Paper presented at SIS 2012 Conference held at NIT Silchar organised by Dr. K C Satpathy

1. Topic on
Status of Modern Technology Implementation in
College Libraries of Hailakandi District, Assam :
A Survey
Presented by
Mr. Abdul Hannan Choudhury Mr. Nabin Chandra Dey
MLIS Student Asst. Professor, DLISc
Assam University, Silchar Assam University, Silchar

2. Introduction
Library is a heart of an institution which collect, store and
transmit update information to the teacher, students, scientists
and those engaged in research and institution.
The use of modern technology has tremendous impact on user’s
satisfaction, cost effectiveness, rapid responses, and easier
operational procedures in LIS.
Effect of computerizing college library will be felt mainly at three
levels, firstly in the way in which library delivers information,
secondly in modes of preparation of lectures by teachers and
thirdly in the methods of learning by students (Nair,1995).
The present study covers all the college libraries of Hailakandi
district using the survey method during July to September 2012.
Hailakandi district is located in southern part of Assam. The
college education has been started in this district after
independence.

3. Objective of the Study
• To assess the current status of modern
technology application in College Libraries of
Hailakandi District.
• To collect information about provision of financial
assistances and grants and other facilities especially for
modern technology.
• To identify and analyse the specific factors
that promoted or hindered the application of
modern technology in college libraries.
• To provide suggestion for the better
implementation of technology in library and
over all development.

4. Scope & limitation of the Study
• The scope of the study is limited to survey of existing
ICT infrastructure in 7 degree college libraries in
Hailakandi District
• It focuses on status of modern technology
implementation in all college libraries in
Hailakandi District, Assam
• Hailakandi District is situated at the southernmost
corner of Assam, which is located at the centre of
Barak Valley and Cachar District in the North and
East, Mizoram in the South and East and Karimganj
in the West

5. Research Methodology
 Tools of Data Collection: Questionnaire
Method, Informal Interview and observation method
 Data Analysis Techniques: Simple Percentage and Chi-
square test
 Data Presentation Technique: Tabulation, Mathematical or
Statistical Figures (bar diagram, pie diagram, histogram and
C. F. Curve)

6. Hypothesis
1. The availability of modern technology in college
libraries of Hailakandi district is found at low percentage.
2. Computers are used mainly for official work.
3. The status of library automation is very poor in college
libraries of Hailakandi district.
4. Library networks and internet connectivity are inadequate in
college libraries of Hailakandi district.
5. Technology based library services are inadequate in
college libraries of Hailakandi district.
6. Lack of finance is main problem in application of modern
technology.

7. Growth & Development of College Libraries
of Hailakandi District
8
7 7
7
6
Cumulative Frequency
5
4
3 2 2 2
2 1 1
1
0
Decade of Establishment

8. Document Collection
Colleges Books (TB/ Journals & News Digital Collection
RB/ BB/ Magazine Paper
CD-ROM/ Audio/ Video E-books/ E-
SC)
DVD Cassettes journals
SSC 18916 26 6 30 - N-List
LRC 14500 8 5 - - N-List
SCDC 2750 5 3 5 - -
SKRC 2520 - 3 - - -
ALCC 3081 - 2 - - -
WC 800 13 2 - - -
MHCMScC 5275 9 4 30 - 30

9. Library Users
College Total No. of Users
SSC 1079
LRC 552
SCDC 383
SKRC 535
ALCC 135
WC 727
MHCMSC 100

10. Staff Strength
Designation SSC LRC SCDC SKRC ALCC WC MHCMScC
Librarian No No 1 1 1 1 1
Library In charge 1 1 No No No No No
(If any)
Library Assistant 1 2 1 1 1 No 1
Library Bearer 2 2 No 1 1 1 1
Total 4 5 2 3 3 2 3

11. 1st hypothesis “The availability of modern technology in college
libraries of Hailakandi district is found at low percentage”
Table 5: Hardware Availability of Colleges in terms of Observed and Expected Frequency
Item Observed Frequency Expected Frequency (Oi – Ei)2/Ei
(Oi) (Ei)
Telephone 4 4 0
Fax 3 4 0.25
TV 4 4 0
Computer 6 4 1.00
Printer 5 4 0.25
Flat Bed Scanner 2 4 1.00
LCD Projector 2 4 1.00
UPS/ Generator 3 4 0.25
Xerox Machine 3 4 0.25
Calculated value of Chi-square is 4.00
Chi-square at 6 d.f. and 5% level of significance is 12.542

12. 2nd Hypothesis “Computers are used mainly for official works”
Table 7: Purpose for using Computers
Purpose No. of Libraries Percentage
For library automation 1 14.29%
For internet services 5 71.42%
For official purpose 6 85.71%
For entertainment/ social networking 3 42.86%
For E-resources subscription other than consortia 1 14.29%
For consortia base subscription 2 28.58%
For connecting library networks 1 14.29%
For college/ library website creation/ updating 2 28.58%
For preserving/ storing digital information 3 42.86%
For E-mail services 3 42.86%
For database creation 4 57.15%
For library/ campus LAN 2 28.58%

13. 3rd Hypothesis “The status of library automation is
very poor in college libraries in Hailakandi district”
Figure 2: Status of Library Automation
Not
Automated
86%
Partially
Fully
Automated
Automated
14% 0%

14. 4th Hypothesis “Library networks and internet connectivity
are inadequate in college libraries of Hailakandi district”
Table 8: Networking Facilities of College Libraries
Name of Library Campus Link with Link with
Library LAN LAN INFLIBNET DELNET
SSC Yes Yes Yes Yes
LRC No No No No
SCDC No No No No
SKRC No No No No
ALCC No No No No
WC No No No No
MHCMScC Yes Yes No No

15. Internet Connectivity
Figure 3: Internet Connection is Available
Available
71%
Not Available
29%

16. 5th Hypothesis “Technology based library services are
inadequate in college libraries of Hailakandi district”
Table 10: Technology based Library Services
Name of CD/DVD Online E-Journals Library Internet Reprographic
Service databases / E-Books Website Services Services
Library
SSC Yes - Yes Yes Yes Yes
LRC - - Yes - Yes Yes
SCDC Yes - - - - -
SKRC - - - - Yes Yes
ALCC - - - - Yes -
WC - - - - - -
MHCMScC Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes -

17. 6th Hypothesis “Lack of finance is the main
problem in application of modern technology”
Table 11: Problems in Application of Modern Technologies
Problems No of Libraries
Insufficient funds 6
Library staff are not interested in technology adoption 1
Inadequate trained staff in ICT application 6
Lack of technological knowledge on the part of users 4
Increasing operating cost of technology application 4
Lack of standard Library Management Software 1
Lack of support from authorities -
Lack of coordination among library staff -
Irregular power supply 3

18. Suggestions and Recommendations of the study
Governments and UGC:-
• Government should take immediate action to
provincialize the govt. aided colleges of Hailakandi
district.
• Sufficient funds should be made available regularly
by the government for purchasing, upgrading and
maintaining modern technology gadgets and
subscription of electronic resources.
• The government should sanction a technical post
for special care of ICTs to each college.

19. Administration and University:-
• The university should conduct training program
from time to time for ICT application/ Internet
awareness, access of E-resources for the library
professionals.
• Vacant post of library should be filled up with
library professionals competent in ICT
application.
• Authority should not hesitate to encourage the
librarian for undertaking library automation.

20. Libraries:-
• Most of the college libraries have a good collection of printed documents but the position of e-
resources is not so good. So, emphasis should be given to acquire e- resources which can attract the
users to a great extent for its optimum use.
• Majority of the college libraries are using computers mainly for office maintenance which need to
concentrate on housekeeping operation activities more and more using standard library management
software.
• Hardware and software (including library application software) should be acquired as per the latest
configuration and with high storage capacity.
• N-List membership should be taken by those colleges which is covered 12B section without delay.
And also utilize the facilities of e-resources access provided from N-List program, INFLIBNET
Centre, Ahmedabad.
• College libraries should provide more number of computers for accessing e-resources, online
databases to the students without any fee.
• The campus local area network (LAN) should be available in campus including hostels and the
different departments of the college.
• College libraries should hire skilled information professionals with ICT competencies by offering
attractive salaries and appropriate incentives.
• A library information network should be established to link all college libraries in Barak Valley to
provide remote user access to the holdings of participating libraries.
• The college libraries should organize intensive user education programs for optimum utilization of
IT based facilities and services.
• The college libraries of should conduct periodic studies to evolution IT based services in order to
measure user satisfaction for further modification and improvement.

21. Librarians and other staff:-
• The library staff should develop a positive attitude
towards changing environment and must keep
themselves updated with the latest developments in
the profession and increase their knowledge base by
attending refresher courses, seminars, workshops, etc.
• Librarian and other professionals should visit
advanced libraries for better idea of computerization of
library operation and services.
• The library professionals should take the job of
modern technology applications in libraries in a
challenging way and prove themselves to be real
partner in the academic process of the library users.

22. Conclusion
• In this fast changing technology driven world, without
application of modern technology, none of the libraries is able
to provide satisfaction to their user. There for the
computerization of library services is considered as the utmost
important activity in today’s computerized world.
• The present study revealed that the use of modern
technology in surveyed libraries is still in initial stage, some
of libraries have basic ICT hardware like
computers, printer, telephone etc. The status of the
automation is very poor. Whereas majority of the college
libraries are using computers mainly for office
maintenance, the study suggest that they need to
concentrate on housekeeping operation activities more and
more using standard library management software.

23. Conclusion….
• The study also highlights that proper initiative
should be taken on the part of the government for
immediate action to provincialize those govt. aided
college of Hailakandi district
• Even though library professionals have shown a
positive attitude towards the use of modern
technology and library automation, they need
extensive and appropriate training to make use of ICT
tools.

24. Acknowledgement
• SIS Team
• Dr. Kishor Chandra Satpathy, Organizing Secretary
& Librarian, NIT
• Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Reader & HOD, DLISc
• Mr. Nabin Chandra Dey, Asst Prof., DLISc, AUS.
• Dr. Mukuth sarmah, Asst. Prof., DLISc
• Librarian/ in-charge of library/ other staff of
all the surveyed college libraries of Hailakandi
district
• Friends at DLISc, AUS
• My Parent and Family Members

25. Thank You