The art of managing information - K. Lakshmi

    

Career opportunities for librarians have increased manifold in this digital era.

OPPORTUNITIES GALORE: Librarians need to keep themselves abreast of the latest technology to facilitate quick retrieval of information.

Libraries have come a long way from being mere storehouses of books and periodicals. And the work profile of librarians has also undergone a tremendous change.
According to librarians in the government sector, only a few chose library for a career a few decades ago and most of them were based in the public sector. Now, the number of libraries and the scope of the career have increased manifold.
Officials of the Public Libraries department said a degree or postgraduate degree in library science is a must to take up job as a government librarian. Knowledge in computer science has also become a necessity to keep up with the emerging trend of digitisation. Many universities offer library science courses in distance education mode and regular stream. A. Amudavalli, professor and head, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Madras, said it is a misconception that such courses are now being offered only through distance education. The regular college students have better opportunities than the students of distance education mode.
Various courses
The Department established in 1937 offered certificate and diploma courses. Over time, undergraduate and postgraduate courses were merged together as a two-year Integrated Course in Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS). Later, the course was renamed M.Sc. in Library and Information Science as a full-time (regular) programme, she said.
As the data is not limited to books anymore, the scope for careers in different fields has widened. Besides opportunities in traditional libraries, including those at schools and colleges, candidates could get placement in government department libraries and private sector libraries such as in IT firms and hospitals.
“We constantly update the curriculum with new topics based on the current trends. The students are exposed to latest concepts such as digital libraries, computer applications and soft skills. This provides required competence for employability in various fields,” she said. As the new courses train students in management information system, they could also apply for jobs in banks for record and data management. Another important aspect of the curriculum is the one-month internship training at various major libraries.
Career scope
Most institutions, including non-governmental organisations, research and development labs, defence organisations and media houses, now have library equipped with latest technology and need qualified candidates.
The department is also introducing P.G. Diploma in Digital Library Management in the coming academic year.
Students would learn about digital data preservation, management and retrieval through this evening college programme.

New vistas in Library Science

                         

 LIBRARY AND Information Science deals with the challenge of how to organise, control and access information. With the onslaught of information technology, libraries are making a rapid transition from card catalogues to digitalised services including making available information on CD-ROMs.

In the ever-changing environment, it is the job of the library and information science professional to ensure that the information gets to the right user in the right place at the right time. It is a course for people who have a flair for reading and keep a tab on the developments on the information front. A degree programme in Library and Information Science is intensive in nature, and thereby demands students who are highly motivated and dedicated to learning. Librarians and information officers are expected to be organised, with an inquisitive mind, have an appetite for unearthing information, and acquire and prepare materials for use. Outstanding communication skills, quick grasping ability, skill for organising facts, speaking and writing skills, diplomacy, and knowledge to evaluate technical material is required.

It is their responsibility to oversee the management of the library, supervise assistant librarians to prepare cards and computer records, and read book reviews, publishers' notifications and catalogues to be informed of current literature and other available resources. It is their endeavour to select and purchase materials from publishers, wholesalers and distributors, and arrange books and other library materials in an easily accessible mode.

Job avenues

Avenues for professionally qualified librarians are increasing. With computerisation and electronic storage systems, a course in library and information science has acquired a new look. Openings exist in information centres, which include public enterprise, industrial and commercial firms, public and institutional libraries, digital libraries, online libraries/archival services. There are opportunities in libraries run by schools, universities, colleges, professional bodies, libraries attached to embassies societies and research associations.

Undergraduate courses

Degree, diploma, vocational and specialised courses are available in library and information sciences. Undergraduate degree courses in library science and related disciplines include:

Bachelor's Degree in Library Science (B.Lib).

Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Services.

Bachelor's Degree in Library and Manuscriptology.

Bachelor's Degree in Library and Documentation.

The duration of the courses is one year. Only graduates (from any discipline) are admitted. Subjects covered include cataloguing, bibliography, documentation, research methodology, information storage and retrieval, manuscriptology, preservation and conservation, information systems and computer applications.

Postgraduate programmes

Postgraduate degree courses in library and related sciences include:

Master's Degree in Library Science (M.Lib).

Master's Degree in Library Science and Documentation.

M.Phil and Ph.D in Library Science.

Master's Degree in Library and Information Sciences.

Only graduates with B.Lib are admitted to the Master's degree programmes. The courses are one year long. The eligibility for M.Phil and Ph.D. programmes is M.Lib.

Areas of specialisation available at the PG level are library planning; management of Information Service (MIS); translation; archives management; technical writing; reprography; special library services; electronic solution to documentation etc.

Vocational courses

Vocational courses in library science are also offered to non-graduates for which the eligibility is Standard X.

Specialised courses

Specialised courses, meant for librarians and other in-service personnel, are also available. These include:

Diploma in Medical Librarianship (by correspondence).

Fresher and Advanced Courses in Library and Information Sciences.

Postgraduate Diploma in Library Science.

Computer Applications in Library Science.

Some of the universities offering courses in Library and Information Science are:

1. Bangalore University, Jnana Bharathi, Bangalore-560 056.

2. Karnatak University, Pavate Nagar, Dharwad.

3. University of Mysore, Crawford Hall, P.B.No. 17, Mysore-570 005. 4. Gulbarga University, Jnana Ganga, Gulbarga-585 106.

4. Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore.

5. Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.

6. Kuvempu University, Shankarghatta, Shimoga-577 451.

The National Centre for Science Information, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, offers a course in "digital library and information services in enterprises" as part of the Information and Knowledge Management training programme. The Indira Gandhi National Open University offers distance education programme in Bachelor Of Library & Information Science (BLISc). The duration is one year and the eligibility is graduates with two years experience in a recognised library.

A scholarly profession with promise

The coming together of books and information technology requires today’s librarians to be interested in both

Financial woes: Among Indian libraries, the digital movement is lagging far behind.
In the era of the global economy, the future of a country is tied to knowledge-leveraged growth. The prime movers to achieve such growth are education, research, and communication. A formidable infrastructure in education, reinforced by well-knit communication and dissemination systems is a sine qua non for knowledge-based growth.
Life and living all around is today virtually under the grip of information and communication technologies. The enormous, unlimited array of information has to be managed and systematically transformed into a useful input for instant use. As such, automation of libraries is the demand of the hour worldwide to provide online access to books, journals and allied material.
The work-culture in libraries is changing fast. Cyber libraries are opening, packed with digital documents, CD-Roms and talking books. Several libraries are being connected for resource sharing using the Internet. Information like research findings, data, databases, online yellow pages, electronic mail services, investment guides, travel guidelines with related maps, educational and career guidance and the like can easily be retrieved.
As publishing is now moving to digital-media-formats, a library likewise needs to advance its devices and networking to make use of the digital material. Here, the collection of the library is stored and maintained in computer-accessible-form and accessed digitally through computer networking, regardless of its location. The process makes well-ordered, instant information-retrieval possible, globally.
People are getting net-savvy and the demand for online digital information service is increasing manifold. Among Indian libraries, the digital movement is lagging far behind, primarily due to financial limitations.
The old systems of acquisition, storage, organisation and dissemination are becoming obsolete. With the onslaught of Information Technology and the Internet, the very anatomy and application of resource material have been revolutionised. The present-day library is a liaison in communication progression and so is more ‘service-adept’ and less ‘resource-oriented’.
Likewise, staff members have to be technically accomplished and skilfully proficient. Today, the librarian (or, Information Professional) functions as a “navigator”, an updater of information to intellectual reserves, with the help of search engines, e-resources, digitalisation and tools like Gopher, FTP, Telnet, Unix, MS-Office, Windows, Linux and so on.
Emerging challenges

Jobs in a library also consist of budgeting, accounting, acquisition of collection, organisation and management of the institution, besides rendering service to readers. IT, digitalisation, online global information, automation have added new dimensions. In the areas of self-education, distant learning and online schooling, the library is indispensable.
The library profession has truly perceived the diversified dynamics of its job paradigms and so the training courses have been designed and drawn up accordingly, to meet emerging requirements and challenges. Currently, the following courses in LI. Sc are conducted by universities.
• 10+2+3+1 Bachelor of Library and B.LI.Sc. Information Science (admission requirement: degree in any discipline)
• 10+2+3+1+1 Master of Library and M.LI.Sc. Information Science (truncated course, one-year M.LI.Sc.) (admission requirement - B.L.I.Sc.)
• 10+2+3+2 Master of Library and M.L.I.Sc. Information Science (integrated course) (admission requirement: degree in any discipline)
• 10+2+3+2 Master of Library and M.L.I.Sc Information Science (bachelor’s degree in any discipline with Library and Information Science as one of the optional subjects)
Universities are also conducting research and Ph.D programmes in Library and Information Science. Besides, certificate courses in Library Science of three to six-month duration are conducted at some places by Library Associations, for higher secondary students to work as semi-professional or librarian in a small library. Knowledge of foreign languages is an advantage in this profession.
A knowledgeable librarian works as a guide, making the reader aware of the relevant literature, like any other teacher. In academic libraries, library professional’s grades and status have therefore, been prescribed by the UGC on a par with those of teachers of the universities and colleges. University Librarian, Deputy Librarian and Assistant Librarian are placed in the pay-scales of University Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor respectively, provided they possess qualification on a par with the teachers, as prescribed by the UGC. In the institutions of science and technology and scientific research, library professionals are treated on a par with those of the corresponding scientists. In public libraries, however, librarians’ grades are not uniform and satisfactory. Grades here differ from State to State and much needs to be done to improve the conditions of the staff.
With increased emphasis on spread of literacy and education, and a good number of new universities, IITs, engineering colleges, business and management schools and industrial establishments coming up, the job-market for library professionals looks green.
Regarded as a noble profession, it is well-suited to women, to work in a quite environment, assisting information-seekers, especially the children.
The librarian’s job is scholarly; it’s a career with promise of growth, meant for those interested in books and reading and keeping their knowledge abreast with contemporary literature and research.

SHRI NATH SAHAI

Retired University
Professor-Librarian

The new Information professionals are here

Librarianship is a scholarly profession with promise 

HI-TECH LIBRARY: An automatic book issue machine
In the present global economy, the future of a country is tied up with knowledge-leveraged growth. The prime movers to achieve such growth are (i) education, (ii) research, and (iii) communication. A formidable infrastructure in education, reinforced with well-knit communication and dissemination work-out, is sine qua non for knowledge-based growth. Life and living all around today is virtually under the grip of information and communication. The unlimited information flow has to be managed and systematically transformed into a useful input. As such, automation of library is the need of the hour worldwide for online access to books, journals and allied material.
The work culture in libraries is changing fast. Cyber libraries are happening; packed with digital documents, CDs and books. Newspapers, journals, textbooks and reference books, all will be on CD-ROMs and digital multimedia. Publishers like Penguin have started issuing classics on CD. Great books of India and are made available on internet. Libraries will soon possess even robots (with artificial intelligence) and other such machines which will perform various services for the readers. Paper-library and paperless-library will co-exist. Low-cost, light-weight electronic book-readers, with built-in modem, will be used more conveniently, instead of PC.
Several libraries are being connected for resource sharing. Information like research findings; data; databases; online yellow pages; electronic mail services; investment guides; travel guidelines with related maps; educational and career guidance and the like can easily be retrieved. As publishing is now moving on to digital-media formats, library likewise needs to advance its devices and networking to make use of the digital materials. The collection is stored and maintained in computer-accessible form and accessed digitally through computer networking, regardless of the location of libraries. The process makes well-ordered, instant information-retrieval possible, globally. People are getting net-savvy and so is the demand for online digital information service increasing manifold swiftly.
For Indian libraries, digital movement is lagging far behind, primarily due to financial limitation and compulsion. The old systems of acquisition, storage, organisation and dissemination are giving way and becoming obsolete. The present library is is more ‘service-adept' and less ‘resource-oriented.' Likewise, the staff has to be technically accomplished. Today, a Librarian (no, Information Professional) functions as “navigator” and filler of information to intellectual reserves, with the help of search engines, e-resources, digitalisation and tools like Gopher, FTP, Telnet, Unix, MS-Office, Windows, Linux etc.
Jobs Jobs in library consists of also budgeting, accounting, acquisition of collection, organisation and management of the institution, besides rendering service to readers. In the areas of self-education, distant learning and online schooling, the library is indispensable. The training courses in the profession have been designed to meet emerging requirements and challenges. Currently, following levels of education and courses in LISc are held by the universities:
Bachelor of Library and B.LI.Sc Information Science (admission requirement: degree in any discipline)
Master of Library and M.LI.Sc Information Science (truncated course-one year M.LI.Sc.) (admission requirement: B.L.I.Sc.)
Master of Library and M.L.I.Sc. Information Science (Integrated Course) (admission requirement: degree in any discipline).
Master of Library and M.L.I.Sc Information Science (Bachelor degree in any discipline with Library and Information Science as one of the optional subjects).
Certificate course in Library Science of three to six month duration is conducted at some places by Library Associations, for higher secondary students to work as librarian in a small library. Knowledge of foreign languages is an advantage in this profession.
A knowledgeable librarian works as a guide, making the reader aware of the relevant literature, like any other teacher. In academic libraries, library professional's grades and status have therefore, been prescribed by the UGC at par with those of teachers of the universities and colleges. University Librarian, D.y Librarian and Assistant Librarian are placed in the pay-scales of University Professor, Associate Professor and Assistant Professor respectively, provided they possess qualification at par with those of the teachers, as prescribed by the UGC. In the institutions of science and technology and scientific research also, library professionals are treated at par with those of the corresponding scientists. Job satisfaction of librarians of these institutions of learning and research are quite satisfactory. In public libraries, however, librarians' grades are not uniform and satisfactory. Grades differ from State to state and much needs to be done to ameliorate the conditions of the staff of these libraries.
With increased emphasis on spread of literacy and education, and a good number of new Universities, IITs, engineering colleges, business and management schools and industrial establishments coming up, the job-market for library professionals looks good in the public and private sectors.
Regarded as a noble, soft profession, it is much suited to women, assisting the information-seekers, especially children. Women make good children librariana. Here, she is not only distributor of books but also an affectionate friend to children, a mentor and guide.