Knowledge commission report calls for overhaul of library sector Recommending a major overhaul of the information service and library sector in the country including the inclusion of libraries in the Concurrent list of the Constitution, a National Library Fund of Rs 1,000 crore to upgrade all existing libraries, a permanent national commission on libraries and a national level survey to assess the requirements and reading habits, the National Knowledge Commission has submitted its report to the government on how to redefine the information services sector. The report, currently with the PMO, will be forwarded to the Planning Commission shortly. The NKC has been set up by the PM with the mandate to transform the country into a knowledge society. Underlining the need of including libraries in the concurrent list, the NKC report says that it would facilitate co-ordinated development of libraries across different sectors. It also suggests that a specified percentage of Central and state education budgets must be earmarked for libraries. On the service front, the NKC insists that all libraries must have the following facilities motivated, courteous and adequate staff, easy access and user friendly retrieval system, effective signages and computers with internet access and photocopiers. It asks the government to issue a library charter to all libraries to take appropriate steps to ensure that libraries meet the objectives set by the commission which includes dissemination of knowledge as widely as possible, serving as a major vehicle to facilitate creation of knowledge, facilitating optimal use of knowledge by all sectors, and easy access to knowledge relevant to their needs. It also recommends a national committee for the identification, documentation and preservation of private collections available in the country. It also suggests that every state should establish a registry and archives of knowledge based digital resources which should be made accessible to all. The committee has also suggested research and development activities in identifying user needs for different groups, organisation of community information and development of appropriate standards, standardisation of Indian names and vocabulary control over Indian subjects developed in terms of multi-lingual thesauri, development of open sources software and development of digital libraries both in English and Indian languages. Regarding the public library collections, the NKC suggests that the size and nature of the collection should reflect the population and local requirements and that at least 10 per cent of the book collection should be less than five years old. It also says that libraries should be open on all days, except on national holidays. The NKC adds that library services should initiate imaginative services apart from offering routine library services including lectures and discussion centering on books, cultural programmes, support to students homework and project and IT training at different levels. WHAT the NKC report PRESCRIBES Inclusion of libraries in the Concurrent list of the Constitution National Library Fund of Rs 1,000 core to upgrade all existing libraries A permanent national commission on libraries National level survey to assess the requirements and reading habits Specified percentage of Central and state education budgets must be earmarked for libraries. Government to issue a library charter to all libraries to take appropriate steps to ensure that libraries meet the objectives A national committee for the identification, documentation and preservation of private collections available in the country Every state to establish a registry of and archives of knowledge based digital resources Development of open sources software and development of digital libraries both in English and Indian languages Libraries should be open on all days, except on national holidays source:http://www.indianexpress.com/story/19620.html# PRADEEP KUMAR JLA, G053, I-BLOCK REFERENCE DIVISION PARLIAMENT LIBRARY OF INDIA NEW DELHI-110001. E-mail: pradip_parlib@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com Knowledge commission report calls for overhaul of library sector Recommending a major overhaul of the information service and library sector in the country including the inclusion of libraries in the Concurrent list of the Constitution, a National Library Fund of Rs 1,000 crore to upgrade all existing libraries, a permanent national commission on libraries and a national level survey to assess the requirements and reading habits, the National Knowledge Commission has submitted its report to the government on how to redefine the information services sector. The report, currently with the PMO, will be forwarded to the Planning Commission shortly. The NKC has been set up by the PM with the mandate to transform the country into a knowledge society. Underlining the need of including libraries in the concurrent list, the NKC report says that it would facilitate co-ordinated development of libraries across different sectors. It also suggests that a specified percentage of Central and state education budgets must be earmarked for libraries. On the service front, the NKC insists that all libraries must have the following facilities motivated, courteous and adequate staff, easy access and user friendly retrieval system, effective signages and computers with internet access and photocopiers. It asks the government to issue a library charter to all libraries to take appropriate steps to ensure that libraries meet the objectives set by the commission which includes dissemination of knowledge as widely as possible, serving as a major vehicle to facilitate creation of knowledge, facilitating optimal use of knowledge by all sectors, and easy access to knowledge relevant to their needs. It also recommends a national committee for the identification, documentation and preservation of private collections available in the country. It also suggests that every state should establish a registry and archives of knowledge based digital resources which should be made accessible to all. The committee has also suggested research and development activities in identifying user needs for different groups, organisation of community information and development of appropriate standards, standardisation of Indian names and vocabulary control over Indian subjects developed in terms of multi-lingual thesauri, development of open sources software and development of digital libraries both in English and Indian languages. Regarding the public library collections, the NKC suggests that the size and nature of the collection should reflect the population and local requirements and that at least 10 per cent of the book collection should be less than five years old. It also says that libraries should be open on all days, except on national holidays. The NKC adds that library services should initiate imaginative services apart from offering routine library services including lectures and discussion centering on books, cultural programmes, support to students homework and project and IT training at different levels. WHAT the NKC report PRESCRIBES Inclusion of libraries in the Concurrent list of the Constitution National Library Fund of Rs 1,000 core to upgrade all existing libraries A permanent national commission on libraries National level survey to assess the requirements and reading habits Specified percentage of Central and state education budgets must be earmarked for libraries. Government to issue a library charter to all libraries to take appropriate steps to ensure that libraries meet the objectives A national committee for the identification, documentation and preservation of private collections available in the country Every state to establish a registry of and archives of knowledge based digital resources Development of open sources software and development of digital libraries both in English and Indian languages Libraries should be open on all days, except on national holidays source:http://www.indianexpress.com/story/19620.html# PRADEEP KUMAR JLA, G053, I-BLOCK REFERENCE DIVISION PARLIAMENT LIBRARY OF INDIA NEW DELHI-110001. E-mail: pradip_parlib@yahoo.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com