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

1. Status of ICT Infrastructure in College
Libraries of Karimganj District,
South Assam: A Survey
Kumarjit Paul
MLISc
Assam University Silchar
E-mail: kumarjitpaul95@gmail.com
Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha
Reader & Head,
Department of Library and Information Science, Assam University Silchar
E-mail: dr_mk_sinha@yahoo.com , manoj.kumar.sinha@aus.ac.in

2. Introduction
 College library holds a distinctive position as its services, organization and administration
and also significantly contributes to the realization of the objective of college education.
 The nature and efficiency of the information services provided by the college libraries vary
from one to another, owing to a whole range of interests of the user community. However,
with the emergence of the computer and revolutionary changes in information and
communication technology (ICT), it has become possible for a college library to provide a
variety of technology based information services on the basis of user’s requirements and
satisfaction with a wide range of interests, which was not possible earlier.
 Today, students require strong technology skills to succeed in every sphere of their
endeavor. An automated library is one where a computer system is used to manage one or
several of the library’s key functions such as Acquisitions, Circulation, Cataloguing, Serials
control and the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC). Today we can see that most of
our libraries either fully computerized or partially computerized.

3. Objectives of the Study
The main objectives of the study were to explore the application and availability of
ICT infrastructure in the colleges of Karimganj District. The study is conducted with
the following objectives-
To find out the current status of ICT infrastructure in College libraries in
Karimganj.
To know the various areas of application of ICT in College Libraries.
To compare the status of ICT infrastructure in College Libraries in Karimganj.
To know the opinion of the librarians about the barriers in application of ICT in
libraries and their attitudes towards adopting the technology.
To study the impact of ICT & other associate problems.
To examine the perception of college librarians towards library automation/
computerization.

4. Scope and De-limitations of the Study
The status of ICT infrastructure and other associate problems of college
libraries of Karimganj District has been taken into consideration for this study.
The study does not cover the quality of services provided by the libraries and
hence a user satisfaction survey was not undertaken.
The field that we have undertaken to study is a vast one in its scope and
coverage and it is quite difficult for an individual to cover everything of all the
aspects.
Like other investigators, we also have certain constraints or limitations like
time-limit, financial resources, and sufficient authority to collect the required
information. It may be mentioned that the inferences drawn are based primarily
on the perceptions of the respondents and we have made the interpretations after
analyzing all the collected data.

5. Methodology
 Keeping in view the objectives of the study, an effort is made to evolve a
suitable methodology for the research. The study has been designed,
developed and carried out to determine and analyze the current status and use
of ICT Infrastructure in College Libraries of Karimganj District,
South Assam.
 The present study is a survey type of research using a structured
questionnaire to collect data from all the college libraries. A well designed
questionnaire is used as principal tool for the collection of data. Apart from
questionnaire, interview and observation methods adopted for data
collection. 10 questionnaires were distributed among the 10 librarians/ library
i/c working in college libraries and all the respondents have responded.
Therefore 100% response achieved.

6. What is Information Communication Technology?
 ICT is a powerful tool for extending educational opportunities both formal
and non-formal to all sections of the society particularly to the un-served
sections of population. Customarily, ICT refers to information,
communication and technology.
 ICTs include hardware, processes and systems that are used for storing and
managing communications and sharing of information. These tools can be
either manual or computerized.
 ICT is defined by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as,
“ICTs are basically information handling tools, they include the ‘old’ ICTs of
radio, television and telephone, and the ‘new’ ICTs of computers, satellite
and wireless technology and the Internet.

7. The General Aspects of College Libraries
Table-1: Year of Establishment of the Surveyed Colleges
Name of the College Status of Libraries
Year of Total Collection Number of Staff
Establishment
Karimganj College 1946 34,796 06
R. S. Girls College 1962 19,710 03
R. K. Nagar College 1964 5,552 02
N.C. College 1969 28,180 03
Karimganj Law College 1985 1,352 02
Patherkandi College 1990 3,268 04
Nilambazar College 1994 2,106 02
Chargola Public 1994 903 01
College
Patherkandi B.Ed. College 1995 7,172 04
Vivekananda B.Ed. College 1995 6,657 03
Source: Returned Questionnaire

8. Table-2: Status of Automation of the Surveyed Colleges
Name of the Status of Automation
College
Commencement of Fully Partially Not
Automation Provided
Karimganj College 2005 
R. S. Girls College 2006 
R. K. Nagar College 2008 
N.C. College 2002 
Karimganj Law College 
Patherkandi College 
Nilambazar College 
Chargola Public College 
Patherkandi B.Ed. 
College
Vivekananda B.Ed. 
College
Source: Returned Questionnaire

9. Areas of Automation adopted in College Libraries
Computers are being used for different activities in the library. There are
various areas in in automating a library which needs systematic plan and work
for the smooth and accurate information. The areas of automation taken up by
the libraries are shown in a table as under (Table-3):
Table-3: Status of Automation of the Surveyed Colleges
Areas Completed Partly Started Not Total
Completed Started
Administration 1 1 1 7 10
Acquisition 1 2 _ 7 10
Cataloguing 1 2 1 6 10
Circulation 1 _ _ 9 10
Serial Control 1 1 _ 8 10
OPAC 4 - - 6 10
Source: Returned Questionnaire

10. ICT and other Infrastructure Facilities available in College Libraries
Table-4: Status of Automation of the Surveyed Colleges
Infrastructure Facilities
Name of the TP Printer Fax SCR LCDP XX GR CC SC WC
College
Karimganj College Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
R. S. Girls College Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
R. K. Nagar College Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
N.C. College Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes Yes No
Karimganj Law College Yes No No No No No Yes No No No
Patherkandi College No No No No No No No No No No
Nilambazar College Yes Yes No No No No No No No No
Chargola Public College No No No No No No No No No No
Patherkandi B.Ed. Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No No
College
Vivekananda B.Ed. Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes No No No
College
Total 8 7 3 5 3 4 7 4 2 1
Percentage (%) 80% 70% 30% 50% 30% 40% 70% 40% 20% 10%
Note: TP; Telephone, SCR; Scanner, LCDP; LCD Projector, XX; Xerox, GR; Generator, CC;
Client Computer, SC; Server Computer, WC; Web Camera.
Source: Returned Questionnaire

11. Benefits of Using ICT
Users get benefits out of application of ICT in libraries. Four main aspects were mentioned and
asked the respondents to respond on these. Library professional’s responses are presented in
(Table-5):
Table-5: Perception of Librarian’s towards Library Automation/Computerization
and Benefits of ICT in Library
Number of Libraries Response rate
Aspects
Yes No Not Mentioned Not
Mentione
d
Saving of valuable 10 __ __ __
time? (100%)
Helps in House 6 1 3 3
Keeping Operation? (60%) (10%) (30%) (30%)
Giving accurate 3 5 2 2
results to user’s (30%) (50%) (20%) (20%)
queries?
Computer is 9 1 1
essential in college (90%) (10%) (10%)
library?
Source: Returned Questionnaire

12. Barriers in Automation
Barriers faced by the college libraries in regard to library automation/computerization
are shown in a table format to present better clarity (Table-6):
Table 6: Reasons/ Barriers for not introducing Computer in Library
Aspects Number of Library Response rate
Yes No Total
Insufficient of funds 9 1 10
(90%) (10%) (100%)
Lack of infrastructure 10 __ 10
(100%) (100%)
Lack of support from the concern 4 6 10
authority (40%) (60%) (100%)
Application of Computer in the library is 8 2 10
not so easy (80%) (20%) (100%)
Lack of skilled man power 4 6 10
(40%) (60%) (100%)
Lack of commitment in college librarian 3 7 10
(30%) (70%) (100%)
Lack of ICT knowledge 5 5 10
(50%) (50%) (100%)
Inadequate staff training 8 2 10
(80%) (20%) (100%)
Source: Returned Questionnaire

13. Major Findings
 There are 10 colleges in Karimganj District, affiliated to Assam University, Silchar. There is only 1(10%)
college, which was established before 1947, the name of the college is Karimganj College. During 1990-1995,
maximum (50%) numbers of colleges were established.
 Karimganj College library being the oldest library in the Karimganj District has more than 34,000 collections
followed by Nabin Chandra College library more than 28,000 collection and R.S. Girls College library has
around 20,000 collections.
 The gender-wise distribution of respondents shows that out of the whole 80% is comprised of male and 20%
female. Highest number of respondents 60% is under the age group of above 41. And 40% respondents under
the age group of 31-40.
 Karimganj College library has the highest number of professional staff (6). 40% college libraries having only
1- 2 library staff. In most of the college libraries librarian is the only professionally qualified staff.
 Only one (10%) college is having 8 computers.
 The process of computerization has been started only in 40% college libraries.
 It has been observed that out of 10 college libraries; only 1 library is fully automated that is N.C. College. And
30% libraries are partially automated.
 Only one library (10%) have own server system.
 40% libraries mainly used SOUL 2.0.
 About 90% respondents gave opinion that computerization of library is essential.
 About 30% of the respondents gave opinion that automated system giving accurate results of users’ queries,
50% professionals do not agree and 20% not mentioned.

14. Suggestions and Recommendations
Based on the findings and views of the library professionals the following suggestions are put forward to improve
the ICT based facilities of college libraries and to enable the library professionals to utilize the ICT facilities more
effectively, by improving their knowledge and skills in ICT applications and services in the library.
Suggestions to College Libraries
College libraries in Karimganj District have to utilize effectively, the available resources to improve the ICT
infrastructure.
The college librarians must take a leadership role to have long-term planning and well-defined strategy for ICT
application. Libraries that have not introduced ICT till date should make plan to start the process at the earliest.
In terms of choosing the library management software, college library should purchase integrated library
software package, which has already been in use successfully in other libraries in the country.
College libraries, besides cataloguing should start computerizing all other operations of different sections of the
library.
The college libraries should switch over from the traditional system to the modern system to cope up with the
ever changing world of Science and technology.
Setting up of LAN inside the library is suggested in colleges wherever possible in order to facilitate easy access
to library OPAC and to gain maximum benefits from computerized services.

15. Suggestions and Recommendations :-
Suggestions to College Authority
The college authority should try to know the importance of ICT in today’s IT based Society.
So they should initiate and plan the library for automation. For this they can seek funds from
UGC. Success depends on the decision taken by the authority of the college.
The college authority should encourage the librarians through deputing them to attend
training programs, seminars, conferences so that they may be acquainted with latest
technologies.
Librarians’ qualification is a most important pre-requisite for the development of the library.
Hence the authority should appoint only those candidates as librarians who possess
qualifications and experience as prescribed by UGC.
The college should provide a separate library building and make space available for different
sections like, librarian’s chamber, stack room, reading room, reference section, periodical
section, processing section, Internet section, Xerox room, etc. for the smooth functioning and
management of the library.
Sufficient manpower should be provided to the library as per need for the effective and
efficient management of the library.

16. Conclusion
 The innovations in ICT have brought revolutionary changes in creation, handling,
processing, storage, and dissemination of digital information through communication
network. Millions of millions digital information products are coming up day by day.
There is a need for continuous monitoring of automation activities for improvement
of the situation and for meeting the future needs.
 College libraries play a crucial role in dissemination of information services to the
academicians, students, and teachers. The entire phenomenon is a joint venture where
library professionals, library authorities, library users play the key role. All of them
should come forward to make it a successful one by their full-fledged cooperation.
Then only the college libraries of Karimganj District will prosper in new direction.

17. y ou
T hank