Modernisation of Rural Libraries

INTRODUCTION
The fundamental aim of the rural library is to provide timely, pertinent, accurate and reliable information services to all the rural community. The rural library helps different sectors of the community by providing right information to the right reader at the right time. For example, it will help children to create reading habit, unemployed youths to get better jobs and farmers to improve agricultural production. Libraries of all countries are functioning for social development by extending these activities and services, sharing books, extension lectures on various topics such as child labour, epidemic diseases, reading habits and environmental protection.
NEED FOR MODERNISATION OF RURAL LIBRARIES
There are several reasons for computerizing the library activities like acquisition, catalogue, circulation, serial control, OPAC, etc.., In the present day context information technology is needed in rural libraries especially because of the following reasons.
1. Information explosion
The amount of information being published increases exponentially. The amazing growth of documents especially in the areas of sciences, social sciences and technology in the form of print and non print materials found the librarian to utilize latest technology for the organization of information.
2. User service
Now-a-days, libraries are rendering a number of user services like CAS, SDI, Electronic Documents Delivery service, abstraction and indexing services etc. Its only the computers, which can ensure improved and quick service Online catalogue allows a user to have access to larger bibliographic databases and obtain information in any field.
3. Greater efficiency
The records stored in the computer are more accurate, reliable and accessible that that of the records manually prepared. It is possible to perform all housekeeping operations of library with more speed, accuracy and greater efficiency.
4. Cooperation and Resource sharing
A. Access to more documents and information sources due to coordination and cooperation of many libraries.
B. Less expensive as the total expenditure is shared by participating libraries.
5. Availability of information in machine readable form
Information is also being disseminated in Machine readable form. In fact, some of the records like bibliographic databases, e-journals etc., are available only in machine readable form.
PURPOSE OF MODERNISATION:
The Libraries are automated for some important purposes. They are
 To improve internal workflow, and sharing cataloguing data.
 To improve control over collections of various documents.
 To promote the existing services like CAS, SDI, etc.,
 To provide access to local library resources.
 To share the resources among various libraries on the basis Inter library loan.
 To prepare library statistics quickly and accurately.
AREAS OF COMPUTER APPLICATION IN RURAL LIBRARIES.
Computers may be used may be used in Rural libraries mainly for automating house keeping operations such as acquisition system, cataloguing system, circulation control and serial control.
Acquisition
• Selection of document
• Order work for document
• Checking of duplicates
• Sending orders to publishers or suppliers
• Updating record file.
• Verification of document with invoices
• Accessing the document received
• Maintenance of library budget
• Generating reports for all the above items
Cataloguing system
Preparing work sheet, provide catalogue, search facilities, generating catalogue cards ,provide user services like CAS, SDI etc., and verifying the records periodically.

Circulation control
Registration of new members, generation of borrower tickets and issue to the members, charging and discharging of documents, reservation and renewal of documents, calculation of fines on overdue items and maintenance of statistics.
Serials control
Manual methods of serial control are found very unsatisfactory in most of the libraries for various reasons. But automation provides very effective and economic methods. Computers system can handle receipts of periodicals; send timely reminder, subscription information, claims for missing issues, binding information etc.
SUGGESITONS FOR MODERNISATION OF RURAL LIBRARIES,
1. Considering the advantages of using computers in the various areas of library operations, the rural libraries should install computers.
2. The databases of all the rural libraries in region may be linked through On line terminals.
3. For acquisition system an order file, accession file and fund file may created by the rural libraries
4. Database for serial holding may be created by the rural libraries
5. Computerised union catalogue may be maintained.
6. Modernisation may be introduced in rural libraries stage by stage with the existing infrastructure.
CONCLUSION
The library management is currently undergoing a rapid and dynamic evolution. The implementation of information technology in rural library system will enhance the rate of success of efforts made to strengthen the quality and standard of education & research activities and also enable the rural libraries to participate actively in global networks for exchange of information and sharing resources.
REFERENCE
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Kothari, C.P. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Delhi: Wishwa prakashan, 1990.
Krishnkumar, Library organization. New Delhi: Vikas publishing house, 1991.
Ijari,S.R “ Rural library services.” Education through public libraries: A practical
Approach. Ed .Palanivelu,C and K.S.Raghavan,K.S. Madras: Government of Tamil Nadu Directrorate of Public libraries,1991.261-265.
Kumaresan, S.C and Swaminathan,S. Library science unleashed. Trichy: Rock City Publications, 2003.