PROJECT GUIDE

Structure
1. Objectives
2. Introduction
3. Project Work
4. Project Supervision
5. Project Proposal
6. Thrust Areas
7. Structure of the Project Report
8. General Instructions for Project
9. Project Submission
10. Project Evaluation
11. Important Dates to Remember
Appendices
Appendix – 1: Proforma for Approval of Project Proposal
Appendix – 2: Letter of Consent (By The Supervisor)
Appendix – 3: Cover Page of the Project Report
Appendix – 4: First Page of the Project Report
Appendix – 5: Certificate of Originality
Appendix – 6: Remuneration Form
Appendix – 7: Project Trainee Letter
Appendix – 8: Proforma for Supervisor’s Bio-data

1. OBJECTIVES
After going through this Project Guide, you will be able to:
 appreciate the need for and importance of practical based project in Library Automation and
Networking;
 understand the relevance of project work for completing the PGDLAN programme;
 acquaint yourself with the various steps that have to be followed in writing a Project Report;
 know the procedures for doing a project work in relation to this course; and
 take note of the do’s and don’ts in regard to project work.

2. INTRODUCTION
One gets varied responses from learners in relation to Project Work. Some get panicky, some have
apprehensions while others take it as a challenge and enthusiastically work on it. Well, we would like
our learners to be in the third category. Please remember that in this course we are not asking you to
take up a major research project. In fact, what we are attempting is to take you a few steps further on

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what you must have done earlier in Library Automation and Networking courses and so on. The aim
here is to sharpen your research skills, provide a practical understanding of the Project Work. This
will help you develop professional capabilities and develop yourself as a researcher. Of course, this
will depend on the topic of your Project. This Project Guide not only acquaints you with the
procedures and rules to be followed for completing but also provides you an understanding of how to
go about it. It starts with a brief discussion on the Project Work.

3. PROJECT WORK
Keeping in view the significance and the role of research in the field of library and information
services using technology and networking concept, we have this course, MLIP-008, Project as a
compulsory component of the PGDLAN programme for our learners. The importance of this
component in the programme is evident from the 4 credit value attached to it. The Post Graduate
Diploma in Library Automation and Networking (PGDLAN) aims at developing the professional
competencies of the library and information professionals in an automated and networked
environment.
The Project Report is a preliminary form of research. It is largely your own work and is to be pursued
by you all the way – from the conceiving an idea/topic till the final report is prepared. Of course, you
will carry out your project work under the guidance of a Supervisor. The project work constitutes a
major component in most of the professional programmes and it is to be carried out with due care and
should be executed with seriousness by the candidates.
As majority of the students are expected to work out a real life problem, may be a project in some
organisations / research in libraries / documentation and information centres, it is suggested that the
project to be chosen should have some direct relevance to the activities of library and information
institutions. Students are encouraged to work in the areas listed in this Project Guide (see section 6).
The student can formulate a project problem with the help of Guide and submit a Proposal of the same
to the Programme Coordinator for approval. If approved, the student can commence working on it.
As stated earlier that your Project Work is worth four credits, this means that you are expected to
spend about 120 study hours in completing your work. Award of the degree is subject to a successful
completion of your Project. To be able to successfully complete the degree you must secure a
minimum of 40% of marks. We would prefer to receive a typed and bound copy of your Project
Work. The formats of the cover and front page are given in Appendix 3 and 4 respectively. The
length of your Project Report may be about 50 to 60 double spaced A-4 size typed pages or more
depending on the nature of topic. Keep both these things (expected study hours and the expected
length of your work) in mind while choosing a topic.

4. PROJECT SUPERVISION
Your Project Work shall be guided by a Supervisor recognized by the Indira Gandhi National Open
University. Learners can choose a Supervisor, who is a Librarian (College or University) / Lecturer
(Library and Information Science) / I T Professionals with experience in relation to the activities of
libraries and information centres. However, the person shall hold senior position in a library or
information centre / I T organization (not below the UGC Lecturer’s Grade). A brief bio-data of the
Supervisor (Appendix – 8) along with the Project proposal should be sent to the Programme
Coordinator at IGNOU, New Delhi for approval.
In case you have any problems in this regard you are always welcome to write to the Programme
Coordinator and seek advice.
Note: In case, some Delhi-based students want to have the IGNOU Library and Information Science
Faculty members as Supervisor, they can approach us for the same. However, it is advised that you
have Supervisor whom you can easily access.

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Eligibility Criteria for Project Guide/Supervisor
A person who is willing to supervise for PGDLAN Project (MLIP – 008) should have either:
1) Ph.D./ M.Tech. in Library and Information Science/Computer Science.
OR
2) B.E./B.Tech (Computer Science), MCA, M.Sc. (Computer Science) / MLIS or equivalent with
minimum 2 years I T experience in an established and reputed organization or teaching.
Note: A Supervisor can guide a maximum of 6 candidates at a time.

5. PROJECT PROPOSAL
The Proposal is a description of what you propose to do and how you intend to go about it. You
should choose a topic which is of interest to you and discuss the same in detail with your supervisor
for clear understanding. You may also seek the advice of your friends, colleagues, academic
counselors, and any expert in the field of your interest. After identifying the area of study and a
proper topic, a detailed proposal of your study should be prepared. If you want to work on any
organisation it is advised that you seek its approval at this stage itself.
Proposal Formulation
The Project Proposal should be prepared in consultation with the Supervisor. The structure of the
proposal should be in the following format:
1) Title
2) Objectives and Scope **
3) Methodology **
If the project is based on computer programming, the methodology for such projects should be
specified as:
 Input
 Process Logic
 Tools/Platforms, Languages to be used
 Output
4) Limitations
5) Conclusion
6) Bibliography
** Please state the objectives, scope and methodology clearly to avoid inconveniences viz.,
rejection, revision, resubmission, etc. that lead to unnecessary delays.
Prepare two copies of your Proposal (preferably typed) in the above format, obtain the consent of
your Supervisor on the format given in Appendix-2 and send one copy to the following address for
approval
Programme Coordinator (PGDLAN)
School of Social Sciences Write on top of the envelope in
Faculty of Library and Information Science bold PGDLAN MLIP- 008
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

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6. THRUST AREAS
A student is supposed to select a topic for his/her Project out of the thrust areas mentioned below.
This is a compulsory evaluation component of this programme.
Thrust Areas
The learners are advised to choose a topic where he/she gets a chance to handle ICTs
practically. It is advisable to avoid choosing survey-based topics wherein you do not get any
practical exposure to ICTs. An illustrative list of broad areas has been given below:
1) Electronic / Digital Library: Design and Development
2) Design and Development of Library Management Software for different Modules such as:
 Acquisition
 Cataloguing
 Circulation
 Serials Control
 Budget Management
 OPAC and WebOPAC
3) Design and Development of Computerised Information Services such as:
 Current Awareness Service (CAS)
 Selective Dissemination of Information Services
 Digital Reference Service
4) Design and Development of Web Page for Libraries and Information Centres
5) Information Resources on Web or Web Resources: An Evaluation
6) Development of:
 Web-enabled Database Learning/ Teaching Modules
 Web-enabled Database / Services
7) Design and Development of a Portal
8) Study of Different Search Engines

Further you are absolutely free to add to these themes or look for more. These are just samples for
guidance.
You must retain the Project Guide till the completion
of entire Programme.
In case of any additional academic query, you may write to:
Programme Coordinator (PGDLAN)
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Library and Information Science
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

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7. STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT REPORT
As report is an outcome of a project, due care should be taken while organizing the contents of the
project report for which the following structure is recommended:
1) Title of the Project (Appendix – 4)
2) Original Proforma of Approval of Project Proposal (Appendix – 1) and proposal duly approved
by the Programme Coordinators (PGDLAN)
3) Certificate of Originality (Appendix – 5)
4) Acknowledgements
5) Contents
6) Introduction
7) Objectives and Scope
8) Methodology
9) Limitations
10) Data Analysis
11) Conclusion
12) Bibliography
13) Index
14) Appendices, if any

8. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROJECT

1) Project Work should be original and in your own language.
2) The report should not be in the form of copy or reproduction of any other published or
unpublished projects or project work else it would not be evaluated.
3) The research methodology adopted by you should be stated at the beginning of your work.
4) Bibliography should be provided at the end.
5) The project Report should be submitted in A-4 size typed in double space. The length of Project
Report may be about 50 to 60 pages. However, 10% variation on either side is permissible.
6) Ensure that the report contains the following:
 Approved Proforma for Project Proposal (Appendix – 1)
 Project Proposal / Synopsis
 Certificate of Originality (Appendix – 5)
7) Project Reports received without the items listed above will be rejected and returned to students
for compliance.
8) Each One copy of the Project Report is to be submitted at “Your Regional/Tele Learning
Centre” and “The Registrar (SR & ED), IGNOU, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068”. The
student is supposed to carry his/her copy while appearing for viva-voce.
9) A group project is not permissible.
10) If the title of the Project differs from title that is approved in the Project Proposal, the Project
Report will be rejected and returned back to the student.

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11) Kindly mention on the top of the envelope “PGDLAN PROJECT REPORT (MLIP-008)”.
This will facilitate sorting out Project Reports.
12) The envelope containing the remuneration form for the Project Guide duly signed by the Guide,
should be sent to “Regional Director, Concerned Regional Centre”.
13) In case, students require any letter from the University for doing a Project in any organization,
they may request concerned Tele Learning/Study Center coordinator for the issuance of the same
in the format indicated under Project Trainee in this Project Guide (Appendix-7).

9. PROJECT SUBMISSION
As mentioned earlier, two copies of the project report should be prepared and one copy each to be
submitted at the following addresses:
1) YOUR REGIONAL/TELE LEARNING CENTRE

2) THE REGISTRAR
STUDENTS REGISTRATION AND EVALUATION DIVISION
IGNOU, MAIDAN GARHI
NEW DELHI – 110 068

10. PROJECT EVALUATION

The Project Report is evaluated for 80 marks and the Viva-voce is for 20 marks. Student will be duly
intimated about the Viva-voce by Regional / Tele Learning Centres. You must secure a minimum of
40% in your Project Work in order to successfully complete your course. Please note that the
evaluation of your Project Work will take a minimum of two months from the date of submission.
Enquiries
Enquiries regarding the Project Report and Viva-Voce should be addressed to the Programme,
Coordinator. In all correspondence, please quote your Enrolment No.

In case you secure less than 40% marks, you will have to do it all over again.

11. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

Sl. No. Topic Date

1. Submission of Synopsis 31st March

2. Approval of Proposal 30th April

3. Submission of the Project Report 31st October

4. Viva-Voce to be conducted January

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