>>>> Saying no to mediocrity is the first
step in that direction
Dear friends
Ananda worked with me at QMed for about a month or
so immediately after her MLIS, just to gain some experience. She happened to be
one of the rare "fresh flowers" that still spring up in the profession every now
and then. It was not just her academic record (which was superb). She
proactively did things that she felt needed to be done at QMed.
Once she got the school job and moved there (as a
trainee), a little while later I had a vacancy, and asked her if she would come
back. She told me that she would soon become permanent at the school, and she
liked her job there too - and wanted to stay on. I was obviously disappointed,
but I was also thrilled about a "Bigger Picture". I always believe that the
foundation of our profession began at School Librarianship level - and I was
happy that the area got someone like Ananda - "out of her choice - not simply
because she landed there". I am really happy to see a very will written and
passionate posting from her. Well done - Ananda!
Her comment (that I have chosen at the beginning of
the mail) - is definitely one step that has to be taken. We cannot make great
professionals by just adding soft skills in the curriculum for ordinary of below
par people. (Please note - I do not mean to negate any effort made in that
direction. That is very important). In the long run, we need to take in
students of high calibre AND train them not only in the technical + domain areas
of LIS, but ALSO in soft skills
Apart from that - I think Ananda's observation
about how difficult it is to get a good intern, is very often shared with me
even by librarians at leading public libraries. I really believe this is a wake
up call.
Many other respondents to this topic have made a
point about - "let us not blame the LIS schools". I will add to that - Let us
not blame anyone. That does not help.
"Let us fix the problem - not fix a blame (on
anyone or any organization)" - should be our motto
Vasumathi Sriganesh
Director, QMed
Services
A-3, Shubham Centre, Cardinal Gracious Road
Chakala, Andheri
East, Mumbai 400099, India
Tel: 91-22-40054474 / 75
Fax: 91-22-40054358
Please visit our
Directory of Indian Medical Sites- www.qmedin.com/medsites
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2007 12:55
PM
Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Training in
LIS
Hi all,
I agree with the views
of Mr. Arunachalam and Ms Vasumathi.
As a school librarian ,
I face some unique problems regarding quality of
librarians............