Dear Bhagyashree,

Thanks for bringing out an extremely relevant issue.
The way technology and society moving - space for
traditional book-based librarian is getting increasingly
limited. Next gen librarians must focus on supplying customised
information based on exact user-requirement rather than
supplying a book or set of books related to 'topic'.

For this to happen - librarians need to go far beyond
classification/cataloging and enter into domain expertise.

With their knowledge of information sources, librarians are
far more equipped to prepare market/industry analysis -
a position traditionally held by MBAs.

I believe, there is huge opportunity for information science
professionals in Indian corporate - far more than all library
schools in India can supply.

With increasing competition in market place - companies today
are investing more and  more on reliable information analysis
system/infrastructure. To remain in market place - CEOs need
information on variety of areas ranging from market data,
competition profile, consumer demography, technological
information, economic information such as production,
consumption, export, import etc.

Library professionals are in a better position to make this
information available.  However, traditionally library schools
have taught how to manage academic and technical information.
If horizon of library education is broadened with emphasis on
corporate and market related information - there will be no
unemployment problem for good information science professionals

My advice to budding professionals - do not wait for changes in
course curriculum or Govt policy - start learning Internet and
other information resources, sharpen your analytical and
presentation skill,  improve communication style and start looking
for jobs in corporate world.

Already a good many library and information science professionals
are employed in corporate information centres.  My advice to them:

1.   Understand value of data validation. Its not enough to supply
    requested data or information. Ask yourself 'How reliable is
    my data ?' How reliable is the source ? Is there scope for
    cross-checking with another source ?

2.   Look for details, facts, statistics, data - all the time.
    Be agile with numbers, statistics, data related to your
    company's products and services.

3.   While on the job of information retrieval - always aim
    for higher precision - not larger recall. Time is precious
    in Corporate world.

4.   Sharpen your human networking skill - never confine yourself
    to library, roam around, collect information on how other
    departments are working, find out what kind of information
    they need, innovate on channels and delivery of information
    Remember - you are an information professional !

5.   Your position, influence, financial emolument etc. are all
    proportional to your contribution to organization's goal.
    If possible, get involved in important projects, not
    necessarily related to library, and do your best to
    contribute as much as you can. Sooner or later, your
    efforts will be noticed and you will be rewarded with
    greater role.


6.   Unlike Govt - hierarchy in Corporate is more subtle. Some
    General Managers are more powerful than even VP. Ascertain
    the power centres and try to get nearer to it.



Warm Regards

Dr. Amit K Chatterjee
CEO
Ace InfoBanc Pvt Ltd
New Delhi - 110016
http://www.infobanc.com

bhagyashree sane wrote:
>
> Dear Moderator,
>
> Please put this topic for open discussion on LIS forum.
>
> Dear Professionals,
>
> I strongly feel that we should build 'Information Dissemination
> Industry' as librarians' job is to disseminate available
> information to the selected group of people [i.e. we
> call users].
>
> This will help to differentiate librarians[who disseminate
> avialable infn] from IT people [who create/store information].
>
> I would appreciate comments, discussion.
>
> with regards,
> Bhagyashree J.Sane(Mrs.)
> Chief Librarian
> Alma Mater Library
> National Insurance Academy
> 25, Balewadi, Baner Road, NIA PO
> Pune 411 045
> INDIA
> Tel: 91 20 27204064
> e-mail:bsane@niapune.com/bjsane@gmail.com
>
>



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