Dear Friends, This is in response to some very interesting discussions that are currently going on the subject: "Does Introduction of LIS Syllabus in Undergraduate Course Curriculum Change the Libraries/Librarians image". While, at the outset, I broadly agree with various views already expressed by our friends in this discussion trail, it will not be out of place and time to state that, even though we cannot always control various circumstances, factors and players in the LIS field like - LIS Schools, Professional Bodies, Training & Development Organizations, etc. and expect them to do some 'genuine good work' for the upliftment of our profession, I feel that, as working professionals, we ourselves can do our bit in improving the overall situations in our work environments and organizations. As an LIS professional serving in the field for over last two decades, based on my regular interactions with various fellow LIS professionals, I have observed that the following are some of the 'practical reasons', which create real impediments for the LIS professionals to get ahead in their professional life and maintain their professional status / image. Here are my humble observations and suggestions: a) Currently, there are several well-organised libraries in various types and kinds, that are in operations in our Country and these are managed by well-qualified and equally competent LIS professionals. However, as professionals, many of us, quite often does not know how to 'show-case' our 'best professional work / productive work' to attract the much-needed appreciations and recognitions from the Management of our Parent Organizations as well as User Groups. This needs to change through instilling more and more self-confidence in ourselves with a positive approach, supplemented by making effective communications (formal/ informal) within the organization, including with our user groups. b) Another important factor, which contributes to a non-LIS professionals taking charge of Libraries (including in some of the leading and reputed organizations) is that, we as Sr. LIS Professionals fail to create proper succession plan for the future. And in a number of such cases, when a Sr Librarian retires or leaves, without having groomed a person second-in-line (in spite of having a good number qualified and experienced LIS people within the team) to take over the Librarian position, such organizations either make a Faculty member / Research head, Admin person etc., as the in-charge of such Libraries or recruit a new LIS professional from outside the organization. Such a situation actually demoralises the existing LIS team. If these kinds of situations have to change, then it is the Sr LIS Professional who has to play a major positive role (with the blessings of top management) in identifying and grooming the second- in-line person to take over his / her job in future. Equally, in some such cases, here the existing Jr LIS team members are also to be blamed to some extent, as in a quite few cases, howsoever the Sr Librarian tries, the Jr Librarian never shows any positive intent or just remains very reluctant to become the next team leader (Librarian) and tries to be happy (content!) with the role of second fiddle to someone. Only, if such scenarios changes, then the image our profession will also change for better. c) In spite of offering various modern library services and Internet based online library services etc., we still have a long way to go in 'proactively reaching out to our various user groups' by offering value-added and high-quality library and information services with some local level customization and need based service approach. This kind of proactive approach needs to pick-up with more consistent, user-centred innovative strategies and creative strategies in information services design and delivery. d) While a number of us are good at offering high-quality library and information services at the local level with some innovative ways, we are not good at consistently sharing as well as benchmarking our best practices (event worst practices!) with our fellow LIS professionals, at the National as well as International levels. On this front, it may be noted that, some of the so called "National / International LIS Conferences" that are organised in this Country; often the quality of the papers presented / published in various LIS Conferences / Proceedings; and also our 'less-active participation' in such conferences are the clear indicators for such poor and depressing trends in our field. This needs to improve for the better with open minded knowledge-sharing approach, supported by quality research papers, case studies, books, etc. - leading to more and more professionally rewarding debates and discussions. e) Finally, having opted for a noble and scholarly service profession that of LIS, sometimes, we can be less self-centred and more services oriented (we are in the service of others!) and by doing so, our service quality (and mainly its positive impact on our user communities) itself will speak for our status, position and credibility in any organization. I know, this is easier said than done. But, I feel, we can do it by taking ourselves less seriously and our library users more seriously!. (No philosophy - just trying to be more practical, as I had benefited from such positive approaches, every now and then). I hope these points are helpful in further professional discussions...as many of you would have similar views...or...even better views... Best Regards, Dr. R. Venkata Kesavan B.Sc., MLIS., M.Phil., Ph.D. DGM & HEAD TIMES ARCHIVES & KNOWLEDGE CENTRE (TAKC) THE TIMES GROUP THE TIMES OF INDIA BUILDING, 2ND FLOOR DR. D. N. ROAD MUMBAI 400 001 PH: (D): +91-22-66354470 CELL: 09323812172 Email: Venkata.kesavan@timesgroup.commailto:Venkata.kesavan@timesgroup.com TAKC - Knowledge is Our Heritage END Vijay Karnataka, 15 years of trust, of truth, of winning, of excitement and of celebration. Disclaimer :----- The information in this e-mail and any attachments is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the addressee or addressees. 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