e-Granthalaya

e-Granthalaya : Transforming Traditional Library to e-Library

About e-Granthalaya

e-Granthalaya is a Digital Platform developed by National Informatics Centre, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India for Government Libraries for Automation of In-house activities as well as member services and Networking for resource sharing. On this platform, NIC provides a complete ICT solution with integrated Library Management Software, Digital Library Module, Cloud hosting environment and a Library Portal (OPAC) with NICSI empaneled Roll-out Services and support.

History of e-Granthalaya

e-Granthalaya was started as an in-house project at ‘Karnataka State Centre of NIC, Bangalore’ and first version of the software was designed for the Public Libraries in the State. Later, NIC HQs ‘Library and Information Services Division’ took over the designing of the software where library professionals were involved in the designing process and, thus, improved the software with enhanced user interface and simplify the work-flow of library functions so that it can suit to all kinds of libraries. Following table shows the release of various versions of the software:

Technology / Platform used	Version	Year	DBMS	Edition
Visual Basic 6 / ASP / HTML	1.0	2003	MS SQL Server 7	Public Library Edition
Visual Basic 6 / ASP / HTML	2.0	2006	MS SQL Server 2000	Government Library Edition
VB.NET / ASP .NET 2.0	3.0	2007	MS SQL Server 2005	Network Edition
ASP .NET 4.0 / AJAX / JQUERY / JSON / SilverLight	4.0	2015	PostGreSQL	Enterprise Edition

Technology, Architecture and Library Standards

The current version of e-Granthalaya (4.0) is a web-based application installed in web server and uses PostgreSQL – an Open Source Database Management System. The application is using web-services based RFID integration based on NCIP/SIP2 protocol where RFID Driver/Middleware needs to consume the web service.

As the software is web-based and hosted in Cloud therefore, no need to install it in each PCs in the Library, it needs Internet connectivity to access the application by libraries.

Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is also not required to install separately, rather, it is integrated with the main application which is used for data entry. eG4 will be provided with a compiled program and thus, source codes will not be provided to the users.

e-Granthalaya 4.0 is well integrated with email / SMS / Smart Card /RFID Technology and support various International Standards prevalent in libraries such as Z39.50, AACR2, UNICODE, MARC/MARCXML/ISO:2709 exchange formats.

e-Granthalaya on Cloud Architecture

Latest version of e-Granthalaya i.e. Ver.4.0 is a ‘Cloud Ready Application’ and provides a Web-based solution in enterprise mode with a Centralized Database for cluster of libraries.

Registration Policy and Process

As the software is hosted in NIC Cloud and libraries need to use it online, thus, high-speed NET connectivity with minimum 16 MBPS speed is required in libraries. The users has to charge Rs.21,275/- from each library opting to use eG4 on NIC Cloud – as one time payment for a five years period. These charges are paid to NICSI towards hosting, maintenance and Help-Desk support. The users who are opt to register their libraries at the eG4 to follow the following steps for registration of their libraries. Download the “PI Request Form” from https://egranthalaya.nic.in. Submit the scan copy of the dully filled in “PI Request Form” along with covering letter at egranthalaya[at]nic[dot]in and pku[at]nic[dot]in to initiate the implementation process.

NICSI will generate a Project Execution Form (PEF) for deposit / transfer of Rs. 21,275/- to the NICSI’s Bank Account. Deposit / transfer the said amount through bank. Submit the scan copy of the dully filled in PEF with details of bank deposit / transfer at egranthalaya[at]nic[dot]in and pku[at]nic[dot]in. E-Granthalaya will provide the login credentials within seven office working to the users With this login credentials, the users can start using e-Granthalaya application in eG4.

List of Organizations / Libraries Eligible to enroll at e-Granthalaya

Government Libraries under Ministries / Departments /Organizations of Central / State Governments.

Government Public Libraries.

Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas / M/o Education, GOI

Central / State Government Schools / Colleges / Polytechnics / Universities.

Autonomous Bodies / Councils / Research Organizations / National Laboratories/ IITs / IIMs / NIITs / PSUs of Centre and States.

Other Government Academic Institutions funded by Government.

Indian Embassies.

Indian Army / Navy / Air Force Libraries.

List of Organizations Not Eligible to enroll at e-Granthalaya

Private Institutes / Colleges / Schools / Universities.

Aided / Autonomous Institutes / Colleges / Schools / Universities.

Training and Support

NIC organizes 3-Days training program on e-Granthalaya software regularly in many of the users’ Departments / in-service course of JNVs/KVs and sometimes in NIC Centre. Those users who are having training facility in their organizations and wish to organize training on e-Granthalaya Software, such users may invite us for resource person from NIC, TA/DA will be given by NIC / User Department / Organizer.

Implementation Status in Manipur

eGranthalaya has been implemented at all 10 JNVs of Manipur, Government Polytechnic, DM College of Science, National Sports University, Manipur Legislative Assembly, NIELIT Imphal, Manipur State Central Library.

Summary

e-Granthalaya has become a valuable service from NIC for Government libraries. With the adoption of e-Granthalaya in government libraries, a network of automated libraries may be enabled to develop a well an integrated “Single Window Access System” in the Country.