Library science gets some spotlight, needs more http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=114167# Chandigarh, January 15: It is a science all right, but a neglected one. Also, its potential is always understated. At the Satkal Annual Function 2004 held at the Government Museum and Art Gallery in collaboration with the British Library today, a discussion and lecture on library and information services in India turned out to be quite interesting. The post-Ranganathan (the name comes from the pioneer in library science) period is pretty dismal and no concrete steps are being taken in this field. With private/foreign libraries roping in most of the people as members, and a small country like Singapore coming up with the world’s best library set-up, there is still a lot to work on. The lecture: The former head of the Library & Information Services, British Council, P. Jayarajan, spoke on the ‘Glorious past, Stagnant Present, Uncertain Future’ of the library world. ‘‘The public library system is in a shambles. There is lack of resources, support, skill and consolidation. What we need is vision, a SWOT analysis to face the challenges of today,’’ he said. ‘‘To get the libraries out of the namesake category, we have to attract their users, especially non-users,’’ he added. Speaking of he emphasised the need for information professionals, upgrading skills, public relations and managerial know-how. Services, infrastructure, skills and partnership are the need of the hour, he said Awardees 2004: Each has made a vital contribution to the field of library science. Here’s a lowdown on their activities: Recipient of the Punjab National Librarian Award, Dr E. Rama Reddy: The University Librarian for Indira Gandhi Memorial Library, University of Hyderabad, Dr Reddy is an expert in managerial aspects of the subject and has been associated with the compilation of topical biographies. He has a vision: India as an informative society. Recipient of Young Librarian Award, M.G. Sreekumar: Librarian at the IIMK, his computerised brain and a digital vision has turned IIMK into a vibrant digital information system. He has conducted trainings on e-Publishing, digital libraries and medical informatics. He has also created an e-learning platform for doctors and the medical fraternity in India. Recipient of Woman Librarian Award, Veena Chawla: Library Director, American Resource Information Centre, Delhi, she has been awarded for outstanding performance, exhibiting a high level of professionalism and dedication, especially at the international level. Meanwhile, due to almost no response to the Ranganathan Quiz, two participants, Richa Gupta and Anil Siwach, were presented mementoes. The feedback: It is a pity that libraries in Indian universities are not getting the weight that is due to them: Prof G.S. Randhawa, former V-C of GNDU ‘‘Having a digitalised library won’t work in a country like India where there are frequent power shutdowns. In schools, there are time constraints, so traditional libraries are better,’’ say librarians of various schools **************************************** Sreeharsha BG Knowledge Management Group i2 Technologies software Pvt. Ltd. 5th Floor, Diamond District, Airport Road, Bangalore-8 PH: 25047319 **************************************** This too will pass...!!!