Dear Pujar, Thanks for the information which is a lamp post movement initiative in this profession. *a.*The issues regarding the post of Information Providers/Librarians in the organisations where those are occupied by the officials other than Librarians may be an one of the agenda. *b. *The academic and college libraries must be with technical staff for in-house instead of peons. *c.* The librarians should not just be a goldsmith of knowledge society. *d.Sir, I like your idea/image of Librarian as Ornamental role* I am also enthu to assist in such missions and make a parallel position of library professionals as it is in Europian Countries. Regards Kshipra Sardesai Librarian, RBI, Dept of Statistics & Information Management Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400 051 022-26572315 On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 10:54 AM, L J Haravu wrote:

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 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

_______________________________________________ DLRG mailing list DLRG@drtc.isibang.ac.in http://drtc.isibang.ac.in/mailman/listinfo/dlrg

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

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