LibCognizance: Information

Showing posts with label Information. Show all posts

Friday, April 09, 2021

Automatic Text Summarization: use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

LibCognizance Abstractive text summarization , AI

A huge amount of information is generated every day from many sources like news, social media, RSS feeds, and others. It is difficult for one to read and digest all content at the same pace, so this needs to be effectively summarized to be useful. The Automatic Text Summarization has become essential that reduces the large text of a document to a summary but conveying the gist of the whole document.

What for Libraries in New education policy of India?

LibCognizance Access to information , Accessibility of books

The New Education Policy 2020 (NEP2020) the first education policy of the 21st century to replace the 34 years old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. The NEP 2020 is based on the foundational pillars Access, Affordability, Equity, Quality, and Accountability.

A national Book Promotion Policy will be formulated and extensive initiatives will be taken to increase the accessibility and availability of learning materials across geographies and languages.

Here are the developments in the digital libraries and school/public libraries, the government will work on, to promote the readership habit, maximum use of libraries, to ensure the availability and accessibility of books to the students without any barrier of language, technology, and geographies.

Developing enjoyable and inspirational books

Enjoyable and inspirational books will be developed for the students at all levels in all local and Indian languages. Steps will be taken to ensure the accessibility of books to disable and differently-abled persons. The government, with the help of both public and private sector institutions, will devise strategies to improve the quality and attractiveness of books.

 
Making the availability and accessibility of books in school / public libraries

The government will emphasize making books available extensively in both schools and public libraries. The government will take steps to ensure the availability and accessibility of books to all, including persons having disabilities and differently-abled persons using modern ICT technologies across the country. The main emphasis will be on the socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and rural/ remote areas.

 
Building a culture of reading across the country

Both public and school libraries will be extensively enhanced to increase the readership and readers across the country. Public libraries will be strengthened and modernized. An adequate supply of books that cater to the needs and interests of communities will be ensured. Establishing more children’s library and mobile library and social book clubs across the country to support widespread reading and community development.

ICT equipped school/public libraries in  villages

To serve the community and the students particularly in villages during non-school hours, the ICT equipped school/public libraries will be set up. Book club facilities will be developed to further promote widespread reading.

Libraries will be strengthened in the higher education systems

Academic libraries are the hearts of institutions and the government will strengthen and increase the procurement of reading materials like books, journals, and other learning and teaching materials. Steps will be taken for further enhancement of digital libraries and online accessibility of library books. E-content will be provided in regional languages also.

Use of Public library spaces for adult education

The government will work on providing suitable infrastructure to ensure adult education and lifelong learning to interested adults. The public library spaces will be used for ICT equipped adult education courses and other activities for community engagement and enrichment.

Devise appropriate CPD for  library staff

To realize the aim of establishing, developing, and strengthening existing libraries and catering to the needs of all types of readers across the country, the government will devise appropriate career pathways development for the library staff and ensure adequate staff for the proper functioning.

Reference:

Cited here:

International Archives Week: 8-14 June 2020(#IAW2020)

LibCognizance #IAW2020 , Archives

International Archives Week: 8-14 June 2020(#IAW2020)

n International Archives Week has started today on June 8th, with a theme of "Empowering Knowledge Society". From Monday to Sunday, the week will be An International Archives Week has started today on June 8th, with a theme of "Empowering Knowledge Societies". From Monday to Sunday, the week will be celebrated by discussing a different theme every day.

This global event is organized each year to raise awareness of the role of Archives, For sharing the experiences and the importance of the work of archivists and record managers within an institution or organization or company. Their role is indispensable in the preservation of the World's heritage and memory and empowering the knowledge societies.

To know more: https://www.ica.org/en/international-archives-week-8-14-june-2020

Piccredit: https://twitter.com/ICArchiv/status/1253770278276038661/photo/1

During Covid-19 libraries shifting online: crisis driven opportunity to innovate

LibCognizance Covid-19 resources , Digital Library

Covid-19 has changed the habits of the whole world in terms of living, working, reading.

During COVID-19 libraries shifting online: crisis-driven opportunity to innovate (pdf)

COVID-19 has changed the habits of the whole world in terms of living, working, reading. Not a single aspect of life has remained unaffected. Everything has changed the pattern to fight with Covid-19 and develop in a revolutionized way to prepare for the future.

The libraries are not exceptions. It has given the libraries a compulsive opportunity to scale up their online capabilities. If we talk about the role of libraries during a pandemic, then its role is indispensable.

CSIR-Knowgate: an example of private cloud infrastructure for Knowledge Resource Centres.

LibCognizance Cloud computing , CSIR-KNOWGATE

When we talk about the sharing and distribution of resources and technology, then cloud computing technology can do a lot cost-effectively.

Moreover, If we are using private cloud infrastructure it also makes sure the safety and security of our research data which we prefer to be stored in our data centers. As the Indian CSIR Labs (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories) are creating lots of research and technical data, so the option of choosing a private network is good where the security of data is concerned.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is using Internet-based remote services and resources which are being hosted by others.

Types of cloud-based on their characteristics:

According to NIST, there are four types of clouds based on their deployment characteristics:

Private cloud: In private cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party and may exist on-premise or off-premise.

Community cloud: In community cloud infrastructure is shared by several organizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and compliance considerations). The organizations or a third party may manage it and may exist on-premise or off-premise.

Public cloud: In a public cloud, the cloud infrastructure is made available to the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an organization selling cloud services.

Hybrid cloud: In a hybrid cloud, cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities but are bound together by standardized or proprietary technology that enables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between clouds).

CSIR-Knowgate:

CSIR-Knowgate is a CSIR knowledge gateway and open source private cloud infrastructure. As we know that in private cloud infrastructure is operated solely for an organization. It may be managed by an organization or third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises. A private cloud can make it easier for an organization to customize its resources to meet specific IT requirements. Private clouds are often used by government agencies, financial institutions, any other organizations seeking enhanced control over their environment.

All 39 CSIR laboratories, CSIR M(Madras) Complex and CSIR headquarters have a private cloud-based network for sharing resources and knowledge among laboratories.

It is the best example of a private cloud and how the institutions/ organizations can be benefitted from cloud services in a cost-effective and more organized and more accessible way. An Open Source Software Technology Solution Cell (OSSTSC) which provides Open Source Software solution for library automation, digital libraries, building institutional repositories, network security, and management is on the cloud to provide its services to all KRCs of CSIR labs. Koha, an open-source Integrated Library System (ILS) is being used in KRCs.

Objectives:

Sharing of computing resources and technology (Open Sources Software) within a private cloud network of laboratories.
An open-source software-based integrated library management system work through cloud infrastructure in all Knowledge Resource Centers (KRCs) of laboratories.
To share information resources among these KRCs.
Analyzing research and technical data generated in all laboratories.

In the context of libraries, the very aim is to make all the library resources to be accessible to maximum users which can be achieved with sharing and distribution of resources within a community.

CSIR Distributed Library:

CSIR distributed library is a virtual library having the holdings of the Knowledge Resource Centers (KRCs) of all CSIR laboratories. It is an example of hosting your OPAC on the cloud. Users can access the resources available in all the KRCs through the virtual union catalog. These resources can also be shared among the libraries through the ILL (InterLibrary Loan) feature of a virtual union catalog. Thus, CSIR Distributed library is helping in information dissemination.

References:

Open access leading to the goal of Intellectual freedom

LibCognizance Access to information , Cyberbalkanization

Intellectual Freedom and open access both advocates for the increased access to information. The difference is that the former one is the basic right of humans to seek, receive, adhere to, express information and ideas and later is the initiative to remove barriers in the access of information and increasing access to maximum, so that the right of intellectual freedom can be exploited. Access to information is necessary not only for the development of an individual but for the social, cultural, economic and technical development of the country. Therefore, there are many initiatives, programs, and projects by various non-profit organizations or the group of organizations working in the direction of achieving the goal of intellectual freedom.

ARDI program providing free access to scientific journals to the institutions of least developed countries

LibCognizance Access to information , ARDI

ARDI program providing free access to scientific journals to the institutions of least developed countries

New Research and innovations are based on the previous ones and without studying the previous literature in a particular area of research, it is not possible to lay out the foundation of a new one. For understanding the current state of the art, the recent and relevant information is available in journals which are an important source of scientific and technical knowledge. To encourage the research and development in any country, it is necessary that the researchers are fully aware of the innovations being done in their field across the world, which is possible by the availability and accessibility of scholarly literature in journals at a maximum level so that their innovation get the right direction.

Splinternet and its effects on libraries

LibCognizance Access to information , Cyberbalkanization

Splinternet and its effects on libraries

Instances of blocking some sites by nations due to security reasons have become common, like latest is SriLanka government blocked the citizens’ access of social media sites (Facebook, YouTube, etc.) after a major terrorist attack, According to Internet sovereignty law of Russia, the government has full control of what their citizens can see online and what not and China’s Great Firewall is also in this category.

What is Splinternet?

This phenomenon of breaking the internet into the nation’s internet is called Splinternet. The other term used for it is Cyberbalkanization. The borderless internet has shifted in a new direction, towards private, walled domains and now becoming Splinternet splitting into the internet, controlled by geographical boundaries. Filtering of internet causes filtering of ideas and beliefs, which can lead to fragmentation, polarization and extremism and thereby taking our rights of freedom to access of information and choices of information beyond certain beliefs of either cultural, social, religious, political, economic, and geographical boundaries.

Cyberbalkanization has become common due to the following reasons:

Social network sites like Twitter, and Facebook fuel the political upspring after any major events like earthquake, drought, etc.

Technology is also the reason for the change. Censorship tools deployed for this has become cheaper and more efficient than earlier. The technologies used by China for its Great FireWall are IP blocking, DNS (Domain Name System) injection, and TCP RST (Reset).

Moreover, the political will among government has increased to prevent social sites and others due to security and other reasons.

Governments want to control the content access to their citizens, according to their rules and preferences which are based on security reasons like cybercrime, illegal content, viruses, etc.

In the context of libraries

Libraries play a vital role in the sustainable growth and development of a nation with the aim of accumulating and organizing of information resources and providing access to them. Internet as an information and communication tool help citizens become more informed, articulate and active in research and development, businesses and public affairs thereby contributing to the development and progress of a nation. As the library's motto is to provide access to the knowledge for all at a global level with no left content which is not in a reach of the user, the Splinternet will create problems.

It not only cuts off the nation from the rest of the world but also the knowledge that needs to be boundaryless for the development and progress of a nation. The technologies used by the countries for blocking some sites also cause unintended blocking of websites or content. Gradually the internet which is globally accessible by everyone is becoming limited to the information produced locally at the national level in terms of access and this will hamper the research and development of the people.

Libraries of now are hosting their content across borders to fulfill the needs of users. Open access Institutional repositories hosted by the libraries all over the world will also face the effects of the new rules on platform liability (European Union Copyright directives) imposed by the European Union recently. Eventually, it will affect the access to the knowledge to the users.
As the libraries are using social networking sites for public engagement, marketing of their services and sharing information with others on a wide level. The users at global levels will face problems of access to the information. The very basic nature of information is to spread with no boundaries.
Users engaged in the research on sensitive subjects of security, research on drugs and other illegal materials like explosive may not be able to have access to all types of information and earlier research instances due to internet restrictions in boundaries.

Censorship of certain materials due to privacy reasons represents the direct block on freedom of access to information. Censorship takes place when information resources – be they printed or digital sources, or audiovisual materials – are removed from circulation by a censoring authority.

Freedom of access to information has been the motto of the library community across the world. Freedom of access to information is the right of citizens to not only express any view but also to have access to the fullest range of views expressed in various information resources of libraries.

In conclusion, the control of access to information on the Internet is, therefore, a key consideration. Access to information which is a right for everyone needs to be maintained by the efforts of the library community to fight with this phenomenon Splinternet.

To know more:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splinternet

https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/13/the-splinternet-is-already-here/

https://queue.acm.org/detail.cfm?id=2405036

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20190329/16255841904/here-comes-splinternet-how-eu-is-helping-break-apart-internet.shtml

References:

ABC for print disabled peoples

LibCognizance E-Resources , eBooks

ABC (Accessible Books Consortium) for print disabled peoples.

ABC is the consortium led by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for the purpose to boost the number of accessible books for the print disabled community in the worldwide to make the books available in accessible formats like Braille format, audio, e-text or large prints. It was launched by WIPO and key partners in June 2014, and ABC Secretariat is located at WIPO’s headquarters, in Geneva, Switzerland.

It is a public-private partnership that involves the organizations around the world, representing print disabled people and has the same goal for the blind or low vision people with regards to their education and progress. The ABC’s Board members include: WIPO, World Blind Union (WBU), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Sightsavers, Daisy consortium, Elseviers, Canadian National Institute for Blind (CNIB), International Authors Forum (IAF), International Publishers Association (IPA), and others.

ABC provides training to developing and underdeveloped countries through their Non Government organizations serving peoples having print disabilities, Departments of Educations and Commercial publishers in the areas: EPUB3, Daisy and Braille (both electronic and embossed paper).The accessible books produced in EPUB3 formats are text based and can be read by text to speech software on reading devices or refreshable Braille readers.

ABC promotes the vision of Born accessible formats production, i.e. the books published should be in the format that is accessible to all despite their ability to read or not. So, it encourages all publishers for the production of digital publications using EPUB3 standards and description of their products’ accessibility features in the information they provide to their retailers.

The ABC Global Book service supports the goals of the Marrakesh Treaty (Discussed in my earlier article: http://library-cognizance.blogspot.com/2017/11/all-you-want-to-know-is-here.html), by providing an online catalogue of collections in libraries partcipating in Marrakesh Treaty.

To know more: http://accessiblebooksconsortium.org/portal/en/

http://idpf.org/epub/30

http://library-cognizance.blogspot.com/2017/11/all-you-want-to-know-is-here.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMYjFol0BGs