No system of education is complete unless it is backed by a sound and effective network of libraries. The
Information explosion, complete revolution and electronic media especially in the advent of 21 st century
where paperless societies and libraries are talked about and established, caused the libraries to undergo a
change. Computers have made a paradigm change in reach and dissemination of information. Linking of
computers with telecommunication has revolutionized the expansion of information systems. This paper
is to explain the role, need and purpose of networking especially for university libraries. By means of LAN
and WAN etc. The role of various networks i.e. DELNET, CALIBNET, NICNET, INFLIBNET has been
given in brief. Indian initiatives and barriers to network development have been discussed in brief.