The proliferation of information is nothing new nowadays especially that the internet has gathered momentum, with online users increasing every day together with broadband and other offers from their respective ISPs.
Subsequently, the idea of networking information comes as second nature and thus, needs to be taken seriously if we are to benefit from IT. The way to make thorough use of any electronic information whether general or specific is by linking computers and enabling them to share and exchange the information thereof.
Libraries are in the best position to handle this exchange since they contain both data and information in different formats. Information exchange can happen in various modes depending what one has to offer; from a dynamic website, or exchange of bibliographic details or different file formats such as pdf files among others. However, the importance of exchanging the bibliographic details between libraries and, more specifically, “school libraries”, is what I find most interesting, exciting and forward-looking.
Surely this is a vital concept for our students.
The School Library Management Software Pilot Project
The SLS (Schools Library Service within the Department Of Student Services and International Relations of the Education Division) embarked on a very important project and a valid one too; namely that of inputting the school library resources into one database which in turn, could be accessible online. The library software named OLIVER has a host of features, which come part and parcel with it and these are very useful to all the stakeholders, namely teachers, parents and students alike.
At present, in this pilot project, there are five secondary schools and the SLS is the parent strategic partner where all the work is being done.
Networking the Secondary Schools
The vision behind all the work involved in this project is not about the inputting of the bibliographic details in a database – a laborious task which must be undertaken – but namely that of networking the resources of the schools involved. Consequently, this gives birth to interlibrary loans (ILL) – a concept familiar to the information professional.
The Concept of Networking
The advantages extrapolated from networking are various. One networks resources for a simple reason: that of knowing what other resources are available and where are they located. However, we do this with the sole intention of acquiring the needed information. In other words, networking facilitates acquisitions because we acquire the information which is not available at our local school. It is here that interlibrary loans are vital because we bridge the lack of resources of the different schools.
Being responsible calls for information provision, a concept that librarianship stands for. All educators should have this concept at heart and therefore, facilitate interlibrary loans between school libraries. Interlibrary loans ease budget constraints because acquiring information from another school is possible. Also, it can allow for the possibility that schools may strengthen particular topics that they might be interested in.
Knut, (2003) in her book ‘Libricide’, comments very strongly on the need of networking resources. Knut (ibid. p. 40) states that “Through information dissemination and support of research and intellectual advancement, libraries support educational institutions, thereby enriching the individual and society.’
Unfounded fears
Some educators might find difficult the concept of ILL on the basis that ‘a book lent is a book lost’. However, this is not the case. Having an ILL policy with clear objectives helps to minimise abuse and creates healthy relationships between schools and thus, learning is facilitated. Obviously a small fee needs to be incurred especially when postage is to be involved. Most probably, at this point, you are saying that State schools are not allowed such money handling.
Well, who said that the current system is the correct one? It might mean that there are certain things that need to be adjusted. The maxim ‘because we always did this’ is not valid in this matter. Maybe we might call on Maltapost to waive away the ILL expenses and the ‘public-private partnership’ takes place in an authentic manner. The signs of the time call for the need to be forward-looking and rise to the occasion at hand. Doing things in the old fashion way will not help society to do the quantum leap which is necessary for survival in the information society.