Dear Bhagyashree, Thanks for bringing out an extremely relevant issue. The way technology and society moving - space for traditional book-based librarian is getting increasingly limited. Next gen librarians must focus on supplying customised information based on exact user-requirement rather than supplying a book or set of books related to 'topic'. For this to happen - librarians need to go far beyond classification/cataloging and enter into domain expertise. With their knowledge of information sources, librarians are far more equipped to prepare market/industry analysis - a position traditionally held by MBAs. I believe, there is huge opportunity for information science professionals in Indian corporate - far more than all library schools in India can supply. With increasing competition in market place - companies today are investing more and more on reliable information analysis system/infrastructure. To remain in market place - CEOs need information on variety of areas ranging from market data, competition profile, consumer demography, technological information, economic information such as production, consumption, export, import etc. Library professionals are in a better position to make this information available. However, traditionally library schools have taught how to manage academic and technical information. If horizon of library education is broadened with emphasis on corporate and market related information - there will be no unemployment problem for good information science professionals My advice to budding professionals - do not wait for changes in course curriculum or Govt policy - start learning Internet and other information resources, sharpen your analytical and presentation skill, improve communication style and start looking for jobs in corporate world. Already a good many library and information science professionals are employed in corporate information centres. My advice to them: 1. Understand value of data validation. Its not enough to supply requested data or information. Ask yourself 'How reliable is my data ?' How reliable is the source ? Is there scope for cross-checking with another source ? 2. Look for details, facts, statistics, data - all the time. Be agile with numbers, statistics, data related to your company's products and services. 3. While on the job of information retrieval - always aim for higher precision - not larger recall. Time is precious in Corporate world. 4. Sharpen your human networking skill - never confine yourself to library, roam around, collect information on how other departments are working, find out what kind of information they need, innovate on channels and delivery of information Remember - you are an information professional ! 5. Your position, influence, financial emolument etc. are all proportional to your contribution to organization's goal. If possible, get involved in important projects, not necessarily related to library, and do your best to contribute as much as you can. Sooner or later, your efforts will be noticed and you will be rewarded with greater role. 6. Unlike Govt - hierarchy in Corporate is more subtle. Some General Managers are more powerful than even VP. Ascertain the power centres and try to get nearer to it. Warm Regards Dr. Amit K Chatterjee CEO Ace InfoBanc Pvt Ltd New Delhi - 110016 http://www.infobanc.com bhagyashree sane wrote:
Dear Moderator,
Please put this topic for open discussion on LIS forum.
Dear Professionals,
I strongly feel that we should build 'Information Dissemination Industry' as librarians' job is to disseminate available information to the selected group of people [i.e. we call users].
This will help to differentiate librarians[who disseminate avialable infn] from IT people [who create/store information].
I would appreciate comments, discussion.
with regards, Bhagyashree J.Sane(Mrs.) Chief Librarian Alma Mater Library National Insurance Academy 25, Balewadi, Baner Road, NIA PO Pune 411 045 INDIA Tel: 91 20 27204064 e-mail:bsane@niapune.com/bjsane@gmail.com
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