Dear Juran, Thanks for an objective analysis on demand supply situation of library professionals in India. As systematic and methodical as you are (going by our brief interactions some 30 years back) - there is hardly any area of disagreement towards your thesis. However, here's my two cent contribution on same subject from another perspective I believe, there is huge opportunity for information science professionals in Indian corporate - far more than all library schools in India can supply. With increased competition in market place - companies today are compelled to invest on reliable information collection and analysis 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 At present, MBAs from all shades of management institutions are grabbing these positions. Suitably trained library professionals can capture a good part of these job openings 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 Ace InfoBanc Pvt Ltd New Delhi - 110016 www.infobanc.com
Dear Friends,
I do agree with Smita, Parinita,Vijay Gautam, K Desale, Prof. Mangla and others who have expressed concern over the present state of LIS education in our country. In this connection, I Iike to say that India today has more than 100 LIS schools at the university level alone churning out at least 5000 LIS degree holders ? 4500 bachelor degree holders and 500 master degree holders ? even at a modest estimate, which is several times more than the available job opportunities in Indian market and possibly highest production in the world. All these have brought into focus the question of continued relevance and adequacy of the present programme of LIS education. The present scene in LIS education in India gives dismal condition and reflects a very disappointing scene. To achieve academic excellence, it is of utmost importance that standards and norms for LIS education should be set by an external agency and thereafter adherence to them be made mandatory. The immediate task is to establish a mechanism for accreditation of LIS courses offered by different library schools in India. It is a high time that the Government of India should pass an Act for LIS education on the analogy of Indian Medical Council Act, BAR Council of India Act and All India Council of Technical Education Act which would help in standardization of LIS education in India. The proposed Act should make provision for establishing a Library and Information Science (LIS) Council of India (or in any other name) and it should function as a central agency to provide guidelines and standards in LIS education and practices. I think all library professionals should come forward to raise their voice in favour of accreditation of LIS education to overcome its present crisis.
Dr. J. K. Sarkhel Professor & Head Dept of Library & Information Science University of Kalyani Kalyani-741235 West Bengal; India
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