This is an excellent initiative and all serious minded professionals should contribute to the forum (ILF). I was fortunate to participate in the IFLA seminar and all of us were struck forcefully at the manner in which public libraries in Europe implement advocacy programmes and the success they have met with.

For a start I think we can begin with some of these ideas:

1. Develop case studies of successful interactions between library staff and users (e.g., faculty, students) resulting in adding value to the user, e.g., in their development of good course material.
2. Such case studies should be publicized not only with the local managements but also across institutions even as well in written news reports including the possibility of developing small videos which can be posted to sites like YouTube
3. Sponsor an objective study (This can probably be done by an all India body - ILA, IASLIC, IALA) which targets say the academic libraries in the country (or a select sample). The study should result in a thorough analysis of how well libraries are stocked, staffed, used and more importantly how well the libraries fit into the learning and knowledge environment of the different institution's concerned. I feel that the teachers in most of our educational instns., (with a few notable exceptions) are more focussed on syllabi and completing it rather than learning and knowledge; most students are focussed on passing examinations and getting degrees and not on developing self-reliance, knowledge, and skills and the capacity to reflect, discuss, communicate and question. In such a scenario, neither the teachers nor the students think that the library has more than an ornamental role to play in the scheme of things. How can libraries make a difference in such a scenario is a question that requires a different approach than what we have all along been doing. I hope the forum will raise such issues. I would be happy to participate in such a study.

Thanks.

Haravu

Shamprasad Pujar wrote:

** Sorry for Cross Postings, if any ** 

-- Original Message --
From: Digital Library Research Group <dlrg@drtc.isibang.ac.in>
To: dlrg@drtc.isibang.ac.in
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:59:30 +0530 (IST)
Subject: [Dlrg] ILF: Indian Librarians Forum

Dear Colleagues,

As already informed through this forum and other modes of communication,
Max Mueller Bhavan in collaboration with the French Embassy, British
Council and Instituto Cervantes organised "Libraries on the Agenda" ": An
International Seminar on Library Advocacy. The seminar was also supported
by The National Knowledge Commission.

The seminar was intended to provide a platform to Indian professionals and
other stakeholders to explore ways and means of taking the NKC
recommendations to the implementation stage. The seminar culminated into
workshops and the professionals taking part in the workshops deliberated
upon developing a blue print and an action plan, which would be helpful in
reviving and modernising the library landscape in India. The Executive
summary of the workshop results is available at the National Knowledge
Commission website at:

http://knowledgecommission.gov.in/

One of the suggestions given by Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman NKC, while
delivering the inaugural address during the seminar was to form a group of
librarians to carry out library advocacy work, to sensitise the government
bodies and the other stake holders about the needs of the profession and
to help NKC in its efforts towards taking the recommendations given to the
implementation stage.

An "Indian Librarians Forum" (ILF) came into existence as a follow up to
the seminar and is accessible at:

http://drtc.isibang.ac.in/ILF

Dr. Ravinder Kumar Chadha is the convener of this Forum.

The main objectives of the forum are:

-To initiate an effective advocacy campaign/plan with clear goals and
objectives; to use media effectively and to lobby with legislators and
decision makers at the political/administrative level as well as
stakeholders who shape the public opinion and control support for library
services

- To find the ways and means for librarians to be more visible not only in
their own organizations, but also in their community and state

- To support NKC in implementation of the recommendations of the working
group on libraries

- To offer a platform to all the Indian Librarians to have a view about
the legislative framework, required support and financial backing to the
library sector, which in turn will facilitate the coordinated development
of libraries across different sectors

Some of the most profound changes in our world have come about as a result
of efforts in the form of social movements. Often these movements
germinated in the minds of a few people who rose up for a cause, then
blossomed into mass mobilizations that have ended up bringing major
changes in the world. This is the power of the movements - what people
without access to power can not accomplish
alone, they can accomplish together through collective action. The
thinking behind ILF (Indian Lirbarians' Forum) is to motivate and mobilise
collective professional thoughts that eventually would lead towards the
transformation of the LIS sector in India.

All the library professionals are encouraged to become members and to join
the discussion forum to voice their opinion and suggestions. Please note
that it is not a general discussion forum. Members are requested to post
e-mails regarding NKC recommendations only.

Dr. R.K. Chadha
ilf@drtc.isibang.ac.in
Indian Librarians Forum

 

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Dr Shamprasad M. Pujar
Deputy Librarian
Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research
Gen Vaidya Marg, Film City Road, Goregaon (East)
MUMBAI-400 065, India

Phone: 91-22-2841 6565 ; 2840 0919 Ext: 565
E-mail: pujar@igidr.ac.in
URL: http://www.igidr.ac.in