Developing Special Information Services of Public Library
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© 2021 IJRAR March 2021, Volume 8, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138) DEVELOPING SPECIAL INFORMATION SERVICES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY Mr. Gunjan Patani , Dr. Priyanki R. Vyas, Research Scholar, Associate Professor Department of Library and Information Science, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad, India. ABSTRACT: Libraries are collections of books and so many other informational materials. Users come to libraries for the reading, study or references or acquire knowledge and fulfill their thirst of knowledge. Libraries are containing types of materials like print materials and digital materials such as sounds, films, video recording, maps, photographs, computer software, online databases and other media. This paper takes critical look at the development of special information services for the special users like visually impaired. The present situation of M.J. Public library will be the focus of this research paper. Keywords: M.J. Public Library, Information Services, Special Collection, Special Information Services INTRODUCTION: The public library is a essential centre in the educational development of the person. According to Salisu (1989) situates it, the role of library in the development of nations include educationally, socially, economically, politically and culturally for the development. This has provoked libraries all over the world to invest massive amounts of money for the library development. Similarly, Byrne, Cylke, Hagle, Herndon & Perry (1990) distinguished that librarians are usually responsible for categorizing, collecting and making available information in any form, as required by recognised users. Librarians serving individual with visual disabled have such responsibilities in addition to those related to providing all materials in Braille and audio CD’s., as do the users themselves due to background and specific needs. The purpose of this paper is to observe the need to develop and providing special library and information services for the Visually Impaired in M.J. Public library, process involved in the current library services for the visually impaired persons at M.J. Library visually impaired users would be discussed (Ajobiewe). IJRAR21A1363 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 222 © 2021 IJRAR March 2021, Volume 8, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138) M.J. Public Library: Mahatma Gandhi donated 7,000 of his own books to an unassuming new building on the banks of the Sabarmati River 80 years ago. In the 1930s, Ahmedabad received more than 7000 books from Mahatma Gandhi, all still preserved in a dedicated section of the library, from the Sheth Maneklal Jethabhai (M.J.) public library. Gandhiji's dream came true when local authorities agreed to open a public library with monetary help from philanthropist and entrepreneur Sheth Rasiklal Maneklal. Today, it's M.J. In a time-capsule, the library holds Gandhi 's collection. It also happens to be a favourite destination for the Ahmedabad residents. Figure- 1- M.J. Public Library03 In Rajputana Colonial Style of Architecture, the M.J. Library structure designed by English architect Claude Batley, the white marble shone in the light, appearing to be next to the famous Ahmedabad Town Hall. This library is located in the heart of Ahemdabad and is well connected to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) City Bus service. India's first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, opened the library in 1938, with more than nine branches across Ahmedabad District, more than 150 workers, and more than 24,000 registered users. The audio library section, also recently opened, is especially built for visually impaired literature lovers. Enthusiastic students from the Blind People's Association often refer to our 2500 audio books, which are accessible via 6 to 7 audio systems. (https://creativeyatra.com/culture/mj-library-ahmedabad/). Literature Review: Eskay and Chima (2013) Research into the evolution of library services for visually impaired users-blind and physically disabled library services in Nigerian universities, with specific reference to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), also indicated that libraries are also taking advantage of ICT developments to improve access to information for blind people. They suggested that the university authority should accept the special students in the library and information service delivery as a matter of urgency. IJRAR21A1363 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 223 © 2021 IJRAR March 2021, Volume 8, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138) Bandyopadhyay (2008) Provided some guidelines for the implementation of innovative services to make information literacy programmes more effective. He also proposed supplying computer laboratories with internet access for user training for public libraries. Information literacy programmes for inmates, hospitals and home- bound patients should be removed from the library, and for communities with low literacy rates, information literacy programmes should be carried out with audio-visual materials for visually impaired users to be more effective. Some 55 government agencies and 30 NGOs are planning audio-visual resources for information literacy programmes. Roy and Bandyopadhyay (2009) The primary objective was to build a barrier-free environment in which University libraries, through the provision of suitable facilities, technology and the provision of sufficient infrastructural facilities, and the need for visually impaired programmes. To date, university library facilities are not appropriate for visually disabled individuals. Some university libraries have recently taken initiatives in this regard. Bharathihar University, Jammu University, Delhi University, Punjab University, JNU, Lucknow University, Calcutta University, as per our survey, either established Digital Braille and audio library or will establish it. It is currently possible to provide user-friendly & adequate services for these individuals who have been neglected for a long time with the help of Information Technology (IT). In order to provide fair library access to all, including people with disabilities, UNESCO & IFLA have provided guidelines. Guidelines in this regard have also been released by the Government of India and the University Grants Board. This paper also highlights the basic facilities and services that are needed to be offered by librarians of academic libraries to serve the function and missions of IFLA and UNESCO framed & funded libraries. Methodology: The Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this case study. M.J. Library was selected based on the population of visually impaired users. The selected library is a leading public library of Ahmedabad was specifically chosen for this study. Through a preliminary study was found to be visually impairment persons. The sets of questionnaires which gathered information from the respondents were used for data collection. Results: The M.J. public library has been established visual impairment services in the year of 2017 and the readership and circulation data given in table as under. In the year of 2018 total 129 visually impaired adult access 150 audio CD’s and in the year 2019 total 141 visually impaired adult access 210 audio CD’s, its shows that 12 (9.3%) and 60 (40%) increased readership and circulation. The M.J. public library has purchased 3641 audio CD’s for the visually peoples and library also had 6 units of recorder to listen the audio CD’s for the visually impaired users. IJRAR21A1363 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 224 © 2021 IJRAR March 2021, Volume 8, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138) Fiscal Year Readership Circulation 2018 129 150 2019 141 210 Change +12 (+9.3%) +60 (+40 %) Ave.cost per Braille No. of Ave.no. of Total cost title (Indian material titles Copies (Indian Rs.) Rs.) Audio CD 3359 3641 25 175000 Total expense 175000 No. of Total Cost Equipments Cost per unit Units (Indian Rs.) Machines 6 6000 36000 Total expense 36000 Recommendations: More than ever before, there is no requirement for libraries and skilled library personnel to be interested in improving and building facilities for visually impaired people. Some steps to make library facilities available to blind or visually disabled users have been suggested here. Those are mentioned below: 1. Library authorities should be allowed to extend library facilities to visually disabled persons so that library services can be given to them by employees. 2. In order to stimulate interest in library use, the library environment should be made conducive to blind individuals. 3. Varieties of non-print products for visually disabled people should be acquired and organised. 4. The government should allow blind people to establish library associations. CONCLUSION: The future of visually disabled library facilities depends on support and treatment for the library staff and good professional practice for them. In order to prepare for the use of visual disability users, highly qualified and skilled practitioners need the required materials, equipment and software in libraries. The paper was therefore able to present useful recommendations for a vibrant library and information services for the visually impaired. IJRAR21A1363 International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) www.ijrar.org 225 © 2021 IJRAR March 2021, Volume 8, Issue 1 www.ijrar.org