The profession of librarianship is undoubtedly under going through great pull & pressure since the advent of ICT; we are expected to prove the rational behind the practices of LIS. The writer has correctly pointed out the fact that the growth of virtual collaboration among scientists may render the intermediate profession of librarians redundant if we don't adapt to changing demands of our users. But the solution doesn't just lie in transforming the syllabus of library science frequently. Everyone has to walk in his/her own size of boot! The librarians need not to be a communication scientist. Librararianship is both a methodolgy and a philosophy. Since the very evolution of the art & science of LIS, there have been some percentage of users who are adept at searching out the required information by themselves. But the majority always look up to the librarians for assistance and guidance. Libraraianship as a profession appear to be more attuned to the need of the masses rather than to a minority of scholars who have the priveleges of direct electronic connectivitiy and access to various kinds of knowledge aids.To me Ranganathan's diagnosis of a library being "at a perpetual disadvantage in developing either its own distinctive functions or the functions common to all administrations along newer, more scientific, and more efficent lines" because it is always facing two opposing forces still rings true. (Library Adminstration by S.R.Ranganathan, 2nd. ed, Bangalore:Sarada Ranganathan endowment for library science, 1959. P.26-27)

Friends:

Professor Amudhavalli of the University of Madras found the presentation by Liz Lyon of UKOLN

http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ukoln/staff/e.j.lyon/presentations.html
very useful. A few others may say the same thing. But what matters is are we preparing our students for the new era? Will the LIS students of today be able to excel in the fast changing technology-dominated environment? Will they be able to find their niche when constantly improving technology and the culture of networking and virtual collaboration among scientists may make intermediaries redundant? Are we training them to become life-long learners who can adapt to any situation? Or are we still in an age when it takes years to get even a minoe change in the syllabus?

It seems to me that we need to go a long way. Correct me if my perception is wrong.

Arun

[Subbiah Arunachalam]

----- Original Message ----
From: amudhavalli alagusundaram <amudha75@yahoo.com>
To: Subbiah Arunachalam <subbiah_a@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, 19 November, 2007 3:12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Open science

Very Useful Link, Sir. Thanks

amudha

Subbiah Arunachalam <subbiah_a@yahoo.com> wrote:

Friends:

I am sure you are following the writings of Liz Lyon of UK LON. I just stumbled upon this presentation:

"Open Science and the Research Library: Roles, Challenges and Opportunities?"
http://www.ukoln.ac.uk/ukoln/staff/e.j.lyon/presentations.html

Best wishes.

Arun

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Prof.A. Amudhavalli

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University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai 600 005.

Ph: 2539 9672 ( Off- Direct)

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