Dr. S. M. Mannan
Professor,
Dept. of Information Science & Library Management
University Of Dhaka

   Suraiya Begum
Associate Professor,
Dept. of Information Science & Library Management
University Of Dhaka
 

Introduction:

Information is a prime resource for the development of a nation. In the present information age, it is simply impossible to keep track of development activities in the absence of a dependable information system in the country. Library and information centres are institutions responsible for meeting information needs of users. The proper performance of this function requires well-organized library services supported by an infrastructure comprising an administrative authority, in the form of legislation, an organizational structure, and adequate finance. All these elements—finance, organization, authority, accommodation, equipment, manpower and collection of documents— may be regarded as library resources (Parker, 1979:13). As no library can be self-sufficient, it is difficult to fulfill all the users' demand relating to their information needs. Networking of libraries is thus essential for sharing of library resources. "Resource Sharing" can therefore play an important role in this age of information explosion. Resource sharing in the library field is aimed at extending the resources and services of member libraries to a wider category of users, instead of keeping them isolated units. "Whatever resources may be involved, a basic objective of all library resource sharing programmes must be to improve the ability of the participating libraries to perform their basic function of matching user needs and information sources." (Parker. 1979:14).

A fundamental obstacle in attaining the objective of meeting the demand of readers in Bangladesh is the lack of resources. Library collections are inadequate in most libraries and even those whose collection is adequate remain under-used. Lack of qualified staff prevents proper development, either of document collections or of user education programs, and even where there are no problems, librarians often have to struggle with inadequate finance, cumbersome organizational structures and a lack of basic legislative support. Lack of resources, far from encouraging sharing, often produces the opposite
effect.

It is thus important to realize that it is necessary to cooperate in improving existing library resources, either in quality, or quantity or both, and it is also important to develop programmes for the shared use of available library resources. But the lack of authentic data on the present library situation of the country is one of the main obstacles to effective planning, whether of library development in general, or of resource sharing programs in particular.

The Present Library Scene in Bangladesh:

Existing Libraries: The library movement in Bangladesh started during the middle of the 18^th century; the inspiration being provided by the west. Establishing a library network and extension of library services to people have been for long and still is a living issue in the country. But due to lack of proper planning by the government and the concerned authorities, the library and information system of the entire country is completely moribund. At present the country has various types of libraries and information centres which include Public, National, Academic and Special Libraries. According to Khan (1996:1-2) and the findings of this present study, up to this time, Bangladesh has the following libraries:

74 University Libraries (including private universities); 11 University Institute Libraries; 2 National Libraries and Documentation Centers; 68 Government Public Libraries and about 500 non-government Public Libraries; 1031 College Libraries (including non-government College Libraries); 44 Professional and Technical College Libraries; and 664 Special Libraries (including health, agriculture, science and technology, research institutes in  various fields, ministries, departmental, missions in Bangladesh and foreign etc).

But the fact is that except for university and only some research organization libraries, most of these libraries exist in paper only. On the other hand, the following categories of people require information and literature support:

— Rural literate people

— Students, fellows and teachers

— Policy-makers, Planners, and decision makers

— Researchers and Scientists

— Business and trade people." (Khan, 1996:2)

In view of the changing attitudes of information users in getting specific information, a number of libraries and information centres of the country have recently taken steps to establish a proper system for providing desired information to their users. Library professionals of the country have now started to realize that networking and resource sharing is one of the most effective ways of solving the problem of providing information in time to users. But many of them are undecided about what models they should adopt, because of lack of
experience, technological facilities, necessary financial allocations, etc.

Summary of existing networking and resource sharing activities in
Bangladesh:

The concept of information networking and resource sharing is a new phenomenon in the country. It has been observed that the process is apparently rooted more on a theoretical foundation than on the practical considerations. It is also observed that the concept has not been formalized by any legal support. As a result, the country has not yet been able to implement this concept fully (BANSDOC, 1996:35).

However, according to BANSDOC (1996:36-38) and Mannan (1997), some efforts and initiatives have been taken by different organizations in different sectors to initiate cooperation in the field. Some of the attempts taken or are being taken are given below:

National:
— An informal inter-library loan system was operational in the country even before 1971.

        — The former National Agricultural Library and Documentation Center   (NALDOC) of BARC attempted to establish its network 'BAIN' but this could not be materialized.

        — In 1976 icddr'b and NHLDC signed an agreement to facilitate library cooperation through an inter-library loan system. Subsequently, BIDS (1977), BIRDEM (1978), USAID, Dhaka (1992), Aga Khan Community Health Program, Dhaka (1992) and BRAC (1995) have joined this program.

        — nhldc, icddr'b, and BIDS has been successfully operating a cooperative program for avoiding duplication in journal subscriptions.

        — The Agricultural Information Center (AIC) has initiated a library network for agricultural institutions (NAIS). Of the 36 agricultural organizations and institutions, 11 have been participating in this program.

       — The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) have organized a Social Science Information Network in Bangladesh. 43 organizations and institutions involved in social science research have been brought under this network. The network has been functioning as the national focal point for APINESS.

      — cirdap has taken steps to develop a regional network on rural development known as Information Network on Rural Development (INRD) and an information network on women known as Women Information Network (WIN).

     — BARD, Comilla has developed a network of rural development institutions in Bangladesh termed the Bangladesh Development Support Information and Communication (BDSIC) Network.

    — The National Institute of Population Research and Training (niport) has established an information network in the field of Health, Family planning,  MCH and population studies.

— Dhaka University Library attempted to develop an information network of university libraries by preparing a union catalogue of the holdings of university libraries. But unfortunately the project did not materialize.

      — BANSDOC worked towards formulation of a National Science and Technology Information Policy (NAST1P). The policy is awaiting government approval. Under this policy, a four-tier science and technology information networking system has been advocated. bansdoc also is now been implementing a project Automation and Networking of Science and Technology Libraries in
Bangladesh in three phases. The Network has been named as Bangladesh National Scientific and Library Information Network (BAN SLINK).

      — The Community Development Library (CDL) is also on its way to organize the Rural Information Network (RIRC).

 International:

       — As the national focal point NHLDC is participating with the hellis network organized by WHO-SEARO.

       — The BIDS Library and Documentation Center was the national focal point for devinsa network organized by CSCD through the Marga Institute in Sri Lanka (The project period was over in 1995)  BIDS-LDC has also been maintaining a Development Science Correspondents Network.

      — The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Library, Dhaka University, has been selected as the national focal point for the Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia Library Network for Resource Sharing (AMDISA Library Network).

     — The Community Development Library (CDL), a non-governmental organization working in the field of development information located in Dhaka has been selected for the network called South-South Exchange and TVE.

Note: It is unfortunate to mention here that he initiatives and efforts made by the different institutions and organizations of the country to establish information network for resource sharing mentioned above failed to continue and in most of the cases are not in operation due to different constrains.