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please forward to forum...Why should we be proficient in English?
by A.V. Nagarathna 24 Feb '05

24 Feb '05

Dear All, This has reference to the advice of Dr. P. Vyasamoorthy. I strongly feel that it is essential to have proficiency in English (to the extent where we will be able to communicate exactly what we want to), since it has already become an universal language all over the world. Why one need to know the English language is for the simple reason that we (being information professionals) have to convey / deliver / disseminate the information properly to others. ---------------------------- For eg.: I am based at an academic institution where the majority of the scientific community include visitors from all over the world. The students based at the Centre are selected on an all India selection basis. They will not know our regional language. If we do not know english properly how do we communicate and help them in locating any document or reference materials etc. How are we expected to interact with them, just like dumb people...with actions ? ---------------------------- It is essential and depends on where you are? what your job specifications? how are you are expected to execute your work etc..etc. Knowing a language which is universal is always good not only for LIS professionals but for all who want to communicate efficiently. --------------------------- I always welcome any suggestions (from this forum) which may help to execute our job in a more fruitful way (instead of taking it as an insult, why not take it as an advice from the experienced professionals to improve ourselves? ). It is left to the other members whether to take the suggestions or ignore it. But, why deny any one on this forum to express their views. After all, ours is a democratic country! ---------------------------- Since all of us able to communicate in English we are on this forum and take advantage of it. otherwise, can we ask NCSI to translate all our communication in regional languages and forward it to the forum ?????? Instead of blaming any language (for its universality), we need to appreciate that we have a language through which we can exchange our views/information all over the world ! I have read several articles in conference proceedings in the field library science, it is really horrible. I do not comment on the authors (of that particular article) proficiency in English ! but for the responsibility of the Editors/conference organisers who bring out the publications without editing it! At the same time I have read excellent articles by Dr. Rajashekar (NCSI), Prof. Shalini (Mysore univ.) to name a few, who always maintain high standards in their writings. Please accept suggestions with open mindedness. Thank you for your patience. Regards, A.V. Nagarathna

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Google Unveil Movie Show Time Search
by Farooque Shaheen 24 Feb '05

24 Feb '05

Google has added yet another offering to its long list of custom Web searches: movie reviews. By including the "movie:" operator within a search query, Google brings up organized reviews of a flick from across the Web. The new service even calculates a movie's combined rating out of five stars. Google has also created dedicated pages for each movie, which give an overview of reviews and allow for searching of related terms, such as actors in the film. Much like its Google News service, the search giant indexes the review and displays its source and critic, along with a snippet of text. All of the content aggregation is done automatically and sorted by computers. Furthering its strategy of building a complete ecosystem of search tools, the new feature integrates with ?Google Local? to provide show times of nearby movies. Users can then utilize ?Google Maps? to bring up directions to the theater. Thanks & Regards, Farooque Shaheen, Caritor India Pvt Ltd. Tel. 080-26678388 # 4105 Mobile-9342507449 Google has added yet another offering to its long list of custom Web searches: movie reviews. By including the "movie:" operator within a search query, Google brings up organized reviews of a flick from across the Web. The new service even calculates a movie's combined rating out of five stars. Google has also created dedicated pages for each movie, which give an overview of reviews and allow for searching of related terms, such as actors in the film. Much like its Google News service, the search giant indexes the review and displays its source and critic, along with a snippet of text. All of the content aggregation is done automatically and sorted by computers. Furthering its strategy of building a complete ecosystem of search tools, the new feature integrates with “Google Local” to provide show times of nearby movies. Users can then utilize “Google Maps” to bring up directions to the theater. Thanks & Regards, Farooque Shaheen, Caritor India Pvt Ltd. Tel. 080-26678388 # 4105 Mobile-9342507449

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RE: [LIS-Forum] Why do we need high proficiency in English language ?
by Aman Jha 24 Feb '05

24 Feb '05

Dear sir, I think library science teachers are to teach library science as a professional subject not as an academic subject. I give you an example: When I was doing my computer course from NIIT, they not only taught us computer skills but also how to present and behave in the professional environment. They taught us about perfect personality which included communication skills and application of TQM. YOU NEED TO RECONSIDER YOUR FIRST STATEMENT. I firmly believe that even Govt colleges and universities while recruiting librarians look for candidates having good communications skills in English. ICICI is a corporate organisation. I would not have been selected as a librarian of CII, if I had a weak background in English. Dr Chandra would not have got ISO 9002 certificate for his library, if he had a weak command over English. Similarly, Dr Ranganathan would not have got chance to study abroad for the upliftment of library science in India. There are so many examples. Those who have excelled their name in libaray science in India had very good command over English. Whereas the case of speaking in Hindi is concerned, it is really a shame for us that even in the Parliament, MPs prefer to speak in English. And we make fun of those who speak in Hindi. I remember a case when I was working in Eureka Forbes to support my study expenses in Delhi, the immediate boss of mine and other colleagues made fun of my signing appointment letter in Hindi. There is no question of looking down upon our fellow professionals but to raise their standards to cop with the present demand of professional requirements. I am sorry if I have hurt your feelings. My personal views pl. Best regards, Aman Jha Librarian Confederation of Indian Industry Plot No 249-F, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV Sector 18, Gurgaon 122015 (Haryana) Tel: 0124-5014060-67 * Fax: 0124-5014080 -----Original Message----- From: Jayadev P Hiremath [mailto:jayadevph@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 9:51 AM To: Vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com Cc: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Why do we need high proficiency in English language ? How many Librarians in East Europe, Japan, France, China and Russia and many other countries know English. Haven't these countries progressed ? If the Librarian has studied in Vernacular upto high school, is it his fault ? Library Science teacher's are there to teach Library Science and not English Language skills. When you were recruiting an Information Officer, what was the basic requirement ? Was it his skills in Information Management or English language ? You have a done a great disservice by writing highly unwarranted mail. This will dissuade many Librarians from writing to this forum. They all will develop inferiotity complex. Itis a national shame that when two Indians...Librarians.... from different parts of the country meet they have to communicate in English language. Have you ever thought about conversing in Hindi ? I jolly well know the importance of English language in the world. But that doesn't mean that we have to look down upon our fellow professionals who are not proficient in English. We have all become slaves to English language and take great pride in being so. I as a customer, have received many e-mails from your Organization and I don't think ICICI as such attaches much importance to English language skills and rightly so. Why is it that only you are so keen about it when it is not an Institutional policy. Working knowledge of the languages is more that sufficient for providing the services. Unless ofcourse you are going to write a treatise. Jayadev P Hiremath On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 12:36:38 +0530, Vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com <Vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com> wrote: > Dear Friends, > > I am sure that some of you were expecting this. I am really appalled at the lack of any semblance of proficiency in the use of English language among many librarians. I wonder how one could pass through some 17 years of schooling and even after that manage not to learn basics of English Language. It is regrettable that our present system of Education does not emphasize the importance of Language abilities. Because of selfish politicians promoting their own agendas at the cost of the nation and because of a tendency to promote or put up with mediocrity everywhere -- the necessity for striving for excellence is once in a way heard from our president, though -- students do not look at Language skills with any concern. > > Recently we had to recruit an Information Officer for our VIC. Out of about fifteen persons we considered, hardly two or three could measure up as far as basic English Language skills are concerned. > > On one hand we find the Indian librarians community in India to be prolific writers - even an entry level resume mentions two or three 'papers' published and on the other hand we find that their presentation and communication skills at horribly very low levels. What are reasons? How can this be changed? Who should take action? Is it OK to be where & how we are? What do LIS teachers have to say? > > In this lamentation I am not bothered about typing errors (may be you are just lazy - not that you do not know), spelling mistakes (heavy dependence on spell checkers), occasional slippages (it happens to everyone), unheard of abbreviations being thrust on everyone by cell phone (or email?) culture and the like. I am concerned with basic English Language skills expected of a tenth class student. Kindly do not take recourse to "It is the same everywhere - in all other preofessions too" type of argument. > > Dr.P.Vyasamoorthy, Advisor, Virtual Information Centre, > ICICI Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Shameerpet Mandal, > RR District, Hyderabad 500078 INDIA > Email: vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com > Phone - Office: +91(40)23480053 Fax: +91(40)23480007 Phone Residence: +91(40)27846631 > > _______________________________________________ > LIS-Forum mailing list > LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > _______________________________________________ LIS-Forum mailing list LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum

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RE: [LIS-Forum] Librarians' proficiency in English
by Aman Jha 24 Feb '05

24 Feb '05

Dear Dr Vyasamoorthy I too feel that English Language proficiency is a problem for many library professionals. This is basically for those who belong to BIMARU states. I myself belong to one of such states where English language is taught from 6th standards onwards and in 10th standard, it is not mandatory to pass in English. This is the case of many state boards. I somehow managed to fill this gap after 10th, may be due to my primary education took place in Delhi. Even in Delhi during 1980s, English was taught not before 6th standard in Govt schools. PROBLEMS: Education systems: State Boards: There is a general practice in many states where passing in English is not mandatory in the State Board examinations. Universities: Many universities allow Hindi speaking students, whose medium of instruction till Bachelor have been in Hindi, to get admission in BLIS course where BLIS is taught in Hindi. There are many other LIS departments where medium of instruction is mentioned English in Prospectus but Hinglish is practised. Attitude: In my case, since I was very weak in English till 10th, I took it very seriously for higher education and started studying basic English books even primary levels, grammar and translation with lot of self-practice at home which boosted my confidence of English language. WHAT TO BE DONE? I think British Council has taken a good lead in developing English language skills in the country. Professionals who feel are weak in English may join a short term course. As an interface between books and users, librarian must have good communication skills in English and should be primary requisite for the recruitment of the post. Employers should also enhance their employees' communication skills by organising an internal training/workshop program. Library associations should come forward, if not, library network centres in India can join hands with the primary employers to organise such programs. There are many other avenues where professionals may try for upgrading their English language skills. I had compiled a comprehensive list of English Language Training Schools/Centres in India last year. I will be happy to share that list. Best regards, Aman Jha Librarian Confederation of Indian Industry Plot No 249-F, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV Sector 18, Gurgaon 122015 (Haryana) Tel: 0124-5014060-67 * Fax: 0124-5014080 -----Original Message----- From: Vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com [mailto:Vyasamoorthy@icicikp.com] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 7:07 AM To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Librarians' proficiency in English Dear Friends, I am sure that some of you were expecting this. I am really appalled at the lack of any semblance of proficiency in the use of English language among many librarians. I wonder how one could pass through some 17 years of schooling and even after that manage not to learn basics of English Language. It is regrettable that our present system of Education does not emphasize the importance of Language abilities. Because of selfish politicians promoting their own agendas at the cost of the nation and because of a tendency to promote or put up with mediocrity everywhere -- the necessity for striving for excellence is once in a way heard from our president, though -- students do not look at Language skills with any concern. Recently we had to recruit an Information Officer for our VIC. Out of about fifteen persons we considered, hardly two or three could measure up as far as basic English Language skills are concerned. On one hand we find the Indian librarians community in India to be prolific writers - even an entry level resume mentions two or three 'papers' published and on the other hand we find that their presentation and communication skills at horribly very low levels. What are reasons? How can this be changed? Who should take action? Is it OK to be where & how we are? What do LIS teachers have to say? In this lamentation I am not bothered about typing errors (may be you are just lazy - not that you do not know), spelling mistakes (heavy dependence on spell checkers), occasional slippages (it happens to everyone), unheard of abbreviations being thrust on everyone by cell phone (or email?) culture and the like. I am concerned with basic English Language skills expected of a tenth class student. Kindly do not take recourse to "It is the same everywhere - in all other preofessions too" type of argument. Dr.P.Vyasamoorthy, Advisor, Virtual Information Centre, ICICI Knowledge Park, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Shameerpet Mandal, RR District, Hyderabad 500078 INDIA Email: vyasamoorthy(a)icicikp.com Phone - Office: +91(40)23480053 Fax: +91(40)23480007 Phone Residence: +91(40)27846631 _______________________________________________ LIS-Forum mailing list LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum

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Article Request
by amit thapar 24 Feb '05

24 Feb '05

Good Morning to all friends, i urgently require this article for my assignment. If it is possible for anyone then pls send a soft copy of this article to me. Processes and problems in information consolidation Information Processing & Management Volume 22, Issue 1 , 1986, Pages 45-60 with best regards, Amit Thapar Library & Information Centre National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research Sector-67, Phase-X S.A.S.Nagar (Mohali)-160062, Punjab, INDIA www.niper.ac.in amit.thapar(a)gmail.com Cell no. 09417419457 Good Morning to all friends, i urgently require this article for my assignment. If it is possible for anyone then pls send a soft copy of this article to me. Processes and problems in information consolidation Information Processing & Management Volume 22, Issue 1 , 1986, Pages 45-60 with best regards, Amit Thapar Library & Information Centre National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research Sector-67, Phase-X S.A.S.Nagar (Mohali)-160062, Punjab, INDIA www.niper.ac.in amit.thapar(a)gmail.com Cell no. 09417419457 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.289 / Virus Database: 265.0.0 - Release Date: 8/11/04

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Fw: [oa-india] A new book on OA
by Subbiah Arunachalam 24 Feb '05

24 Feb '05

Here is a brief abstract of a new French book on OA. Arun ISBN : 2-7475-7695-7 - février 2005 - 186 pages http://www.editions-harmattan.fr/index.asp?navig=catalogue&obj=livre&no=187… OPEN ARCHIVES AND SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION How to provide free access to research results? Thierry Chanier Preface: Jean-Max Noyer SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY The technical potential of the networked online medium offers concrete solutions for freeing access to the results of scientific and scholarly research. Conflicting social and economic models have generated deep controversies among the various players involved in scholarly/scientific publication [researchers, their institutions, their funders, and their publishers]. Network technology now offers the substrate from which the research community can reorganise itself to regain control over the publication and dissemination of its work. Two things are at stake: Free access and the development of a new research cycle to renew scientific communication. Dgroups is a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS and World Bank --- You are currently subscribed to oa-india as: arun(a)mssrf.res.in To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-oa-india-137598Y(a)dgroups.org Here is a brief abstract of a new French book on OA. Arun ISBN : 2-7475-7695-7 - février 2005 - 186 pages http://www.editions-harmattan.fr/index.asp?navig=catalogue&obj=livre&no=187… http://www.editions-harmattan.fr/index.asp?navig=catalogue&obj=livre&no=187… OPEN ARCHIVES AND SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATION How to provide free access to research results? Thierry Chanier Preface: Jean-Max Noyer SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY The technical potential of the networked online medium offers concrete solutions for freeing access to the results of scientific and scholarly research. Conflicting social and economic models have generated deep controversies among the various players involved in scholarly/scientific publication [researchers, their institutions, their funders, and their publishers]. Network technology now offers the substrate from which the research community can reorganise itself to regain control over the publication and dissemination of its work. Two things are at stake: Free access and the development of a new research cycle to renew scientific communication. Dgroups is a joint initiative of Bellanet, DFID, Hivos, ICA, IICD, OneWorld, UNAIDS and World Bank --- You are currently subscribed to oa-india as: arun(a)mssrf.res.in To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-oa-india-137598Y(a)dgroups.org

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information about south asia
by pradeep kumar 23 Feb '05

23 Feb '05

I urgently require information about "CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP & PUBLISHING TREND IN SOUTH ASIA with particular reference to HINDI" for my reference work. thanking you waiting for a positive response PRADEEP --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. Learn more. I urgently require information about "CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP & PUBLISHING TREND �IN SOUTH ASIA with particular reference to HINDI" for my reference work. thanking you waiting for a positive response � PRADEEP � Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=29917/*http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 Learn more.

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RE: [LIS-Forum] Librarians' proficiency in English
by Vyasamoorthy＠icicikp.com 23 Feb '05

23 Feb '05

Thank you Mr Jha for the positive way you have looked at it. We are conducting shortly an English Language course for our employees, to help them speak with ease and to write simple correct English. Please do send me the list of English Teaching Schools to me. Your points are worth pursuing further. Best wishes Vyasamoorthy, P -----Original Message----- From: Aman Jha [mailto:aman.jha@ciionline.org] Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 2:39 PM To: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Cc: VYASAMOORTHY /IKP/HYD Subject: RE: [LIS-Forum] Librarians' proficiency in English Importance: High Dear Dr Vyasamoorthy I too feel that English Language proficiency is a problem for many library professionals. This is basically for those who belong to BIMARU states. I myself belong to one of such states where English language is taught from 6th standards onwards and in 10th standard, it is not mandatory to pass in English. This is the case of many state boards. I somehow managed to fill this gap after 10th, may be due to my primary education took place in Delhi. Even in Delhi during 1980s, English was taught not before 6th standard in Govt schools. PROBLEMS: Education systems: State Boards: There is a general practice in many states where passing in English is not mandatory in the State Board examinations. Universities: Many universities allow Hindi speaking students, whose medium of instruction till Bachelor have been in Hindi, to get admission in BLIS course where BLIS is taught in Hindi. There are many other LIS departments where medium of instruction is mentioned English in Prospectus but Hinglish is practised. Attitude: In my case, since I was very weak in English till 10th, I took it very seriously for higher education and started studying basic English books even primary levels, grammar and translation with lot of self-practice at home which boosted my confidence of English language. WHAT TO BE DONE? I think British Council has taken a good lead in developing English language skills in the country. Professionals who feel are weak in English may join a short term course. As an interface between books and users, librarian must have good communication skills in English and should be primary requisite for the recruitment of the post. Employers should also enhance their employees' communication skills by organising an internal training/workshop program. Library associations should come forward, if not, library network centres in India can join hands with the primary employers to organise such programs. There are many other avenues where professionals may try for upgrading their English language skills. I had compiled a comprehensive list of English Language Training Schools/Centres in India last year. I will be happy to share that list. Best regards, Aman Jha Librarian Confederation of Indian Industry Plot No 249-F, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV Sector 18, Gurgaon 122015 (Haryana) Tel: 0124-5014060-67 * Fax: 0124-5014080 ====== original posting clipped ====

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E - Journals
by Library 23 Feb '05

23 Feb '05

Dear Professionals, Please provide me URL of free Electronic Journals (related to Agriculture, Biodiversity, Molecular Biology, Plant Tissue Culture, Ecology, Environment, Rural Development, Gender, Aquaculture, Forestry, Education, Training Programme, Management, Information science & Society) in full text format. Thank you very much. Sincerely, B. Murugan Library Services M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation 3rd Cross Street, Taramani Institutional Area Chennai - 600 113 Phone: 22541229 / 22542698; Extn: 208/209 Dear Professionals, Please provide me URL of free Electronic Journals (related to Agriculture, Biodiversity, Molecular Biology, Plant Tissue Culture, Ecology, Environment, Rural Development, Gender, Aquaculture, Forestry, Education, Training Programme, Management, Information science & Society) in full text format. Thank you very much. Sincerely, B. Murugan Library Services M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation 3rd Cross Street, Taramani Institutional Area Chennai - 600 113 Phone: 22541229 / 22542698; Extn: 208/209

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Communication skills
by gayathri sen 23 Feb '05

23 Feb '05

Dear friends, I strongly endorse the views of Dr. Vysamoorthy regarding the present day out comes of Libray Schools. I have even spoken about this to some professors teaching in library schools. Librarian or Information Officers position involves dealing with users, managements, government bodies etc. etc. When the library staff or the librarian himself cannot present himself well what respect can you expect in organizations? To improve the situation, like how english classes are introduced in technical courses like B.E., even in library courses english should be made compulsory. This may solve the problem to a small extent. I take english classes for few staff members in my library whenever I have some time, so that they can present themselves better in front of users. Many come from rural back ground and hence this drawback. Gayathri Sen PESIT --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses. Dear friends, I strongly endorse the views of Dr. Vysamoorthy regarding the present day out comes of Libray Schools. I have even spoken about this to some professors teaching in library schools. Librarian or Information Officers� position involves dealing with users, managements, government bodies etc. etc. When the library staff or the librarian himself cannot present himself well what respect can you expect in organizations? To improve the situation, like how english classes are introduced in technical courses like B.E., even in library courses english should be made compulsory. This�may solve the problem to a small extent. I take english classes for few staff members in my library whenever I have some time, so that�they can present themselves better in front of users. Many come from rural back ground and hence this drawback. Gayathri Sen PESIT Do you Yahoo!? http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail_us/taglines/virus/*http://promotions.yahoo.com/… Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty viruses.

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