Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 12:23:15 +0530 From: T. Shahab <tshahab@jamiahamdard.ac.in> Dear Memberss, Through the popular LIS-Forum for exchanging professional ideas, I wish to engage the valuable attention of the practicing librarians to the ever increasing problem of breach in librarians' domain by faculty members in light of the shrinking role of librarians in determining the policy and procedures involving many of the library activities, particularly the collection development through BOOK SELECTION. In some libraries that I know, the Acquisition Dept. has been turned into just like a clearance house; the librarian is not consulted on matters of Book selection; even the budgeted amount under the Central library has to be used on the authorization of the Vice-chancellor or one of his/ her nominees. Book suppliers will directly contact the faculty members get the books recommended and pass-on the recommended lists to the Acquisition Dept. for necessary followups. Some times, two or more departments may recommend the same title, and the librarian being unaware of the reason, has only to meekly put his/her signature. Even in matters of acquiring multiple copies of the already purchased books (on students' demand), the hands of a librarian is bound. A Librarian being in close touch with the students is always approached by them with their requests on different library related matters, but the librarian is most of the cases is unable to make any firm committment for a facility or extension of services to the students. This change in power dynamics in Universities is making the job of a librarian a very unsavoury one; most librarians are feeling dejected and professionally emasculated. Please, take the above write-up as a point of discussion. Feel free to express your considered opinion on this matter of great importance. Regards. Dr. T. SHAHAB