Revamping Library and Information Science Education in India Dr. C.R.Karisiddappa Visiting Professor, Former UGC Emeritus Professor Dept. of Library and Information Science Karnatak University, Dharwad
[email protected]
Outline • Introduction : Looking back & moving forward • Towards Global thinking of LIS Education in India • Concept of Library : A paradigm shift • Revamping LIS Education • Dimensional Changes & Need for Revamping • Changing scenario-Emerging new concepts • Conclusion 4/13/2015
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100 Years - Looking Back & Moving Forward!! • • • • •
Baroda School, 1911 and Service to Society Remembering Maharaja Sayyaji Rao Gaikwad -III Entry of Ranganathan in 1930s Establishment of UGC - impetus to Librarianship Library Legislation – Network of public libraries ( 18 states enacted the Library Acts in India) • Industrial Growth – Need for Documentation and Information Services • Need for Manpower for different kinds of libraries 4/13/2015
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Looking Back & Moving Forward!!... • Ranganthan estimated need for more than 100,000 professionals in India in 1964 itself • UGC Reports (1965 w.r.t. LIS Education) • Steady growth of LIS Education, Research & Training • Present Scenario – 150 Universities, Distance Education Programmes, Specialized Training Institutions & programmes • Levels of Education – From Certificate to Doctoral Programmes • Change in nomenclature – B.Lib.Sc. To B.L.I.Sc; to Two Years M.L.I.Sc on par with other Post- Graduate Studies 4/13/2015
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Towards Global Thinking of LIS Education • • • • • • •
World wide changes & changes in work place Change of pattern of curriculum Evaluation process & quality assessment & need National Knowledge Commission (NKC) Users assimilation of ICT Library Networks & E-content growth UGC e-Pathashala towards content creation & new learning environment (e-Learning) • Globalization & Internationalization of LIS Education in India (w.r.t. inflow of foreign students) 4/13/2015
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Concept of Library : A Paradigm shift • Core concept of Library emanated from the idea of “Recorded Knowledge” • Paradigm shift witnessed due to mode of changes in Recorded Knowledge & Communication process & impact on profession including education process • Changes in Modes of Recording & Revolution in Communication of Recorded Knowledge – Speech: Possible to make propositions – Writing/Recording : Possible to preserve them (speaker independent) 4/13/2015
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Concept of Library : A Paradigm shift (Contd…)
• • • •
– Printing (Revolution in Mode of Recording): Possible to preserve them writer independent – Digital (Invisible/Virtual Mode of Recording): Possible to access source of information without physical ownership Predominance of print replaced by multiplicity of communication media Ease of research, writing, editing &publication Paved way for increasing quantum of information & information overload to users Increasing number of information providers
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Concept of Library : A Paradigm shift (Contd…)
• Earlier – All users mainly use to look towards library for knowledge & information
• Now – Ample number of information sources & providers for getting knowledge & information
• Shift in practice and learning 4/13/2015
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Revamping of LIS Education in India
Points to Ponder • Status of Library Systems – Library Centered Education – Declining strength of LIS manpower in Libraries (Academic)
– LIS Departments and Libraries – lack of togetherness – Lack of Library Culture 4/13/2015
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Contd.. – Status of Public Libraries ,fading status of Special Libraries – Go back to school to learn “Library organization,
management and administration” is need of hour – Needs of users changing – General to Specific –
Document to Information – Users turning more ICT Savvy 4/13/2015
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Contd..
• Choice of Curriculum Pattern – Traditional, Integrated, CBCS
• Need of Learning to Learn, Unlearn & Relearn by Teachers • Professional Development Programmes - for LIS • Professionals, Teachers – Multi-organizational levels & courses
• Dawn of Accreditation & Assessment process • Distance Education – Pros & Cons 4/13/2015
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Contd..
• LIS Research – Quality Vs Quantity – Need for Evaluation, Selection & Assessment pattern of Research – Content of Research papers (Plagiarism) – Assessment & census of number of conferences &
seminars organized in India (Almost One per day – an estimated 350 in 2011) 4/13/2015
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Contd.. – Offer of Doctoral Programmes – lack of vision – Training for conducting research for Researchers and Supervisors (Guides) – UGC Guideline – ISBN Tag to Conference Volumes is not Quality Tag to assess research quality of paper
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Dimensional Changes and Need for Revamping • Cooperation & Collaboration – Networking of LIS Schools • Admissions of Students & Practices • Pattern of Affiliation of LIS Departments • Infrastructure • Recruitment pattern of LIS Teachers • Training of LIS Teachers • Institute a “Council for Library and Information Science” to complement Education, Research & Training 4/13/2015
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Changing Scenario –Emerging Neo-concepts • Change of Designation – From Librarian to Cybrarian – Desirable Vs Undesirable • Accreditation & Assessment of Courses – Modus Operandi • Placement facilities – Professional schools – Engineering & Management have mandate to place products – should LIS schools take this mandate? 4/13/2015
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Contd.. • Research Funding & projects – Social Involvement & socially relevant projects & more funding for such projects across domains • National Mission on Libraries – Terms of reference, recommendations and implementation • Quality of Inputs – Change in pattern of admissions & evaluation 4/13/2015
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Conclusion • Survival of fittest - this law applies to LIS education programme more today than ever – Well managed departments flourish – Managed departments survive – Ill Managed departments collapse • Accreditation – NAAC can initiate process • The quantum stress of ICT in LIS Courses – duality of interests & neither would work with focus on some areas 4/13/2015
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Conclusion… • Ever widening user community interests & perceptions – from non automated to automated to web environment & implications on education & training • More & more issues of contemplation on wider scope of LIS to LIST & Knowledge Society
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Conclusion… • To conclude we the teachers, researchers & practitioners have great responsibility to provide useful education to students as well as professionals • We have to prepare capable LIS professionals suiting to Knowledge Society • Let us remember the glorious words of Robert Frost “The Woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep” 4/13/2015
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Thank You
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