EFFECTIVENESS OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM OF KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY ON EDUCATION,

RESEARCH AND EXTENSION

Synopsis Submitted by

HARRIS K

Under the guidance of

Dr. Abdul Azeez T.A

University Librarian (i/c)

University of Calicut

CH Mohammed Koya Library

University of Calicut

2015

Introduction

Kerala Agricultural University is the primary and the principal instrumentality of

the Kerala state in providing human resources, skills and technology, required for the sustainable

development of its agriculture. The University became operational since 1st February 1972 by the

enactment of the Kerala Agricultural University act, 1971 of Kerala legislative assembly

enforced in 24th February 1971. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated to

Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and

Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has six

colleges (three agriculture, one agricultural engineering, one forestry and one cooperation

banking and management) six Regional Agricultural Research Stations (RARS), seven Krishi

Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), fifteen research stations, sixteen research and extension units under

faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural engineering and Forestry. In addition to this, one Academy

on Climate change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural sciences respectively are also

functioning in KAU. The Kerala Agricultural University Act of 1971 and KAU statutes

recommended for the establishment of a Library and Information system headed by a statutory

officer.

The agriculture scientist is considered as the critical agent in the transfer of technology.

They are supposed to be well aware about the current information in their particular field. The

central purpose of an agricultural library or information service is to improve agricultural

research and practice. It is therefore important for information scientists to examine the

effectiveness of their services to create mechanisms by which they can receive regular feedback.

This study is intended to assess the overall performance of the libraries under Kerala Agricultural

University. Unlike other disciplines, the practice of agriculture is highly dependent on location.

Users are therefore extremely sensitive to their geographic differences. Some of the research

stations of the KAU are highly specialized and the information needs of the users of such stations

are varying.

Literature Review

Several studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of the services

rendered by the library and information system of different institutions. Some of the relevant

studies related to this topic are described herewith.

Beverlee A. French (1990) examined the information seeking habits, information needs

and the response to the library services by the users of agricultural information. He suggested

that a strong relationship between librarian and users need to maintain. The present survey makes

it clear that agricultural librarians have a special pivotal role to play in the rapidly changing,

increasingly important, and information-dependent agricultural sector of the society. To play this

role, they must look in two directions at once-to their users for guidance and for a statement of

needs, problems, and priorities; and to the world of information and technology for solutions and

resources.

Ezeala, Lily Oluebube,(2009) conducted a study of the effectiveness of the agricultural

research institutes in Nigeria. The study revealed that libraries in Nigeria are ineffective in

supporting their institution's research mandate. This ineffectiveness has resulted from gross

underfunding of the libraries by the parent institutions and failure by the management to give the

library the status it deserves. The collection statuses of the libraries are very poor to satisfy the

user’s demands

Palaniappan, M (2013) conducted a study entitled “Library services in the university

libraries in the Tamil Nadu: a case study”. He mentioned in his study that a large portion of

users in the university library are aware about the e-resources, but they do not know all its

techniques and applications for the proper usage. Further, a few users of university libraries in

Tamil Nadu still have no knowledge about the e-resources and related applications. It is also

pointed out the need of effective user education to keep aware of the resources available in the

library.

Raman Nair, R and Francis A.T (1996) evaluated in their paper the existing information

system’s contribution in the research, education and extension needs in the agriculture sector in

India. It describes about the use of information, need for information, and sources of information,

collection and storage etc to make use of the effective utilization of agricultural information

system.

Thanuskodi,S (2012) has done an evaluative study to assess the efficacy of the district

central libraries in Tamil Nadu. He argued that in order to keep up with the current trends

libraries should evaluate their functions periodically. The study shows that majority of the users

are partially satisfied with information provided by the library. Most of the respondents opined

that the computerization of the library can improve the services of the library.

Statement of the Problem

The problem for the present study is entitled as “Effectiveness of the Library and

Information System of Kerala Agricultural University on Education, Research and

Extension”.

Definition of Key Words

Effectiveness

The new shorter oxford English dictionary defines the word as “power or capacity to

produce effects; ability to bring out the intended results”.

Library 

The term Library provided in the online Britannica as “Traditionally, collection of books

used for reading or study, or the building or room in which such a collection is kept. The word

derives from the Latin liber,“book,” whereas a Latinized Greek word, bibliotheca, is the origin

of the word for library in German, Russian, and the Romance languages”.

Information

Online Dictionary of Library and information science defines information as “Data

presented in readily comprehensive form to which meaning has been attribute within the context

of its use. In a more dynamic sense the message conveyed by the use of medium of

communication or expression. Whether specific information is informative or not depends in part

on the subjective perception of the person receiving it”.

System

The meaning of the System given by the business dictionary available at online as “An

organized purposeful structure that consists of interrelated and interdependent elements.

(Components, entities, factors, members, parts etc.). These elements continuously influence one

another (directly or indirectly) to maintain their activity and the existence of the system, in order

to achieve the goal of the system.”

Kerala

In the Maps of India website, a brief description of Kerala is given. “Kerala is a state

tucked away in the southwest corner of India. The state is often referred as "God's Own

Country". Kerala has a total area of 38,863 sq km and has a population of 33,406,061

inhabitants.  The state is bordered by the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu along with the

Laccadive Sea. Thiruvananthapuram (also known as Trivandrum) is the capital of Kerala. The

state of Kerala is divided into fourteen districts. Each of them has a distinct character.  . It has the

highest literacy rate in the country, lowest infant mortality rate and the highest female to male

population ratio. These facts speak volume of the state which is often compared to the society of

the developed western countries.

Agricultural

Webster’s Dictionary available in in the online provides the meaning of term as

“relating to or used in or promoting agriculture or farming; "agricultural engineering";

"modern agricultural (or farming) methods";"agricultural (or farm) equipment"; "an agricultural

college"

University

  Merriam-Webster’s dictionary given the meaning of the University as “An institution of

higher learning providing facilities for teaching and research and authorized to grant academic

degrees; specifically :  one made up of an undergraduate division which confers bachelor's

degrees and a graduate division which comprises a graduate school and professional schools

each of which may confer master's degrees and doctorates”.

Education

According to the New Oxford Dictionary, the meaning of the education is furnished as

“The systematic instruction , schooling , or training of children and young people, or by

extension, instruction obtained in adult life; the whole course of such instruction received by a

person, also provision of this as an aspect of public policy”

Research

Simply Research can be defined as any scholarly investigation in search for truths, for

facts, for certainties. The Webster’s international Dictionary provides a definition that “a careful

critical inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles diligent investigation in order to

ascertain something”.

Extension

The new Oxford Encyclopedic dictionary describes meaning of the term Extension as

“Extending, extent, prolongation, enlargement”. Sanoriya Y.C and Singh K.C defined Extension

in the field of Agriculture as “Agricultural Extension is a professional method of non-formal

education aimed at inducing behavioral changes in the farmers for increasing their income

through increased production and productivity by establishing firm linkages with research for

solving farmer’s problems ensuring adequate and timely supply of inputs and using proven

methods of communication for speeding of the process of diffusion and adoption of

innovations."

Objectives of the Study

1. To assess the collection supporting the curriculum, research needs, and extension

activities of the various stations of the Kerala agricultural university.

2. To evaluate the effectiveness of the library services pertaining to the specific academic

and research activities of the various stations of the KAU.

3. To trace the growth and development of Library and Information System of KAU

(KAULIS).

4. To determine whether the library and information needs of the user community is

represented adequately in the budget process of the parent institution.

5. To study the present status of the automation and the adoption of Information and

Communication technology tools in the various libraries under Kerala agricultural

university.

6. To examine the assistance of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and

other agencies in the development of the libraries of KAU.

7. To examine the need for the development of a resource sharing network among the

libraries under Kerala Agricultural University and to make a proposal for it.

Hypotheses

1. The growth and services of the libraries are not complying with the mission and the

objectives of the Kerala agricultural university.

2. The facilities and collection of all libraries are inadequate and need to be developed.

3. The financial support to the libraries is inadequate to meet the basic requirements and to

provide better information services to the users.

4. The manpower available in the libraries are inadequate to offer different information

services.

5. Level of application of modern technologies and techniques are comparatively low with

perceived satisfaction of the users.

Need and Significance of the study

The review of literature and consultation of available documents revealed that no study is

conducted on the effectiveness of the library and information system of Kerala Agricultural

University (KAU). The KAU consist of different institutions scattered all over the Kerala. The

information needs of the users in the various stations are different. Some of the users in the

different institutions need common type of information and so the central library can act as

central hub of the system. Hence it is necessary to conduct a study on the effectiveness of the

service provided by the library and information systems of the each institution and need to make

a proposal for the development and improvement of the whole library system of Kerala

Agricultural University. The following factors corroborate the need and significance of this

study.

1. Strengthening and Developing the Existing system:

It is essential to conduct a study regarding the collection development, staff pattern,

Information needs and use, infrastructure available etc of the libraries coming under Kerala

Agricultural University.

2. Better use of available resources:

Make use of the valuable resources available in some station to whole KAU community.

This study also will help to explore the rare and valuable information resources available in

different libraries which are useful for the users in the other stations.

3. Resource sharing Network:

It is very much difficult to maintain and develop full-fledged libraries for each and every

centers of the KAU. The financial limitation, manpower etc. are the major constraints for this.

But the development of information and communication technologies can contribute in the

sharing of resources among stations. Hence the study of the collection and user needs will be

very much relevant to build an effective information system. To give a better suggestion to

develop a resource sharing network among the libraries under Kerala Agricultural University.

Methodology

This is a social survey research and hence it involves the systematic collection of data

about collection, ICT application, opinion, attitudes, feelings and behavior of Library users in the

different institutions of Kerala Agricultural University. So the data can be collected using

following methods.

1. Questionnaire: A structured questionnaire will be prepared and handed over to the

different types of the users in the various institutions. It is intended to give different

questionnaires according to the nature of the institution.

2. Interview: Direct and telephonic interviews can be conducted with the selected users in

the different centers of Kerala Agricultural University.

3. Observation: Observation allows seeing the natural setting without influence or

exaggeration of the present condition. So in certain cases this method also can be adopted

4. Verification of Records: With the permission of the concerned authority the library

records used for various purposes which are related to this study can be consulted.

The data collected will be tabulated, analyzed and presented using different statistical

methods.

Population of the study

Presently, there are 39 different institutions of Kerala Agricultural University that are

coming under the purview of this study (Appendix-1). These institutions are of two types. One is

academic and second is non-academic. The central library, college libraries are considered as

academic and all other institutions are considered as non-academic. The scientists, farm staff,

research scholars and library staff are the common category of users to all the institutions. But

the students (Graduates, Post Graduates, and Research Scholars) and teachers are also need to be

included in the population while considering central library and college libraries.

Scope and Limitations of the study

The study will be conducted only among the libraries of Kerala Agricultural University.

No other ICAR or related institutions is considered in this study. It examines the effectiveness of

the services of the libraries for education, research and extension. The KAU has trifurcated in to

Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies and

Kerala Agricultural University. Due to time limitation, the study is confined only to the Kerala

Agricultural University.

Conclusion

India is an agricultural country, where 70 per cent population is dependent on agriculture.

The agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. The developments of agriculture reflect the

growth of the nation. The scientist and extension officers of the agricultural field need to keep

abreast of current development and knowledge in their field. So a strong information system

needs to be developed. This study can provide a better contribution in the development of such

an information system in the Kerala Agricultural University.

References

1. Agricultural. Available at: <http://www.webster-dictionary.org/definition/agricultural>

[accessed on 02 March 2015]

2. Ezeala, Lily Oluebube(2009), Effectiveness of Library Resources in the Libraries of

Agricultural Research Institutes in Nigeria. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).

Paper 238. Available at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/238 [accessed on 27

February 2015]

3. French, Beverlee A. (1990), User Needs and Library Services in Agricultural Sciences.

Library Trends, 38(3), 415-41.

4. Information. Available at: <http://www.abc-clio.com/ online dictionary of library and

information science/ definition/ English/Information> [accessed on 02 March 2015]

5. Kerala. Available at: < http://www.mapsofindia.com/kerala/> [accessed on 02 March

2015]

6. Lalotra, Seema and Gupta, Sangita (2010), Information needs and expectations in Digital

era: A study of selected Agricultural institutes in Northern India. Trends in information

Management, Vol. 6(2).

7. Library. Available at: <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/339421/library>

[accessed on 28 February 2015]

8. Palaniappan (2013). Library services in the university central libraries in Tamil Nadu: a

comparative study. International Journal of Social Science and Inter disciplinary

Research, 2(9), 47-61.

9. Poll, Roswitha and Boekhorst, Peter te . (2007), Measuring Quality: Performance

Measurement in Libraries, Walter de Gruyter,. Gale Reference Volume 127 of IFLA

publications, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. 

10. Raman, Nair. R., & Francis, A. T. (1996). Information Needs of Agricultural Scientists in

India: Problems and Prospects. Proceedings of 17th National Seminar of IASLIC, pp.

121-126, Calcutta (India).

11. Sheeja N.K (2007). Role of university libraries in research in Kerala: A case study. PhD

Thesis. University of Calicut

12. Singh K.N and Sanoriya Y.C. (1974). An Analysis of Communication Patterns in Farm

Information Development and Dissemination Systems in Madhya Pradesh. Ph D Thesis.

Indian Agricultural Research institute (IARI). [Available at:

http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/2032538]

13. System. Available at: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/system.html

[accessed on 02 March 2015]

14. University. Available at:<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/university>

[accessed on 02 March 2015].

Appendix -1

KAU Institutions and Stations

Teaching Institutions

1. College of Agriculture, Vellayani P.O., Thiruvananthapuram

2. College of Horticulture, KAU P.O., Thrissur

3. College of Agriculture, Padannakkad P.O., Kasaragod

4. College of Forestry, KAU P.O., Thrissur

5. College of Co-Operation, Banking & Management, KAU. P.O., Thrissur

6. Kelappaji College of Agrl. Engineering & Technology, Tavanur,

Malappuram

Research Stations

1. Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pilicode P.O., Kasaragod

2. Pepper Research Station, Panniyur, Kanhirangad P.O., Kannur 

3. Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ambalavayal, Wayanad C

4. Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara, Idukki

5. Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi, P.O.,

6. Banana Research Station, Kannara, Marakkal, Thrissur

7. Agronomic Research Station, Chalakudy P.O., Thrissur

8. Cashew Research Station, Madakkathara, Thrissur

9. Agricultural Research Station , Anakkayam P.O., Malappuram-

10.Aromatic & Medicinal Plants Research Station, Odakkali,

11.Pineapple Research Station, Vazhakulam, Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam .

12.Agricultural Research Station, Mannuthy P.O., Thrissur

13.Plant Propagation & Nursery Management Unit, KAU P.O.,

14.Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakom P.O., Kottayam

15.Rice Research Station, Vyttila, Kochi -682 019 

16.Rice Research Station , Moncompu, Thekkekara P.O., Alappuzha-

17.Agricultural Research Station, Kallungal P.O ,Pathanamthitta

18.Onattukara Regional Agricultural Research Station , Kayamkulam P.O.,

19.NARP(SR), Vellayani P.O., Thiruvananthapuram

20.Cropping Systems Research Centre, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram -

21.Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram P.O., Thiruvananthapuram 

22.Farming Systems Research Station, Sadanandapuram, Kottarakkara

Training & Extension Centres

1. Communication Centre, Mannuthy P.O., Thrissur.

2. Central Training Institute, Mannuthy P.O., Thrissur .

3. Agricultural Technology Information Centre, Mannuthy P.O.,

4. Information and Sales Centre, Mannuthy P.O., Thrissur .

5. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sadananthapuram P.O., Kottarakkara.

6. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Pattambi, Mele Pattambi P.O., Palakkad.

7. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ambalavayal P.O., Wayanad .

8. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, KAU P.O., Thrissur .

9. Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kumarakom P.O, Kottayam.

10.Krishi Vigyan Kendra,  Panniyur, Kanhirangad P.O., Kannur.

11.Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tavanur P.O., Malappuram .