogs and bibliographies have not been updated on a regular basis, resulting in outdated information.

Consequently, the rate of failure of document order from one library to another is high because the union catalogs do not really reflect the current collections of the libraries.

Ipteknet

In view of improving information networking and accessibility in the late 1980s, the Ipteknet project was proposed. Ipteknet was envisaged to develop computer networking among information centers to support the decision-making process and research and development in the country. This project was administered under the National Research Council.

Although in its inception it was intended for library-based information networks, in later development it was enlarged to cater to a wide range of information such as research projects, statistical information, bibliographies, geographical information, indexes to periodical articles and market/trade information.

During the development process there was a long debate and discussion on how to organize and present the wide range of information under the Ipteknet project.

The discussion also covered the networking system, whether Ipteknet would adopt a centralized or a distributed system as well as what kind of software would be used for the networking. In the early 1990s, Internet technology started to emerge in Indonesia. Ipteknet then adopted Internet technology for its networking projects by setting up a website, http://www.iptek.ne.go.id

Internet

Although Internet technology has been developed since the late 1960s, it was not until the 1990s that it was widely used after the introduction of World Wide Web.

In line with the development of computer software and hardware, the Internet offers more interesting features and facilities. A website now can contain a variety of information from plain text, colorful animated images to audiovisual materials.

By using a search engine or a database interface, a website can even provide information retrieval facilities. For librarians this is the right momentum to revitalize library networking in the country in order to provide better services to their users.

In this Internet era it is no longer relevant to have centralized library networks like the one in the past which required too much effort and funding. Each library now has a lot more flexibility in developing its own bibliographic database.

Libraries do not have to worry too much about which software they use -- whether it is non-relational database software like CDS/ISIS or relational database software such as Dbase and Microsoft Access; the database structure they develop; or whether the structure is in compliance with another library's or not.

Of course they still need to follow library standards or conventions in developing their bibliographic databases. What they need to worry about is how to upload their catalogs and bibliographies into the databases speedily so that they are accessible to their users.

I strongly believe that every big library can afford to have its own website and upload its bibliographic database on it.

If all major libraries uploaded their bibliographic databases on their websites, the wealth of Indonesian library collections would be quite transparent.

Every user would be able to locate the documents they are interested in. In using the Internet, a distributed library network would be the most appropriate system.

Libraries should cooperate to form a distributed network and make agreements on reciprocal borrowing in which registered members from one library could borrow from other libraries within the network.

It is also quite possible to develop well-organized interlibrary loans. In this case cooperation with post office management would be necessary because library document transfer and delivery should be carried out safely and at affordable rates.

The post office could introduce a flat rate for document delivery. Librarians also would have to use special envelopes that would guarantee library documents would not be damaged during transportation.

The Internet has provided both challenges and opportunities for contemporary librarians to realize the ideals of older librarians in providing better services through library networking.

The challenge is in how to develop librarians' skills and abilities in order to be able to utilize modern information technology like the Internet. The opportunity is that information contained within libraries could be disseminated to a wide range of users. Librarians could play an important role in developing an information-conscious society.

The writer is an Asian and Pacific Coconut Community documentalist.