LIS Profession: Image Building and Status Upliftment
Dear Professionals, I invite others to add additional points or comment on this posting. Our LIS Profession, like others has its own advantages and pitfalls. I feel proud of being a librarian and am satisfied, although my entry into this profession is accidental. Making our profession a noble one depends mainly on our positive attitude/sincerity and to a less extent on our ICT skills. Yes, there are other factors influencing our working environment such as equivalence with our counter parts like teachers, scientists and engineers we serve, in terms of salary, age of superannuation, etc. Some of the issues, we discuss in the forum, although genuine, are beyond our control. While our efforts should continue to make our presence felt in the society, providing effectice and sincere service is the only way to build good image and lift our status. While thorough knowledge of ICT is adavantageous for providing effectice service, it should not become a stubmbling block for our progress. We need not be programmers. Application level knowledge of ICT will suffice. Where there is a will, there is always a way. If we put little effort it should not be a problem for any one of us to adopt to the digital environment. I would like to share with you some of my ideas and suggestions about our LIS Profession based on my observations and experience for the last 37 years in my workimg environment, discussions with professionals/patrons and reading of postings in Lis-forum. Few points may be the ones raised already in Lis-forum. Some of my views can't be generalised. 1. There is need for better understanding and coordination between the LIS teachers and practicing professionals. We should be complementary to each others' activities rather that being competetors for positions or power. 2. While many LIS Schools in the country have changed their syllabus to suit the digital environment, there is dearth of teachers knowledgeable to handle changed syllabus. We need not wait for recruitment of new teachers with IT background, We should improve our skills. Same thing holds good for working librarians. If we hesitate we will never cope up with the new environment. Simply jump at it with all sincereity and attempt to learn skills, we will succeed. 3. Teaching based on professional/practical experience is more effective and vice versa is also true. 4. We need more courses like that of NCSI/DRTC/NISCAIR. Unfortunately the latter ones got into problem. We should go beyond PGDLANS, atleast start part time courses of this kind. 5. We should have a better understanding of developments and service conditions, etc in the country. For example although UGC has clearly recommended the superannuation age as 62 for those professionals drawing UGC scales, number of universities have not adopted this. Is it not our duty to help each others by sharing the information they have along with concerned office orders for having implemented the UGC Recommendations. 6. Let us try to improve the quality of our LIS research activity and avoid duplication in research topics. For example we come across same Ph.D topics by many scholars like "Awareness and usage of e-resources/e-journals.........among Research scholars/Faculty ..... in Universities/Engineering colleges...... in Karnataka/Maharashtra .... Bangalore/Delhi....", same set of objectives and hypotheses with just change in the context. How many of us carry out serious literature search before choosing research topic and also write a good literature review in the Synopsis/Thesis. Many of us mention same standard sources LISA and LISTA and not even many commercial/OA full text databases for which we have access. Same is the case with many other desciplines. This reminds me of a statement by J.Frank Dobie "An average thesis is transference of bones from one graveyard to another". Let us try for not be example for this statement. 7. One of the recent Lis-form posting on " Selection of internal candidates..." resulted in lot of discussion. I have the experience of sitting in a number of top R & D institutions, universities, colleges both in private and public sector. This is not the case always, the other way is also true, inspite of there being an efficient internal candidate, some time they select out side candidate due to various reasons. A number of posts of University Librarians have not been filled. Few library staff in national laboratories are being transferred to other divisions without assigning any reasons and still they want us to keep the libarary open 8-8, or even more. We should discuss these issues and try to find reasons and solutions. 8. Some national laboratories have brought down their library budgets to 10-20 %. Does it mean that we will get everything through Google. It can give access to only abstarct level information of commercial publishers. Unless the open access is totally implemented, we can't afford to reduce our budgets. Thanks to Consortia initiatives. Slowly we have started hearing some moves to cut their size too in terms of budgets and resources. We don't know in what directions our academic and research activities are moving. 9. Just now National Mission on Libraries has been launched by President of India. This is an opportunity for us show the professional strength, rather than that of individuals, irrespective of whether we are professionals from different sectors viz academic, public or special librariy categories. 10. Professional Associations should be more serious about their objectives and business. We need not encourage formation new associations with personal agenda and forget its progress soon after one or two programs, rather strengthen the existing ones. We have seen some associations dying with same speed as they took birth. 11. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software in all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it is good, else let us take help of others or go for some service providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian library applications. 12. We senior professionals should encourage youngsters, and not be jealous about their ICT knowledge. we should make use of their expertise to provide state of the art services, rather developing a psychology that they would impress the authorities and sideline us. We too will get the credit of providing quality services being managers. Infact even today I learn a lot from trainees. Moreover there is no rule that managers should know everything. 13. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software in all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it is good, else let us take help of others or go for some service providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian library applications. 14. Minimum expectations from a LIS professional are - a good collection to suit their patrons requirements, an automated library including house keeping activities, a good library website as a part of institutional site with necessary details of services and resources and links to free and OA resources in the area of interest of his institution. This will help his institution to get better rating in NAAC or similar assessments and there by his recognition in the institute. 15. Above all, a good service provider/reference librarian with human touch is loved by one and all. He can be much more effective with basic knowledge of e-resources and search techniques. 16. Finally, let us congratulate and thank Lis-forum, which has given a wonderful platform for us to discuss the matters of professional interest. I remember my friend and classmate Late Dr. T.B. Rajashekar, one of the gems our profession has seen for starting this service and Dr. Francis Jayakanth for continueing service and maintaining it tirelessly for the last so many years. Regards, -- Dr. I.R.N. Goudar Ex. Visiting Professor and Library Adviser Mysore University Library University of Mysore Manasagangotri, MYSORE - 570 006 Ex Scientist 'G' and Head, ICAST, NAL, Bangalore Mob: 09611165781 E-mail: goudarishwar@gmail.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
Dear Professional friends,
I fully agree with Goudar Sir. Like many other professionals, I too am
proud of being a library professional. But I do feel that the name
"Librarian" is out of date. The name had relevance at times when book was
the main source of information and lending books the main library service.
UGC has changed the nomenclature of the teaching professionals as Assistant
Professor, Associate Professor and Professor (from Lecturer, Reader and
Professor) with the clear conviction of the meaninglessness of the old
names today. However, the library positions are still 'Assistant
Librarian, Deputy Librarian and University Librarian'. I may suggest the
following names for the Library positions in the Universities:
1. Documentation Officer- for Assistant Librarian
2. Deputy Director (Information) - for Deputy Librarian
3. Director (Information) - for University Librarian
The Government of Kerala has changed the name of Junior Librarian/Reference
Assistant in universities in Kerala as Reference Officer. I feel that the
name is suitable though there is anomaly in the scale of pay.
Also, the experience required to become a University Librarian is 18 years
as a College Librarian. At the same time for becoming a Professor, which
is equivalent to the post of University Librarian, the experience required
is 10 years. This is the main reason why the University Librarian
positions are lying vacant in many universities.
I support the view of Gouder Sir about the Professional Associations. The
Professional Associations should come up from the 'Seminar/Workshop
conducting associations'.
Library Associations have to bring these things to the notice of the UGC
and other bodies to enhance the professional image.
Regards,
On Sun, Feb 9, 2014 at 11:17 PM, Ishwar Goudar
Dear Professionals,
I invite others to add additional points or comment on this posting.
Our LIS Profession, like others has its own advantages and pitfalls. I feel proud of being a librarian and am satisfied, although my entry into this profession is accidental. Making our profession a noble one depends mainly on our positive attitude/sincerity and to a less extent on our ICT skills. Yes, there are other factors influencing our working environment such as equivalence with our counter parts like teachers, scientists and engineers we serve, in terms of salary, age of superannuation, etc. Some of the issues, we discuss in the forum, although genuine, are beyond our control. While our efforts should continue to make our presence felt in the society, providing effectice and sincere service is the only way to build good image and lift our status. While thorough knowledge of ICT is adavantageous for providing effectice service, it should not become a stubmbling block for our progress. We need not be programmers. Application level knowledge of ICT will suffice. Where there is a will, there is always a way. If we put little effort it should not be a problem for any one of us to adopt to the digital environment. I would like to share with you some of my ideas and suggestions about our LIS Profession based on my observations and experience for the last 37 years in my workimg environment, discussions with professionals/patrons and reading of postings in Lis-forum. Few points may be the ones raised already in Lis-forum. Some of my views can't be generalised.
1. There is need for better understanding and coordination between the LIS teachers and practicing professionals. We should be complementary to each others' activities rather that being competetors for positions or power.
2. While many LIS Schools in the country have changed their syllabus to suit the digital environment, there is dearth of teachers knowledgeable to handle changed syllabus. We need not wait for recruitment of new teachers with IT background, We should improve our skills. Same thing holds good for working librarians. If we hesitate we will never cope up with the new environment. Simply jump at it with all sincereity and attempt to learn skills, we will succeed.
3. Teaching based on professional/practical experience is more effective and vice versa is also true.
4. We need more courses like that of NCSI/DRTC/NISCAIR. Unfortunately the latter ones got into problem. We should go beyond PGDLANS, atleast start part time courses of this kind.
5. We should have a better understanding of developments and service conditions, etc in the country. For example although UGC has clearly recommended the superannuation age as 62 for those professionals drawing UGC scales, number of universities have not adopted this. Is it not our duty to help each others by sharing the information they have along with concerned office orders for having implemented the UGC Recommendations.
6. Let us try to improve the quality of our LIS research activity and avoid duplication in research topics. For example we come across same Ph.D topics by many scholars like "Awareness and usage of e-resources/e-journals.........among Research scholars/Faculty ..... in Universities/Engineering colleges...... in Karnataka/Maharashtra .... Bangalore/Delhi....", same set of objectives and hypotheses with just change in the context. How many of us carry out serious literature search before choosing research topic and also write a good literature review in the Synopsis/Thesis. Many of us mention same standard sources LISA and LISTA and not even many commercial/OA full text databases for which we have access. Same is the case with many other desciplines. This reminds me of a statement by J.Frank Dobie "An average thesis is transference of bones from one graveyard to another". Let us try for not be example for this statement.
7. One of the recent Lis-form posting on " Selection of internal candidates..." resulted in lot of discussion. I have the experience of sitting in a number of top R & D institutions, universities, colleges both in private and public sector. This is not the case always, the other way is also true, inspite of there being an efficient internal candidate, some time they select out side candidate due to various reasons. A number of posts of University Librarians have not been filled. Few library staff in national laboratories are being transferred to other divisions without assigning any reasons and still they want us to keep the libarary open 8-8, or even more. We should discuss these issues and try to find reasons and solutions.
8. Some national laboratories have brought down their library budgets to 10-20 %. Does it mean that we will get everything through Google. It can give access to only abstarct level information of commercial publishers. Unless the open access is totally implemented, we can't afford to reduce our budgets. Thanks to Consortia initiatives. Slowly we have started hearing some moves to cut their size too in terms of budgets and resources. We don't know in what directions our academic and research activities are moving.
9. Just now National Mission on Libraries has been launched by President of India. This is an opportunity for us show the professional strength, rather than that of individuals, irrespective of whether we are professionals from different sectors viz academic, public or special librariy categories.
10. Professional Associations should be more serious about their objectives and business. We need not encourage formation new associations with personal agenda and forget its progress soon after one or two programs, rather strengthen the existing ones. We have seen some associations dying with same speed as they took birth.
11. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software in all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it is good, else let us take help of others or go for some service providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian library applications.
12. We senior professionals should encourage youngsters, and not be jealous about their ICT knowledge. we should make use of their expertise to provide state of the art services, rather developing a psychology that they would impress the authorities and sideline us. We too will get the credit of providing quality services being managers. Infact even today I learn a lot from trainees. Moreover there is no rule that managers should know everything.
13. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software in all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it is good, else let us take help of others or go for some service providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian library applications.
14. Minimum expectations from a LIS professional are - a good collection to suit their patrons requirements, an automated library including house keeping activities, a good library website as a part of institutional site with necessary details of services and resources and links to free and OA resources in the area of interest of his institution. This will help his institution to get better rating in NAAC or similar assessments and there by his recognition in the institute.
15. Above all, a good service provider/reference librarian with human touch is loved by one and all. He can be much more effective with basic knowledge of e-resources and search techniques.
16. Finally, let us congratulate and thank Lis-forum, which has given a wonderful platform for us to discuss the matters of professional interest. I remember my friend and classmate Late Dr. T.B. Rajashekar, one of the gems our profession has seen for starting this service and Dr. Francis Jayakanth for continueing service and maintaining it tirelessly for the last so many years.
Regards,
-- Dr. I.R.N. Goudar Ex. Visiting Professor and Library Adviser Mysore University Library University of Mysore Manasagangotri, MYSORE - 570 006 Ex Scientist 'G' and Head, ICAST, NAL, Bangalore Mob: 09611165781 E-mail: goudarishwar@gmail.com
-- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
_______________________________________________ LIS-Forum mailing list LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum
-- Dr.Dineshan Koovakkai *MA; MLISc; PGDEC; PGDCA; DCHN; NET; PhD.* Assistant Librarian & Publication Officer Co-ordinator, NMEICT Nodal Officer, Higher Education Survey Associate Editor, CUK Newsletter Central University of Kerala Vidyanagar P.O. Kasargod, Kerala, India Mob: 09447468586 Blog: www.dineshkoovakkai.blogspot.com Visit our library website at: www.universitylibrarycuk.yolasite.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
Dear All, My View is: I feel that if the status of the term "Librarian" in the society is not good then changing the Term means making other Terms/Words reputation poor among society. So we should contribute more to the society for getting good image and this can be achieved through hard work and devotion towards LIS profession. Changing name means covering the body without changing the SOUL. Thanking You. On Mon, 10 Feb 2014 15:12:04 +0530 wrote
Dear Professional friends,
I fully agree with Goudar Sir. Like many other professionals, I too am proud of being a library professional. But I do feel that the name "Librarian" is out of date. The name had relevance at times when book was the main source of information and lending books the main library service. UGC has changed the nomenclature of the teaching professionals as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor (from Lecturer, Reader and Professor) with the clear conviction of the meaninglessness of the old names today. However, the library positions are still 'Assistant Librarian, Deputy Librarian and University Librarian'. I may suggest the following names for the Library positions in the Universities: 1. Documentation Officer- for Assistant Librarian 2. Deputy Director (Information) - for Deputy Librarian 3. Director (Information) - for University Librarian The Government of Kerala has changed the name of Junior Librarian/Reference Assistant in universities in Kerala as Reference Officer. I feel that the name is suitable though there is anomaly in the scale of pay. Also, the experience required to become a University Librarian is 18 years as a College Librarian. At the same time for becoming a Professor, which is equivalent to the post of University Librarian, the experience required is 10 years. This is the main reason why the University Librarian positions are lying vacant in many universities. I support the view of Gouder Sir about the Professional Associations. The Professional Associations should come up from the 'Seminar/Workshop conducting associations'. Library Associations have to bring these things to the notice of the UGC and other bodies to enhance the professional image. Regards, On Sun, Feb 9, 2014 at 11:17 PM, Ishwar Goudar wrote:
Dear Professionals,
I invite others to add additional points or comment on this posting.
Our LIS Profession, like others has its own advantages and pitfalls. I
feel proud of being a librarian and am satisfied, although my entry
into this profession is accidental. Making our profession a noble
one depends mainly on our positive attitude/sincerity and to a less
extent on our ICT skills. Yes, there are other factors influencing our
working environment such as equivalence with our counter parts like
teachers, scientists and engineers we serve, in terms of salary, age
of superannuation, etc. Some of the issues, we discuss in the forum,
although genuine, are beyond our control. While our efforts should
continue to make our presence felt in the society, providing effectice
and sincere service is the only way to build good image and lift our
status. While thorough knowledge of ICT is adavantageous for
providing effectice service, it should not become a stubmbling block
for our progress. We need not be programmers. Application level
knowledge of ICT will suffice. Where there is a will, there is always
a way. If we put little effort it should not be a problem for any one
of us to adopt to the digital environment. I would like to share with
you some of my ideas and suggestions about our LIS Profession based on
my observations and experience for the last 37 years in my workimg
environment, discussions with professionals/patrons and reading of
postings in Lis-forum. Few points may be the ones raised already in
Lis-forum. Some of my views can't be generalised.
1. There is need for better understanding and coordination between
the LIS teachers and practicing professionals. We should be
complementary to each others' activities rather that being competetors
for positions or power.
2. While many LIS Schools in the country have changed their syllabus
to suit the digital environment, there is dearth of teachers
knowledgeable to handle changed syllabus. We need not wait for
recruitment of new teachers with IT background, We should improve our
skills. Same thing holds good for working librarians. If we hesitate
we will never cope up with the new environment. Simply jump at it
with all sincereity and attempt to learn skills, we will succeed.
3. Teaching based on professional/practical experience is more
effective and vice versa is also true.
4. We need more courses like that of NCSI/DRTC/NISCAIR. Unfortunately
the latter ones got into problem. We should go beyond PGDLANS,
atleast start part time courses of this kind.
5. We should have a better understanding of developments and service
conditions, etc in the country. For example although UGC has
clearly recommended the superannuation age as 62 for those
professionals drawing UGC scales, number of universities have not
adopted this. Is it not our duty to help each others by sharing the
information they have along with concerned office orders for having
implemented the UGC Recommendations.
6. Let us try to improve the quality of our LIS research activity and
avoid duplication in research topics. For example we come across
same Ph.D topics by many scholars like "Awareness and usage of
e-resources/e-journals.........among Research scholars/Faculty .....
in Universities/Engineering colleges...... in
Karnataka/Maharashtra .... Bangalore/Delhi....", same set of
objectives and hypotheses with just change in the context. How many
of us carry out serious literature search before choosing
research topic and also write a good literature review
in the Synopsis/Thesis. Many of us mention same standard sources LISA
and LISTA and not even many commercial/OA full text databases for
which we have access. Same is the case with many other desciplines.
This reminds me of a statement by J.Frank Dobie "An average thesis is
transference of bones from one graveyard to another". Let us try for
not be example for this statement.
7. One of the recent Lis-form posting on " Selection of internal
candidates..." resulted in lot of discussion. I have the experience of
sitting in a number of top R & D institutions, universities, colleges
both in private and public sector. This is not the case always, the
other way is also true, inspite of there being an efficient internal
candidate, some time they select out side candidate due to various
reasons. A number of posts of University Librarians have not been
filled. Few library staff in national laboratories are being
transferred to other divisions without assigning any reasons and still
they want us to keep the libarary open 8-8, or even more. We should
discuss these issues and try to find reasons and solutions.
8. Some national laboratories have brought down their library budgets
to 10-20 %. Does it mean that we will get everything through Google.
It can give access to only abstarct level information of commercial
publishers. Unless the open access is totally implemented, we can't
afford to reduce our budgets. Thanks to Consortia initiatives. Slowly
we have started hearing some moves to cut their size too in terms of
budgets and resources. We don't know in what directions our academic
and research activities are moving.
9. Just now National Mission on Libraries has been launched by
President of India. This is an opportunity for us show the
professional strength, rather than that of individuals, irrespective
of whether we are professionals from different sectors viz academic,
public or special librariy categories.
10. Professional Associations should be more serious about their
objectives and business. We need not encourage formation new
associations with personal agenda and forget its progress soon after
one or two programs, rather strengthen the existing ones. We have seen
some associations dying with same speed as they took birth.
11. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software
in all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it
is good, else let us take help of others or go for some service
providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with
expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian
library applications.
12. We senior professionals should encourage youngsters, and not be
jealous about their ICT knowledge. we should make use of their
expertise to provide state of the art services, rather developing a
psychology that they would impress the authorities and sideline us.
We too will get the credit of providing quality services being
managers. Infact even today I learn a lot from trainees. Moreover
there is no rule that managers should know everything.
13. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software in
all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it is
good, else let us take help of others or go for some service
providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with
expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian
library applications.
14. Minimum expectations from a LIS professional are - a good
collection to suit their patrons requirements, an automated library
including house keeping activities, a good library website as a part
of institutional site with necessary details of services and resources
and links to free and OA resources in the area of interest of his
institution. This will help his institution to get better rating in
NAAC or similar assessments and there by his recognition in the
institute.
15. Above all, a good service provider/reference librarian with human
touch is loved by one and all.
He can be much more effective with basic knowledge of e-resources and
search techniques.
16. Finally, let us congratulate and thank Lis-forum, which has given
a wonderful platform for us to discuss the matters of professional
interest. I remember my friend and classmate Late Dr. T.B.
Rajashekar, one of the gems our profession has seen for starting this
service and
Dr. Francis Jayakanth for continueing service and maintaining it
tirelessly for the last so many years.
Regards,
--
Dr. I.R.N. Goudar
Ex. Visiting Professor and Library Adviser
Mysore University Library
University of Mysore
Manasagangotri, MYSORE - 570 006
Ex Scientist 'G' and Head, ICAST, NAL, Bangalore
Mob: 09611165781
E-mail: goudarishwar@gmail.com
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dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
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-- Dr.Dineshan Koovakkai *MA; MLISc; PGDEC; PGDCA; DCHN; NET; PhD.* Assistant Librarian & Publication Officer Co-ordinator, NMEICT Nodal Officer, Higher Education Survey Associate Editor, CUK Newsletter Central University of Kerala Vidyanagar P.O. Kasargod, Kerala, India Mob: 09447468586 Blog: www.dineshkoovakkai.blogspot.com Visit our library website at: www.universitylibrarycuk.yolasite.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: _______________________________________________ LIS-Forum mailing list LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum With regards, Vinod Kumar Mishra, Assistant Librarian, (Library In-Charge) Biju Patnaik Central Library, NIT Rourkela, Mob:91+9439420860 91+6612462103 (O) email: vinod_librarian@rediffmail.com : mishravk79@gmail.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
At last, it is heartening to know that LIS professionals are feeling the
veracity of the problems, great of Dr.Nagana Goudar taking out time and
involve himself - which shows his verve and nerve for the LIS profession.
Too many issues on Lis-Forum (we get lost- cannot come out with solution)-
Issues are many -
1. Gap between teachers and working librarians
2. Teacher knowledge in digital era
3. Research - topic not addressing the existing problem and industry
needs
4. ICT knowledge of librarians/LIS teacher - application or
programming knowledge
5. Behavioral issues and relationship with management
6. Service condition and recognition of working librarians
7. Penetration capability of librarians - as researcher, or on par
with core/academic community in the host organization
8. Other operational issues
I think virtual discussion on these issues - one by one - having
group of moderators
(group of experts) with a leadership (like Dr.Nagana Goudar and technical
support by Dr.Francis) would be of very helpful. I am sure professionals
can come out with definite solution. I request Dr.Goudar and Dr.Francis to
initiate virtual discussion platform and circulate summery and platform
address on LIS-Forum, so that people can participate in the virtual
Asynchronous discussion.
Dr.H.S.Siddamallaiah
Visiting Professor, faculty of Informatics, Mahasarakham University,
Thailand
Former Principal Librarian and Information Officer
NIMHANS, Bangalore, India
On Mon, Feb 10, 2014 at 1:47 AM, Ishwar Goudar
Dear Professionals,
I invite others to add additional points or comment on this posting.
Our LIS Profession, like others has its own advantages and pitfalls. I feel proud of being a librarian and am satisfied, although my entry into this profession is accidental. Making our profession a noble one depends mainly on our positive attitude/sincerity and to a less extent on our ICT skills. Yes, there are other factors influencing our working environment such as equivalence with our counter parts like teachers, scientists and engineers we serve, in terms of salary, age of superannuation, etc. Some of the issues, we discuss in the forum, although genuine, are beyond our control. While our efforts should continue to make our presence felt in the society, providing effectice and sincere service is the only way to build good image and lift our status. While thorough knowledge of ICT is adavantageous for providing effectice service, it should not become a stubmbling block for our progress. We need not be programmers. Application level knowledge of ICT will suffice. Where there is a will, there is always a way. If we put little effort it should not be a problem for any one of us to adopt to the digital environment. I would like to share with you some of my ideas and suggestions about our LIS Profession based on my observations and experience for the last 37 years in my workimg environment, discussions with professionals/patrons and reading of postings in Lis-forum. Few points may be the ones raised already in Lis-forum. Some of my views can't be generalised.
1. There is need for better understanding and coordination between the LIS teachers and practicing professionals. We should be complementary to each others' activities rather that being competetors for positions or power.
2. While many LIS Schools in the country have changed their syllabus to suit the digital environment, there is dearth of teachers knowledgeable to handle changed syllabus. We need not wait for recruitment of new teachers with IT background, We should improve our skills. Same thing holds good for working librarians. If we hesitate we will never cope up with the new environment. Simply jump at it with all sincereity and attempt to learn skills, we will succeed.
3. Teaching based on professional/practical experience is more effective and vice versa is also true.
4. We need more courses like that of NCSI/DRTC/NISCAIR. Unfortunately the latter ones got into problem. We should go beyond PGDLANS, atleast start part time courses of this kind.
5. We should have a better understanding of developments and service conditions, etc in the country. For example although UGC has clearly recommended the superannuation age as 62 for those professionals drawing UGC scales, number of universities have not adopted this. Is it not our duty to help each others by sharing the information they have along with concerned office orders for having implemented the UGC Recommendations.
6. Let us try to improve the quality of our LIS research activity and avoid duplication in research topics. For example we come across same Ph.D topics by many scholars like "Awareness and usage of e-resources/e-journals.........among Research scholars/Faculty ..... in Universities/Engineering colleges...... in Karnataka/Maharashtra .... Bangalore/Delhi....", same set of objectives and hypotheses with just change in the context. How many of us carry out serious literature search before choosing research topic and also write a good literature review in the Synopsis/Thesis. Many of us mention same standard sources LISA and LISTA and not even many commercial/OA full text databases for which we have access. Same is the case with many other desciplines. This reminds me of a statement by J.Frank Dobie "An average thesis is transference of bones from one graveyard to another". Let us try for not be example for this statement.
7. One of the recent Lis-form posting on " Selection of internal candidates..." resulted in lot of discussion. I have the experience of sitting in a number of top R & D institutions, universities, colleges both in private and public sector. This is not the case always, the other way is also true, inspite of there being an efficient internal candidate, some time they select out side candidate due to various reasons. A number of posts of University Librarians have not been filled. Few library staff in national laboratories are being transferred to other divisions without assigning any reasons and still they want us to keep the libarary open 8-8, or even more. We should discuss these issues and try to find reasons and solutions.
8. Some national laboratories have brought down their library budgets to 10-20 %. Does it mean that we will get everything through Google. It can give access to only abstarct level information of commercial publishers. Unless the open access is totally implemented, we can't afford to reduce our budgets. Thanks to Consortia initiatives. Slowly we have started hearing some moves to cut their size too in terms of budgets and resources. We don't know in what directions our academic and research activities are moving.
9. Just now National Mission on Libraries has been launched by President of India. This is an opportunity for us show the professional strength, rather than that of individuals, irrespective of whether we are professionals from different sectors viz academic, public or special librariy categories.
10. Professional Associations should be more serious about their objectives and business. We need not encourage formation new associations with personal agenda and forget its progress soon after one or two programs, rather strengthen the existing ones. We have seen some associations dying with same speed as they took birth.
11. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software in all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it is good, else let us take help of others or go for some service providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian library applications.
12. We senior professionals should encourage youngsters, and not be jealous about their ICT knowledge. we should make use of their expertise to provide state of the art services, rather developing a psychology that they would impress the authorities and sideline us. We too will get the credit of providing quality services being managers. Infact even today I learn a lot from trainees. Moreover there is no rule that managers should know everything.
13. To the extent possible let us try to adopt standard OS software in all our applications. If we can install and configure the S/W it is good, else let us take help of others or go for some service providers, as it works cheaper compared to commercial ones. Those with expertise, should also try to develop patches to suit typical Indian library applications.
14. Minimum expectations from a LIS professional are - a good collection to suit their patrons requirements, an automated library including house keeping activities, a good library website as a part of institutional site with necessary details of services and resources and links to free and OA resources in the area of interest of his institution. This will help his institution to get better rating in NAAC or similar assessments and there by his recognition in the institute.
15. Above all, a good service provider/reference librarian with human touch is loved by one and all. He can be much more effective with basic knowledge of e-resources and search techniques.
16. Finally, let us congratulate and thank Lis-forum, which has given a wonderful platform for us to discuss the matters of professional interest. I remember my friend and classmate Late Dr. T.B. Rajashekar, one of the gems our profession has seen for starting this service and Dr. Francis Jayakanth for continueing service and maintaining it tirelessly for the last so many years.
Regards,
-- Dr. I.R.N. Goudar Ex. Visiting Professor and Library Adviser Mysore University Library University of Mysore Manasagangotri, MYSORE - 570 006 Ex Scientist 'G' and Head, ICAST, NAL, Bangalore Mob: 09611165781 E-mail: goudarishwar@gmail.com
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participants (4)
-
Dr.Dineshan Koovakkai -
Ishwar Goudar -
Siddamallaiah HS -
Vinod Kumar Mishra