No library in the present age can satisfy its customers by its own collection of resources alone. Libraries and information centers rely on each other’s resources for customer satisfaction and growing demand. The sharing and joint use of everyone’s information resources is now a written rule. Thus the library network system was developed mainly for the purpose of joint use of each other’s resources through mutual understanding. Not only this, some of the other reasons behind setting up a library network include:

1. Information explosion;

2. Library budget cuts;

3. Increasing value of information and documents;

4. Diffusion of electronic media;

5. Increasing trends in the use of information technology in libraries and among customers;

6. There is a growing desire to share information and exchange and joint use of resources regardless of geographical boundaries at the national and international level.

According to the American National Commission on Library and Information Science, when two or more libraries or information centers share similar information through integration, this system is called a library network. Such systems must have associated infrastructure components such as information, components, ‘service providers’, network connectivity, etc.

Nowadays, there is no room to separate library networks from computer integration networks. All systems are developed through the collective application of computers, telecommunications, and information technology with the aim of sharing information. Here, the importance of librarians, along with computer engineers, to discover, analyze, and store information in various forms is immense.

Religion of Library Network:

The following denominations are commonly found in any library network.

1. Two or more libraries or information centers will be linked in the network;

2. Each member library shall have an unwritten understanding for mutual exchange of information and documents in the area;

3. There will be minimum infrastructure, such as hardware, software and connectivity for data integration;

4. Each member library and information center shall follow a common practice and standard for data exchange.

Components and Layers of Library Network:

Some of the main components of a library network include:

a) Member libraries, which are considered as key nodes of the network.

b) Connections between these key nodes through which information is exchanged.

c) Information and communication responsibilities, as well as user interface.

The library network can be divided into three tiers according to the status and status of the member libraries.

1. At the state level;

2. At the national level;

3. International level library network

On the other hand, technically, the library network can be divided in three ways:

1. Local area networks are formed between libraries, usually located within one kilometer;
2. A network of libraries in a large city is called a Metropolitan Area Network, or MAN.
3. If the network is formed between state-level and national-level libraries, it is called a Wide Area Network, or WAN.

Advantages of library network:

Library networks are formed based on the principle of mutual understanding and joint use of resources among different libraries. So libraries benefit from such network system. For example:

A) The appropriate use, utilization and quality of library services of each member library;

B) It is not possible for a single library to acquire all types of resources and databases. But almost all resources and databases available over the network can be used;

C) Through which the interlibrary loan service and document delivery service can be done very quickly and smoothly;

D) Helps to tend to purchase similar documents among libraries;

E) Programs such as joint resource collection, joint indexing, Selective Dissemination of information (SDI), Current Awareness Service (CAS), etc. can be planned and implemented properly;

F) Document indexing, database building and resource infusion can be provided to a certain standard among different libraries.

Instruments relating to joint use of property:

Before commencing the sharing of resources, it is very important to create the necessary infrastructure of a network. These materials are interconnected through a network of member libraries. Among these materials are:

1) Database: An offline or online database is created by collecting information related to all the library’s records such as books, periodicals, electronic resources, references, non-book resources, etc. This database is structured based on an established and popular standard so that the user does not create constraints on the computer’s architecture, policies, bibliographic structure and constraints during compilation.

2) Construction and development of collections: The acquisition policy should be such that re-acquisition of documents of the same title is avoided as far as possible unless necessary. A close look at the collections of other member libraries should also be aimed at very specific collections, so as to increase mutual trust and respect among libraries.

3) Union List: A joint list of books, periodicals and periodicals is an important tool for resource exchange and joint use through the network.

4) Union Catalogue: Perhaps the most important tool for joint use of resources is the Union Catalogue. It is the only easy way to know all the systems of documents anywhere on a network system.

5) Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC): The online public access catalogue  is now the most popular shared use resource on the Internet or synchronizing system. The use of OPAC to know the existence of resources from a marginal location is very acceptable

Disadvantages of Library Network:

Despite the multidisciplinary benefits of joint use of resources, its benefits may not be available to many libraries. The following reasons are mainly responsible for this impenetrability of the library:

A) Different libraries follow different policies and styles for converting their bibliographies without using specific standards;

B) Even for collection development policy, many libraries cannot be part of this system even if they want to.

C) User Information Consumers’ socio-economic status, limitations in the use of computers and electronic documents are one of the main antagonists in this situation.

D) Many times librarians’ attitudes, skills and reluctance to use technology are one of the main problems;

F) Inadequacy of funds required for initial investment in libraries.

G) Factors such as copyright, language issues, security, etc. are significant barriers to sharing resources.

Library networks significantly enhance access to a wide range of resources by connecting multiple libraries, making it easier for users to find and obtain the information they need. While library networks offer numerous benefits, their long-term sustainability depends on continuous investment in technology, training, and infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of users.

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