Role of an Internet in Providing an Effective References Services

INTRODUCTION

Traditionally, services provided by the libraries are literature search, newspaper clipping, reprography, reference services, translation, etc. But collecting a resource or information on events and activities on specific subject requires more time. Some sources can be obtained easily with the help of the INTERNET. The INTERNET is a global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a network of networks that consists of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. It carries a vast range of information resources and services such as the interlinked hypertext documents and applications of the World Wide Web (WWW),e-mail, etc. Methods to use internet include broadband, Wi-Fi, smartphones, tablets with high network technology, etc. English is the most popular language. However, with the help UNICODE, users from different region can use different language like Chinese, Hindi, Russia, Spanish, etc. Search Engine and Wikipedia is the two most useful tools on INTERNET. One of the best examples for search engine is Google which is specially designed to facilitate searching information on INTERNET. Following are the uses of the INTERNET in an effective manner. However, it is to be noted that not all sources from the INTERNET are true or reliable. Following are some of the examples in which a person can cater ―Reference Services‖ using various websites that are freely available on the INTERNET

In the present digital world, most of the book on the library have been automated and are available in the INTERNET in the form of e-books. Even traditional libraries have been upgraded. One of the best example is OPAC i.e. Online Public Access Catalog. It is an online database of materials held by a library or a group of libraries. It is mainly used to locate books and other materials available at the library. Library Genesis is a search engine and digital library which allows free access to over 2milion books, articles and journals on various topic. Many other books can also be search using Freeboks.net, Book boon, Book Fi, PDF Books world, etc. which are sometimes not available in a particular library given a particular region. However, it is to be noted that not all sources from the Internet are true or reliable.

Newspapers from different regions can also be read through online mode and are available for download with the help of INTERNET. This helps us bring more details in the information that is happening in different parts of the world. As compared to the printed newspaper, news is available faster on their website. Any Indian newspaper can be searched using ‗India press‘ or directly from ‗Google‘. Some of the international are freely available on the INTERNET which can be subscribed easily by creating an account on their website. Business Today, Film fare, Business India, Business World, Forbes India, Web dunia, Outlook are some of the examples of web-magazines where information on topics like news, entertainment, stories, poems, business, travel and so on.

Long gone are the days where we need to carry a thick dictionary or encyclopedia. INTERNETS provide us with Free Dictionary, Wikipedia, Britannica, etc. Wikipedia is an open encyclopedia where articles on literature, arts, geography, science, tourism, etc. are available in many language including Hindi. Translation of words from one language to other language is also easily possible with the help of the INTERNET.

Any place can be search in the INTERNET with the help of Google Maps, MapQuest, Waze, Bing maps of India, etc. This website will help in finding map, route and distance of the particular place we want to see or visit. Directories refers to a book or website listing individuals or organization alphabetically or thematically with details such as names, address, and mobile or phone numbers .Directories via online mode makes it more easy to get information efficiently and less time consuming. India Mart, Indian Business Directory, Locate India, Seek and Source, E-World Trade Fair and E-World Trade Fair are some examples of websites of business directory where product wise of suppliers, companies, importers and exporters are available. There are many other directories for various states which can be searched using Google.

Information about the international records is available in the INTERNET. Guiness World Records, India Book of Records, India Yearbook and many other records be it the past events are available in the INTERNET in the form of PDF (portable document format) on their website.

Sometimes in a field of study, there is a time where we need to study the social, economic or geographical condition of a particular place. As the transportation cost from one region to another region is high, time consuming and is not easy, it is difficult to visit some places for study. But with the help of the INTERNET, we can study and check the place in the form of pictures and videos available. An image search engine is a database of images that can be and famous image search engine today. Other search engine are Yahoo Images, Bing Images, Pic Search, Yandex, Tin Eye, etc. Besides this, annual reports or financial reports of required company or institute can be search online through their website. There are many other useful ways I which we can use the INTERNET for reference service to gather information. They are as follows 1. Websites of many schools, colleges and universities are available on the INTERNET. Such institutional websites provide information about academic calendar, notices, results, syllabus, admissions, competitive/entrance exams, etc. University and College detail scan be searched on websites like UGC, Indian College Directory, College dunia, India Study Center, etc. 2. INTERNET also provide us with sites of general knowledge for competitive exams. Online GK, General Knowledge today, Jagranjosh, Testbook.com, Sarkari Exam, World General Knowledge, etc. are some of the websites available on the INTERNET where information on general knowledge, test, quiz are available which is useful for preparing competitive entrance exams and interviews. 3. For searching jobs, there are various websites like Indian Government Jobs, Indeed Job Search, Google for Jobs, Times Jobs, etc. Information on employment, jobs, various employment schemes insurance schemes can be searched on the respective state government website, using Google. 4. Information on health, disease, diet, nutrition, prevention, etc. is also available on the INTERNET in some sites like Healthy India,healthline.com,webmd.com,cdc.gov, Wikipedia, etc. We can also collect information about state policies and schemes for healthy life, children vaccinations, etc. can be searched on the respective state government website, using Google. 5. All the economical and statistical information related to India are available in the form of graph and tables on Census of

6. Information about arts, culture and heritage of a particular place can also be obtained using INTERNET through Culteropedia, Wikipedia, India Heritage, UNESCO World Heritage Center, etc. Ministry of Culture gives information useful to cultural organizations groups and individuals for conducting training programme, cultural programme, preservation of cultural heritage, creating infrastructure and so on. Information on religion and their spirituality are also available on the INTERNET. 7. Information based on sports events happening around the world is also available online and in the form of channel like ESPN, Ten Sports, BBC, DD News, Zee News and so on. 8. Information on weather and forecast is available in the INTERNET. Accuweather, The Weather Channel, Weather Underground and Meteorological Department are some examples.

Access to the INTERNET is fundamental to achieve vision for the future. Thus, with the help of the INTERNET, information can be collected faster and can be current and latest. Information needs of users can be more satisfied effectively as the reference service have been revive. Since, they provide ―Reference Service‖, it can improve the quality of education as it is a doorway to a wealth of information, knowledge and education resources.

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/ 2. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= web&rct=j&url=http://www.chrsitophermill.com 3. Ranganathan S R, Reference Service. (Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science; Bangalore, 1989, page 53-60. Note: Notes on any particular points are obtained using any search engine. http://www.google.com/ is mainly used.

Librarian, Govt. Mamit College dhlianabzv@gmail.com