Efforts of MyDLIS, University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students
Sri. K. Rajasekharan of Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Thrissur in his recent postings in LIS-FORUM on creating website with Google Page Creator has rightly observed "Our library science schools should not refrain from focusing on such things (teaching of new technologies) too in their academic activities". While endorsing in principle the concern of Sri Rajashekaran, I would like to add that a few library schools have been striving hard to prepare library science students to the new environment. Unfortunately, their efforts are either rarely being reported or documented. I feel that Listservs like LIS-FORUM could be used as one such forums where Library Schools can report to the professional community their activities and programs more regularly. Department of Library and Information Science (MyDLIS), University of Mysore, Mysore has* *always striven hard to incorporate and inculcate new technologies in its teaching/ mentoring programmes. Mention may be made of the following specific experiments/ innovations. - Blogging : MyDLIS has been encouraging students to create their own blogs. It may not be out of context to say that a blogging competition was held in November 2005 and 56 students out of 64 participated in the competition and successfully created their own blogs. - Email: Students are encouraged to submit their assignments and other written documents and many times being made compulsory by some faculty members. - On-line tests: Tests for students are being conducted in online mode for their internal assessment in one of the subjects. - Friday talks - one of our successful traditions for the last 4 decades, are being conducted every week. Under this Friday talk programme, efforts are made to help develop students 'well rounded personality' both professionally and personally - Under this program experts from different walks of life, including those in the field of IT, are invited to talk on their experience. This provides the students insight into challenges and issues that one might face in their careers / life. - The cataloguing practical is being conducted in IT labs and students prepare catalogue records in MARC21, Dublin Core etc. using HTML, XML and RDF formats. - Training in library automation software and digital library software are part of practical training. - Online Social bookmaking and other tools/techniques are being used for academic purposes by students and staff. - The syllabus is being updated almost every three years to incorporate the latest developments. - Project work is compulsory and invariably students take up ICT based topics. The students key in their project/dissertation on their own using the computing facility available in the Department. In fact, the custom of projects/work experience was introduced earlier to 1980. - MyDLIS had introduced "Computers in Libraries" paper way back in 1980s - A computer lab was started early as 1989 in the Department. It was the first among very few computer labs at that time in the Mysore University. - The concept of electives was first introduced by MyDLIS in mid 1970s itself. However , we would like to confess , that despite our enthusiasm and best efforts, the outcome may not be 'fantastic' for the simple reason that LIS profession does not attract forget about top level, not even the mid level talent*. *Majority of the students come from rural areas, having studied in the regional language and from poorer section of the society without access to computers. They do not have any computer orientation at all. They are starters as for as IT is concerned. They have to not learn only the library science subjects but also the skill of IT* *within a span of 2 years. For some students it is too much to cope up with. However, we encourage our students to keep themselves abreast of new technologies. * *given their background, some of them get motivated and are transformed. Of course there is an urgent need for some organised mechanism to train the trainers (teachers) also. ____- N.S. Harinarayana, Ph.D Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore, Manasagangtori Mysore 570 006 Off. Ph: (0821) 2419393 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
Really glad to hear all these things are being taught in your LIS Department. Using "wikis" as a collaborative tool should also be included. Another interesting topic should be RSS and Mash-ups. Should also work as how end users of a Library OPAC can add their own "tags". Yes, you need to revise syllabus regularly to keep pace with the developments in the Information Technology. I know it might be a difficult task as UGC might be insisting on a uniform syllabus. All the Best. Sukhdev Singh, NIC. -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of N.S. Harinarayana Sent: 17 May 2007 15:58 To: LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Efforts of MyDLIS,University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students Sri. K. Rajasekharan of Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Thrissur in his recent postings in LIS-FORUM on creating website with Google Page Creator has rightly observed "Our library science schools should not refrain from focusing on such things (teaching of new technologies) too in their academic activities". While endorsing in principle the concern of Sri Rajashekaran, I would like to add that a few library schools have been striving hard to prepare library science students to the new environment. Unfortunately, their efforts are either rarely being reported or documented. I feel that Listservs like LIS-FORUM could be used as one such forums where Library Schools can report to the professional community their activities and programs more regularly. Department of Library and Information Science (MyDLIS), University of Mysore, Mysore has always striven hard to incorporate and inculcate new technologies in its teaching/ mentoring programmes. Mention may be made of the following specific experiments/ innovations. a.. Blogging : MyDLIS has been encouraging students to create their own blogs. It may not be out of context to say that a blogging competition was held in November 2005 and 56 students out of 64 participated in the competition and successfully created their own blogs. b.. Email: Students are encouraged to submit their assignments and other written documents and many times being made compulsory by some faculty members. c.. On-line tests: Tests for students are being conducted in online mode for their internal assessment in one of the subjects. d.. Friday talks - one of our successful traditions for the last 4 decades, are being conducted every week. Under this Friday talk programme, efforts are made to help develop students 'well rounded personality' both professionally and personally - Under this program experts from different walks of life, including those in the field of IT, are invited to talk on their experience. This provides the students insight into challenges and issues that one might face in their careers / life. e.. The cataloguing practical is being conducted in IT labs and students prepare catalogue records in MARC21, Dublin Core etc. using HTML, XML and RDF formats. f.. Training in library automation software and digital library software are part of practical training. g.. Online Social bookmaking and other tools/techniques are being used for academic purposes by students and staff. h.. The syllabus is being updated almost every three years to incorporate the latest developments. i.. Project work is compulsory and invariably students take up ICT based topics. The students key in their project/dissertation on their own using the computing facility available in the Department. In fact, the custom of projects/work experience was introduced earlier to 1980. j.. MyDLIS had introduced "Computers in Libraries" paper way back in 1980s k.. A computer lab was started early as 1989 in the Department. It was the first among very few computer labs at that time in the Mysore University. l.. The concept of electives was first introduced by MyDLIS in mid 1970s itself. However , we would like to confess , that despite our enthusiasm and best efforts, the outcome may not be 'fantastic' for the simple reason that LIS profession does not attract forget about top level, not even the mid level talent. Majority of the students come from rural areas, having studied in the regional language and from poorer section of the society without access to computers. They do not have any computer orientation at all. They are starters as for as IT is concerned. They have to not learn only the library science subjects but also the skill of IT within a span of 2 years. For some students it is too much to cope up with. However, we encourage our students to keep themselves abreast of new technologies. given their background, some of them get motivated and are transformed. Of course there is an urgent need for some organised mechanism to train the trainers (teachers) also. ____- N.S. Harinarayana, Ph.D Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore, Manasagangtori Mysore 570 006 Off. Ph: (0821) 2419393 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
I agree with Sukhdev Singh I refer to Harinarayan's post. MYDlis is doing fine with updated syllabus. Given the present sceanario one should not get dis-heartened if enough number of top-notch IT savvy librarians do not emerge from this school. However even if 4-5 students turn out to be seriously interested, they get an opportunity to learn IT and Library Science simultaneously. Though many libraries ask for IT-savvy new entrants, they do not know how to use them. Not too many jobs with decent pay packets are coming up either. We should do and continue to do what is best under the circumstances without losing heart. In the long run dividends will be very good. Vyasamoorthy On 5/17/07, Sukhdev Singh <esukhdev@gmail.com> wrote:
Really glad to hear all these things are being taught in your LIS Department. Using "wikis" as a collaborative tool should also be included. Another interesting topic should be RSS and Mash-ups. Should also work as how end users of a Library OPAC can add their own "tags". Yes, you need to revise syllabus regularly to keep pace with the developments in the Information Technology. I know it might be a difficult task as UGC might be insisting on a uniform syllabus.
All the Best.
Sukhdev Singh, NIC.
-----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of N.S. Harinarayana Sent: 17 May 2007 15:58 To: LIS-Forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: [LIS-Forum] Efforts of MyDLIS,University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students
Sri. K. Rajasekharan of Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Thrissur in his recent postings in LIS-FORUM on creating website with Google Page Creator has rightly observed "Our library science schools should not refrain from focusing on such things (teaching of new technologies) too in their academic activities".
While endorsing in principle the concern of Sri Rajashekaran, I would like to add that a few library schools have been striving hard to prepare library science students to the new environment. Unfortunately, their efforts are either rarely being reported or documented. I feel that Listservs like LIS-FORUM could be used as one such forums where Library Schools can report to the professional community their activities and programs more regularly.
Department of Library and Information Science (MyDLIS), University of Mysore, Mysore has always striven hard to incorporate and inculcate new technologies in its teaching/ mentoring programmes. Mention may be made of the following specific experiments/ innovations.
Blogging : MyDLIS has been encouraging students to create their own blogs. It may not be out of context to say that a blogging competition was held in November 2005 and 56 students out of 64 participated in the competition and successfully created their own blogs. Email: Students are encouraged to submit their assignments and other written documents and many times being made compulsory by some faculty members. On-line tests: Tests for students are being conducted in online mode for their internal assessment in one of the subjects.
Friday talks - one of our successful traditions for the last 4 decades, are being conducted every week. Under this Friday talk programme, efforts are made to help develop students 'well rounded personality' both professionally and personally - Under this program experts from different walks of life, including those in the field of IT, are invited to talk on their experience. This provides the students insight into challenges and issues that one might face in their careers / life.
The cataloguing practical is being conducted in IT labs and students prepare catalogue records in MARC21, Dublin Core etc. using HTML, XML and RDF formats. Training in library automation software and digital library software are part of practical training. Online Social bookmaking and other tools/techniques are being used for academic purposes by students and staff. The syllabus is being updated almost every three years to incorporate the latest developments. Project work is compulsory and invariably students take up ICT based topics. The students key in their project/dissertation on their own using the computing facility available in the Department. In fact, the custom of projects/work experience was introduced earlier to 1980. MyDLIS had introduced "Computers in Libraries" paper way back in 1980s A computer lab was started early as 1989 in the Department. It was the first among very few computer labs at that time in the Mysore University. The concept of electives was first introduced by MyDLIS in mid 1970s itself.
However , we would like to confess , that despite our enthusiasm and best efforts, the outcome may not be 'fantastic' for the simple reason that LIS profession does not attract forget about top level, not even the mid level talent. Majority of the students come from rural areas, having studied in the regional language and from poorer section of the society without access to computers. They do not have any computer orientation at all. They are starters as for as IT is concerned. They have to not learn only the library science subjects but also the skill of IT within a span of 2 years. For some students it is too much to cope up with. However, we encourage our students to keep themselves abreast of new technologies. given their background, some of them get motivated and are transformed. Of course there is an urgent need for some organised mechanism to train the trainers (teachers) also.
____- N.S. Harinarayana, Ph.D Department of Library and Information Science University of Mysore, Manasagangtori Mysore 570 006 Off. Ph: (0821) 2419393 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean. -- 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 P Vyasamoorthy, Society for Serving Seniors 30, Gruhalakshmi Colony, Secunderabad 500015 Phone 27846631 http://societyforservingseniors.satyamcsr.org -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
I agree with Sukhdev Singh I refer to Harinarayan's post. MYDlis is doing fine with updated syllabus. Given the present scenario one should not get dis-heartened if enough number of top-notch IT savvy librarians do not emerge from this school. However even if 4-5 students turn out to be seriously interested, they get an opportunity to learn IT and Library Science simultaneously. Though many libraries ask for IT-savvy new entrants, they do not know how to use them. Not too many jobs with decent pay packets are coming up either. We should do and continue to do what is best under the circumstances without losing heart. In the long run dividends will be very good. Vyasamoorthy -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
Dear Friends, Most of us read emails from this forum, however very few of us try to discuss issues contained in these emails. Even when some people do respond - they just reply to the originator of the email and not to the whole forum. I can understand most of forum servers are configured in that manner only. So while clicking on "Reply" - reply goes to only to the author of the email. I would request lis-forum members to click on "Reply All" if they feel that whole forum would be interested in the issue. I feel e-forums like lis-forum are meant to discuss rather than announce. Now let me come to the issue of ICT skills among students of Library Science. I would rather like seek an answer? What does market expects from Student Librarians. Does market ( employment opportunities) favours ICT skilled students? For answer, I would suggest some M.Lib.Sc student take it as master thesis. I feel there are four are market segments - 1. Academic Segments - Here the requirements are more or less are fixed by some accrediting body UGC. ICT Skills are just considered desirable. 2. Public Libraries Segment - Usually has lower eligibility criteria. I wonder if any preference given to ICT Skills. 3. Govt Sector / Research Segment - Depends upon the employer department. 4. Private and Corporate Segment - They need highly ICT Skilled professionals. But only problem is that they would employ librarian for very routine jobs and give ICT jobs to MBAs or Computer Professionals. This is what I assume. The truth may quite different from it. Therefore we should further elaborate on this issue and take it as a scientific study. Not only we should answer the marketability of ICT skills but should also try to find out what exact skills are required and what priority each skill get in the market. Only then we should be able to fine tune our LIS curriculum. --Sukhdev Singh, NIC. -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy Sent: 18 May 2007 11:12 To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Efforts of MyDLIS,University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students ...
Not too many jobs with decent pay packets are coming up either. We should do and continue to do what is best under the circumstances without losing heart. In the long run dividends will be very good. ...
Vyasamoorthy
-- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
Dear Colleagues, If you consider me a part of market, my answer would be Yes. LIS profession needs to have ICT skills for following reasons: 1. Fast changing requirements (very large number of services that could be provided to the users are web based). I do not wish to compartmentalize the professionals in segments as Sukhdev did it. I feel even Public Libraries Segment would welcome if a LIS person uses ICT skills in providing services. Actually, we need to modernize public libraries. They are far backward in developments (in general, in India) from other segments under description. 2. To have an edge over the IT staff in the organization as they are some times (if you allow me let me say 'most of the times') non-cooperative with LIS staff. LIS staffs dependency by having these skills on ICT staff would reduce. 3. Recognition: The bosses feel that this person is doing something when you are discharging your duties using modern tools and techniques. A traditional LIS person, however, serious and dedicated (s)he is in providing services, not have the same recognition of a person with ICT background. How deep LIS professional should know about ICT? I think the products of NCSI, DRTC, etc., have proved their visibility in market. So their syllabus can be a model. With warm regards, Murari P Tapaswi National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403 004 Goa, India Phone: 91-(0)832-2450275; Fax: 91-(0)832-2450602 www.nio.org, www.coastalhazards.info, www.mangroveindia.org -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Sukhdev Singh Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2007 7:28 PM To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Efforts of MyDLIS,University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students Dear Friends, Most of us read emails from this forum, however very few of us try to discuss issues contained in these emails. Even when some people do respond - they just reply to the originator of the email and not to the whole forum. I can understand most of forum servers are configured in that manner only. So while clicking on "Reply" - reply goes to only to the author of the email. I would request lis-forum members to click on "Reply All" if they feel that whole forum would be interested in the issue. I feel e-forums like lis-forum are meant to discuss rather than announce. Now let me come to the issue of ICT skills among students of Library Science. I would rather like seek an answer? What does market expects from Student Librarians. Does market ( employment opportunities) favours ICT skilled students? For answer, I would suggest some M.Lib.Sc student take it as master thesis. I feel there are four are market segments - 1. Academic Segments - Here the requirements are more or less are fixed by some accrediting body UGC. ICT Skills are just considered desirable. 2. Public Libraries Segment - Usually has lower eligibility criteria. I wonder if any preference given to ICT Skills. 3. Govt Sector / Research Segment - Depends upon the employer department. 4. Private and Corporate Segment - They need highly ICT Skilled professionals. But only problem is that they would employ librarian for very routine jobs and give ICT jobs to MBAs or Computer Professionals. This is what I assume. The truth may quite different from it. Therefore we should further elaborate on this issue and take it as a scientific study. Not only we should answer the marketability of ICT skills but should also try to find out what exact skills are required and what priority each skill get in the market. Only then we should be able to fine tune our LIS curriculum. --Sukhdev Singh, NIC. -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy Sent: 18 May 2007 11:12 To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Efforts of MyDLIS,University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students ...
Not too many jobs with decent pay packets are coming up either. We should do and continue to do what is best under the circumstances without losing heart. In the long run dividends will be very good. ...
Vyasamoorthy
-- 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 -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
Subject: ICT Skills Among LIS Students. WAS Re: [LIS-Forum] Efforts of MyDLIS,University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students Friends, Nobody is denying the role of ICT Skills in LIS Profession. We need use more and more of IT in our work. Here the question is from the perspective of a LIS Student. What all ICT Skills s/he needs to acquire for better employment opportunities. For this - there is a need to study market situation. A scientific study should be carried out without any emotions. Just to start with, I picked up today's ASCENT. [A special weekly supplement of Times of India having employment advertisements] I find there are 22 pages in this supplement [23 May 2007] carrying just seven vacancies related to librarians. Two are in schools [Doon School and Goenka School], Three in two Colleges [Institute of Management and Technology AND College of Engineering Kopargaon] and Two in National Institute of Fashion Technology [NIFT]. Interestingly NIFT, which comes under Ministry of Textiles lists them under Administrative Support Staff. While the Colleges mentions about AICTE norms. Goenka School needs just a Qualified Librarian (Lady). Only Doon School mentions about the Job Profile for its Senior Assistant Librarian. But it does answers what ICT Skills they are looking for : ".. Online Database Search; data entry in library s/w, Internet etc. Proficiency in computer applications is necessary..". And the salary appears to be negotiable. I wish some M.Lib.Sc. Student can take up such a topic for Dissertation. Listing out Required ICT skills and Associated Pay Packages. After such scientific studies, University LIS Departments would in a better position to fine tune their teaching curricula. --Sukhdev Singh, NIC. -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Murari Sent: 23 May 2007 12:28 To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Efforts of MyDLIS,University of Mysore in introducing ICT skills among students
If you consider me a part of market, my answer would be Yes. LIS profession needs to have ICT skills for following reasons:
... Murari P Tapaswi National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403 004 Goa, India Phone: 91-(0)832-2450275; Fax: 91-(0)832-2450602 www.nio.org, www.coastalhazards.info, www.mangroveindia.org -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.
participants (4)
-
Murari -
N.S. Harinarayana -
Padmanabha Vyasamoorthy -
Sukhdev Singh