Dear Professional Colleagues, Wishing you a very Happy Holi. Holi is the festival of colours. These colours have different shades. Some you may like, some you may not. Similarly, our life also has different colours. Let me give you some glimpses of various issues in academic librarianship, currently our profession is passing through. As an estimate, about 57% of Librarians' positions in Indian Universities are lying vacant. As per my understanding some of the major reasons for this are as follows: 1. Reluctance of University administration in filling up the positions. Many time, they believe that library can be managed without a librarian or with the help of junior staff. 2. Misconception about the changing role of libraries. Many believes that now everything is digital, so no need of librarians. 3. Lack of availability of eligible candidates. This is mainly due to following : (i) Large experience requirement as per current recruitment rules. Candidates should have 18 years experience as Assistant Librarian/ college librarian or 13 years experience as Dy. Librarian in a college/university. Many of the Universities are still not using the revised experience criteria of having three years experience as Dy. Librarian in 9000 AGP. Many are not aware of it, as it is given under CAS. (ii) API score: As per UGC regulation 2010, the candidates should possess 400 API score for the post of Librarian. Many of the categories in the API format are not as per the profile of the Librarian. (iii) Capping on API score: As per revision to UGC regulation 2010, UGC has put capping on API score. The API score in category III have following capping: (a) 30% of the cumulative API score or actual API points in category (A) whichever is less (b) 25% of the cumulative API score or actual API points in category (B) whichever is less (c) 20% of the cumulative API score or actual API points in category (C) whichever is less (d) 10% of the cumulative API score or actual API points in category (D) whichever is less (e) 15% of the cumulative API score or actual API points in category (E) whichever is less After applying above capping sometime a person who is having total API score of about 600 in category(III), may not able have admissible 400 API score. So with capping it is/will be very difficult to have many eligible candidates. 4. Many of the applicants do not know how to properly list out their research and publication contributions. Many times all documents in support of the API claims are not enclosed. 5. Lack of understanding of API point system is also one of the problem 6. Besides, API scores, there is lack of parity instruments of experience requirement. For example, for selection of a Professor in University, experience requirements are as follows: Minimum 10 years experience in PG teaching and/or research in a University including guiding research in teaching level. So as per the above, an Assistant Professor is eligible to become a Professor with 10 years experience. However, one needs 18 years experience as Assistant Librarian to be eligible to apply for University Librarian. 7. As per my understanding even a teacher working in a private college or institution, or in government on contract or ad-hoc is being given full consideration in terms of eligibility. But a Library professional working in a private institution or on other designations is not considered at most of the places. 8. There are number of other problems within the profession also. Surely we need quality intake and also need to see the demand and supply position of Library professionals. Do we really need so many the distance learning course? I understand that above issues are major reasons for this current state of vacant positions of librarians in Indian Universities. Due to above about 57% of the University Librarians positions are occupied by either Professors or other non-teaching senior officials and justification given for such situation is that suitable Librarians are not available. I do not agree with that. During my interaction with the young library professionals, I see a number of talented professionals fully deserving and competent to take up such positions. However, due to complications of experience requirement, API score and also reluctance from the University administration they have been denied their due place. This is happening because we are not raising our voice against such anomalies. I am writing this with a request to all Library professionals and Library Associations to raise their voice to fight such problems. This is very important to save this profession. I suggest, everyone should write to HRD minister on a Post Card to remove API score for Librarian and also to reduce experience requirements from 18 years to 10 years in Assistant Librarian or equivalent grade. Wishing all the very best. Happy holi Regards. ************************************ Dr. Ramesh C Gaur PGDCA, MLISc,Ph.D. Fulbright Scholar (Virginia Tech, USA) University Librarian & Chair- ETD 2015 India Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) New Meharuli Road, New Delhi - 110067 Tele +91-11-26742605, 26704551 Fax : +91-11-26741603 Email: rcgaur@mail.jnu.ac.in ;rcgaur66@gmail.com URL: www.jnu.ac.in Brief Profile:http://lib.jnu.ac.in/Ramesh_C_Gaur -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.