Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research ISSN NO: 0022-1945 ICT Based Services of Selected NAAC Accredited College Libraries in the District ofBirbhumunderthe University of Burdwan: An Evaluative Study By Md. Alamgir Khan Librarian, Chandidas Mahavidyalaya, Khujutipara.Birbhum.W.B.India. E-mail- [email protected] & Research Scholar, Department of Library & Information Science SSSUTMS, Sehore (M.P.) & Dr. Arun Modak Research Guide& Associate Professor Department of Library & Information Science SSSUTMS, Sehore (M.P.) Abstract: The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have brought changes in library services in a massive way. ICT helped libraries to achieve its goals like management of information, providing effective services to its users and extending services beyond boundaries, to say, from the four-walls to the globe. The functions of college libraries are changing due to the application of ICT, especially services provided to library users. The purpose of the present study is to survey and assess the status of ICT based library services of selected National Assessment and Accreditation Council accredited college libraries in the jurisdiction of Birbhum under the University of Burdwan. Keywords: College Libraries, Information & Communication Technology, Digital Reference Service,NAAC. Type of Article: Research Paper 1 Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:2022 Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research ISSN NO: 0022-1945 1. Introduction Libraries are containing books, periodicals and other information sources. In early times people borrowed books and copied information from library. Later, libraries became noticeably influenced by information technology and computers, especially in the last five decades of the 20th century. Naturally they started to impart effective and unexpected services to their users. The emergence of ICT is one of the wonderful gifts of modern science and technology which has brought great changes in the history of library services. It has revolutionized the traditional concept of Libraries from a store house of books to an intellectual information centre. It has made library communication easier and has spread knowledge and information world-wide. This novel device plays an important role to build a progressive world. 2. Concept of ICT based Library Services The library is an organization that offers reference and information services to its users. Library service is the combination of the services-process and its delivery. In a library, the service offered from acquisition section, technical section, maintenance section, etc. are the processes carried out there and thereafter delivered to the users. The quality of service starts from the acquisition section, which carried uniformly to circulation section. Therefore, it is very necessary for librarian to understand the users, what they want, how they want and when they want the documents and information. The libraries have transformed drastically from storehouses for books and journals to the powerhouses of knowledge and information since the middle of the 20th century. The information and communication technology is responsible for this revolution. The library services have changed very fast in the last twenty years and at the same time electronic resources, networks and the World Wide Web represent a large portion of the library services. The very existences of libraries are dependable on users‟ satisfaction. Users are getting satisfied when the library is able to rise to his or her expectation or meet the actual needs. The librarians must manage staff, information in several supports and technical activities to produce quality services. Quality service means resources and services, which satisfy users‟ expectations and perceptions. Throughout the history, libraries were mainly concerned with collection development and processing. The library professionals gave less concern to quality in product and services never checked whether the users are satisfied or not. The library being a service organization, its prime objective is to provide the right documents, information and services to its users. 2 Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:2023 Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research ISSN NO: 0022-1945 ICT based Best practices of the library users are: Library automation with library software Library websites/web page Online public access catalog (OPAC) Electronic document delivery services CAS and SDI services E-mail Electronic resources Institutional repository (IR) Full-text online service E-Library/Virtual library Social media networks Online reader consulting services& so on. 3. National Assessment and Accreditation Council India possesses one of the world‟s largest and diverse education systems. Access to higher education has been improved by privatization, expansion, growing autonomy and introduction of Programmes in new areas. Simultaneously, much concern has been shown on the quality & relevance of the higher education. The National Policy on Education (NPE, 1986) and the Programme of Action (PoA, 1992), regarding these concern, spelt out strategic plans for the policies. They advocated the establishment of an independent National accreditation agency. As a result, the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) was established in 1994. It is an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Its Head Quarter is situated in Bengaluru. The mandate of NAAC is an integral part of the effectual functioning of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). 3 Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:2024 Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research ISSN NO: 0022-1945 4. Objectives of the Study: The main objectives are as follows: To know the current status of computer-based library services offered by constituent college libraries. To know the present grade status of NAAC in the college libraries affiliated to the University of Burdwan in the Jurisdiction of Birbhum. 5. Scope of the Study: As on 31.03.2019, there are 16 Government aided general degree colleges in the district of Birbhum under the University of Burdwan. Out of which 12 Government aided colleges are NAAC accredited. This study is limited only to 9 Govt. aided day section general degree colleges as 3 colleges such as Birbhum Mahavidyalaya, Suri (EC date-10/03/2012), Kabi Nazrul College, Murarai (EC date 15/06/2009) and Rampurhat College, Rampurhat (EC date 31/03/2007) have already over/expired validity status of the NAAC accreditation. It is valid for a period of Five years with effect from EC date as guided by the NAAC. Data has been considered up to 31st March 2019. The Colleges other than the general degree colleges have not been included in the present study. 6. Methodology: The present study mainly focuses on identifying the prospects of Library Services of the NAAC accredited Colleges in the district of Birbhum affiliated to the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. Both primary and secondary data has been explored for the study. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the related primary data by personal visits and personal interaction with the library professionals of the respective colleges. 4 Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:2025 Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research ISSN NO: 0022-1945 7. Data Analysis: 7.1 Colleges Covered Under the Study: Table 1: Colleges Covered under the Study SL Name of the College Year of the No Establishment 1 Bolpur College (BC) 1950 2 ChandidasMahavidyalaya(CM) 1972 3 HiralalBhakat College(HBC) 1986 4 Krishna Chandra College(KCC) 1896 5 PurnideviChowdhury Girls' 2004 College(PCGC) 6 SailajanandaFalguniSmritiMahavi 1998 dyalaya(SFSM) 7 Sambhunath College(SC) 1963 8 SuriVidyasagar College(SVC) 1942 9 Turku Hansda Lapsa Hemram 2006 Mahavidyalay(THLHM) The questionnaire was distributed among the librarians/library-in-charge of 09 Govt. aided valid NAAC accredited college libraries which were established during the period 1896-2006, Among these colleges 02 (22.22%) college have been established during the year 1896-1946 followed by 04 (44.44%) colleges in 1947-1997 and 3 (33.33%) colleges after 1998. Turku Hansda Lapsa Hemram Mahavidyalay library is the latest and Krishna Chandra College library is the oldest one. 5 Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:2026 Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research ISSN NO: 0022-1945 7.2 Locality of the College: Table 2: Locality of the College Area Name of the College Libraries No. of College Percentage Libraries Rural Area CM,KCC,SFSM,SC,THLHM 5 55.56 Urban Area BC,HBC,PCGC,SVC 4 44.44 Total 9 100.00 Table 2 focuses that 5 colleges are situated in rural area i.e. 55.56% whereas 4 colleges are situated in urban area i.e. 44.44%. It may be shown by the following figure: Percentage(%) Rural Area Urban Area 44.44 % 55.56 % 0 Figure 1: Locality of the College 6 Volume XII, Issue IX, September/2020 Page No:2027 Journal of Interdisciplinary Cycle Research ISSN NO: 0022-1945 7.3 Accredited Status of Cycle-1: Table 3: Accredited Status of Cycle 1 Sl. Accredited Total No. of Name of the Colleges Percentage No. Status Colleges 1 A Nil 0 0 2 B++ Nil 0 0 3 B+ BC,SVC 2 22.22 4 B KCC,PCGC,SC,THLHM 4 44.44 5 C++ HBC 1 11.11 6 C CM,SFSM 2 22.22 Total 9 99.99=100 Table 3 denotes that accredited status of cycle 1. Out of 9, 2 colleges have got „B+‟ grade i.e. 22.22%, 4 colleges is accredited by NAAC „B‟ i.e. 44.44%, 1 college is accredited „C++‟by NAAC i.e. 11.11% and 2 colleges is accredited „C‟ by NAAC i.e. 22.22%. 7.4 Accredited Status of Cycle-2: Table 4: Accredited Status of Cycle 2 Sl. No. Accredited Name of the Total No. of Percentage Status Colleges Colleges 1 A NIL 0 0 2 B++ SVC 1 25 3 B+ SC 1 25 4 B CM,HBC 2 50 5 C Nil 0 0 Total 4 100 Table 4 shows that accredited status of cycle 2. Out of 4, 1 college has got „B ++‟ grade i.e.