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Dear Friends,
In few past years trend has been rising to appoint non-professional head/in-charge of libraries in-spite of having Group ‘A’ library professionals in the organization. Like Prof-in-charge, scientists-in-charge, officer-in-charge etc and this practice can be seen in universities, autonomous bodies, scientific & research organization or in any other institutions of national importance.
It has been seen that if the library is managed by Assistant Librarian (in the pay scale of PB3: 15600-39100 + AGP 6000) or by Deputy Librarian (in the pay scale of PB3: 15600-39100 + AGP 8000 or Rs.37,400 - 67,000 + AGP 9000) than there will be Prof-in-charge or Officer-in-charge who is non-professional to supervise these professional staff which is ridiculous. Even now in some institutions, Prof-in-charge has been appointed in-spite of having Librarian of PB4: 37,400 - 67,000 + AGP 10,000.
Let us have a look on the pay scales of civil administrative staff. SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) who is in the pay scale of PB3: 15600-39100 + GP 5400 is overall in-charge of whole Tehsil, whereas District Collector or DM whose pay scales are generally in between PB3: 15600-39100 + GP6600, GP 7600 or PB4: 37,400 - 67,000 + GP8700 (based on the length of service) is administrative head of whole district. Joint Secretaries in the Union Ministries are in the pay scale of 37,400 - 67,000 + GP10000 who plays an important role in policy making.
If these officers can work independently, than why not library professional which are getting more pay scales than these administrative staff? Such type of practice demoralises the library professionals and gives the message in society that library professional are inefficient in managing the library independently. It also underestimates the importance of Librarians.
Besides having a library committee and its Chairman to supervise and guidance, is there any relevance of non-professional in-charge in Libraries? Feedback and comments are welcome.
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Sir,
It is really a serious issue to discuss. As you said, it happens both in government as well as in deemed universities too. Even senior library professionals with vast experience will be supervised by an additional incharge who is no way related to library. Does it really mean that institutions/Government organizations have an opinion that our people can not lead the team or took the leadership roles? It happens for so long years and our community too remains silent as though giving a view of accepting the same. When we are second to none, it has be to be questioned confidently. For approving the budgets, taking even small decisions, organizing functions , a person who visits once in a while to library will be the final authority. It is really ridiculous. To fight for the right has been always forced on our community. Let us raise our voice, otherwise it is going to be the continuing story.
sir,
It is the question of the hour, Library is independent or dependent; to my knowledge we are the part of the institution provided catering the knowledge needs of the institution basing on this, the institutions' main motto will be running as per the goal, we work together to achieve the concerned goals.Yes, the incharge may concentrate on knowledge development, that will help us to work indepently and the concerned law makers may make necessary adjustments to be more active by providing budget share to the librarians to meet all maintainence needs. Yes, we are capable of maintaining library and the same has been felt by everyone in the institution and feeling so, we are much admirable persons, librarians are the key for any institution development.Any incharge and the librarian go by hand and hand to cater the needs of the institution/p>
Dear Dr. Sing,
Thanks for your post and raising a very relevant issue.
It is a bare fact that in many institutions, though libraries are often called as the heart of the institutions in lectures and intellectual colloquiums, in real life the scene is just the opposite; and especially librarians or library professionals, irrespective of their pay scales, are viewed as virtually glorified office clerks!! In Colleges, in majority of cases, the principals feel the same and so also many university authorities. In West Bengal, one Central University kept a professor as in-Charge of Libraries for several years while the Deputy Librarian, as I know him/her, was extremely competent, vibrant and active. After the Professor's retirement, when the Dy Librarian had just a few years to retire, s/he was made the University Librarian and by that time, s/he had lost all his/her enthusiasm and dynamism!!
In Scientific Institutes too, the same thing happens with keeping the Scientist-in-Charges. This, as I feel from my experience, is sort of Psychological attitude of a specific group. In Colleges/Universities academics wants to keep their hold on Libraries while in Scientific Institutes, the Scientists want to keep their hold. Both the groups feel that they are the assets of the organizations. And I whole heartedly support their view but in Banking Industry, there is a term called NON PERFORMING ASSETS & ironically, in most cases, these species of Non Performing Assets are relocated/rehabilitated to Libraries!!
I am extremely confident that a productive Scientist or a good Professor amidst their busy schedule never willingly takes up the burden of becoming In-Charge of Libraries, a department which he/she is not internally conversant with. As such, it is the "left outs" who are made In-Charges. They, on the other hand, heaves a sigh of relief as their professional performances are not critically evaluated. I must admit that there are exceptions but such exceptions are just exceptions!!
However, in such exercise, the motivation, morality & creativity of the competent Library professionals are extremely diminished and the institutions and the students become the worst sufferers because incompetent leadership.
As I have seen from my experience, good Libraries, by & large, are always nurtured by professionals as they understand that amatures are not meant for professional works; that's all.
Sincerely,
Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta
Sir... Very nice enlightening review....
Dear Dr. Singh
this is very good point for discussion. I am agree with you ,I do not know I am wrong or right but
I would like to share some point to library professionals
Who is In-charge of a library, professionals or non – professionals does not matter , matter is that how good functioning your library, how much users satisfied from your library services. I have seen so many libraries is not well functioning and that library in charge is library professional. If a well qualified and a well knowledgeable person suggest or guide you for smooth functioning of your library then I think this is not bad.
As per my experience I have done two libraries where in-charge of that library was non professional and functioning of that library was worst. I managed the library properly and set up a well functioning library. Management was satisfied from my work after that I am in – charge of library. It mean not I am very good library professional but I can say I am better than non professional in charge and I proved it.
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