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Permalink Reply by raaga on March 2, 2014 at 4:49

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.

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Permalink Reply by anil kumar m on March 2, 2014 at 17:32

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>

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Permalink Reply by Siddhartha Shankar Ray on March 2, 2014 at 20:56

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

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Permalink Reply by Shweta Patil on March 2, 2014 at 21:34

Sir... Very nice enlightening review.... 

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Permalink Reply by RAJEEV KUMAR SINHA on March 3, 2014 at 6:02

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

1. 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.  

2. 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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Permalink Reply by 06qp9ttpmgq0g on March 4, 2014 at 20:19

Its pity when people do not give you deserving respect, instead of your dedication to the job.

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