Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 18:14:16 -0700 From: Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur <rcgaur@tifr.res.in> Sorry for crossposting, if any; "Reengineering Library and Information Services Process, People & Technology" by Ramesh C. Gaur Librarian, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai ---------- Allied PublishersPrivate Limited, Mumbai. pp. 304. Price Rs. 500/- Some Comments About the Book To me, it is a first research contribution of its kind from India. Therefore, LIS professionals in academic as well as professional circles will benefit a great deal, in integrating theoretical as well as practical aspects of the subject, in their own contexts. - Dr. Roshan L. Raina, Professor, IIM, Lucknow The present digital networked environment has changed the whole structure of 'knowledge organizations', i.e., libraries. The pace of such changes is very fast. To cope up wuth above changes, it requires a radical change in our thinking, in our organization, in our people, and in the usage of technologies. And this radical change is possible by way of re-engineering only. It is a guide book for librarians and library planners and gives us a very thorough understanding of the reengeeneering process. - Dr. Jagdish Arora, Coordinator, INDEST Consortium, Librarian, IIT, Bombay Today's librarian works in a hybrid environment and his role is more of pulling together the various channels of information, package the relevant bits and present it to the user. This calls for a totally fresh look at the professional routes and roadmap. Dr. Ramesh C Gaur is one of the pioneers in applying the principles of re-engineering in the context of librarianship in India. I welcome this publication which makes a significant contribution to professional literature. - Dr. Mishwara Bhat, Head of Library Services, BITS, Pilani 'Re-engineering Library and information services' by D. Ramesh Gaur is indeed a welcome addition to the library & information science literature in the country. The book portrays a vivid and candid picture about the prevailing status of the libraries under study and gives clear cut BPR as well as transformation guidelines they should adapt/adopt/absorb if they want to be relevant, reliable and context sensitive. As such the model could be emulated by any modern library/information center in the country. - M G Sreekumar, Librarian & Head, CDDL, IIT, Kozhikode The author places the responsibility for change in the way of working of libraries in the context of change in information environment coupled with changing information seeking patterns of users in the electronic environment. To cope up with issues posed by evolution and revolution in Information technology such as Internet and Intranet revolution, Web publishing, Electronic publishing, and other information technological innovations, etc. a fine-tuning of the operations and activities of libraries and their information services is required. This is possible by way of re-engineering library and information services as explained in this book. The book provides a step-by-step guide about the re-engineering of libraries. - Usha Mujoo-Munshi, Head, Library and Informatics Centre, INSA, New Delhi About the Book This study presents a report on the effort to bring forth the transition of a traditional library service, mainly relying on paper preservation and local diffusion, to a modern information centre, whose main goal is putting final users in contact with the information needed, whether it is local or remote, on paper or stored digitally. To cope up with issues such as Internet and Intranet revolution, Web publishing, Electronic publishing, and other information technological innovations, etc. a fine-tuning of the operations and activities of libraries and their information services is required. This study describes how this transition may be achieved through a process of re-engineering that involves staff tasks, available space, available resources, and choice of tools. The book is a first attempt towards an indepth study on applications of "Reengineering Management" to Libraries. This book is focused on the re-engineering of Library and Information services in which present state of management libraries in India has been discussed. On the basis of findings of the study, various solutions have been suggested. A case study of "Re-engineering of library of IMT, Ghaziabad has been presented. A comparative study of thirteen management libraries of NCR, has also been undertaken. The suggested "re-engineering framework" - a model for reengineering of libraries, is a useful outcome of this study. The primary beneficiary of this book would be the all libraries and information centers who are planning to improve their library and information services by way of reengineering. The head of the institutions, librarians, library staff and all policy planners, who plan, monitor, and use library and information services should be able to understand the basic principles of re-engineering management and use the proposed re-engineering framework to improve their library and information services. The case study will help librarians to prepare a plan for the reengineering of their libraries. The academia and researchers will find it as a basis for further application in other libraries too. About the Author - Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur is a Librarian at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. A Science graduate, he holds a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science and has undergone several advanced training programmes in IT Applications in Libraries and Management of Libraries. Besides this, he also holds Post B.Sc. Diploma in Computer Applications. He is visiting Virginia Tech., USA, under Fullbright Fellowship in Information Science & Technology for year 2003-04. He began his career as an Information Officer at Eicher Research Centre, Faridabad. Within a year he shifted to the Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi and then to Brisk Securities Ltd., a corporate company. He also worked in RIS, New Delhi. He made his mark at the IMT, Ghaziabad, where he automated the Library and transformed it to a top class establishment. During the 11 years of his professional career over 25 papers have been contributed by him to various publications. He has edited a book 'Business and Management Libraries: opportunities and challenges in 21st century' going to be released shortly. He has successfully organized Management Libraries Network (MANLIBNET) Convention and UPLA Seminar. He is member of all Library Association in India and some important one in abroad. His major professional achievements includes the formation of Ranganathan Research Circle (RRC) along with Late Shri C.V. Subba Rao as the Founder Convener of RRC. He is Life Trustee and Joint Secretary of Ranganathan Research Trust (RRT), New Delhi. Dr. Gaur's interests range from web designing to training programmes on IT in the library and information field, he has also been affiliated with studies based on management libraries in India. He developed a computer program entitled, 'Development of Some Library Applications Using d-Base III +' for Water and Land Management Institute. His goal is to develop and enhance professional competence and by virtue of this to serve its clientele the best and to become the leader in the Library and Information Science Field.