Resource Sharing & Networks MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Resource Sharing & Networks - Download Free PDF

The Correct answer is (iii) and (iv) are correct.

Key Points

• National Medical Consortia:
  • UGC-INFONET E-Journal Consortium: Provides access to 494 full-text medical journals and open-access databases like PubMed Central, Biomed Central, HighWire Press, and more.
  • ERMED Consortium: Developed by ICMR, this consortium promotes biomedical research and development, with core members from 39 government institutions, including AIIMS and ICMR libraries.
  • National Medical Library Consortium: Links 25 government medical college libraries and operates under the WHO’s HELLIS Network in Southeast Asia.
  • HELINET: A health science library consortium covering 666 medical colleges, initiated by Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Health Sciences in 2001.
  • NTRMED: A digital library consortium by NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, for 316 member colleges.
• International Medical Consortiums:
  • International Blood-Brain Disruption (IBBBD) Consortium: Focuses on brain tumor treatments through blood-brain barrier opening (Ohio State University)
  • International Multiple Sclerosis Genetic Consortium (IMSGC): Aims to identify genes influencing Multiple Sclerosis, with research from Cambridge University and Duke University.
  • International Genomic Consortium (IGC): A nonprofit organization using genomic research to fight cancer and other diseases.
  • International Consortium for Medical Imaging Technology: Focuses on improving medical imaging technology to enhance diagnosis and healthcare
  • International Consortium for Anti-Virals (ICAV): Accelerates the development of antiviral drugs targeting viral diseases worldwide.
  • Global Health Medical Education Consortium: A consortium promoting international health education, with members from 80+ medical schools in the U.S., Canada, and Central America.
  • The World Care Consortium: Established in 1966, providing specialized healthcare access worldwide through top medical centers like Duke University and Partners HealthCare.
  • WHO Contribution to Medical Library Consortium, Extra MED: A WHO initiative providing access to biomedical journals not included in major indexing sources.
  • The Health Inter Network Access to Research Initiative (HINARI): Provides free or low-cost access to over 2000 biomedical journals for non-profit institutions in developing countries based on GNP.
  • National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM): A network providing health professionals in the U.S. with resources from regional and primary access libraries under the National Library of Medicine.

Additional Information

MEDLARS:

• ​MEDLARS, short for Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System, was initiated in 1964 by the National Library of Medicine. Its operational debut coincided with the inaugural computer-generated edition of Index Medicus.
• This marked the establishment of a computerized storage and retrieval system at the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
• It marked the first large-scale, computer-based retrospective search service accessible to the general public.
• The National Library of Medicine had been publishing Index Medicus since 1879, a monthly guide to medical articles across numerous journals.
• The manual compilation of extensive bibliographic citations was a labor-intensive process.

PUBMED:

• PubMed is a free search engine accessing primarily the MEDLINE database of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics.
• National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is a part of the United States National Library of Medicine (NLM), a branch of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• NCBI was established in 1988 as a national resource for molecular biology information.
• NCBI creates public databases, conducts research in computational biology, develops software tools for analyzing genome data, and disseminates biomedical information.
• PubMed includes more than 30 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books.

The Correct answer is ​A, B and C.

Key Points

• OhioLINK (Ohio Library and Information Network) is a state-run consortium of Ohio's academic libraries and the Ohio government, designed to provide Ohio residents, faculty, staff, and students with access to a wide range of electronic and physical information resources. 
• The project began with a steering committee that involved librarians, faculty, and administrators, who developed a detailed plan in the late 1980s to launch a statewide system.
• In 1990, OhioLINK selected Innovative Interfaces, Inc. to develop its library catalog software, with Digital Equipment Corporation providing the necessary hardware.
• It also licensed databases from ProQuest, formerly University Microfilms International (UMI), to provide citation access to millions of academic articles, business papers, periodicals, and dissertations.
• By 1992, six universities had installed OhioLINK systems, and in 1996, OhioLINK began offering services via the World Wide Web.
•  In 2013, OhioLINK became part of the Ohio Technology Consortium (OH-TECH), which supports state infrastructure, including OhioLINK, the Ohio Academic Resources Network (OARnet), and the Ohio Supercomputer Center.
• In 2017, OhioLINK integrated eTutoring and OhioLearns, two key programs from eStudent Services, which support Ohio students through online tutoring and access to online courses and degrees.

The Correct answer is E-Only Model

Key Points

• E-Only Model:
  • The E-Only model provides access to journals regardless of print subscriptions, with a fixed set of journals at a pre-determined cost.
  • Consortium members may receive discounts if they continue their print subscriptions.
  • This model includes archiving and perpetual access rights for subscribed years, with the possibility of additional charges for back-file content.

Additional Information

• Print + E Model:
  • This model extends the print subscription model by offering electronic access to both subscribed and some un-subscribed titles for an additional cost, typically ranging from 5% to 30% of the print subscription.
  • It requires libraries to maintain their print subscriptions.
  • This model may include access to backfiles and, depending on the deal, the possibility of sharing subscriptions across consortium members.
• Full-Time Equivalent Model:
  • This model is based on the total number of potential users in an organization (including students, faculty, and staff).
  • Publishers such as Nature and Science use this model to ensure consistent access across multiple campuses or branches, with online access replacing print versions over time
• Concurrent-Users Model:
  • Under this model, a fixed number of concurrent users across the consortium are given access to resources.
  • This model is suitable for large universities or national consortia, allowing access based on a single entity or site.

The Correct answer is Dr. Sangeeta Kaul.

Key Points

• DELNET Governing Board Members (2024-2026):
  • President: Shri K. Jayakumar
  • Vice President: Dr. S. S. Murthy
  • Director: Dr. Sangeeta Kaul
  • Treasurer: Dr. P. R. Goswami​

Additional Information

• DELNET was started at the India International Centre Library in January 1988 and was registered as a society in 1992.
• Initially supported by the National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT) under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, it later received backing from the National Informatics Centre, Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• The fundamental goal of DELNET is to facilitate resource sharing among libraries by establishing a network.
• Its objectives include gathering, storing, and disseminating information, providing computerized services to users, coordinating collection development efforts, and minimizing unnecessary duplication.
• The 26th National Convention on Knowledge, Library, and Information Networking (NACLIN 2023) took place at Goa University from November 22-24, 2023.
• The convention centered around the theme "Reinventing and Revitalizing Libraries: From Striving to Thriving."​

The Correct answer is JANET.

Key Points

• JANET:
  • JANET (Joint Academy Network) is an education and research network funded by UK Government and k was established in the year 1984.
  • This network is operated and developed by UKERNA (United Kingdom Education and Research Network) under the Service Level Agreement from the Joint Information System Committee (JISC) of UK Higher and Further Education Funding Councils.
  • JANET-CERT is a Computer Emergency Response Team provided by UKERNA as a service on the JANET network.
• The evolution of JANET can be traced through several key milestones:
  • JANET1 (1991): 
  • SuperJanet2 (1995)
  • SuperJanet3 (1999)
  • SuperJanet4 (2001)
  • SuperJanet5 (2006)
  • Janet6 (2013).

Additional InformationOCLC-

• It stands for "Online Computer Library Center".
• It is an American non-profit cooperative organization founded in 1967 as the "Ohio College Library Center".
• It provides shared technology services, original research, and community programs for its membership and the library community at large.
• The OCLC cataloging and resource-sharing system is the largest and most heavily used computer library system in the world.
• The OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the Online Union Catalogue of Books available in the libraries of member institutions.

BONET:

• BONET, the Bombay Library Network, was established in 1994 with support from NISSAT, DSIR.
• With over 25 member libraries, it provides access to various resources like databases and CD-ROMs.
• Additionally, BONET organizes seminars and training programs to enhance professional development.

The correct answer is "A Consortium".

Additional Information

•  It is a consortium that provides a platform for accessing academic resources under open-access user registration.
• It was formed in 2015 by merging 3 consortia namely UGC-INFONET Digital Library Consortium,  NLIST, and INDEST-AICTE Consortium.
• NLIST stands for National Library and Information Services Infrastructure for Scholarly Content.
• INDEST-AICTE stands for  Indian National Digital Library in Engineering Science in Technology and All India Council for Technical Education.

The correct answer is Consortium.

Key PointsLIBRARY CONSORTIA

• Library consortia have evolved from the concept of resource sharing.
• The concept has come out of the increasing costs of publications, particularly periodicals and the reducing capacity of libraries to acquire.
• Another factor is the availability of electronic publications and databases.
• Increasing costs of journals led libraries to cut down on their acquisitions that affected the business of publishers.
• Library consortium is an association of two or more libraries formed to work together toward achieving a chosen goal such as resource sharing.
• Consortium libraries often pool resources for joint purchase of e-journals and share them for access and delivery online.
• Every member library in the consortium is only responsible to the association in respect of the obligations that are set out in the
  consortium agreement.
• Library consortium is an association for Resource Sharing and Library Networks for non-profit, economics of information, and for improved and expanded economic collaboration to achieve mutually beneficial goals.

The correct answer is 2009.

Key Points

•  National Knowledge Resource Consortium (NKRC)
  • ​The National Knowledge Resource Consortium (NKRC), was established in the year 2009.
  • It is a network of libraries and information centers of 43 CSIR and 26 DST institutes.
  • The Consortium envisions emerging as a leader to serve the R & D sector with much-needed information to strengthen the research and development system in the country.

Additional Information

The following e-resources have been accessed through NKRC:

• Wiley
• Web of Science
• Taylor & Francis
• Springer Nature -Springer Journals
• Springer Nature - Nature Main Journal
• Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
• Oxford University Press (OUP)
• J-Gate
• iThenticate- Plagiarism Detection Software
• Institute of Physics (IOP)
• IEEE/IEL
• Emerald
• Elsevier - ScienceDirect
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy

The correct answer is CeRA.

Key Points

• Consortium for e-Resources in Agriculture (CeRA) is an e-Consortium of Agricultural Libraries established in 2007.
• It is under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research for National Agricultural Research System (NARS) libraries.
• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is an autonomous body responsible for co-ordinating agricultural education and research in India.
• It reports to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture.
• The Union Minister of Agriculture serves as its president.
• It is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes in the world.

Additional Information 

• FORSA-
  • It stands for "Forum for Resource Sharing in Astronomy/Astrophysics".
  • It was established on July 29, 1981, in its first meeting it at Raman Research Institute, Bangalore.
  • It provides the following services- Access to OPAC,  Access to online journals, Interlibrary loans, and Document Delivery ( by e-mail, speed post, courier, and fax).
• CARLI (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois)
  • CARLI was formed in July 2005 to serve the consortia needs of academic and research libraries in Illinois.
  • Services of CARLI:
    • E-Resource Program.
    • I-Share
    • Document Delivery
    • Training
• NISHTHA:
  • ​NISHTHA is a program launched by the Department of School Education and Literacy in 2019-20.
  • It's part of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha and is focused on improving learning outcomes at the elementary level through integrated teacher training. 

The correct answer is B, C, D, A.

Key Points

• Library Cooperation:
  • ​Library cooperation is a foundational concept that involves libraries working together to achieve common goals.
  • This often includes sharing resources, knowledge, and expertise.
  • Library cooperation has a long history and can be traced back to early collaborative efforts among libraries.
• Resource Sharing:
  • ​Resource sharing is a natural extension of library cooperation.
  • As libraries began to cooperate more extensively, the sharing of resources, such as books and periodicals, became a significant practice.
  • Resource sharing has evolved as technology has advanced, making it easier to share physical and digital resources.
• Networking:
  • ​Networking in the library context refers to the use of technology to connect libraries and information systems.
  • While libraries have always formed networks through cooperation, the term "networking" specifically relates to the development of digital networks, online catalogs, and the internet.
  • Networking has significantly evolved with the advent of computer technology.
• Consortia:
  • ​Consortia are groups or associations of libraries and institutions that collaborate on various aspects of library services, including resource sharing, purchasing, and technology.
  • Consortia often result from library cooperation and networking efforts.
  • They represent a more advanced stage of collaboration among libraries and institutions.

Additional Information

• Some Library Networks in India are;
  • Developing Library Network (DELNET) was established in 1988.
  • Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) was established in 1991.
  • Madras Library Network (MALIBNET) was established as a society in 1993.
  • Calcutta Library Network (CALIBNET) was established in 1986.
• ​Library Consortia in India:
  • INDEST (Indian Digital Library in Engineering Sciences and Technology)
  • FORSA (Forum for Resource Sharing in Astronomy/ Astrophysics)
  • UGC – INFONET
  • NKRC (National Knowledge Resource Centre)
  • IIM Consortium
  • HELINET (Health Sciences Library and Information Network)
  • SPACENET
  • CeRA (Consortia for e-Resources in Agriculture)
  • ICMR e-Consortia

The Correct answer is Consortium:

Key Points

• FORSA (Forum for Resource Sharing in Astronomy/ Astrophysics)
  • FORSA is a Consortium in the field of astronomy and
    astrophysics.
  • The objectives of FORSA are:
    • Collection development in IT:
    • Enable e-access to journals and books.
    • Engage in resource sharing and ILL.
    • Offer document delivery through fax, email, post, and courier.
    • Merge databases for seamless access.
    • Resource Sharing & Networks: etc.
  • FORSA comprises 12 members, including:
    • Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational
    • Sciences (ARIES), Nainital
    • Bose Institute, Kolkata
    • Harish-Chandra Institute, Allahabad
    • Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore
    • Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune
    • National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), Pune
    • Nizamiah Observatory, Osmania University, Hyderabad
    • Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
    • Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore
    • S.N.Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata
    • Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata
    • Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai

Additional Information

• The first meeting of the Forum for Resource Sharing in Astronomy/Astrophysics (FORSA) was held on July 29, 1981, at Raman Research Institute, Bangalore.
• Library consortia are collaborative arrangements where multiple libraries or institutions join together to pool their resources, expertise, and purchasing power for various library-related activities. 

The Correct answer is (A), (B), (D), (E) Only.

Key Points

• Resource Sharing-
  • In the context of libraries, Resource Sharing refers to libraries sharing their resources, including the sources of information, staff expertise, infrastructure, and finance.
  • Philip Sewell opines that "resource sharing is an evolution of the concept existing earlier as library cooperation".
• Objectives of Resource sharing:​
  • Maximise the resource base of libraries
  • Reduction in all round cost
  • Provide wider access to information
  • Avoidance of duplication of resources, processing and maintenance costs
  • Rational acquisition
  • Save resources
  • Development of specialised areas of collection building
  • Enable uniform practices in routines
  • Acquisition

The Correct answer is A - II, B - III, C - I, D - IV.

Key Points

• CURL:
  • ​Research Libraries UK (RLUK), formerly known as the Consortium of University Research Libraries (CURL), is a collaborative organization consisting of 35 university libraries, three national libraries, and the Wellcome Collection in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
  • Established with the goal of enhancing the sharing of resources among research libraries, these institutions played a crucial role in building the Copac online catalog.
  • CURL originated in 1983 as an informal alliance of the seven largest university research libraries, including Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, and Oxford.
  • Its primary objective was to explore opportunities for closer cooperation, especially in the realm of automation.
  • The consortium transitioned into a company limited by guarantee in 1992.
• EIFL:
  • ​EIFL, or Electronic Information for Libraries, is a global non-profit organization headquartered in Vilnius.
  • Established in 1999 as eIFL.net, an initiative of the Open Society Institute (OSI), it initially focused on advocating affordable access to commercial e-journals for academic libraries in Central and Eastern Europe.
  • Over the years, EIFL has expanded its reach, collaborating with libraries and consortia in over 60 developing and transition countries worldwide.
• SANLIC (South African National Library and Information Consortium):
  • SANLIC is a consortium of higher education and research libraries in South Africa. It works with a mission to provide high-quality research materials to participating institutions at cost-effective rates.
  • It also publishes regularly its newsletter ‘SCANLiCTALK’ informing its clientele about its activities and resources.
• CONCERT (CONsortium on Core Electronic Resources in Taiwan):
  • The CONCERT was set up in 1990 to take advantage of the growing popularity of web-based full-text documents.
• In the year 2002, CONCERT leased 22 international database systems, partly funded by the Ministry of Education and National Applied Research Laboratories.

The correct answer is A is correct but R is not correct.

Explanation:​​

• Assertion A correctly states that libraries often participate in consortia to gain access to a broader range of electronic resources, such as databases, journals, and e-books.
  • ​Consortia enables libraries to pool resources and share access to electronic materials, increasing the variety and cost-effectiveness of resources available to their users.​
• ​Reason R is false because it suggests that college libraries invest a huge amount of money to acquire a large number of e-collections. While libraries do invest in electronic resources, joining a consortium is a cost-effective way to access a wide range of materials without necessarily requiring a significant individual financial investment. Libraries typically contribute to the consortium's shared costs, making it a more efficient approach.

The Correct answer is B, D and E only.

Key Points

• Libby: Created by OverDrive, Libby is a simple app for library users to borrow and manage eBooks, audiobooks, and digital content.
• OverDrive: A digital content platform enabling libraries to lend eBooks and audiobooks, also offering a mobile app for managing loans.
• BorrowBox: A platform offering eBooks and audiobooks with a mobile app for library patrons to borrow and track their loans.

Tidal and Spotify are music streaming platforms and do not focus on library book loans.

Additional Information

• Libby:
  • Libby, a mobile app by OverDrive, allows users to access library eBooks by linking to their library accounts via a library card.
  • Once books are checked out, Libby also serves as an eBook reader.
  • It has received praise for its efficient management of reading data, including books read and those in queue.
  • In 2018, Time recognized it as one of the best apps, and Popular Mechanics included it in the top apps of the 2010s.
  • As of 2023, Libby is used by around 90% of public libraries in North America, according to OverDrive's CEO, Steve Potash.
• OverDrive:
  • OverDrive, Inc. is a global digital distributor specializing in eBooks, audiobooks, online magazines, and streaming videos.
  • It provides digital rights management and download fulfillment services to a variety of sectors, including publishers, public libraries, schools, universities, corporations, and legal industries.
  • Founded in 1986, OverDrive initially focused on converting analog media to digital formats, such as interactive diskettes and CD-ROMs.
  • In 2000, it launched Content Reserve, an online repository for eBooks and audiobooks, which became the foundation for its distribution business.
• BorrowBox:
  • BorrowBox is a digital library platform that offers eBooks and audiobooks to library patrons.
  • It is widely used by public libraries to provide access to digital content that can be borrowed and enjoyed on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and e-readers.
  • BorrowBox is used by public libraries in multiple countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand.
  • It provides an easy and efficient way for libraries to offer digital lending services to their members.