: As technologies evolve and revolutionises the way content is accessed, it is not just libraries which have to embrace change, but publishing houses as well.
At the 17th edition of the National Convention on Knowledge, Library and Information Networking (NACLIN) being held here, an exhibition was also held for publishers in the field of higher education.
From selling products, publishing houses have changed into knowledge partners, said Shafina Segon, Marketing Head, Journals and Online Resources, Taylor and Francis India, calling it ‘a paradigm shift’. Taylor and Francis undertakes collaboration in research and organises roundtable meetings with stakeholders in the higher education field, said Ms. Segon.
The publishing house has recently published a white paper on ‘Use of social media by the library’ which included results from a focus group organised in India among librarians. Other steps include a mobile application and a survey on Open Access. “For us, it is not about just selling our products. We want to hold hands with the knowledge partners. Our mobile app allows us to connect directly with our customers,” she said. Publishing houses have to examine what value add can be provided in an age of information overload, said Ms. Segon. They have to retain their ‘niche’ role and connect with their customers as co-creators of knowledge, she added.
Providing customised electronic content to libraries is a priority for McGraw Hill Education, said Sivamay Bhattacharya, Product Manager, McGraw Hill Education. The publishing house has introduced an electronic bookshelf which allows their client institutions to log in and access e-journals and e-resources. “Online resources are a definite challenge to the print world. In the online space, users require the right and relevant information on time which we provide,” he said. Mr. Bhattacharya said he had observed libraries at engineering institutions to be more technological advanced than that at medical institutions.
NACLIN, an annual event, is organised by the Developing Library Network (DELNET). This year, it is being held in Puducherry in collaboration with the French Institute of Pondicherry. Delegates have been attending lectures, tutorials and workshops on the theme, ‘Building Collections to Making Connections: Transforming Libraries in the Knowledge Era’.
