Another important aspect of occupational hazard facing the librarians of the present genertaion (our world becoming a global village) is on account of the increasing interaction with foreign users. Some of their demands may be proper & right but some of these are outright nonsensese. They will like to be admitted in the reading halls with their laptops, provided all uptodate electronic facilities, particularly free access to internet (for other than study related purposes too); textbooks in their hostels, they tend to stick together in groups, boys and girls coming in odd dress, showing (as far as traditional Indian custom is concerned ) abnormal behavior; they often either don't understand or misundertand our communication. The African students tend to show bullying behaviour. They even think as if the Indian staff have prejudice against them. Some from European countries have a kind of superiority complex.

The changing nature of the customers that modern librarians have to deal with therefore require an urgent inclusion of a module on ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR in our paper of library administration. Furthermore, some workshops may be conducted on interpersonal relationship. It is high time that librararians like any other marketing professional have to be empowered with best trainings in tools and minds.

From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in] On Behalf Of rajendra kumar panda
Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 12:57 PM
To: lis-forum
Subject: [LIS-Forum] Occupational hazards in Library Practice

This areas of library profession is no more discussed much in details in various platforms/forums of library practices. Most of the libraries in third world countries similarly in india are highly prone to dust exposure, the persons working in this area(Library stacks) are highly exposure to diferent hazardous diseases. There may be various reasons of lack of manpower, money, time, physical factor, that should addressed at great length and width. So that, a awarness would arise among the library community. Hope ILA at least take this cognizance of matter into disscussion.