LIS Links
First and Largest Academic Social Network of LIS Professionals in India
LIS Links Becoming More Social
Birthdays
Birthdays Today
Latest Activity
7th National Conference on Management of Modern Libraries (NACML– 2027) on “Contemporary Approaches to Libraries: Emerging Technologies, Services, and Skills at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Karnataka
January 29, 2027 at 10am to January 30, 2027 at 5pm
One-Day National Seminar on Artificial Intelligence and Academic Libraries: Issues and Opportunities in the 21st Century at kongu arts and science college
October 28, 2026 from 9:30am to 4:30pm
IASLIC 31st National Seminar 2026 on Adaptive Libraries: Resilience and Innovation at Bansuri Guru Auditorium, Institute of Technical Education & Research, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
December 28, 2026 to December 30, 2026
Two-Day Online National Workshop on Library Automation Using Koha at Cooch Behar, West Bengal
October 2, 2026 at 11am to October 3, 2026 at 5pm
Two-Day Online National Workshop on "Library Automation Using Koha" at Online
October 2, 2026 at 11am to October 3, 2026 at 5pm
"Dear All Librarian,
PFA
Call for Book Chapters/Research Papers for Edited Book To be Published with ISBN under IIP International Publi"
"What are you upCall for Chapters
Transforming Libraries in the Age of AI: Towards a Smarter
Knowledge Ecosystem to?"
7 Days Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on AI IN EDUCATION AND RESEARCH at Assam
October 9, 2026 at 6pm to October 15, 2026 at 7pm
Five Generations of Library Services in India
Five Generations of Library Services in India
Dr. Vivekanand Jain
Banaras Hindu University
Like a computer generation, library services can also be divided into five generations. (This is my personal opinion)
Generations |
Library Services |
Period |
1st Generation of Library Services
|
Library services to limited users. There was no system for issue/return. Closed access. Personal Libraries. |
From Beginning to -1910 AD |
2nd Generation of Library Services
|
Library services extended to general public. Manual card catalogue for search of library documents. There was a system for issuing the documents with register system. Closed access to stack of books. |
1910-1960 |
3rd Generation of Library Services
|
Library services to all users. Computerised database of library documents (DBMS). Use of library software for searching of documents and in circulation for issue/ return of books. Closed and partial open access to stack of books.
|
1961-1990 |
4th Generation of Library Services
|
Library Automation with OPAC. Computerised issue/ return. Use of Barcode technology. Open access to stack of books. Library works in network environment. Dominance of printed resources but moving towards CDROM databases and online resources.
|
1991-2000 |
5th Generation of Library Services
|
Fully Library Automation with OPAC and Web OPAC. Use of library automation software for all library in-house activities and users services. Open access to all resources for all users. Internet based library services. Self check in / checkout services. Dominance of online full text resources. Use of Barcode technology and RFID for stock management. Information for All. Library works in network environment. Round the clock library services with remote access. |
2001- till date |
Please send your valuable suggestions and comments to :
Views: 2570
Replies to This Forum
-
Permalink Reply by Siddhartha Shankar Ray on
-
Thanks Dear Dr. Jain.
I presume it is World wide gradation.
Indian gradation may be of somewhat different (delayed) timeline.
I would like to add some inputs which are essentially my personal opinion!!
As I can recall, the NISSAT was established in early 80's (under Mr. Thyagarajan's) and the free distribution of CDS/ISIS s/w started from late 80's or early 90's .
The NIC too was established in early 80's (in a pink coloured building; unfortunately I can't remember the name of the Building nstantly!!) & shifted to CGO Complex in 1985-86; The Indian MEDLARS Centre or ICMR-NIC Centre for Biomedical Information started functioning from 1986. The first training on Library s/w however was on MINI/ISIS the IDRC product
As such, the Third Generation of Library Services in India basically started from late 80's or early 90's (However, the first ever training course in India on Online searching of Bibliographical databases was probably the one that was organized by ICMR in April 1984 and the online connection was made through Telephone line!!)
The first full text clustered electronic journals, as I can remember had been ADONIS a product of Elsevier available in CDs.with monthly updates which started from 1990 and that began a new era of what we called Online Journals.
Later (post 1990) the abstract databases like MEDline, CA, BA also used to come in CDs. Only soft versions of "Current Contents" the flagship product of ISI started with Diskette which in short, called CCOD and later shifted to CDs (called CCCD)
Since I was personally associated with the above activities either as a participant &/or a service provider , they still have a lasting impression on my mind.
Sincerely,
Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta
-
Permalink Reply by Manjunath K S on
-
Yes sir if include your suggestions it very nice.
-
Permalink Reply by Sanjay Singh on
-
बहुत अच्छा सर हमारे पास पूरी हिस्ट्री है . लाइब्रेरी और डॉक्यूमेंटेशन सिस्टम्स की
-
Permalink Reply by Dr.Tuhina Choudhury DebRoy on
-
Well defined Sir. According to me the 5th generation of library services has fulfilled Dr. Ranganathan's five laws of library science to the fullest extent.
-
Permalink Reply by Alka Babariya on
-
Permalink Reply by Dr. N K Pachauri on
-
very good sir
-
Permalink Reply by Yagyadutta dixitsharma on
-
very nice sir
-
Permalink Reply by SUMAN SINGH on
-
Thanks sir,
For this valuable information.
-
Permalink Reply by SOFIA ALVERA on
-
hello sir
thanks to informing me for different Gen. of Library.
m from Lucknow, I have done my MLISc from AMU .
Thanks
-
Permalink Reply by VIVEKANAND JAIN on
-
Thanks to all who replied / respond to "Five Generations of Library Services in India.
V. Jain
© 2026 Created by Dr. Badan Barman.
Powered by
