Dear Friends, I do agree with Dr. Anil Singh' observation that this practice is becoming more and more common which undermines the library profession in general. I feel that this is being done deliberately by the VCs and Directors of academic and R&D institutions. Perhaps we need to find answers to why such things are happening and who are responsible for this? Personally I have made some observations which I am putting down here so that we too can work to put an end to this disturbing trend. In my opinion the following could also be the reason: 1. LIS teachers readily accepting the offer of 'library-in-charge' instead of refusing it on the basis of nature of work in the absence of a full-time librarian (Librarian's job is a full-time work and how a faculty member can do justice unless he/she does not have any work in the department?) 2. Infighting among the available senior library officers for the post (there are cases where Dy librarians file court cases against each other to claim seniority) 3. In some cases the senior most library officer who is aspiring for the post files a case in the court and gets a stay to gain some time so that he/she can finish a PhD/MPhil or completes the required years of service. 4. Lack of 'suitable and experienced' senior LIS officers to head the library in comparison with other divisions/departments force the administrators to take such extreme step. 5. The General perception of the administrators is that librarians are not very important because it is seen that the library officers show very little interest in administrative matters and/or the performance levels are low. 6. There are cases where the library experts who sit in selection committees 'nod their heads' to the whims of the VC/Director instead of expressing their dissent about the selection. 7. Whenever such non-library professionals are made as library heads, no one including the library associations complain or take some action on the matter. 8. Lastly, due to a few unscrupulous librarians who are in the news for misappropriation/corruption or indiscipline, the general perception about librarians among the administrators is not very good; hence, they try to take the route of 'known devil is better than unknown angel'. I suggest that every library professional should express his/her dissent whenever such things happen to safeguard our profession against unethical practices and bullying. Dr. M. Koteswara Rao Retd. Librarian, UoH
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2014 13:32:52 +0530 From: dr.anilsingh5@gmail.com To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Is there any need of non-professional in-charge in Libraries?
Dear Friends,
In few past years trend has been rising to appoint non-professional head/in-charge of libraries in-spite of having Group 'A' library professionals in the organization. Like Prof-in-charge, scientists-in-charge, officer-in-charge etc and this practice can be seen in universities, autonomous bodies, scientific & research organization or in any other institutions of national importance.
It has been seen that if the library is managed by Assistant Librarian (in the pay scale of PB3: 15600-39100 + AGP 6000) or by Deputy Librarian (in the pay scale of PB3: 15600-39100 + AGP 8000 or Rs.37,400 - 67,000 + AGP 9000) than there will be Prof-in-charge or Officer-in-charge who is non-professional to supervise these professional staff which is ridiculous. Even now in some institutions, Prof-in-charge has been appointed in-spite of having Librarian of PB4: 37,400 - 67,000 + AGP 10,000.
Let us have a look on the pay scales of civil administrative staff. SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) who is in the pay scale of PB3: 15600-39100 + GP 5400 is overall in-charge of whole Tehsil, whereas District Collector or DM whose pay scales are generally in between PB3: 15600-39100 + GP6600, GP 7600 or PB4: 37,400 - 67,000 + GP8700 (based on the length of service) is administrative head of whole district. Joint Secretaries in the Union Ministries are in the pay scale of 37,400 - 67,000 + GP10000 who plays an important role in policy making.
If these officers can work independently, than why not library professional which are getting more pay scales than these administrative staff? Such type of practice demoralises the library professionals and gives the message in society that library professional are inefficient in managing the library independently. It also underestimates the importance of Librarians.
Besides having a library committee and its Chairman to supervise and guidance, is there any relevance of non-professional in-charge in Libraries? Feedback and comments are welcome.
-- with regards,
Anil Singh Assistant Director (LS) Competition Commission of India (CCI) (Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India) 'B' Wing, HUDCO VISHALA, 14, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi - 110066
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