Meghalaya libraries to come under one network

Shillong, Apr 13 (UNI) About 50 libraries in Meghalaya will be brought under one network through an automation software enabling the readers to get up-to-date information about the books in the libraries all over the state covered under the network.

E-Granthalaya, the software developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), aims to facilitate better library management and easy information sharing among the libraries.

''This project has two parts. The first part will involve in-house management of the books with the help of the software, while we would connect the libraries through a network in the second part,'' Mr Timothy Dkhar, Meghalaya State Informatics Officer, told UNI here yesterday.

''States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Assam have also started implementation of this software,'' he said.

The library databases would be published on the Internet for the readers through the network. However, NIC has not yet set any timeframe for creating the network.

''We are now concentrating on the first part of the project.

Implementation of the second stage will take some time, as the libraries will have to be ready to implement the project,'' said Mr Dkhar.

The state Ministry of Arts and Culture, which is implementing the project, aims to cover about 50 libraries in the state.

''The aim is to bring about 50 libraries under the project. We have already started work in four libraries,'' said the official.

NIC Shillong is currently holding a three-day workshop which started from April 11 to provide the technical know-how to the librarians.

''People from different libraries are learning about the use of the automation software in the workshop. We had another similar workshop earlier also,'' said Mr Dkhar.

UNI SG PRS PL YA PC0910