A Plan for Social Science Information Network
in Bangladesh

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


Abstract

The growth of information in all subject fields is now spectacular as evidenced by massive outputs of published documents in various format. The subject areas of social sciences are not exempt from this trend, rather both the growth and demand are estimated to be heaviest here. In Bangladesh context, due to lack of  adequate funds. information resources, technological facilities, and skilled manpower in the social science libraries. providing. right information to the right inquirer at the right time is almost impossible. To overcome the problem establishment of a suitable information network in the area of social science is a must. To achieve this objective, this paper examines (a) existing networking activities for resource sharing in the social science libraries, and (b) existing physical and technological facilities
of some selected social science libraries of the country. Finally, an attempt has also been made to propose a suitable information network plan for the social science libraries of Bangladesh.

Introduction

Information is a prime resources for the socio-economic development. Its need and use arc much older than human civilization. It allows us to change and improve the society and increase economic growth and greater social mobility. The growth of society is now affected by "information explosion' with larger quantities of information being published and causing problems of storage and dissemination. At the same time, the number of information user has grown dramatically because of growing literacy and individuals realisation that 'information is power'. The library and the information centres are the institutions responsible to meet information needs of users. As no library can be self sufficient with its resources, so it is all most difficult to fulfil the users demand relating to their information needs. Networking and resource sharing among the libraries can play an important role to meet the users information demand in this age of information explosion. Networking and resource sharing in the library field is aimed at extending the information resources and services to a wider category of users without proportionate increase in expenditure.

A fundamental obstacle to the attainment of this objective in Bangladesh is the lack of information resources. Library collections are inadequate in most of the libraries and even those whose collection is adequate, it remains under-used due to the lack of information about its availability. Lack of proper system for information dissemination. trained personnel, and inadequate financial support arc the main cause for this condition. Social Science Libraries of the country are facing the same problems and are not out of the above mentioned scene. The existing social science libraries and information centres of the country are not properly organised and suffer from different problems, such as, acute shortage of funds, inadequate information resources, lack of qualified staff, modern technological facilities and lack of willingness of the authorities. In such circumstances it is simply impossible for any single social science library in Bangladesh to meet the information needs of its users. To overcome these conditions and to promote the research and development activities in the field, establishment of social science library network for resource sharing is a must. The major reason of this networking is to share library resources effectively irrespective of geographical barriers. The resources can include information, equipment, facilities, function, services, qualified staff, time and money.

Already, few social science libraries of the country have started to realise that networking and resource sharing is one of the most effective ways to solve the problem of providing information in lime to the users. But many of them arc undecided about what models they should adopt, because of lack of experience, technological facilities and necessary financial allocation etc. In the present study an attempt has been made to propose and design a suitable model plan for networking among the social science libraries and information centres in Bangladesh.

Historical Development of Social Science Information Networking in Bangladesh-A Sketch :

In Bangladesh, the establishment of a social science library and information network for-resource sharing is presently under way. There exists an informal  kind of cooperation and resource sharing programmes among a few libraries and information centres in the field nationally and ininternally based on off-line information service. These are namely a) Development Information Network in South Asia (DEVINSA), (b) National Information Correspondents Network in Social Science (c) Information Network on Rural Development (INRD). and (D) Bangladesh Development Support Information and Communication Network (BDSIC).

(u) Development of Information Network in South Asia

In 1978, social scientists and library professionals from Bangladesh and some other Asian
countries in collaboration with Association of Development Institute of Asia & Pacific (ADIPA) meet in Colombo to formulate proposals ('or possible studies on cooperation for development in South Asia. The participating members in their first meeting agreed to form a committee to be known as the 'Committee on Studies for Cooperation in Development in South Asia" (CSCD). and selected the Marga Institute of Colombo as the Secretariat of the CSCD. Therefore, the CSCD directed the Marga Institute lo prepare a project proposal for documentation and information network for South-Asia within the framework of the CSCD which would enable the participating members of the CSCD to establish a regional network, compatible with other existing regional network like the AGRIS, INIS, POPINS etc. under UNESCO/UNSIST/PGI programme for sharing development science information. The International Development Research Centre