REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES AT THEINDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, DELHI, LIBRARY

The need for repro graphic facilities in alibrary attached to a research institution, has beendescribed in brief. Various aspects of reprographicservices of the IIT, Delhi Library, suah as equipment,usage. payment, staff, organisational set-up etc. .have been discussed. Some problems faced by the un~thave also been described and a guideline has beenprovided for those libraries desirous of setting uptheir own reprographic units.

1. INTRODUCTIONReprographic services acquire immediate impor-

tance in a library, because no library can claim tomeet its entire demand from its own resources. It hasto transact with other libraries and organisations fora part of its requirements. The material borrowedfrom outside sources cannot be retained for an in-definite period. There arises a need for duplicatingthe material required for constant use. Even other-wise, some of the references, diagrams, charts needto be duplicated for mass use. The need is moreimperative and utility relatively higher in an orga-nisation engaged in research, especially so if it isengaged in investigating into expanding frontier ofscience and technology. An attempt is made in thispaper to describe the Reprographic services at,I.I.T., Delhi Library.

2. RELATION BEThCEN REFERENCE AND REPROGRAPHYThough, having no direct bearing, the Repro-

graphy Section was brought under the charge of In-charge, Reference Section in the beginning of theyear 1976. Interestingly enough, a relationshipbetween the two did emerge in course of time. Duringthe past one year Reference Section has answeredseveral querries relating to various aspects ofreprography. The querries ranged from simple questionof output of machines to details regarding theirworking, costs involved, source of purchase; staffrequired, their qualifications, period of trainingetc.3. ASPECTS OF REPROGRAPHY

From the analysis of the querries the variousaspects that require detailed description emerge outto be the following:a Services Provided

b EquipmentEquipment Availablebl

b2 Source of Purchase

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KARUNA SAHA (Mrs.)Indian Institute of TechnologyDelhi.

b3 Price

c UsageCategory of Usersc1

c2 Rules pertaining to each category

d Paymentdl Rate of payment for each serviced2 Mode of payment

e Staffel No. of staff members and their cadree2 Qualifications/Training

Scale/Special allowancee3

f

g

h

Maintenance of ~lachines

Organisational Setup

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REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES AT IIT DElli! LIBRARYPhotocopyingPrinting

43 Microfilming, Microfi 1m/Printing, MicrofilmReading etc.Photographic Services44

41 PhotocopyingThe unit undertakes to provide photocopying

of articles, diagrams, charts and other ma-terial on demand.

42 PrintingWhen the demand is for mrl t ipIe copies of

a document, say SO or so, the wor~ is done onprinting machine and multiple coples aresupplied.

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REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES AT THE lIT, DELHI LIBRARY

Microfilming, Printing and ReadingWith the help of microfilming camera, a

microfilm copy of a report, thesis, or of anissue of periodical is prepared and supplied.Microfilm copies of foreign theses and tedL~i-cal reports are obtained from abroad forreasons of economy in foreign exchange. Hardcopies of these references can be made onmicrofilm printer if the material is referredfrequently. Besides microfilms, microfichecopies are also obtained for certain kind ofmaterial. The Microfilm Reader and ~licroficheReader are available for reading microfilmsand microfiche.Photographic Services

These services are exclusively meant forlibrary's own members. Prints of experimentalset up, scientific apparatus, and laboratoriesare prepared and supplied to research scholarsand postgraduate students to help them in4emonstrating their research work. The slidesare also made on demand by the Faculty andresearch scholars for facilitating their tea-ching work.

~~ AVAILABLEPhotocopying

Arcor in BriefSOl Coronastat 55Agfa Photographic Document Contact PrinterOCE 106Xerox 1385

Plate MakingLittle John Graphic Systems

a Process Camera 50 em x 60 cmb Little John type 185 whirler lubricationc Little John Sink Unitd Arc lampXerox 1385Offset Printing

Rota Printing 30/90Gestetner Offset Printing Machine 210

Microfilming & Printing and ReadingRecordak Microfile Camera MRD - 2£Recordak Prostar Microfilm ProcessorUniversal Mlcrofilm Printer IR24Microfil Reader

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545 Executive Microfiche Reader55 Photography551 Cameras5511 MPP 100 x 125 rrm~1JcroTechnical Camera

made VII, also called Plate Camera5512 Rollieflex Camera 2.85513 35 rrmCamera552 Enlargers5521 MPP Enlarger 4" x 5"5522 Agil ~bdem ~bdel 2 - 2B Enlarger553 Agil Sulhasi Glazing ~~ch ne -2.554 Ademco ~del 518 ~unting Press555 Agil Viewer (for slidps ard X-rays)51 Photocopying

It is a popular term for electro-photo-graphy "the term electro-photocopying coversa broad range of processes in which the effectsof radiation and electricity are combined toproduce a photographic record of an original";- 1 7. The electrophotographic imageprocessing systems can broadly be divided into(i) direct electrostatic process (electrofax)(ii) transfer electrostatic process (Xero-graphy). Broadly speaking, the processesinvolving conslunablephotoconductive coatingson paper are referred as electrofax processand the processes utilising are-usablephotoconductive surface such as selenium asXerox process. Xerography also differs fromother process in the sense that it is a dryprocess.Photocopying

511-12 Arcor in Brief and Coronas tat SOl 55These are fast copying machines working

on electrofax principle. These machines cantake single sheet or bound volume. Thesemachines are like large cameras in which expo-sures are made on zinc oxide coated paper.A prism in front of lens reverses the imageof the document on paper. After the exposurethe paper passes through a developer tank ,andheater and a positive print is produced ineight seconds [-2 -,.Diazo Contact Printing

513 OCE 1116 -

It uses a paper coated with diazo compound;.he paper along w ith the document is exposed toultra violet light. After exposure, the de-ve lopmont is of 2 ways C 4 -,.

(i) Semi-dry process in which the paperis passed through rollers moistenedwi th an alkaline solution;

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Cii) A dry process in which the copy isdeveloped by amnonia fumes. Thismachine is used for copying graphsand tracing work.

Agfa Photographic Contact Document PrinterC 11" x 14")

This is a contact printing machine andis used for size to size printing on photogra-phic paper. A negative print on the paperis prepared by exposing the document to themachine. It is put into developer and fixer.After drying, the negative is again exposed tothe photographic paper and the positive isprepared by taking it again to developer, etc.Since it is a cumbersome process and involvesdouble consumption of the photographic material,it is used only for making fine prints ofcertificates, important official documents etc.

515 Xerox 1385This machine works on Xerography principle.

Selenium coated plate is used in this machine.The plate is first charged and then the do-cument is exposed to it. After the exposureplate is put into a developing tray containingtonner and image is transferred on to thepaper from the plate. The paper is then putin the heater for drying. Copies up to imagesize of 13 in. x 8~ in. can be made. Inxeroxing two specific advantages are: Varia-tion in the size of document to be reproduced;Selective reproproduction of the material.

52 Plate MakingJohn Little graphic systems

JohR Little process camera of 50 cm x 60 cmcan be used for preparing negatives for fineprinting work of printed material, graphs andhalf-tone work. The plate is prepared by thewhirler machine. The plate along with thenegative when exposed through the Arc Lampcan be put into the Rota Printing machine formultiplication.

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522 Xerox 1385It is not exactly a copying machine though

frequently used for this purpose. The realpurpose is to produce photo offset plates tobe used subsequently on Rotaprint or Gestetner210 for producing multiple copies.

53 Printing531-532 Rota printing 30/90 and Gastetner 210

Both these machines are used for pre-paring multiple copies from the plates madeon xerox 1385 or process camera. The di-fference between the two machines is of speedand size of sheets to be used. Rota printingmachine can take paper, metal as well asplastic plates and produce prints at thespeed of 7000 prints per hour. Smallest sizeof paper to be used in 6" x 8" and biggestis 15" x 18". The Gestetner 210 produces at

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the rate of 2500 prints per hour and sheet of6!z" x 13" is taken in the machine.

54 Microfilming, Printing & ReadingRecordak Microfile Camera MRD - 2E.541

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The camera is for microfilming thematerial. A 100 ft roll of 35 nm film isused but this camera can be converted to take16 rrm film also. It is a planetary camerawhich will photograph document upto 26" x36 3/4" in size. The reduction range is from5:1 to 21:1 and there is a scale whichenables required reduction ratio to beselected L 4 J.Microfilm Printer 1824

This printer takes film of 8 rrm, 16 mmand 35 rrm. It brings out prints in 2-3seconds. Sunlit-bond paper of 15" x 20" sizeis used for printing purpose.

544-545 Microfilm Reader and Executive Microfiche

ReaderThese equipment are for reading micro-

films and microfiche respectively. When thefilm is inserted on the spool in the micro-film reader, through the mirror, the lens infront of the mirror reflects the light upwardsto a mirror which then reflects the lightdownwards on to a horizontal surface. Anenlarged image can be projected on a pieceof paper. In the microfiche reader, the micro-fiche is kept under the mirror. The ligh( isprojected on to the microfiche from where it isreflected through the lens. The image isprojected internally on a horizontal mirror.The movement of microfiche has to be donemanually whereas microfilm reader has theprovision of automatic upward and backwardmovement of film on pressing the button.

55 Photography Cameras551 Cameras5511 MPP 100 x 125 rrm Microtechnical Camera:

This camera is for equipment andexperimental photography. This is also calledPlate camera.

5512 Rollieflex Camera 2.8:This camera is for indoor and outdoor

photography.5513 35 rrm Camera:

This camera is used for making slides andalso used for outdoor photography.

55255215522

EnlargersMPP Enlarger 4" x 5";Agll modern model 2-2B Enlarger:

These are for processing of films andpreparing positives from negatives.

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REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES AT THE lIT, DELHI LIBRARY

553 Agil Sulahsi Glazing Machine -2:This machine is for glazing the photo-

graphic prints.

Ademco M:ldel 1518 M:lunting Press:This press is for mounting the prints.

Agil Viewer:This is used for viewing the negatives

of scientific and technical nature and esta-blishing their accuracy. This viewer is alsoused for viewing the slides made for projection.

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Sources of Purchase of Equipment and PriceslIT Delhi is a British aided organisation and·has been lucky to get almost all its repro-graphic machinery from Britain under variousaid plans. The imported equipment is verysophisticated and cost a huge amount. It isdifficult for an organisation to import ma-terial of this kind out of its own resourcesdue to the following reasons:

(a) Price involved is enormous;(b) Restriction on imports imposed by

the Govt. of India;

(c) Non availability of indigenoustechnical know-how required to keepthe machinery in working order;

(d) Difficulties in importing the spare-parts and consumables for machineryalready imported. The foreignproducers at times, change overto a new model of the same type ofmachine and can't supply spares formodels already imported. Therefore,organisations desiring to set uptheir own reprographic units shouldgo in for the purchase of locallymade machines, for which the techni-cal knowhow and consumables arereadily available. The prices ofthe Indian made machines (XeroxMachines) vary from Rs.15,OOO toRs.50,OOO/-.

6. USAGE61 The Library provides services to various

categories of readers viz;Undergraduates,Postgraduates, Research Scholars, FacultyMenbers and others. The Reprographic Uni tfunctions basically to cater to the needs ofits own users. The urgency of the need ofeach may vary and preferential scale may haveto be applied in serving them. The unit alsoundertakes to provide photocopies to outsideinstitutions and individuals on demand whene-ver it has the spare capacity.

Vol. 26 Nos 1.-. (Mar _ Dee) 1979

62 Rules pertaining to each categoryThe members of the liT Library:

The lIT users can reques t for a Xeroxcopy/Photo copy/Photographic services on aprescribed form obtainable from ReferenceUni t. The forms have to be signed by theHead of Department/Scheme Coordinator if thepayment is to be debited to the departmentalfund/special fund. When the reader is makingcash payment for the services requisitioned,the work is undertaken against the cash receiptwhich is obtainable from the Accounts Sectionafter making the payment.

622 The Institution and Individuals:

621

The institution and individuals requestingfor photocopying services are expected tomake advance payment against invoice/bi1lprepared in their name.

7. PAYMENT71 Rate of payment:

It differs according to category ofreaders and nature of work involved.

711 XeroX/Photocopying7111 For lIT Users:

Rs. 0.50 per page where the request issigned by the Head of Dept.

Rs. 0.50 per page when the individualpays for it and the material is availablewithin the library.

7112 For InstitutionsRs. 2.00 per page for first two pagesRs. 1.00 per page for subsequent pages

of the same article.7113 For Individuals & personal work

Rs. 2.00 per page712 Rota Printing:

For IIT usersRs. 5.00 per plate. The paper 15

supplied by the requesting authority.713 Microfilming:

For lIT and InstitutionsRs. 2.00 per 10 pagesRs. 1.00 per additional strip

72 .M:lde of PaymentWhen the payment is to be made out of

the Departmental Fund; prior signatures of the

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Head of the Dept. indicating his sanction maybe obtained on the request form, The secondportion of the request form 'For use ofLibrary' is to be filled up by the dealingofficial and is sent along with a coveringnote to the Accounts/Audit Section for ne-cessary deductions of funds from DepartmentalPtmds and crediting the amount to the LibraryPtmds. In case prepayment is to be made,this portion is filled first and used as billagainst which the individuals or institutionsmake their payment to the Accotmts Sectionand a cash receipt is issued to them.

IS. SfAFF FOR REPROGRAPHY81 Number of staff members and their categories:

There are three technical staff membersworking in the unit:SfA (Photograt~ is responsible for overallfiUictl.omng 0 e Um. t, having speciali-zation in photography.JTAtkxerox) works on the operation, maintenanceof e photocopying/printing machines. Alsocoordinates his work with reference tmit whererequests for photocopying/printing are receivedand delivered after completion.Dark Room Assistant, in the Photograpny unit,asSl.sts l.nphotography as well as photocopyingwork.

82 Qualifications and scales:SfA (Photo) Rs. J 0-25-900

Matric - ra.ning in microfilming fromInsdoc and is having about 15 years of ex-perience in Photography.JTA (Xerox) - Rs. 425 .:;700

B.A. with trainIng in Xerox operationfrom INSDOC and is having about 5 yearsexperience in Xerox/PrInting.Dark Room Assistant - Rs. 330-8-480

B.A. with Diploma in photography and ishaving about 10 years experience.

9. <UI'PUT OF 1llEUNITFollowing are the cutput of the Repro-

graphy Unit for the year 1975-76:91

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.Photocopying/Printing:(i) Pages Xeroxed/Photocopied 16,435

(H) Plates made 106(Hi) Copies printed 8,400

Photography:(i) Exposures 1,606

(H) Prints 4,096

SAHA

(iii) Slides(iv) Reflex Copying

7961,092

10. M\INrENANCE OF MAQUNFS AND REPAIRS IITC.

As mentioned earlier all the machines in theReprographic Unit are imported from the United Kingdom.Almost all the photocopyin~, printing machines re-quire airconditioned rooms, work well tmder con-trolled temperature. The spares and consumablesfor these machines are not locally available. Foril11X>rtingthe spare: parts of the machinery "NotManufactured in India Certificate", has to begiven on the basis of which duty free imports arepermitted. In most of the cases, it takes yearseven after all these formalities are completed,to get the imported parts from abroad. Technicalknow-how for the equipment is also not available.In some cases, there are Indian agents for foreignequipment; still they are not· in a positionto put the machines into operation forwant of full technical knOWledge of the importedmachinery and scarcity of imported parts. The .Library is heavily relying on the expertise andknowledge of the 'Instrument Design DevelopmentCentre' of the lIT. A close liaison is maintainedbetween the Heads of the Departments for quickrepairs etc. Research in some other departmentsis also oriented towards providing substitutes forimported items and thus reducing reliance on imPorts.In the 'Electrete Laboratory' of the Physics Dept.,important substitutes have been developed forconslUllablesfor Coronas tat SCM 55, such as, paperdispersant and tonner. The work is going on forthe development of cheap substitutes for seleniumcoating of Xerox Plates.11. ORGANISATIONAL SEnJP OF '!HEUNIT

Servicing and administration aspect of theReprographic Unit were brought tmder the controlOf Incharge, Reference Unit, who with the help ofthe Librarian tries to regulate the services andplan for the needs of the unit. The STA (Photo) isresponsible for technical aspects, such as, opera-tion and maintenance of the machines. He with thehelp of two other technical members tries to keepthe unit functioning.12. CONCLUSION

The Reprographic Unit with its availablemanpower and technical know-how is doing a goodjob. During the last five months of the currentyear the photocopying unit alone has done work worthRs. 6,000 and had copied more than 11,000 pages.The demand from outside institutions and privatebodies is on the increase. After the receipt ofpayment, the time taken for a photocopying job isat the maximum of 24 hours. The bottlenecks stillremain due to which quick functioning of the unit ishampered. To summarise,these are as tmder:

(a) Non-availability of spares and consumablesin the local market;

(b)

(c)

Lack of substitutes for imported parts;Non-availability of technical know-howfor imported equipment;

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REPROGRAPHIC SERVICES AT THE lIT, DELHI LIBRARY

(d) Shortage of staff: This point needslittle more elaboration. Appointment ofa Reprographic Officer, having pro-ficiency both in printing and photographyand having adequate experience to shoulderoverall responsibilities, is of immediateneed. He may far better understand andorganise the unit than it is possibleat the moment when it is clubbed togetherwith the Reference work which in itselfis quite painstaking work. Besides, tworore technical staff members need to beadded to the unit to handle some of themachines which are rarely put into opera-tion for want of technical hands.

(e) Delay by Stores & Purchase Office.Delay by SPO in providing consumablematerials available in local market isalso responsible for some of thedifficulties the unit faces.

It is advisable for small and other libraries togo in for indigenously made equipment, whenever

Vol. 26 Nos 1-4 (Mar - Dee) 1979

available, for which they can have easy access tospares, consumable materials and repair contractetc, in the local market.13. REl'EREOCES1. Chopra, K L, ed. Optical behaviour materials,

Indo/French. p. 473-488.2. Mason, Donald. Document reproduction in

libraries. London, Association of Asstt.Librarians, 1968. p. 31.

3. Ibid. p. 474. Ibid. p. 63

14. ACThDWLEDGrMENTSI am thankful to Shri A L Kapoor, Librarian,

I.I.T., Delhi for making valuable suggestions.Thanks are also due to the technical staffnpfReprography Unit for giving me technical dEftaiis ofsome of the machines.

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