Sir/Madam I just wanted to share my thoughts on two recent postings in the LIS forum. One from Vimal (Time for a change: survival thoughts, dated 25th June 2009) and another from Smitha (Development of Govt. PU college Libraries, dated 27th June 2009). One thing wanted to clarify before delve into the topic is Vimal and Smitha are two metaphor beyond that I have nothing individual. I take Vimal posting. It was indeed thought provoking and for the development of the profession. We are witnessing a rapid change in information processing industry coupled with phenomenon evolution of the WWW for the post twenty years. Thanks to Tim Berners-Lee. But the bottom line is librarians are willing to change not the institutions (colleges). Smith’s posting in that way presents underlying reality. Librarians are looked at mere “store keeper”. His/her intellectual labor was not at all respected in colleges. Colleges and schools in India have given very less importance to libraries. In most of the colleges, there are no libraries at all. If we have, it was maintained pathetically. We recently recruited librarians have very hard time with the authorities to provide basic facilities at least a room to set up a library. But they are also not in a position to immediately set up things right. As fellow member listed out there was no proper record maintained in the library previously. It was maintained by the clerk or in some cases lecturer. And stark thing is that librarians are suspected in many occasion simple because they think librarian may pocket fines collected from students, fee collected against loss of books. It was very harsh thing to happen for librarians. In book acquisitions process there was a big nexus, higher authorities would not take librarian into considerations. Simply ask us to take book into stack. We are accountable for each book in the library and you have to pay for missing books. At times we have quarreled with faculty and students to return books. With such a situation, how a librarian change himself. In colleges hardly subscribe scholarly journals and with few exceptions reading habit is very deplorable. It is time for changing the mindset of the institutions and the people who are part of it. Recently I had a conversation with a lecturer and finally he said to me that your job is just like a clerk who manages different inventories and keeping vigil look on books. The brief conversion I have had with the lecturer is given below. Lecturer: We have a vacation from 25th May Librarian: is it, enjoy Lecturer: What about you. You must have the holiday right? Librarian: We have no vacation Lecturer: Sorry, I though you must …….. Librarian: no no……. we have extra EL for thirty days Lecturer: but…………. Your job is more of like a clerk. One maintains inventories. Librarian: no reply We have great role to change this mindset. We have to raise our voice. Your Sincerely Vasantha Raju N ICC World Twenty20 England '09 exclusively on YAHOO! CRICKET http://cricket.yahoo.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.