Why librarians are not treated on par with teaching faculty and not respected? The reason that I figured out myself are, we are witnessing a complete lack of library culture among faculty and students.  It seems either faculty or students have never ever understand (in PU and Degree colleges –particularly) the role and the importance of library and the librarian.  They have developed a misconception that librarians are just a store keeper and they are there to see that no one sneak into the library. Education institutions also have their pie in that without proper infrastructure and facilities they should not start a college but it is other way around. To ask them to provide a well constructed building for the library is impossible.  College authorities only make sure themselves that there is some one in the library to give book for students to pass their exams, that’s it.  Librarian role is over (for long time without a librarian, libraries have successfully managed by the clerk!).  This is one of the strong reasons why librarians have not treated on par with lecturers.

Faculty often ask students to consult books which are truly syllabus oriented and student also blindly follow their suggestion and borrow books which caters their examination need thereafter they never turn to library again.  Often we operate in a closed access system. We never allow student to see books and enjoy it.  System also has been accustomed to it. With such environment it would always difficult to make them understand our presence and our role immediately.  If we build a strong library culture amongst students in an early age and improve the basic facilities slowly we can change the mind set of the people. Let us optimistic and try.

Western way of seeing the library is the need of the hour. We have followed free market and experiencing the recent financial crunch. Why not follow the western way of developing library culture in our country.

If we imbibe the library culture among children in an early age, it may some how definitely in a long run help LIS profession. It is a high time to move from behavioristic model of education to constructivist model of education.

Kerala public library system is notable here. In Kerala one can see increasing number of children visiting nearest public library for reading books of different genre. Recent educational reforms (headed by K M Panniker) in Kerala also emphsize to give enough importance to school library.  

[Views are personal]