Information Retrieval on Virtual Environment in Academic libraries: An Overview

1. Information Retrieval on Virtual Environment in Academic libraries: An Overview S. DHANAVANDAN Assistant Librarian Gandhigram Rural Institute-Deemed University Gandhigram-624302, Dindigul Dt.TN E-mail: dhanavandan@gmail.com Mobile: 094428 67275

2. ELECTRONIC RESOURCES IN THE LIBRARIES • Electronic resources are sources which are made available in the digital format. • They are born in digital format and converting the digital format from hard copies. • The recent past, digital information is being created in the digital mode. Online database, online journals, e-books, etc are major electronic resources. • These resources are very much used in the higher educational and research and development organization for their research activities.

3. E-Mail –Content alert service • E-mail addresses are only masked when viewing a Google Group, Yahoo Group or Usenet newsgroup through the web interface, never when subscribers receive messages by e-mail, nor when the Usenet articles are distributed to other servers. • The library professionals should create the content or publication alert services to the user community

4. SMS in Libraries • Short Message Service or AMS can be applied in libraries for sending information to library users. • Messages like the status of a loaned item, reservation information, overdue charges notice, reminders and major events can send through this service. • From LISLINK forum have given option for sending SMS alert to their members

5. Information Kiosks • Information Kiosk or information booth dispenses free information in the form of maps, pamphlets, and other literature and advice offered by an attendant. Computer kiosk or interactive kiosk) houses a computer terminal that often employs custom kiosk software designed to function flawlessly while preventing users from accessing system functions • The kiosk gives you quick access to information like: • how to find books • where to find scanners, copiers and printers • nearby food and drink options • restroom locations • campus map, etc.

6. Web publishing • A web site is a related collection of World Wide Web (WWW) files that includes a beginning file called a home page. • From the page, you can get to all the other pages on their site. • The websites are now-days using social networking tools such as Face Book, Blog, YouTube, RSS.

7. Social Networking Sites (SNS) • As libraries are inherently social organizations, SNS technology enables them to interact more with their users. Thing is a social network enables users to catalogue their books and view the books other users shared and cataloged. Social networks enable blogging and tagging, etc. • In the library context, social networking presents three interesting opportunities: marketing, professional development, and socially enhanced search. Social networking sites allow librarians to adopt a new role by placing themselves into a social realm with users.

8. Library Website using HTML • Library website is opening gate for the users for the information resources in the library. • It is one stop access the materials in the library. It is easy to find out whether the required information is available in the library. • So it is considered as one stop information finding place.

9. Accessing Online Resources through INFONET consortia • Infonet e-resources for Gandhigram Rural Institute, it is made by INFLIBNET through consortia model. INFLIBNET centre is also providing document deliver through JCCC link.

10. OPEN ACCESS ELECTRONIC RESOURCES • Library website has been given link to open/free access references sources, e-books, e-journals for easy access to users

11. Electronic Thesis and Dissertations for Sodhganga • Gandhigram Rural Institute library is using GSDL software for Electronic Theses and Dissertation collection in the local intranet server and the same has been uploaded in the Shodhganga project.

12. CLOUD COMPUTING APPLICATIONS IN ACADEMIC LIBRARY SERVICES • The libraries are facing new challenges such as getting sufficient fund for developing ICT infrastructure. It demands new technologies have facilitated the information transformation of data to the internet. • In the same direction with IT thrust, the concept of digital library has emerged globally. Various universities and institutions of higher learning have initiated to have their library resources and services through internet. • Cloud Computing is a low-cost super computing services to provide the maximum possibility. There are a large number of manufacturers behind to cloud computing technology.

13. Role of Cloud computing in Academic libraries Traditional Environment Vs Electronic Environment

14. THE SKILL OF LIBRARY STAFF • In order to manage the changing library environment, the library staff will need to be trained in the application of necessary tools in their work environment. • To handle and utilize the modern facilities librarian must have the Knowledge and Skills about the technologies and communication channels and should provide proper training to the staff.

15. CONCLUSION • The present generation of library requires the librarians to be essentially a type of academic librarian who has to manage and organize the library would be suited the current environment. • And handling the specialized tasks of massive digitization, storage, access, digital knowledge about mining, electronic reference services, electronic information services, search co-ordination, and manage the archive and its access.

16. Thank ‘U’