Open Source Software (OSS): Expert's Choice

The term open source refers to something people can modify and share because its design is publicly accessible.

The term originated in the context of software development to designate a specific approach to creating computer programs. Today, however, "open source" designates a broader set of values—what we call "the open source way." Open source projects, products, or initiatives embrace and celebrate principles of open exchange, collaborative participation, rapid prototyping, transparency, meritocracy, and community-oriented development.

Open source software is software with source code that anyone can inspect, modify, and enhance. "Source code" is the part of software that most computer users don't ever see; it's the code computer programmers can manipulate to change how a piece of software—a "program" or "application"—works. Programmers who have access to a computer program's source code can improve that program by adding features to it or fixing parts that don't always work correctly.

Some software has source code that only the person, team, or organization who created it—and maintains exclusive control over it—can modify. People call this kind of software "proprietary" or "closed source" software.

Only the original authors of proprietary software can legally copy, inspect, and alter that software. And in order to use proprietary software, computer users must agree (usually by signing a license displayed the first time they run this software) that they will not do anything with the software that the software's authors have not expressly permitted. Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software.

Open source software is different. Its authors make its source code available to others who would like to view that code, copy it, learn from it, alter it, or share it. LibreOffice and the GNU Image Manipulation Program are examples of open source software.

As they do with proprietary software, users must accept the terms of a license when they use open source software—but the legal terms of open source licenses differ dramatically from those of proprietary licenses.

Open source licenses affect the way people can use, study, modify, and distribute software. In general, open source licenses grant computer users permission to use open source software for any purpose they wish. Some open source licenses—what some people call "copyleft" licenses—stipulate that anyone who releases a modified open source program must also release the source code for that program alongside it. Moreover, some open source licenses stipulate that anyone who alters and shares a program with others must also share that program's source code without charging a licensing fee for it.

By design, open source software licenses promote collaboration and sharing because they permit other people to make modifications to source code and incorporate those changes into their own projects. They encourage computer programmers to access, view, and modify open source software whenever they like, as long as they let others do the same when they share their work.

Open source technology and open source thinking both benefit programmers and non-programmers. Because early inventors built much of the Internet itself on open source technologies—like the Linux operating system and the Apache Web server application—anyone using the Internet today benefits from open source software.

Every time computer users view web pages, check email, chat with friends, stream music online, or play multiplayer video games, their computers, mobile phones, or gaming consoles connect to a global network of computers using open source software to route and transmit their data to the "local" devices they have in front of them. The computers that do all this important work are typically located in faraway places that users don't actually see or can't physically access—which is why some people call these computers "remote computers."

More and more, people rely on remote computers when performing tasks they might otherwise perform on their local devices. For example, they may use online word processing, email management, and image editing software that they don't install and run on their personal computers. Instead, they simply access these programs on remote computers by using a Web browser or mobile phone application. When they do this, they're engaged in "remote computing."

Some people call remote computing "cloud computing," because it involves activities (like storing files, sharing photos, or watching videos) that incorporate not only local devices but also a global network of remote computers that form an "atmosphere" around them.

Cloud computing is an increasingly important aspect of everyday life with Internet-connected devices. Some cloud computing applications, like Google Apps, are proprietary. Others, like ownCloud and Nextcloud, are open source.

Cloud computing applications run "on top" of additional software that helps them operate smoothly and efficiently, so people will often say that software running "underneath" cloud computing applications acts as a "platform" for those applications. Cloud computing platforms can be open source or closed source. OpenStack is an example of an open source cloud computing platform.

People prefer open source software to proprietary software for a number of reasons, including:

Control. Many people prefer open source software because they have more control over that kind of software. They can examine the code to make sure it's not doing anything they don't want it to do, and they can change parts of it they don't like. Users who aren't programmers also benefit from open source software, because they can use this software for any purpose they wish—not merely the way someone else thinks they should.

Training. Other people like open source software because it helps them become better programmers. Because open source code is publicly accessible, students can easily study it as they learn to make better software. Students can also share their work with others, inviting comment and critique, as they develop their skills. When people discover mistakes in programs' source code, they can share those mistakes with others to help them avoid making those same mistakes themselves.

Security. Some people prefer open source software because they consider it more secure and stable than proprietary software. Because anyone can view and modify open source software, someone might spot and correct errors or omissions that a program's original authors might have missed. And because so many programmers can work on a piece of open source software without asking for permission from original authors, they can fix, update, and upgrade open source software more quickly than they can proprietary software.

Stability. Many users prefer open source software to proprietary software for important, long-term projects. Because programmers publicly distribute the source code for open source software, users relying on that software for critical tasks can be sure their tools won't disappear or fall into disrepair if their original creators stop working on them. Additionally, open source software tends to both incorporate and operate according to open standards.

Community. Open source software often inspires a community of users and developers to form around it. That's not unique to open source; many popular applications are the subject of meetups and user groups. But in the case of open source, the community isn't just a fanbase that buys in (emotionally or financially) to an elite user group; it's the people who produce, test, use, promote, and ultimately affect the software they love.

This is a common misconception about what "open source" implies, and the concept's implications are not only economic.

Open source software programmers can charge money for the open source software they create or to which they contribute. But in some cases, because an open source license might require them to release their source code when they sell software to others, some programmers find that charging users money for software services and support (rather than for the software itself) is more lucrative. This way, their software remains free of charge, and they make money helping others install, use, and troubleshoot it.

While some open source software may be free of charge, skill in programming and troubleshooting open source software can be quite valuable. Many employers specifically seek to hire programmers with experience working on open source software.

What is open source "beyond software"?

At Opensource.com, we like to say that we're interested in the ways open source values and principles apply to the world beyond software. We like to think of open source as not only a way to develop and license computer software, but also an attitude.

Approaching all aspects of life "the open source way" means expressing a willingness to share, collaborating with others in ways that are transparent (so that others can watch and join too), embracing failure as a means of improving, and expecting—even encouraging—everyone else to do the same.

It also means committing to playing an active role in improving the world, which is possible only when everyone has access to the way that world is designed.

The world is full of "source code"—blueprints, recipes, rules—that guide and shape the way we think and act in it. We believe this underlying code (whatever its form) should be open, accessible, and shared—so many people can have a hand in altering it for the better.

Effective Learning (SQ4R) Techniques

SQ4R is a method of reading and studying textbooks. It’s an acronym for: Survey, Question, Read, Respond, Record, and Review. When using this method, complete all the steps initially, then choose which are most effective for you and your courses. The SQ4R method may seem time consuming at first, but it's an effective method for reading, understanding, and remembering information from your textbooks.

Benefits

• It’s an active learning strategy that can be adapted to suit an individual’s study preferences.
• It provides a strategy to retain a lot of factual detail, reducing the amount of information that has to be relearned for exams.
• It prompts the creation of study material to be used when preparing for exams.
• It helps to identify errors or areas of confusion.

Survey

• Before reading a chapter in your textbook, take some time to skim through it and read any titles and subheadings, as well as the captions beneath any photos charts, maps or graphs.
• Next, skip to the end of the chapter and read the chapter summary and study questions. This will allow you to determine what important information will be covered in this chapter.

Question

• Turn each subheading or title into a question. For example, if the subheading is The Placebo Effect, ask yourself: What is the placebo effect?
• Ask yourself if you already know anything about the subject, or what you remember your professor saying about that topic in class.
• You may keep these questions in mind, or write them down to reference while reading the chapter.

Read

• You may now begin to read the chapter. While you read, think about your questions and try to find the answers in the text.
• Do not merely skim the text looking for answers; engage in active reading. Try to answer the study questions you may remember from the chapter summary.
• Re-read passages you do not understand. Connect any graphics or charts to the information you are reading.
• Focus on one section at a time and make sure that you understand what is written.

Respond

• After reading a section, attempt to answer your question using your own words.
• Try to summarize what you have just read, making special note of any key concepts or terms.
• If you cannot answer your original question, re-read the section.
• You may also find that your original question was not applicable, and needs to be changed; for example, “What is qualitative research?” may not have been answered in the section; your question may need to be changed to: “What are some examples of qualitative research methods?”

Record

• Now that you have read the chapter and understand it, you can record the information.
• You may do this in whichever way you find to be most helpful, whether it be highlighting the text or writing down notes in your own words.
• It is important that you understand the material before recording it - do not attempt to do both at once.

Review

• Once you are finished the entire chapter, read over your notes and use the questions you created to quiz yourself.
• Try reciting your answers out loud as another way to remember the information.
• It is also important to integrate a regular review period into your routine, to make it easier to remember old information.
• If you review your notes on a weekly basis, you will find it much easier to study when it comes time for exams. Instead of re-learning information you have long forgotten, you will simply be reviewing material with which you are already familiar.

Tactics to attract more users to the library

Getting people to use the library’s services can be a real challenge now with all the new alternatives on how to spend your free time. In this case, we should create attractive features and link innovative ideas for the library visitors.

1.    Partner with local organizations and companies to create a community hub

Sharing the public space of the library with another institution can be a fantastic way to cover more needs and attract different user segments. It is often easier to partner with a local public institution that shares the same set of values, but you can do even more by partnering with local private organizations. [Transform your library into a community space where people gather to find information, play games, eat and drink, enjoy family time or participate in an exhibition.]

2. Collaborate with other libraries from the region and offer a combined library service

Partnership with local public or private organizations represent a fantastic way for the library to extend its services. But there is also the possibility to create partnerships with other libraries and offer a more attractive service to users. There are many benefits when implementing this kind of strategy, such as one single membership card for access to all the public libraries in the network, access to all the combined digital resources and the possibility to return the books to any branch in the network. There are also challenges when considering this kind of strategy but the trick is to combine local choice when it comes, with regional or larger merging of other services.

3.    Create new spaces at the library Transform the vulnerable members of your community into the library’s most faithful users

Besides the resources that they offer, libraries are more valued now for their spaces and the experiences that they create for the community. As the physical location becomes a living space for meetings and interaction, the libraries need to consider the dynamics at the library and create new spaces. That can be ensured by adding a café on the perimeters and other zones where people can openly interact and exchange knowledge. A maker space is another good example of how libraries enable innovation and help people learn new skills while sharing their experiences and resources with others. Eg.

·        Social space for interaction and knowledge exchange

·        A quiet space for contemplation

·        A maker space for innovation

·        A neutral and trusted space for public use

4.    Find out who the non-users are and get them to the library

Libraries are for everyone and all citizens should have access to knowledge. Even so, there a few members of the community that have particular needs and the library’s offerings for them are a bit limited or missing. The have a bigger impact on their lives and to actively guide them in their learning, a library can also implement new programs specially for these target groups. By helping refugees integrate into the local community, adapting the library’s resources to offer people with disabilities access to information and by helping the homeless integrate back into the society, the library can play a key role in their lives.

5.    Find out who the non-users are and get them to the library

A high number of people have never been to the library or if they have been, they haven’t used most of the library’s services. There is a thin line between what differentiates a non-user from a user and the only way to find these differences is through research. Also, libraries need to adapt to these findings and make some changes in the services and the experience they offer. Promote their activities, proactively presents all the library’s services, like; ‘let me show you this and this’

6.    Add innovative technologies at the library and get people interested to try them

When we talk about technology, libraries have been the first ones to get computers and other technologies and make them available to everyone. So, why not be a trendsetter in digital use and implement innovative technologies along with educating the public on how to use them? Augmented reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, 3D printers, robots, drones and mobile apps are just a few of the emerging technologies that can be used in libraries. Technology is a great way to create new and interesting services for the public in a time where the libraries have to adapt to the constantly changing needs of the users.

7.    Give the users the “keys” to the library so they can visit it whenever they feel like it

Librarians should lead the way in technology use among fellow residents but simultaneously, they need to gain more time for the most important activity – helping patrons. Lately, as libraries have extended their hours of availability, new forms of self-service solutions have emerged in the form of machines or software for different processes. Tools such as inventory readers, printing and copying, fines payment, reception of returned materials or even dusting off the books is facilitating the user flow at the library and the staffs’ daily activity. Also, self-service technology is the best solution to guarantee the availability out of normal opening hours and to make sure that the patrons can use the library’s resources as they would normally do.

8.    Use social media tools to create a voice for the library

Libraries offer a plethora of creative and interesting events, but a lot of times these events don’t reach people’s eyes or ears. Focusing on a few online tools is the best way to improve your library’s presence in the community and make people aware of its existence. By using social media channels, patrons can stay connected to the library’s newsfeed and events all day and you spend no money on promotional materials. Streaming video and adding a few YouTube videos are a real trend these days and it is of great benefit to bring the library to the online community and make users aware of the events taking place at the library. Podcasting and blogging can be used for introducing and presenting various topics to a broader audience and at the same time, you can create the needed content for social media distribution. Finally, newsletters and messaging apps are effective ways to make a more personal connection with patrons and maybe even answer more personal questions.

 Source: princh

Interview Skill and Tips

There are some easy steps that you can take that will increase your chances of success at interviews.

First, remember that job interviews should be a process of two-way communication. Not only are they a tool for employers to use to evaluate you, but they are also an opportunity for you to assess the job, the organization, and to see if there is a "fit."

The keys to a successful interview are preparation and practice. The following suggestions will help you prepare for an interview:

Self-evaluation: It is important for you to think about yourself and your past experiences in order to be ready to articulate what you have to offer an employer.

Consider the following topics:

•  How your present and past experience relate to the position

•  Your current and future career goals

•  What skills and expertise you have to offer

•  The skills that you would like to develop or improve

•  Location, salary, and lifestyle priorities

•  Kinds of people and environments you prefer

•  Past experiences you want to highlight such as volunteer work, hobbies, travel

Before the Interview

Research the Company- A company's website is an excellent place to begin. It usually gives you information on whether it is international or domestic, what its revenues are, how many locations it has, and the nature of its major products. Most companies are very proud of their websites. Don't be surprised if one of the first questions interviewers ask when you arrive is, "Have you have had a chance to look at our website?"

Practice interviews- Write down a list of possible questions that you think may be asked, then have a friend act as an interviewer and direct them to you in a practice interview situation. Don't stop until you feel comfortable answering each question. Practicing beforehand will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed during the interview.

Dress Professionally- In today's environment, wearing a suit isn't always necessary. Contact the HR Manager of the company or your recruiter, and find out what the dress code is for the company at which you are going to interview. Then dress one level above. For instance, if it is business casual, men can wear dress pants, dress shirt, and sport coat. Women can wear a pantsuit, dress, or a skirt and blouse. Visual impressions are very important. Therefore, if in doubt, always dress on the conservative side.

Arrival- Try to arrive at the interview location a little early. This gives you time to determine where you need to go, and will give you a few minutes to collect your thoughts. DO NOT arrive late. Nothing destroys your chance at impressing an employer more than arriving late and offering no explanation. If you learn at the last minute that you are going to be arriving late at the interview, call and let the interviewer know. Interviewers understand that things can come up suddenly. You are never considered late if you call and make them aware of the fact.

During the Interview

First impressions- First impressions take only thirty seconds. Establishing rapport, direct and sustained eye contact, a firm handshake, a warm smile, good posture, and introducing yourself in a confident manner are important ingredients. A well-groomed, professional appearance is critical. Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake, whether it is a woman or a man. (No one likes a weak  handshake.) Always maintain eye contact while shaking hands.

Smile- A smile denotes confidence in a candidate. Try to smile often. Also, don't be afraid to use some hand animation while answering questions. This suggests enthusiasm in a candidate.

Body Language- Use good posture, and look the interviewer right in the eye. Sit up straight. Never slouch.

Speak Clearly- Don't mumble. It portrays a lack of confidence. Speak with assurance. This indicates confidence.

Listen Before Answering- Allow the employer to begin the interview, but be prepared with some opening statements or questions such as, "I understand that this position involves…," or "What are you looking for in a job candidate?" Make sure you understand the question. If not, ask the interviewer to clarify it. Don't be afraid to take some time to think before answering. Interviewers are impressed with someone who thinks out an answer before speaking.

Give Brief Answers- Make your answer concise and to the point. Rambling tends to suggest that you really don't have the answer to the question(s) asked.

Previous Employers- Never, ever say anything negative about your present or previous employers. No matter how much you may have disliked someone, find a way to give your experiences a positive spin.

Be Truthful- Don't lie when asked about something you haven't done. The next question will be "tell us about it."

Know Your Resume- Be prepared to talk about every fact that is on your resume. Many people embellish their accomplishments on their resumes. Avoid this, since the only point of reference an interviewer has about you is the resume you provide to him/her beforehand.

Keep things at a professional level- Sometimes near the end of an interview, the two parties start feeling comfortable with each other. Don't let this comfortable feeling lead you to telling them something about yourself that they really shouldn't know. Always keep things at a professional level.

Look for Something in Common- This is something that has given us an edge in the past. Try to find a common bond between yourself and your interviewer. If you are being interviewed in an office, look at how the office is decorated. Look for something you can identify with. Is his/her college diploma hanging on the wall? Did you attend a nearby school, or perhaps one in the same Division? If so, make a quick comment about it: "Did you attend Penn State? I attended the University of Michigan. What a great football conference." Interviewers sometimes feel more comfortable with people with whom they have something in common. This approach has helped several candidates obtain a position over other qualified candidates. Above all, be sincere.

After the Interview

Back in Touch- Ask the interviewer when s/he expects to get back to you on her/his decision.

Get Everyone's Business Card- Before you leave, be sure to get the business cards of all of the people with whom you visited. If you cannot do that, ask a secretary for their names and e-mail addresses.

Thank the Interviewer- Verbally thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you, before leaving. Within a day, send thank-you letters to all of the interviewers with whom you spoke. This does not need to consist of a written letter sent via snail mail; an e-mailed thank-you works just as well.

Do not give up- Sometimes, within ten minutes of the start of an interview, you will know that the job is not one you want to pursue. If you begin to feel this way, don't give up on the interview. Continue to interview as if the job was the most important thing in the world. This provides you with practice for your next interview, which may be for your dream job! Not all interviews will lead to offers of employment, but, if you approach every interview as if it's the most important interview you ever had, you will come out a winner!

Additional tips

•  Focus on presenting a positive, enthusiastic tone.

•  If you are asked to describe a weakness, mention lessons learned, and steer away from negative descriptions.

•  Think about three or four key points that you want to make about your personal characteristics, skills you have learned, and relevant experiences that demonstrate that you could perform the

job well.

•  Find specific, rather than general, examples from your experience that illustrate important points about yourself.

•  When answering questions, focus on experiences that demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, responsibility, progress, achievement, creativity, initiative, and leadership

·         If the employer signals the end of the interview and asks you for questions, and you haven't discussed some key points, say: "There are a couple of points I would like to mention."

After the interview, write a brief thank you letter. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and learn about the organization, re-confirm your interest, and re-emphasize how your background and skills might be of interest to the organization.

Some Interview Questions

You can expect to be asked some of the following types of questions in an interview.

Case Questions are often used by consulting companies to assess analytical and problem solving skills. The interviewer presents a situation and asks you to discuss possible solutions. A sample case question is, "Describe a managed care company that you think is successful and explain why. What do they do that works? What are their potential problems? What is your outlook for their future? What suggestions do you have for their future?"

Behavioral or situational questions are used to assess how you would behave in different circumstances and to predict your behaviour in future, similar situations. An interviewer may ask, "Tell me about a time when a team you were working on was unable to proceed due to some interpersonal conflict. How did you respond, and what role did you play on the team?"

Role-play questions entail the interviewer asking you to put yourself in another role and decide how you would handle a specific problem.

Industry-specific questions are questions regarding the latest trends or issues in the industry. An interviewer may ask, "If you were a CEO of Microsoft’s main competitor, what actions would you take in the on-line services market?"

Brain teasers are quick questions where the obvious answer is not necessarily the right answer such as, "Which would you rather receive: fifty thousand pennies or a 10x10x10 room filled with pennies?"

General questions

•  Tell me about yourself.

•  What are your key experiences and accomplishments?

•  How would you rank your achievements?

•  What are your strengths and weaknesses?

•  How would your friends describe you?

•  Explain your reason for leaving your current job.

•  What are the most important things to you in a job?

•  What do you value in a supervisor?

•  How would you describe your management style?

•  What appeals to you about this job and organization?

•  Describe the ideal position in our company.

•  What qualities do you think make someone successful in our industry?

•  What would you like me to know most that is not on your resume?

·   Explain your understanding ofthe issues and trends in your specialty and in the overall industry.

•  Why are you qualified for this position?

•  Give an example of a situation where you demonstrated leadership.

•  Give an example of how you worked on a team.

•  What questions do you have about the organization? Questions for the interviewer are queries that usually focus on the culture or mission of the organization, and job responsibilities. This is not the time to bring up questions about salary, benefits, and vacation about which you can inquire after you have been offered the job.

The Phone Interview

Due to a company's geographic location, travel costs, and divergent schedules, a phone interview may often be your initial contact with a prospective employer. Therefore, we're offering some phone interview tips.

Objective- The idea behind a phone interview is to gain an invitation for a personal interview, and to gather more information for future steps in the process.

Preparation- Have a pad, pen, and a copy of your resume near the phone. Use a phone in a quiet area. Avoid any background noise. Also avoid using a cordless phone, because they tend to transmit poorly.

Speaking

a.Smile and be enthusiastic. Your enthusiasm will carry through to the interviewer.

b.Speak in a conversational manner, and be sure to speak loudly enough to be heard. Speak with some inflection and tone.

c.Let the interviewer do most of the talking. When s/he asks you a question, expound upon the answer. Use the opportunity to sell your skills and experience.

d.When the interview is over, let her/him know that you are very interested in scheduling a personal interview at her/his place of business.

Best of Luck !

References

·         Altavista Careers (2001), JobsontheWeb(2001), Virtualville (2001) and MIT

·         Online Resources (2001)

·         https://www.fip.org

Useful Links

• AACR2
• Business Balls: Learn Management
• CDLIS - DSpace
• Community Library Association, Nepal
• Creative Commons
• Designing Libraries-UK
• DOI System
• IASL (International Association of School Librarianship)
• IFLA-Int''l Federation
• Information Literacy Blog
• Institute of Library and Information Science Professionals
• ithenticate - plagiarism detector
• Joshua Parker-NLM-USA
• KU Central Library
• Library and Resource Management
• Library Job Informer
• Library Research Service
• LibraryConnect-Elsevier
• LibraryScienceList
• LibSuccess-best wiki tools for LIS
• LIS blog - research, literacy & information
• LIS Conferences South Asia
• LIS Online Courses
• Living Value Education INGO
• LOC-USA
• Lok Sewa Aayog
• Loksewa General Knowledge
• Martin Chautari - Library
• Ministry of Education Nepal
• NASL- Nepalese of Association of School Library
• National Library of Medicine-USA
• NCLA-Community Library Association
• Nepal Library & Information Consortium
• Nepal Library Foundation
• Nepal National Library
• Nepal Research - Website on Nepal and Himalayan Studies
• Nepali Blogger
• NLA-Nepal Library Association
• OCLC-Dewey
• Open Access Nepal
• Open Access Week-annual function
• Open Courses (free online)
• Open Courses Online
• Open Source Resources For All
• OpenCulture-cultural & educational
• OpeningTheBooks
• Popular Articles
• RDA Toolkit
• Reason-Philosophy
• Research & Info. Mgmt.
• Research4Life
• Resources for School Librarian
• Right to Research
• TheGuardian For Job References
• TU Central Library
• UGC Nepal
• World Library - World E- Book Library

Open Access Week 2017

You are in the ocean of Open Access arena, try to retrieve knowledge, skill and resources without any cost. 10th International Open Access Week 2017 (Otober 23-29).

Value in unexpected places: Library

June 9, 2017 11:52 AM Republica

When we think of libraries, there are some names (British Library, A-one Library, Kaiser Library) that automatically come to our mind. Those living in Kathmandu, at least, are well familiar with these establishments. However, it seems for the enthusiastic readers in the valley, there is more to discover.

Inconspicuously located within the compounds of Ratna Rajya Higher Secondary School, Baneshwor is the Shree Ratna Pustakalaya and it has been quietly running for nearly 54 years now. The library’s walls and shelves aptly reflect its long history. There are photographs of renowned poets and personalities who had visited the establishment in its heydays and even the book collection includes Nepali literature that is older than 50 years.

Now while people from around the area are familiar with the establishment, it clearly seems to have missed many people’s radar. The Week, however, went to check out the facility and re-discover its legacy.

The doors of Shree Ratna Pustakalaya open to the public every day after four in the afternoon. The room on the ground floor is always laid out with various English and Nepali newspapers of the day (the volunteer bring the papers they have subscribed at home) and people, both old and young, from the locality slowly begin to pop in for their daily dose of news and reading. Even those who aren’t members of the library are allowed to browse through the selves and sit down with books that interest them.

On the second floor though, there is always a bit of chatter. Around 4:30 pm or so, the committee members of the library also slowly begin to gather around their meeting table. They are all volunteers and most are retired. They greet one another, tend to the library errands that need to carried out or simply sit down and indulge in banter, from personal life to politics, everything is on the table. They have known one another for decades and they unanimously agree that these meetings at the library have become a daily habit of sorts. While they are at it, every now and then, a few readers come and go through the bookshelves on the second floor as well.

The fact is the library actually only has three paid workers, one in the administration, one for maintaining the collection and the last, for cleaning the building. They too are working for a nominal amount. So what really keep the library fully functioning are the volunteers, all of whom live around the area.

“I remember being called to carry a couple bricks and help in the construction of the place. We were all kids at the time,” says treasurer of Shree Ranta Pustakalaya, Shankhar Prasad Paudel.

And he isn’t alone, all the main members of the current committee have memories of playing around the school compound or attending the library’s various events in their youths. Some members have been involved with the library for as long as 40 years. They consider themselves as the second generation caretakers of Shree Ranta Pustakalaya.

Paudel elaborates, “Our seniors told us that this would be our responsibility and we felt it too. It has steadily become a good place for the locals here so we want to help keep it running.”

The main attraction has to be the rich collection of Nepali literature. Even though most of the books there have been donated (they have only recently started buying books for themselves), those looking to explore Nepali literature are bound to find some real gems. From novels, poems, biographies, plays to books on social issues and ideologies, Shree Ranta Pustakalaya has a lot to offer. There are literary works starting from the likes of Bhanu Bhakta and Moti Ram Bhatta, so one can only imagine all the works that are available here. All you need is some time to browse.

As it is, the list of literature personalities that have been associated with the library is an impressive one.  The fact that they have displayed the photographs of various events from over the years and important visits of well known personalities also makes visiting the library an interesting affair.

From Bhupi Sherchan, Bhawani Bhichu, B.P. Koirala, to Matrika Prasad Acharya, Rishikhesh Shah, and even Ram Baran Yadav in recent times, chairman Shashi Bikram Rana shares a lot of pride on behalf of the library for being able to appeal to them. He credits the library’s efforts in being involved in the community work as well as the literature field for successfully building their network in this manner.

Rana reminisces, “Today visitors are impressed with these photos, especially B.P Koirala’s attendance at our events. But there were times during the Panchayat era when some members of the library were against inviting him.”

Apparently, later considering Koirala’s influence in the community and the literature scene, the library’s committee voted for his invitation. And you can bet there will be more stories like these when you visit them in person.

At a time, when the younger generation is losing interest in old Nepali literature, Shree Ranta Pustakalaya consciously continues to celebrate important days like Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s birthday, Bhanu Jayanti, and many more to commemorate our literature’s greats with their own annual events. They have held movie screenings and also poetry recitations on those occasions.

Basanta Parajuli, secretary of Shree Ranta Pustakalaya says that today, they have seen a distinct increase in our reading and writing habits. According to him, a lot of Nepalis, especially the younger generation, seem more inclined to give time to literature so much so that they have had to turn away a few poetry enthusiasts who wanted to participate in their events. They requested them to try again later.

However, there lies the problem as well. With internet taking over our lives, Shree Ranta Pustakalaya, like most libraries, is struggling to maintain foot traffic. Their various functions and events may still bring in crowds in the hundreds but readers on the daily basis have been steadily decreasing.

Parajuli elaborates, “We may have readers who come to read newspapers but increasing our membership, even at Rs 500 for a year, is a real challenge at the moment. Further, I am really worried there won’t be anyone after us to look after this library.”

They have been considering digitizing their collection and so on but, with limited funds, that isn’t a certainty yet. Most members of the library’s committee say that they have tried to get youngsters in their area involved in the running of the library as they were once recruited as well but that plan didn’t go too well. Their search for the third generation of caretakers for their prized library is still very much on.

Source: Myrepublica

7 Apps for Cataloguing Your Home Library

By Emily VanBuren
insidehighered

Do you ever spend too long looking for a book that you just know you already have? Have you ever accidentally purchased a book twice? Sadly, I can answer “yes” to both of these questions. One of my problems is that I can never remember if I own a particular book, or if I’ve just checked it out of the library frequently enough that I think it’s a permanent fixture in my personal collection. I also often struggle to remember if I own a book in hard copy or Kindle form. And one of my least favorite feelings is when I know that I’ve loaned a book to a friend or colleague, but I’m unable to remember which person borrowed it or when.

So, inspired by fellow GradHacker Justin Dunnavant’s post on using Goodreads to organize his library, I’ve decided that it’s time to reorganize my own collection of books. My requirements: must be an iOS-friendly app, must be less than $5, and must allow me to track borrowing. Here are a few of the contenders I’ve been considering, for any of you who might be interested in doing the same:

libib:

This app allows you to organize your books (plus movies, music, etc.) via tags. I like the built-in annotation features (which could allow you to make notes about borrowing), and the basically limitless size (up to 100,000 items). This app also includes tools for measuring how much you’ve read, as well as the options to review items in your library and to make those reviews public. [Free. Web, iOS, or Android.]

iBookshelf:

I like this app because with its built-in borrowing status for every item, it lends itself well to tracking the current location/guardian of each book. I also appreciate the barcode scanning feature for easy use, and the fact that this app automatically calls up available info on each book by the ISBN you enter.  [$1.99. iPhone or iPad.]

Libri:

This is a very basic cataloging app, which allows you to input simple information about each item (author, title, publisher, year, ISBN, simple annotation). Its features are pretty limited, but that’s what makes it so easy to learn. I haven’t yet figured out a trick for tracking book lending in this app. [$1.99. iPhone, iPad, & iPod touch.]

My Library:

This one strikes me as being very similar to iBookshelf. You can input information via barcode scanning or ISBN, and it allows you to catalog all kinds of media (not just books). It also has built-in features for tracking borrowing/loans, allows you to rate items, features streamlined backup options, and can handle up to about 8,000 items at a time. [$3.99. iPhone, iPad, & iPod touch.]

Book Crawler:

I started looking at this tool because it boasted its status as the highest-rated book database app in iTunes. Again, this is another app that allows input via ISBN or barcode scanning, and it automatically generates associated information (including basics like title and author, but also Goodreads reviews) for each item. I also appreciate that this app is specifically designed to export to Dropbox for easy backup. [$1.99. iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, & Mac desktop.]

Home Library:

This app not only allows you to catalogue and track the loan status for each item in your library, but it also allows you to send “polite reminders to friends who haven’t returned your books.” It also accommodates wishlists. I like that this one allows you to easily track the books that you’ve checked out from the library, and that it sends you reminders before they’re due (farewell, late fees). [From $2.99. iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android, and Mac OS X.]

iCollect Books Pro:

Key features in this app include barcode scanning or manual UPC/ISBN entry, automatic cover art and bibliographic information (via Google spidering), genre sorting, tracking loans and borrowing, wishlists, and preorder cataloging. [$2.99. iPhone, iPad, & iPod touch.]

I haven’t decided which app I’ll choose just yet (though I’m leaning toward Home Library), but comparing their features side-by-side has been helpful in thinking about what exactly I need this tool to do.

How do you keep track of all of the items in your home library? Have you tried any of these apps?

Source: insidehighered