Top Banner
UNIT 4 LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT IN MODERN INDIA : PLANS AND PROGRAMMES Structure 4.0 Objectives 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Historical Perspective 4.2.1 Growth of Library Movement in India 4.2.2 Extent and Range in Matters of Library Development 4.3 Plans, Programmes, Policies 4.3.1 Need for Planning and Programming 4.3.2 Policy Initiatives and Library Policies 4.3.3 Policy on other Sectors having Implications on Libraries 4.4 Recommendations of Some Important Committees for Library Matters 4.4.1 Public Libraries 4.4.2 Academic Libraries 4.4.3 Agricultural Libraries 4.4.4 Medical Libraries 4.5 Planning and Programming Endeavours 4.5.1 National Planning 4.5.2 Sectoral Planning 4.6 Assessment of Library Development in Relation to Plans and Programmes 4.6.1 Present Situation 4.6.2 Directions for the Future 4.7 Summary 4.8 Answers to Self Check Exercises 4.9 Key Words 4.10 References and Further Reading 4.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this Unit, you will be able to: trace the progress of libraries and library services in India, as a result from various plans and programmes initiated/implemented at national, regional and local levels; explain the Government's role in library development through policy directions, planning processes and recommendations of ad hoc committees; and make an assessment of the impact of the plans and programmes on library development, with a view to identify directions for the future 4.1 INTRODUCTION In any human endeavour, systematic and assured development can take place only if it is based on careful planning and faithful implementation of programmes. In the matter of library development in India, planning and programming efforts 45
275
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Page 1: Library Society

Library Development in Modern India : Plans and

Programmes

UNIT 4 LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT IN MODERN INDIA : PLANS AND PROGRAMMES

Structure 4.0 Objectives 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Historical Perspective

4.2.1 Growth of Library Movement in India 4.2.2 Extent and Range in Matters of Library Development

4.3 Plans, Programmes, Policies 4.3.1 Need for Planning and Programming 4.3.2 Policy Initiatives and Library Policies 4.3.3 Policy on other Sectors having Implications on Libraries

4.4 Recommendations of Some Important Committees for Library Matters 4.4.1 Public Libraries 4.4.2 Academic Libraries 4.4.3 Agricultural Libraries 4.4.4 Medical Libraries

4.5 Planning and Programming Endeavours 4.5.1 National Planning 4.5.2 Sectoral Planning

4.6 Assessment of Library Development in Relation to Plans and Programmes 4.6.1 Present Situation 4.6.2 Directions for the Future

4.7 Summary 4.8 Answers to Self Check Exercises 4.9 Key Words 4.10 References and Further Reading

4.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

trace the progress of libraries and library services in India, as a result from various plans and programmes initiated/implemented at national, regional and local levels;

explain the Government's role in library development through policy directions, planning processes and recommendations of ad hoc committees; and make an assessment of the impact of the plans and programmes on library development, with a view to identify directions for the future

4.1 INTRODUCTION In any human endeavour, systematic and assured development can take place only if it is based on careful planning and faithful implementation of programmes. In the matter of library development in India, planning and programming efforts 45

Page 2: Library Society

Development of Libraries and have been many since Independence. While their outcome may be of varying degrees of accomplishment, there is no doubt that the country has been able to develop an extensive infrastructure for library and information services on the basis of plans and programmes embarked upon at various levels. You should have a good understanding of the country's library policies, planning processes and programming endeavours in order to get a good grasp of the organisation of libraries in the country. This unit serves the purpose of providing you an overview of efforts made towards planned development of libraries in the country.

46

their Role in Society

Systematic library development started in India only after 1947. The establishment and development of the National Library at Calcutta, public library legislation in a few states leading

to the creation of public library systems, a growth in the number of university and college libraries, and the rapid development of special libraries and information centres in science and technology, medicine, agriculture, social sciences and the humanities are some of the landmarks achieved during the last five decades. Impressive as these seem to be, they are, inadequate to meet the increasing demand for knowledge and information required for our socio-economic development, higher and technical education, higher industrial productivity, and scientific and technological research, development and progress. All these point to the need for integrated planning and programming of activities and tasks on the basis of a national library and information policy.

Dealing with policy initiatives, a summary of the recommendations of the national policy on the library and information system, formulated by the Department of Culture, is given in this Unit. This policy document spells out an integrated approach to the development of all types of libraries and information systems. As a sequel to this effort, a national commission on libraries has been proposed. National policies in other sectors, such as education, science and technology, and information (communication) also have a bearing on library development in the country.

Several ad hoc committees appointed by appropriate bodies in the country have made recommendations with reference to the development of public, academic, medical and agricultural libraries.

The Five Year Plans have given considerable attention to library and information system development, particularly the Seventh Five Year Plan. Sectoral plans in science and technology, education, health and family welfare, environment, biotechnology, etc., have also dealt with library and information systems in their respective areas.

Notwithstanding this impressive record of progress and development, the present situation of library and information system development appears to be uneven, piecemeal and uncoordinated. The application of computer and communication technologies for creating a network of library and information systems is sure to provide the necessary coordination and integration. The National Policy on Library and Information System, expected to be in force soon, will hopefully result in an integrated development of the library and information system in appropriate quality and quantity.

4.2 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE India is known for its tradition of scholarship and learning and for its cultural heritage. In ancient and medieval periods, there existed famous libraries around

Page 3: Library Society

Library Development in learning centres and places of religious worship. The rulers of the land in the medieval period had taken a deep interest in setting up libraries. During the sixteenth century, the work of Christian missionaries and introduction of printing resulted in the establishment of some libraries. However, the library movement in India may be regarded to have had a proper beginning only after the advent of British rule in the modern period. When English was introduced into the country and the British began to set up some modest educational facilities in the later half of the 19th century, libraries in the modern sense began to spring up in some places, notably the provincial capitals. It was only after the country attained Independence and the Five Year Plans began to be implemented that library development got attention. The successive Five Year Plans, which add up to nine, now, have ushered in library facilities on a large scale in the country.

47

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

4.2.1 Growth of Library Movement in India The Calcutta Public Library was established in the first half of the 19th century and the Imperial Library in 1903. In 1948, the Imperial Library, Calcutta was renamed as the National Library and moved over to the present premises. Though not an apex library of the library system of the country, the National Library has been making steady progress over the years and has grown " in size in collection and staff and in range of services.

The country has also national special libraries, such as the National Science Library of INSDOC and the National Medical Library of the Directorate General of Health Services. Both are located in Delhi. Such libraries in a few other fields are also being proposed.

The development of public libraries as a movement may be said to have started with the measures taken by the ruler of the erstwhile Baroda State in 1906. However, this initiative did not set the pace for later development. Until Independence, a few state central libraries and some public libraries alone came up and the growth has been marginal. Library legislation is in force now in six states, namely, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Manipur. These states have created a public library network down to the village level. Gujarat and Kerala have also a fairly well developed public library system, but without the support of legislation. There is a pressing need now for the other states to pay more attention to public library development.

In the academic library system, there are about 220 libraries of university-level institutions, over 7,000 college libraries and some one lakh school libraries of moderate quality. While university libraries have had a systematic development, there is an urgent need to strengthen college libraries. School libraries, on the whole, have been a neglected lot. The Third All-India Educational Survey conducted by the National Council of Education Research and Training (1981), gives the state of school libraries as follows:

There were 589,031 recognised schools. Out of these only 41.08% had library facilities. The distribution of library facilities was: 32.41% of the primary schools, 59.61% of the middle schools, 94.05% of the secondary schools and 95.75% of the higher secondary schools/intermediate/ junior/pre-university colleges.

17.8% of school libraries had less than 100 books; 9.6% had 100-249 books; 5.3% had 250-499 books; 3.64% had 500-999 books; 2.52% had 1000-1999 books; 0.94% had 2000-3999 books; and 1.63% had 4000-4999 books. There were 1,441 full time trained persons holding charge of libraries, that is, only 41 % of the schools had full-time trained librarians.

Page 4: Library Society

Development of Libraries and These library facilities cannot measure up to the minimum standards, may, be with some exceptions.

48

their Role in Society

The special libraries have progressed well in their development, as a corollary to growth in science and technology, education and research and industrial and economic development. The number of special libraries in the country may be placed at 2,000 to 2,500 at present. They belong to fields such as science and technology, medicine, agriculture, social sciences, arts and the humanities. There is a need and also scope for a vast expansion of library facilities. Public libraries and school libraries have been weak in their development. Modernisation of libraries and networking and resource sharing are the-present day imperatives.

4.2.2 Extent and Range in Matters of Library Development

The importance of library support to our nation building endeavour is acknowledged by all concerned. Libraries are recognised as an important social institution for diffusion of knowledge and information. A vast population, dispersed over a wide geographical area, has to have the benefits of library service. The task no doubt is of a massive scale. Being a developing country with little private initiative to support libraries, the national and state governments are expected to develop the library infrastructure. The governments have many priorities. The investment that can be made in libraries has, therefore, limits.

In a democracy like ours, people are required to be educated, informed and enlightened. This calls for a library service down to the village level. Great efforts are being made towards the equalisation of educational opportunities, at least at the school level. Higher education and technical education are also witnessing vast expansion due to social demands. All these entail greater library facilities in educational institutions. On account of accelerated growth in science and technology, industrial production and economic and cultural development, the special libraries not only have grown in number but are also required to offer intense service. In an information intense society such as ours, the libraries, as storehouses of knowledge and information, have a great role to play.

While there are constraints, there are challenges and opportunities for making a thrust in library development in the country. The governments, users, and library professionals have to share the responsibility of laying a firm infrastructure for a library service in the country.

Self Check Exercise 1) State three landmarks indicating the progress of libraries in India in the

post – Independence period. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit

....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Page 5: Library Society

Library Development in 4.3 PLANS, PROGRAMMES, POLICIES

49

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

4.3.1 Need for Planning and Programming Libraries in our country function under a variety of ownerships and jurisdiction. There is generally no coordination in their development. The progress of libraries has been very slow because of the following factors`

1) Neglect of library services during the British period

2) Resource constraint in the post-Independence era

3) Sole dependence on Government funds for library development.

Sincere and vigorous efforts are now needed to strengthen and upgrade the present system and to create new facilities in order to serve a growing demand from an increasing number of users. An integrated plan for library development is needed for the country so that gaps are filled, weak areas are strengthened and additional facilities are created to meet the new demands for library service. Further, library development in the country needs to be coordinated in order to optimise utilisation of available resources and facilities and to minimise duplication of effort.

The development should be systematic and sustained, for which proper planning is necessary. The planning process has to take into account political, legal, economic and administrative realities at any point of time. In relation to planning, strategies have to be evolved to chart out a predetermined course of actions. A programme is a scheduled set of activities or tasks undertaken to implement a strategy: It requires specific planning, budgeting and organisational attention. A course of action is to be formulated with different levels of generality and specificity. Several courses of action may lead to the realisation of the overall objectives.

In the matter of library development in India there have been many recommendations of committees for reforms, policy initiatives, planning processes arid programming exercises. They have helped in the planned development of libraries.

4.3.2 Policy Initiatives and Library Policies

A policy is a statement of commitment to a generic course of action necessary for the attainment; of a goal, which in our case is library development. A policy is conditioned on the political, economic, social and cultural milieu. Many countries have adopted a library policy which. helped them undertake library development with a certain commitment and assurance. Policies in certain sectors of the national economy have also had their implications for library' development: In India, professional forums in the library field have been pleading with the Government to enunciate a library policy for the country as a whole. At last, the country is now about to have a library policy with hopes of implementation.

National Policy-on Library and Information System (NAPLIS)

The Department of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, appointed in October 1985 a committee of senior library scientists and other specialists, with Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyaya as chairman, to prepare a draft document on the National Policy on Library and Information System. The Committee completed its assignment and submitted a draft document to the Government on May 31, 1986.

Page 6: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

50

their Role in Society

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

v)

vi)

vii)

• • •

The main aims of the library and information policy were recommended to be:

to foster, promote and sustain, by all appropriate means, the organisation; availability and use of information in all sectors of national activity;

to take steps to mobilise and upgrade the existing library and information systems and services and initiate new programmes relevant to our national needs, taking advantage of the latest advances in information technology;

to encourage and initiate, with all possible speed, programmes for the training of library and information personnel on a scale and of a calibre adequate to provide library and information services and to recognise their work as an important component of the quality and level of such services;

to set up adequate monitoring mechanisms for ensuring the rapid development of library and information facilities and services to meet the information needs of all sectors and levels of the national economy;

to encourage individual initiatives for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and for the discovery of new knowledge in an atmosphere of intellectual freedom;

in general, to secure for the people of the country all the benefits that can acrue from the acquisition and application of knowledge; and

to preserve and make known the nation's cultural heritage in its multiple forms.

The draft policy document consists of YO chapters, viz. Introduction, Objectives, Public Library System; Academic Library System, Special Libraries and Information Systems, National Library System and Bibliographical Services, Manpower Development and Professional Status, Modernisation of Library and Information Systems, General Professional Issues and Implementing Agencies and Financial Support. The document has five appendices. Each chapter, after setting out the objectives, makes some specific recommendations towards upgrading and coordinating the existing library and information systems and services and initiating new programmes towards meeting the expanding demand for library and information support. The chapter on Implementing Agencies makes a specific recommendation for constituting a National Commission for Libraries and Information Systems to oversee the implementation of the National Policy.

The Government of India took prompt follow-up action by appointing an empowered committee to examine the -implications of the various recommendations of the policy document and arrive at appropriate decisions for approval by the Government. The committee completed its tasks in March 1,988 and submitted its report.

The recommendations of the empowered committee are:

constitution of a National Commission on Libraries to play a major role in implementing the library policy and in the progress of library development; creation of an All India Library Service; active involvement of the Central Government in public library development; public library development has also to be supported by agencies involved in social, education, rural development, etc;

Page 7: Library Society

Library Development in

51

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

• •

university and college libraries are to be considered academic units and senior library staff 'members should be regarded as members of the academic community; the National Library of India, Calcutta, should be strengthened; development of a system of national libraries.

The formulation and implementation of a National Policy on Library and Information System are epoch-making measures in the library movement in the country. If the policy recommendations are faithfully implemented, a new phase in library development in India towards a far better performance and achievement is sure to come about.

Other Library and Information Policies UNESCO has been advocating the adoption of a National (Science) Information Policy by all the countries of the world. In this connection, UNESCO held some regional meetings and seminars in India. The National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT), which is the focal point in India for the UNISIST/LJNESCO programme, is expected to take interest in framing information policy. The Society for Information Science in India has done considerable spade work for preparing the National (Science) Information Policy.

The Medical Library Association of India had brought out in September 1986 a document on National Health (Literature) Information Policy. However, it has not yet been considered at the official level.

4.3.3 Policy on other Sectors having Implications for Libraries The policies which have been adopted by the Government in a few other sectors have a bearing and influence on library development.

Education Policy: The National Policy on Education, announced by the Government of India in May 1986, has a brief recommendation on libraries as follows: "Together with the development of books, a nation-wide movement for the improvement of existing libraries and the establishment of new ones will be taken up. Provision will be made in all educational institutions for library facilities and the status of librarians improved". Libraries are central to the education system. The National policy on Education should have given a better treatment to the, question of libraries. However, the subsequent follow-up exercise of preparing a document on Programme of Action on National Policy on Education (August 1986) has dealt with some aspects of library development in educational institutions.

Book Policy: The National Book Policy, which was also prepared in 1986, has emphasised the availability of books at low prices, improvement of the quality of books, books for children and other special groups, book production, book promotion, etc. These issues are relevant to collection building programmes in libraries.

Science Policy: The Scientific Policy Resolution adopted by the Government of India in 1958 has the following directions in the context of emphasis on library and information services;

- “to encourage individual initiative for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge, in an atmosphere of academic freedom”;

Page 8: Library Society

Development of Libraries and - “..: and, in general, to secure for the people of the country all the benefits that can accrue from the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge.”

52

their Role in Society

Technology Policy: The Technology Policy statement announced by the Prime Minister in March 1983 has made an explicit mention of establishing a technology information base towards the collection and analysis of relevant technological information.

Information (Communication) Policy: The document on "Background to Evolving a National Information Policy" has recognised that information is indispensable to the functioning of a true democracy, where people have to be kept informed about current affairs and broad issues - political, social and economic. The role of public libraries in this regard is obvious.

Self Check Exercises 2) State the main aims of the National Policy on Library and Information

System. 3) List national policies in other sectors which have a bearing on library

development in the country.. Note: i) Write your answers in the space, given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit,

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

4.4 RECOMMENDATIONS OF SOME IMPORTANT COMMITTEES ON LIBRARY MATTERS

There have been many ad hoc committees appointed by the government at various levels from time to time to consider either exclusively or partly or in a passing reference issues relating to the improvement of libraries. These committees, besides pointing out the shortcomings of the existing system in relation to an assessment of present and future requirements, have proposed reforms/improvements in the form of recommendations. The governments, in most cases, have accepted in principle the reports of the committees. However, the committees' role being advisory, the recommendations are not binding on the governments. Nonetheless, such committees stimulate interest in the issues highlighted by them and help in taking concrete measures thorough regular planning and programming endeavours.

It is important to note the work of various committees and commissions on libraries and their recommendations. It is not possible to review every state-level and central-level committee or commission. However, a brief review of the recommendations of some important committees on libraries is given below:

4.4.1 Public Libraries i) Though not an official initiative, it is worth mentioning here that Dr. S.R.

Ranganathan prepared a Library Development Plan, a thirty year programme, published as a book in 1950 by the University of Delhi. The blueprint drawn up by Dr. Ranganathan was useful to subsequent exercises of formulating national-level plans for library development

Page 9: Library Society

Library Development in

53

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

ii)

iii)

iv)

The Report of the Advisory Committee for Libraries, also known as the Sinha Committee, is an extremely valuable document. For the first time, issues relating to public library development in the country as a whole have been dealt with thoroughly and many useful recommendations have been made. The report was submitted to the Government of India in November 1958 and in the following year it was published as an official document. The report has nine chapters; Historical, Present Position, Structure of Libraries, Auxiliary Services and Library Cooperation, Library Personnel, Training for Librarianship, Libraries and Social Education and Library Finance and Administration. In each chapter, specific recommendations have been made.

The Sinha Committee made the following recommendations:

libraries at the panchayat, block, district and state levels to be constituted with appropriate functions and span of control;

the Book Bureau and the Mitra Mandal have to be set up as auxiliary services;

an inter-library loan service should be established;

the status and responsibilities of library professionals should be determined;

training should be provided to library personnel to upgrade their skills;

libraries should interact with other social, education and adult education programmes. The library cess of 6 paise per rupee in property tax should be collected by the local authorities for building and maintaining libraries; and an equivalent sum must be contributed by the state and central governments;

a library fund with proper supervision must be set up to administer the finances of libraries at various levels. ,

While the overall basic recommendations of the Library Advisory Committee have been sound, the lamentable part is that many of the valuable recommendations have remained un-implemented: As a result, even today, public library development in the country is lagging behind.

The first well-known committee on regional public libraries is the Library Development Committee, Bombay 1939-40, headed by Mr. A.A.A. Fyzee. Though the terms of reference of the committee were the setting up of central and regional libraries only, it covered a wider field and put forth a scheme for developing libraries in the then Bombay province in six stages to cover even villages with a population of less than 1,000. The financial implications of the committee's, proposals would not allow the Government of Bombay to implement all the six stages. Arising out of the recommendations of the Fyzee Committee, one central library, three regional libraries and 15 district libraries (all districts of the then Bombay province), marking up stages 1 and 2, were set up.

In Andhra Pradesh, a committee was appointed by the Government in February 1976 under the chairmanship of Justice Gopal Rao Ekbote to review the working of the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act 1960 and to suggest necessary amendments to the Act. The commit tee submitted its report in 1977. It made several worthwhile recommendations on various

Page 10: Library Society

Development of Libraries and aspects of the public library system in the light of the experience of the working of the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act 1960. The Government of Andhra Pradesh accepted the Report of the Ekbote Committee but did not appear to have implemented the recommendations faithfully. There was yet another committee appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in July 1978 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Vavilala Gopalakrishnayya, to suggest measures for the improvement of private libraries (aided libraries) and to evolve a system of grant-in-aid to private libraries. The committee submitted its report in November 1978. It suggested norms and procedures for identification, grant-in-aid, inspection, etc., of private libraries. The Government accepted the majority of the recommendations of this committee in 1982.

54

their Role in Society

v) In Tamil Nadu also, a Library Reorganising Committee was appointed in 1974 under the chairmanship of Mr. V. N. Subharayan. The committee made some valuable recommendations, following which, a separate full time District Library Officer for each district was. provided to administer the district library system. An official-level committee headed by Mr. S. Srinivasan examined the implications of the recommendations of the Subharayan Committee and proposed in November 1978 the sanction of a family benefit fund and a retirement fund and integrated library personnel for the public library system in Tamil Nadu.

4.4.2 Academic Libraries

The place of the library in schools has been given a proper focus in the report of the Secondary Education Commission (October 1952 - June 1953) whose chairman was Dr. A.L. Mudaliar. The commission pointed out the sad state of affairs of libraries in schools. It emphasised the habit of general reading by children and advocated the establishment of really good libraries in schools and provision of intelligent and effective library service for this purpose. It said that individual work, pursuit of group projects, academic hobbies and co-curricular activities called for the presence of a good and efficiently functioning library. The commission also recommended that every secondary school should have a central library under a trained librarian. It expressed the view that in smaller places it may be more economical to build up the school library in such a way that it may also serve the function of a public library for the locality.

In regard to university libraries, the report of the University Education Commission (December 1948 to August 1949; Chairman: Dr. S. Radhakrishnan), discussed in detail the central position of the library in the academic system. This commission recommended encouragement to self-study and library work to supplement class instruction. The report stated that training in higher branches of learning is mainly a question of learning how to use the tools, and if the library tools are not there the students are handicapped in learning how to use the tools. It concluded that learning the techniques of using the library and searching for information is highly essential.

The report of the Education Commission (1964-66; Chairman: Dr. D.S. Kothari), entitled, Education and National Development, also discussed the role of libraries in higher education. While advocating self-study by the students, the report highlighted the skill to use books and documents independently by the students in the learning process. The Education Commission offered eleven useful and important suggestions for the improvement of university and college libraries.

Page 11: Library Society

Library Development in The commission also addressed itself to the role of libraries in adult education and recommended the establishment of a network of public libraries. It wanted school libraries to be integrated with public libraries for purposes of adult education programmes.

55

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

By far the most comprehensive document on university and college libraries is the report of the UGC Library Committee, chaired by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan. The report was published by the University Grants Commission in 1959 as "University and College Libraries", containing the report of the Library Committee and the proceedings of the seminar on "From Publisher to Reader" held on March 4-7, 1957. The report touched upon all aspects of university and college library organisation and services and formulated a set of comprehensive recommendations. The recommendations of the committee had a far-reaching effect on the development of university libraries later. The committee not only provided a framework to the UGC to implement its grants-in-aid programmes but also gave to university authorities important guidelines. Particular mention must be made of the recommendations concerning library finance which helped libraries to secure enough finance by way of annual grants from the universities themselves and of development grants from the UGC. The recommendations on library personnel and staff strength provided the size of the library staff based on various library operations.

The staff formula prescribed by Dr. Ranganathan has guided UGC and the universities all along. The report has also-given a blueprint for the systematic development of university libraries in the country.

4.4.3 Agricultural Libraries The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has shown interest in the improvement of library and documentation services in agricultural institutions. As early as 1957, the Council invited Dr. Ralph Shaw of the United States to study the requirements of library and bibliographical services for agricultural research and teaching. Dr. Shaw, with the co-authorship of Dr. D.B. Krishna Rao, submitted a report on Library and Bibliographical Service (published by ICAR in 1959). The report stimulated interest, although many of the recommendations were not put into effect.

In 1967, the ICAR commissioned an Indo-American Agricultural Library Survey and Study Team under the chairpersonship of Dr. Dorothy Parker of the Rockefeller Foundation. The report of the team, which was published by the ICAR in 1969 under the title, Final Report on the ICAR Institutes and Agricultural University Libraries, carried valuable recommendations directed towards evolving a national system of agricultural libraries and documentation centres, with the libraries of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Indian Veterinary Research Institute and National Dairy Research Institute functioning as national libraries in agriculture, veterinary science and dairy science respectively. The recommendations of this study team also remained unimplemented, despite the pressing need for evolving a national system for agricultural information.

4.4.4 Medical Libraries There were important recommendations concerning medical libraries in the report of the Health Survey and Development Committee, Vo1.2, Recommendations (Chairman Dr. J. Bhore), which was published in 1946. The committee took note of the existing condition of medical libraries in India and strongly recommended

Page 12: Library Society

Development of Libraries and the establishment of a central medical library. The committee noted that there was no medical library in India with more than 11,000 volumes except the DGHS Library, which later became the National Medical Library.

56

their Role in Society

Long after the Bhore Committee's recommendations on medical libraries in India, the next most comprehensive report that was commissioned was the report of the Sankaran Committee, submitted in 1981. The report recommended the evolution of an effective and efficient library and information services network for the country, which later-became known as HELLIS Network.

Self Check Exercises 4) list the areas of recommendations of the report of the Library Advisory

Committee of the Government of India. 5) Mention the role and function of libraries as given by the two Education

Commission reports. 6) State the areas of recommendations of the UGC Library Committee. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

4.5 PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING ENDEAVOURS The country has taken to national planning to bring about social and economic change. The Five Year Plans, starting from 1951 have brought about a vast transformation in the country. By placing the thrust on modernisation, the country is now preparing itself to enter the twenty - first century, which is to be characterised by a technological revolution of altogether new dimensions.

Library development is taken care of in the national plans as a sub-sector exclusively and also under different sectoral plans. The state plans also devote attention to public library development. Development of individual library systems is usually included in the plans of the parent body and aggregated at sub-sectoral and sectoral levels

4.5.1 National Planning The development of libraries in the country during the seven Five Year Plans is summed up in Tables 1 and 2. The three columns with tables represent, respectively, the Five Year Plans, indicating financial outlays, the development plans and the extent of implementation at `he end of the plan period. In Table l, the development of libraries as a sub-sector is given. In Table 2, the development of library systems attached to science and technology, education, health; environment and biotechnology is given.

Table 1: Development of libraries under different five-year plans

Five Year PlanIncluding Financial outlay

Proposed Development Extent of Implementation

Page 13: Library Society

Library Development in

First 1951-56 Rs. 1 crore plus

Network of public libraries, linking district and state central libraries; Community Development Programme to give fillip to rural libraries

Schemes came into force in,1952 Nine states prepared plans for setting up their state central libraries; some states were in the process of setting up district libraries.

Enactment of the Delivery of Books (Public Libraries) Act 1954/56.

Establishment of the National Central Library and three depository libraries in Calcutta Bombay and Madras.

Second 1956-61

National network of central, state and district libraries

Development activities marginal

Third 1961-66 Continued the pace set by the first two Plans, without any special emphasis

12 out of 16 states had state entral

Libraries; 5 out of 9 Union Territories had central libraries;203 out of 327 districts had district libraries; 27% of blocks had block libraries.

Fourth 1966-71 Rs. 30.99 crores

Appointment of a working group for Library Development by the Planning Commission Prepared a scheme of phased and coordinated programme for the foundation of a public library system Library given the status of a sub-sector

The implementation did not match the identified programmes of the Working Group for Libraries Development

57

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

4.5.2 Sectoral Planning

Table 2: Development of Libraries under 8th and 9th Five-Year Plans

Sectoral Plans Est. in crores

Proposed Development Extent of Implementation

Eighth Plan 1990-95 Estimates for all sectors Rs. 1942

Main thrust: To set up a National Commission on Libraries and Information System: To evolve a National Policy on Library and

Recommendations have either not been implemented or very little action has been taken.

Page 14: Library Society

Development of Libraries and Information System

Rs.450 Public Library System including Pachayaat Libraries -do-

Rs. 360 Academic Libraries -do-

Rs. 280 Special Libraries -do-

Rs. 270 National Library and Bibliography System -do-

Rs.5.00 National Commission on Libraries and Information system

-do-

Rs. 41 Miscellaneous -do-

Rs. 535 Informatics (NISSAT, NIS in Soc.Sc.,NICNET, INFLIBNET, Indian Inst of Information' Science)

-do-

Total Rs. 1942

Ninth plan 1997-2002

Priorities: Library to become a concurrent subject; Library legislation in all states; Libraries to be modernised, networks national and city databases; Application information technology conservation of India's heritage; Setting up an autonomous body to review modernisation process, develop a databank, and lay down guidelines for manpower development, setting up of a Bureau of Libraries and Information Service in the Department of Culture; An All-India cadre for library and information services.

In process

58

their Role in Society

Estimates for all sectors Rs. 2444

Rs. 400 Public library system

Rs. 700 Academic library system

Rs. 400 Special libraries (S&T, Govt. libraries, arts, culture; humanities)

Rs.525 National library system

Page 15: Library Society

Library Development in Rs.310 Informatics (NISSAT, NICNET, INFLIBNET, DELNET,

City networks, National Mission on Rare books and Manuscripts)

59

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

Rs.5.00 Apex body on libraries and information systems

Rs. 52 Manpower development, R&D, National Institute of Library and Information Science

Rs.52 Other activities

While it is gratifying that the Planning Commission has taken the initiative and that the Working Group has come up with many valuable recommendations, there has been little evidence of definite acceptance of the recommendations by the Planning Commission, particularly in terms of allocating the required financial resources: A multitude of agencies at the centre and in the states and in different sectors are responsible for library development. Therefore, financial inputs have not been channelised systematically and in a coordinated manner. In this situation, it can only be hoped that the financial inputs, as recommended by the Working Group of the Ninth Five Year Plan, will be taken care of by the different sectors, agencies, levels, etc.

4.6 ASSESSMENT OF LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION TO PLANS AND PROGRAMMES

4.6.1 Present Situation There is no doubt that plans and programmes so far conceived have helped the country to lay the foundation for a proper library service. The recommendations of the different committees have also stimulated action subsequently. However, taking an overall view, library development in the country does not seem to have picked up any momentum. Shortfalls in implementation may perhaps be due to inadequate financial provision. Generally, considering the demands for many social and educational programmes, particularly in terms of financial allocations, library development gets a low priority. If Library becomes a concurrent subject, there may be better chances of giving attention to library development.

School libraries which should not be neglected receive very little attention and care.

Despite serious efforts to bring about network of libraries, the process is slow, and halting.

Manpower development needs greater attention as IT is fast making the traditional library approach out of date.

4.6.2 Directions for the Future Modernisation is the key to restructuring the entire library edifice. Computer, communication and multimedia technologies provide a great opportunity for the profession to rise to the occasion.

The quality of library services will have to improve by leaps and bounds if the library and information professionals have to stay in competition with others who are getting more and more involved in library and information activities.

Linking the library resources of the country through effective networking facilities, national bibliographic database creation, developing access and availability of full texts, and upgrading professional competence to face new

Page 16: Library Society

Development of Libraries and competitive situations are some of the more important tasks facing the development of the library and information system in the country. The latest Five Year Plan has taken care of all these aspects and, if implemented, the future of library system will be ensure.

60

their Role in Society

4.7 SUMMARY This Unit is an introduction to the study of organised and planned efforts at library development in India. While tracing the growth of the library movement in the country, we find that the parameters for library development have been very wide and the magnitude too vast. Planning and programming endeavours are essential to aim at a systematic and assured development. A national library policy is also necessary to have a commitment to provide library service to all the people. The Five Year Plans have given a great deal of attention to library development and informatics and the Ninth Plan has made appropriate provision. If implemented rigorously, library development will get assured success.

4.8 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The three landmarks indicating the progress of libraries in India in the

post-independence period are:

i) the growth and development of the-National Library at Calcutta; ii) public library legislation in six states of India leading to the

development of public library systems in these states; iii) the increase in the number of university and college libraries.

2) The main aims of the National Policy on Library and Information System are:

i) to foster, promote, and sustain the organisation, availability and use of information, in all sectors of national activity;

ii) to take steps for mobilising and upgrading the existing library and information systems and services;

iii) to encourage and initiate, programmes for the library and information personnel;

iv) to set up adequate monitoring mechanisms for ensuring a rapid development of library and information facilities and services;

v) to encourage individual initiatives for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and for the discovery of new knowledge in an atmosphere of intellectual freedom;

vi) to secure for the people of the country all the benefits that can accrue from the acquisition and application of knowledge; and

vii) to preserve and make known the nation's cultural heritage in its multiple forms.

3) The national sectoral policies which have a bearing on the library development are:

i) Education Policy; ii) Book Policy; iii) Scientific Policy Resolution; iv) Technology Policy; v) Information (Communication) Policy.

Page 17: Library Society

Library Development in All these policies deal with libraries explicitly and implicitly.

61

Modern India : Plans and Programmes

4) The areas of recommendation of the Report of the Library Advisory Committee are:

i) structure of library system (for public libraries) ii) library cooperation iii) compilation of union catalogues iv) library personnel, status, powers, duties and responsibilities v) training for librarianship vi) auxiliary services, like book bureaux, development of library

association, formation of Mitra Mandals. vii) library Finance viii) interaction between libraries and social education programme.

5) Secondary Education Commission Report (Chairman Dr. A.L: Mudaliar)

i) establishment of good libraries in schools and provision of intelligent and effective library service;

ii) emphasis on the habit of general reading by children; iii) in smaller places, school libraries could function as public libraries

also. University

Education Commission Report (Chairman Dr. S. Radhakrishna)

i) central position of the library in the academic system; ii) preferred self study and library work by way of supplementing

class instructions; iii) higher branches of learning is mainly a question of learning how to

use tools and techniques.

Education Commission (Chairman, Dr. D.S. Kothari)

i) discussed role of libraries in higher education ii) highlighted the skill to use independently books and documents by

the students in the learning process; iii) offered eleven useful and important suggestions for the

improvement of university and college libraries.

6) The areas of recommendation of the UGC Library Committee are:

i) provided a framework and important guidelines to implement its grant-in-aid programmes

ii) library finance iii) personnel, status, salary etc: vi) staff strength v) a blueprint for the systematic development of university libraries

in the country.

7) The salient features of the report of Working Group on Libraries of the Fourth Five Year ' Plan are:

Preparation of a scheme of phased and coordinated programmes for laying the foundation of an efficient system of public library service for the country with a financial out of Rs.30.00 crores. Importance was given to

Page 18: Library Society

Development of Libraries and library development as a sub-sector;-but the implementation did not match the identified programmes of the working group.

62

their Role in Society

8) A brief summary of the report of the Seventh Plan Working Group on

Modernisation of Libraries:

The report dealt with the requirements of public, academic, special and national libraries, and the use of computers and manpower development and training. Discussed the feasible perspective of development of library services up to 2000 A.D. The report carried five general recommendation relating to such issues as national library policy, separate library directorates/departments, All-India Library Service cadre, and publication and production of materials and use of computers and information technology.

Specific recommendations were made regarding public, university, college, special libraries, information systems and centres, national libraries, education and training, and library associations. The second part of the report dealt with informatics and computer application. It identified areas of computer application in libraries, outlined a plan for library and information networks and made proposals for international networking and on-line database services. Recommendations on informatics referred to the computer culture in the library community, education and training, computerisation of major libraries, constituting a working group to design, monitor, and evaluate activities. The financial profile suggested was Rs.996 crores, with an allocation of Rs.100 crores, Rs.360 crores, Rs.280 crores and Rs.40 crores for public, academic, special and national library systems respectively; for National Information System and Informatics Rs.10 crores and Rs.150 crores. An expenditure of Rs.12 crores was earmarked for the proposed National Institute of Library and Information Science, Library Directorates, Library Associations and publications and production of material.

4.9 KEYWORDS

Network : A system comprising of compatible units with a common purpose, linked together formally or informally.

Planning : A formulated method of doing something and refers to any method of thinking out acts and purposes beforehand. Plan, project, design and scheme are often synonymously used.

Programme : A scheduled set of activities or tasks to implement a strategy and a tactical action unit of the goal-seeking process.

Policy : A statement of a commitment to a generic course of action, necessary for or conducive to the attainment of a goal.

Resource Sharing

: Mobilising, optimising and utilising on a sharing basis by formal or informal agreements the resources, facilities and services of a system by its components.

Sector : Broad areas devoted to subject/discipline/mission.

Strategy : : A predetermined course of action, usually selected from a number of alternatives

Page 19: Library Society

63

Library Development in Modern India : Plans and

Programmes

4.10 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING India. Ministry of Education and Youth Affairs. (1959). Report of Advisory Committee for Libraries, Manager of Publications: Delhi.

India. Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of Culture (1986). National Policy on Library and Information System - A Presentation. New Delhi. .

Planning Commission (1966). Report of the Working Group on Libraries, New Delhi.

Planning Commission (1984). Report of the Working Group on Modernisation of Libraries and Informatics for the Seventh Five Year Plan 1985-90, New Delhi.

Rajagopalan, T.S. (1988). Year's Work in Indian Librarianship, Indian Library Association: Delhi.

Report of the Working Group of the Planning Commission on Libraries and Informatics for the Eighth Five Year Plan 1990-95. (1989). New Delhi, Department of Culture.

Report of the Working Group of the Planning Commission on Libraries and Informatics for the Ninth Five Year Plan 1997 -2002. (1996). New Delhi, Department of Culture.

University Grants Commission (1959). University and College Libraries, Containing the Report of the Library Committee of the UGC and the Proceedings of the Seminar on From Publisher to Reader held on March 4-7, 1957, UGC: New Delhi. :

Page 20: Library Society

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

UNIT 5 NATIONAL LIBRARIES: THEIR FUNCTIONS: A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF NATIONAL LIBRARIES OF INDIA, UK AND USA

Structure

5.0 Objectives

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Concept of a National Library

5.2.1 Historical Perspective

5.2:2 Emergence of the National Library

5.2.3 Definition of National Library

5.2.4 Objectives and Functions of a National Library

5.3 Types of National Libraries

5.4 Descriptive Account of a Few National Libraries

5.4.1 The National Library of India

5.4:2 The Library of Congress (LC)

5.4.3 The British Library

5.5 Summary

5.6 Answers to Self Check Exercises

5.7 Key Words

5.8 References and Further Reading

5.0 OBJECTIVES In this Unit, we are introducing you to national libraries, their objectives, 'functions and activities with a brief historical sketch of how they originated. National Libraries of India, UK and USA are briefly described as case studies.

After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

• trace the origin of national libraries and how they evolved;

• describe their growth;

• elucidate their objectives, functions. and activities;

• explain the development of different types of national libraries; and

• give brief descriptions of the national libraries of India, UK and USA.

5.1 INTRODUCTION The concept of national libraries is a recent development dating back to a few centuries. This development has been a feature of socio-economic, culture and scientific advancements in the western industrially advanced countries. Although national libraries in some form existed in many countries in the past, the origin and growth of national libraries as we understand them today, have been an outcome of the Renaissance and Reformation movements in Europe. Their growth has been accelerated by advances in 5

Page 21: Library Society

6

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

science and technology and their applications in industry, trade, transportation and communication:

In this Unit, we study briefly the growth and development of national libraries. Their objectives, functions, and activities have been a topic of debate and discussion in many international and national forums. Although no universally acceptable definition has emerged out of these discussions and debates, a general, consensus of objectives, functions and activities of national libraries could be formulated from such discussions.

National libraries have grown and developed in recent decades in different dimensions, indicating the-need for specialised national libraries on the basis of subjects (i.e., Medicine), functions (i.e. Lending), user groups (i.e., Blind), and materials (Newspapers). This is also briefly sketched out in one of the sections of the Unit.

While almost every country has a national library , today, we have taken as case studies the National Library of India, the Library of Congress and the British Library, all these great national libraries have some common aspects. While each one of them has its own unique and distinct features. Books have been written on these libraries describing their historical background, growth and advancement in recent decades and their future perspectives. We have briefly highlighted their main features in this Unit.

5.2 CONCEPT OF A NATIONAL LIBRARY The concept of national libraries, as we know them today, has developed in about three centuries back, mostly in industrially advanced countries of the West. The growth and advancement of such libraries have been a conspicuous feature of the intellectual and cultural development of a country. Not only have they grown in size, particularly in the last half a century, they have also expanded in multifold dimensions, tending to develop into a network of national libraries. There are, in some countries today, national subject libraries for medicine, agriculture, science and technology, and for a few professional services like document supply, compilation and production of national bibliographies. These trends are also witnessed on the Indian scene in some measure. We shall study all these developments in this Unit.

5.2.1 Historical Perspective

Libraries existed ever since mankind started keeping records of events, activities and achievements, although they were not necessarily the same as we conceive them today. We, thus, find libraries of. : ,

• Clay tablets as in Assyria and Babylonia;

• Papyrus as in Egypt;

• Vellum./Parchment and wooden boards in Medieval Europe;

• Hand made paper in China and India;

• Palm leaves, birch barks, silk cloth, copper plates etc., in India; and

• Bone and paper in China:

The production of such records was not only time-consuming but also very expensive. Libraries consisting of such records could, therefore, be established only by ruling monarchs and by wealthy religious institutions. The spread of the art of making paper and the disco4ery of printing in Europe in the 15th century, however, led to production of books as we understand them today. Libraries consisting of such books began to appear along with these developments.

The Renaissance and the Reformation in Europe brought about a tremendous change in the life of the people. These two movements enabled people to undertake voyages of discovery, both in the sphere of intellect and physical and geographical world. Consequently, books were written in larger number on the new lands discovered, about

Page 22: Library Society

the people living there and the new knowledge acquired. Education spread. gradually. Hence arose the need for different types 'of -libraries to cater to learning needs of students and teachers. Thus we see the birth of university and college libraries for the benefit of students and academicians. Social changes brought by scientific and technological discoveries, the concepts of liberal education, education for all, political thought and ideas of democracy etc.; all these factors contributed to the creation and development of public libraries for common man and special libraries for scientists, technicians and other specialists.

7

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

5.2.2 Emergence of the National Library

Along with the differerent types of libraries mentioned above , there always existed in many countries, another type of library which stood apart and above the rest. It had its origin in the older royal or-institutional library. Bibliotheque Nationale de France, the British Museum Library of Great Britain (Now British Library) and the Library of Congress of the United States began in that way. These national libraries developed in recent past.

The early characteristics of these National Libraries were that they were the focal points of the nation in each country: They enjoyed the privilege of receiving a copy of every book published in the country. They had funds for buying foreign publications, space to house them and a staff to process them. They were located in the capital of the country. These libraries were built up to preserve, protect, conserve and perpetuate the nation's intellectual and cultural heritage. They were not particularly oriented towards providing public library service. The collection of these; libraries were largely in arts, literature, philosophy, religion and one or two social sciences. Books on science and technology were still to come. These libraries were used by scholars in humanities and social sciences, who could spend a great amount of time in these libraries;. With the advent of the 20th century, science and technology gained ascendancy. The researches of scientists like Newton, Roentgen, Pierre, Marie Curie and many others, opened flood gates of scientific research.

This `in turn' resulted in an extensive output of scientific literature. Alongside these, there was also a similar spate of literature in other disciplines. National libraries found it increasingly difficult to acquire all important documents, leave alone processing and making them speedily available to users. Hcowever, the rapid growth.and development of university and special libraries, which were more responsive to users, in a way, mitigated the problems of scholars and research scientists concerning access and use of books and other documents. These developments set governments, leaders of libraries and other intellectuals and scientists to 'review the objects and functions of the national library, particularly in relation to the problems and prospects of creating a library system for the country. Discussions and' debates over these issues stimulated new thinking and a more precise and concrete definition of what a national library should be provided.

5.2.3 Definition of National Library

It is against this background that we shall now examine two of the recent prominent definitions of a national library: -

a) Edition 6 of Harrods’s Librarians' Glossary and Reference Book (1987) defines a National

Library as:

i) a library maintained ~out of government funds;

ii) serving the nation as a whole;

iii) books in such libraries being for reference only;

iv) libraries are usually copyright libraries; i.

Page 23: Library Society

8

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

v) the function of such a library is to collect and preserve for posterity, the books, periodicals, newspapers and other downbeats published in the country;

This is best done by a law requiring publishers to deposit copies of all publications issued by them; and

vi). being-purchased books published in other countries.

The ALA Glossary of Library Terms, simply defines, the National Library As "a library maintained by a Nation".

One of the unique privileges of a National Library of a country is to receive by law all print and non-print materials produced by the country. This It ~gal provision is usually incorporated in the Copyright Laws of the country, by which an author, an' artist or a musician, has the exclusive right, granted by law, for a certain number o1' years, to make and dispose copies of a literary, musical or artistic: work. These laws proved for the government to receive a few copies of print and non-print materials which are usually deposited with the National .few Such legal privileges are also obtained for the National Library of a country by special laws enacted for the purpose, e.g.; the Delivery i )f Books and, Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act of the Government of India. National libraries that enjoy this privilege are also known as Copyright or Legal Deposit Libraries.

The definition is silent about the services that a National Library has to offer other than the twin functions of collecting and conserving the nation's intellectual patrimony and buying important books published in other countries.

A more comprehensive definition of a National Library was attempted by UNESCO, at its 16th Session of the General Conference held in 1970, when UNESCO made "Recommendations Concerning International Standardisation of Library Statistics". The following definition of the National Library occurs in this document;

"Libraries which, irrespective of the titles, are responsible for acquiring and conserving copies of all significant:

i) publications published in the country and functioning as a

ii) deposit library either by law or under other arrangements.

They will also normally perform some of the following functions :

iii) produce a national bibliography ,

iv) hold and keep up-to-date a. large representative collection or foreign literature, including books about the country;

v) act as a national bibliographical information centre;

vi) Compile union catalogues

vii) publish retrospective bibliographies..:."

This definition is quite comprehensive and covers seven of the most important functions of a National Library.

The objects, functions and activities of a National Library lave been a subject of discussion and debate in many forums in the last two decades. Although no conclusive definition has ever emerged, some consensus and practices have guided National Libraries that are developing in the third world countries. '

5.2.4 Objectives and Functions of a National Library

While discussing the overall objectives of National Central Library, Ranganathan emphasised that :

"The National Central Library should be national in every sense of the word and not merely the symbolic representation of the library personality of the nation. It must be the

Page 24: Library Society

channel through which all the library obligations of the nation to the international world are discharged. ... It should be national in the sense of leeing the ultimate book bank of the nation capable of supplementing the library resources, of every locality, by being open for use by any citizen wherever he might live and whether in the preset or in the future. It should also be national in the sense of having representative copies, of every reading and kindred material published within or on our country and by or on all the nationals of our country. It should also procure practically every reading material published anywhere in the world for which there is likely to be a reasonable demand from our people".

9

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

In the Final Report of the Regional Seminar on the Development of National Library in Asia and Pacific Area held at Manila in 19,64, the following functions of the national library have been given :

i) To provide leadership among the nation's libraries;

ii) To serve as a permanent depository for all publications issued in the country;

iii) To acquire other types of materials;

iv) To provide bibliographical services;

v) To serve as a co-ordinating centre for co-operative activities; and

vi) To provide service to government.

Keeping in view the "two definitions given in the earlier section and the practices in vogue in some of the important national libraries of the world, we may give a fairly exhaustive list of the objectives and functions of a National Library.

a) Functions Relating to Collection Development and Conservation

Two important and exclusive features that distinguish a national library from other types of libraries are : a) Its comprehensive collection of not only national outputs but also of documents published outside the country that are about the nation; b) the responsibility of preserving these documents for prosperity. These two functions are unique to national libraries.

These functions are spelled out below :

i) To serve as a central and comprehensive collection of national output, acquired through legal deposits, gifts or exchange;

ii) To acquire and maintain documents about the country or its people or activities, published outside the country by any national or in any language or form;

iii) to collect and preserve select manuscripts and such other archival records of national relevance and importance;

iv) To collect foreign documents for which there may be demand from the people of the country;

v) To collect and preserve specialised materials such as books for the blind, dramatic compositions, engravings, medals, music compositions, cinematic films, photographs, sound recordings, etc., if these materials are not being collected by other agencies;

vi) In sum, conserving the national intellectual and cultural heritage for the benefit of the future.

b) Disseminating Functions

The information on books, periodicals and other materials collected may have to be disseminated through:

i) catalogues in printed, microforms and machine readable forms;.

Page 25: Library Society

10

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

ii) compilation of retrospective or current bibliographies on various subjects in anticipation of or on request.

Retrospective bibliographies include past publications over a period of time, while current ones confine only to current publications.

For example, the compilation and publication of Bibliography on Ideology of the National Library of India is a continuing project, in which four volumes have been published,, viz., Indian anthropology;, Indian botany (2 volumes); and Bengali language and literature. Current bibliographies are usually compiled on request from scholars and institutions on current topics, most of which may be short and selective.

iii) Index to currently published journals literature appearing in research and/or scholarly periodicals;

If no other institution or agency compiles and publishes indexes to current scholarly or research journals, National libraries, may undertake this responsibility.

iv) Preparation and production of abstracts of current literature on subjects of national interest;

The Indian Science Abstracts, a record of current literature in Indian science, prepared from the journals and other documents received by the National Science Library, is being brought out by the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre.

c) National Bibliographies

Preparation and production of national bibliographies of books and periodicals and other non-print materials, in printed and/or microforms and machine readable forms is other formation of the National library. By-products of these may be directories of publishers, authors of repute with their addresses and current statistics relating to production of books and other documents.

Examples of national libraries, performing this function are :

The Indian National Bibliography published by the Central Reference 'Library (National Library Campus, Calcutta), and the British National Bibliography, brought out by the British Library.

d) Readers' Services

i) Providing facilities for reading, consulting, etc., on the premises, including research alcoves/rooms for serious readers such as researchers; scholars and writers;

ii) Offering reference, bibliographic and information services;

iii) Providing inter-library lending and serving as a national and international, inter-library loan centres;

iv) Providing photocopying services, including the preparation of slides, overhead transparencies and other facilities to scholars, researchers and others;'

v) Offering specialised services to government; business and industry such as answering technical enquiries from business and industry, preparation of special lists/bibliographies on specific topics on request from Government Departments; and

vi) Serve as a referral centre, which assists users to locate any source of information through specialised directories and guides.

Self Check Exercises 1) State three causes that led to-reviewing the objects and functions of a national

library.

Page 26: Library Society

2) State the broad-groups;under which the objects and functions of a national library can be considered. List also the activities of any one of them.

11

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5.3 TYPES OF NATIONAL LIBRARIES We have mentioned earlier that the activities of National Libraries have expanded considerably in recent decades. Consequently, several of these activities and functions are being shared , by a few National Libraries that have sprung up. However these trends have not been identical in all countries. Historical traditions, socio-economic, scientific and technological developments have determined the nature of emerging National Libraries. National Libraries that have been operating in different countries may be grouped by a) functions b), subjects c) special groups served d) type of material collected e) sub-national serving a geographical area or a cultural group f) functional sharing. Table 1 given below, shows the different types of National Libraries and the functions performed by them with examples.

Table 1 : Types of National Libraries

Types Functions Examples

Comprehensive All functions National Library of Canada By Functions Lending British Library Lending Division

(Formerly National Lending Library for Science and Technology) By subject Agriculture National Agriculture Library, USA Medicine National Medical Library, India

Science National Science Library, IndiaScientific & Technical Library, USSR

Technical By special groups Blind, National Library for the Blind, UK Legislators National Diet Library, Japan Sub-National serving Area/State/cultural National Library of Wales a geographical area or group National Libraries of Serbia, USSRcultural group National Library of Scotland Sharing Sharing functions State and University of Aarhus, DenmarkSelf Check Exercise 3) Give one example of national libraries which are specializing by type of materials,

by subjects and functions.

Note : i) write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers.

Page 27: Library Society

12

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5.4 DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF A FEW NATIONAL LIBRARIES

A library which performs the functions and activities mentioned in the earlier section of this unit will necessarily have to be at the centre of the nation's bibliographical activities. Against this background, profiles of the national libraries of India, The United States of . America and United Kingdom are given below:

5.4.1 The National. Library of India

The Constitution of India provides for the establishment-of a National Library under article 62 of the VII Schedule of the Union List, and declared it as an institution of National importance.

i) Historical Background: First Phase: (1835-1903) Calcutta Public Library

The story of our National library falls into three distinct periods. The beginning of the present National Library can be traced to the Calcutta Public Library founded by public men and scholars of Calcutta in 1$35 and which was opened to public on 21st March 1836. In 1844, the Calcutta Public Library moved into a spacious building, built in honour of Lord Metcalf (Governor-General). In 1857, consequent up on the outbreak of the Indian War of Independence, the Europeans of Calcutta withdrew their support for the library and the Calcutta management of the Library in 1859.

The initial enthusiasm which was, responsible for the establishment of the Library, gradually waned and by the end of the century, the activities of the Library came to a standstill.

Second Phase: (1903-1947) The Imperial Library

In 1899, when Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy and Governor General of India; visited the Library, he found it in a miserable condition. Lord Curzon, who was interested in art and learning, immediately swung into action. He bought the rights of the Library from the proprietors. He later merged this Library with the Official Imperial Library consisting of government departmental libraries and the remanent of the East India Company Library. With this nucleus, Lord Curzon declared open the new Imperial Library of India on 30th January 1903 in the Metcalf Hall. John Macfarlane of the British Museum was invited to look after the new Imperial Library, as its first librarian.

In 1928, the Government of India appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Mr. J.A. Richey, to suggest measures for reorganising the administration of the Library. This Committee, recommended among other things, that the Imperial Library should be declared as a copyright depository Library. This recommendation was followed up by the successive librarians, Mr. Chapman and Khan Bahadur K.M. Asadullah; to secure for the Imperial Library, the privilege of copyright deposit. But their efforts were not realised until the enactment of the Delivery of Books .(Public Libraries) Act, 1954.

While the Calcutta Public Library . had Peary Chanda Mitra and Bipin Chandra Pal as librarians, the Imperial Library also had a galaxy of great librarians as for example, Harinath De, a scholar and linguist, John Alexander Chapman, K:M. Asadullah, a good organiser and administrator, who had the credit of starting library training courses in 1935 in the Imperial Library, Calcutta.

Page 28: Library Society

Third Phase : (1948-1947) The National Library of India

13

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

With the dawn of freedom, the founding fathers of the new nation transformed the former Imperial Library into the new National Library of India in 1948. One of the most pressing needs of the Library was additional space. This problem was solved by a magnanimous gesture which the then Governor-General of India, Shri C. Rajagopalachari, made by offering the Viceroy's Palace in Calcutta, namely, the Belvedere Palace, with its sprawling, lush green lawns, for housing the new National Library. Shri $.S. Kesavan, a man of vision, enthusiasm and administrative skill, was appointed the first Librarian of the new National Library. The imperial institution was transformed into a temple of knowledge of free India. The new National Library was declared open to the nation by the then Union Minister for Education, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on 1st February 1953, in connection with the golden Jubilee celebrations of the library.

The Review Committee appointed by Ministry of Education, Government of India in 1969, recommended the following basic features of the National Library:

ii) Organisation and Management

The National Library became a department of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The Director is the head of the Institution, assisted by two professional librarians. There are deputy and assistant librarians to look after the technical and professional work of the library. Two administrative officers assist the director in administrative matters.

The Library is organised on a functional basis.- The technical and professional functions operate under two main divisions viz., Professional and Conservation. The professional divisions now 42 in number, look after acquisition, processing, maintenance of reading materials and readers services. Divisions of reprography; preservation and laboratory functions come under the conservation division. The administrative division is concerned with personnel, maintenance of building and garden, security, etc. Except for the Laboratory division which is headed by a chemist and the Reprography division under the joint supervision of an assistant librarian and a micro photographer, all the other technical divisions -are headed by assistant librarians. The organisation chart (figure 1) of the Library given at the end of this section, gives an idea of the organisational setup of the library.

The library is accommodated in four buildings, three of which are at the Belvedere Campus and the fourth at Esplanade, with a total carpet area of nearly 3,45,696 sq.ft.

iii) The collection

The National Library has a collection of nearly 221akhs of books and other materials (1996), The collection is built up through :

• Books received through the Delivery of Books and Newspapers Act;

• Purchase

• Gifts

• Exchange

• Depository privileges

The majority of books are in English and in the Indian languages and the rest in a few foreign languages.

The broad categories of publications acquired through purchase are as following :

• Books and journals on India, in any language, published anywhere in the world.

• Indian publications, published before 1954, and not available in the library.

Page 29: Library Society

14

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

• Books by Indian authors, published abroad.

• Standard reference works.

• Books on library, documentation and information sciences; science and technology (general histories, reference works); education, agriculture, planning and development; standard works on history, geography, sociology, etc.; Biographies of eminent personalities of the world; rare and out-of-print books in microforms; foreign language books as far as the budget permits.

The National Library has some notable gift collections which have enriched its holdings considerably. Some of the outstanding gifts have been the collections of Sir Asutosh Mukherji (76,000 books), Ramdas Sen, Barid Baran, Jadunath Sarkar, Dr. S.N. Sen, Prof. Vaiyapuri Pillai and the archival papers of Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru. The pride of place in these gifts go to Sir Asutosh collection which covers the whole gamut -of subjects in the humanities and in. the sciences as far as knowledge extended upto the early decades of the twentieth century:

The National Library has exchange relations with 170 institutions in 56 countries all over the world, and with a number of institutions within the country. Through this method of collection building, the National Library has enriched its collection by the acquisition of valu4ble foreign documents, not normally available through trade channels and Indian publications not obtained through the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act, 1954.

The library, being a repository for United Nations documents and its agencies, has built up a rich collection of UN Publications. Besides the UN publications, 1he publication of the following agencies and governments are deposited in the National Library, according to agreements made with the Government of India.

• American Government documents

• British Government documents (against purchase)

• Canadian Government documents

• European Economic Community and other colonial Government publications.

iv) Processing

The library's cataloguing system follows the Anglo-American cataloguing Rules (A.ACR-2), the Rules for Descriptive Cataloguing of the Library of Congress, For uniformity and consistency in subject headings, the Subject Headings used in the Dictionary Catalogue of the Library of Congress, 8th edition is followed.

The books are classified according to the Dewey Decimal Classification (DT)C): The four editions of DDC i.e. 16th to 19th have been used for this purpose. Cutter's. Three Figure Author Tables is used as a guide to assign author marks.

The library catalogue is both in the card and printed forms. The card catalogue is in the dictionary form for English language publications, arranged in two sequences, author and subject.

The printed catalogue of the library is available in 10 volumes which is the alphabetical author catalogue, covering authors' names beginning with the letters A and S.

v) Reader's Services

The National Library extends its services through its various reading rooms, lending section, bibliography and reference divisions. Presently the following services are offered :

• Lending including Inter Library Loan;

• Reading Rooms;

Page 30: Library Society

• Bibliography and Reference Services;

15

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

• Reprography Services.

a) Lending Services : A peculiar feature of the National Library of India, is that, except for rare books, gift collections, generally out-of-print publications, government and UN documents and serials, all other books are lent out for home reading. This function is rather peculiar to a National Library, as most National Libraries are for reference only and seldom offer lending services to individual users. However, for historical reasons, the National Library, of India, has continued its lending facilities to the members of the library in and out of Calcutta. On an average 250 books are issued everyday.

Inter library loan service is offered to members and institutions with the co-operation of other libraries, both at the national and international levels. This service obtains loan of books from Russian State Library, Moscow, the British Library, U.K., and libraries in Australia, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden and a few other countries.

b) Reading Rooms: Apart from its main reading room which accommodates 320 readers at a time, the National Library maintains ten reading rooms for using different specialised materials. The main reading room stocks a very selective and open shelf collection of about 10;000 volumes of general reference books and books for basic study and reference on specific fields of knowledge.

c) Bibliography and Reference Service: The Bibliography Division of the National Library was established in 1951 with an aim to function as an active agent to disseminate knowledge and information in an organised and effective manner: This service is offered in response to requests from scholars, researchers and writers for a bibliography on a specific topic, without any charge for the service. These bibliographies are usually short and selective. Occasionally extensive and exhaustive bibliographies are also compiled in collaboration with other institutions. List of translations and list of bibliographies published in India are compiled and sent to the UNESCO for inclusion in the INDEX TRANSLATIONUM.

As a support facility to scholarly activities in the country, the National Library brings out retrospective bibliographies on subjects of national interest. The bibliographical project on Indology is one such. effort, conceived as a major publication programme, to bring out comprehensive bibliographies on Indian culture. Four volumes have so far been published on Indian anthropology, Indian botany (2 volumes), and Bengali language and literature.

The Indian National Bibliography, a monthly record of Indian Books, is compiled and published by the Central Reference Library (located in the premises of the National Library) on the basis of publications received by the National Library under the Delivery of Books and Newspapers (Public Libraries) Act.

Reference service is offered to persons who visit- the library in person as well as to those who make enquiries through telephone or post. This service ranges from identifying a publication for a reader to answering fact finding questions or handling complex questions of subject oriented or technical nature, involving prolonged search through a number of documents and. occasionally consultation with experts.

d) Reprography Service: With the installation of Plain Paper Copiers at the main and other reading rooms, facilities are provided for obtaining copies of journal articles, small technical reports, etc., at nominal rates to scholars and research workers. An In-house printing unit is operating for printing small documents for limited circulation.

Modernisation and Automation

The Library with the help of specialists developed a standardised chart of diacritics for automated bibliographic services in Indian languages. To keep pace with modernisation and automation of library services, a Computer Centre has been set up in December 1987

Page 31: Library Society

16

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

installing a H P 3000/37 MICRO AX-a mini computer. In 1991, one PCAT/286-micro computer has been added to this Centre. One 24 Pin L & T Printer is attached with this system. The Library has acquired MINISIS (Minicomputer Integrated set of Information Systems) from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Ottawa, Canada and CDS/ISIS from National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT), New Delhi. MINISIS is installed for bibliographic control of library operations, while CDS/ ISIS is used to create small databases for special areas or subjects.

Bright Future

This library still has an elaborate automation plan, which would gradually revamp the whole system and services. It is planning:

1) To install a main-frame computer with a number of terminals and bring in all the library operations within the purview of automation;

2) To introduce GIST Technology to process Indian and other non-Roman (script) languages publications received in the library;

3) To bring in the preparation of the Indian National Bibliography (INB) and facilitate its regular and timely publication;

4) To introduce Compact Disk Technology;

5) To introduce Optical Disk Technology;

6) To avail of and provide resource sharing by participating in the networks like NICNET, SIRNET, I-NET, INDONET, CALIBNET etc.;

7) To introduce and develop full text database or access full text database by keyword;

8) Developing DTP system for Publication.

vi) Budget: The National Library operates on annual budget appropriated by the Government, including salaries, services and acquisitions, etc.

vii) Staff: The National Library has a staff strength of about 800, one third being library

professionals and the rest having other specialisations.

viii) General Observations: Compared with other major national libraries of the world, India's National Library is at its infancy. In 1968, the Government of India appointed a committee of eminent educationists to review the working of the national library and to make recommendations for its further development. Much of these recommendations have remained on paper. Valuable suggestions were also given by experts from time to time to modernise the activities of the national library and bring it to the level of well-established national libraries of the world.

As mentioned earlier, trends in the creation of national libraries of different types have! also taken roots in India. The National Science Library at the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC), and the National Medical Library of the Ministry of Health Services are operating at present. A National Library for the Blind and the Physically ' Handicapped already exists in Dehra Dun.

In view of all.these developments, the National Library of India, has to act as a catalyst and a co-ordinating agency among all these national libraries and assume leadership in all bibliographical matters of the country. Like the Library, of Congress and the British Library, the National Library of' India should have its own Executive Board, so that necessary progress could be made speedly.

Self Check Exercise 4) State the three historical phases of the growth of the National Library of India. vote :

Page 32: Library Society

Note : i) Write your answer in the space given below.

17

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

ii) Check your answer with the answers.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Figure-2 : Technical Divisions of the National Library, Calcutta, India

Page 33: Library Society

18

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

Self Check Exercises 5) Using the organisational chart (Figure 1) of the National Library, enumerate the

major divisions of the National Library.

6) List the Readers, Services offered by the National Library of India.

7) List the types of national libraries operating in India at present.

Note : i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5.4.2 The Library of Congress (LC)

The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. which is at present considered as the national library of the United States of America, was originally created to serve the U.S. Congress. It was established in 1800 with a small collection, but grew steadily. By the Copyright Law of 1870; the Library acquired the status of a depository library, getting the privilege of free delivery of two copies of printed books, charts; dramatic or musical compositions, engravings, prints or photographs, etc. Today the Library ranks as one of the largest national libraries of its kind and occupies an eminent place in the world of scholarship and learning. We give below a few glimpses of this great Library. An idea of the size, magnitude and range of LC's collection and services can be had from the following facts :

• LC is the largest centre for information storage in the world, having 20 million volumes, books representing only one-fourth of its collection; the other 59 millions of stored data are on sound records, motion picture reels, computer tapes or in the form of manuscripts, maps, prints and photographs. Less than one-fourth of its collection is in English;

• It operates with a staff of about 4800, comprising professional librarians, highly trained personnel such as musicians, lawyers, chemists, computer specialists, scientists and technologists, braille specialists, etc.

• It is housed in three enormous buildings with three different architectural styles; covers a total area of over 71 acres; 3,000 readers can sit at a time in its several reading rooms; and

• It offers services to a variety of specialist groups such as Congressmen, legal community, scholars and academicians, performing artists, blind and handicapped, library and information community;

Ten million pieces of material are handled every year, twenty seven thousand every day.

A) Organisation, Management Activities and Services

The Chief executive of L.C. is the Librarian, a top ranking Government official, appointed directly by the President of the United States, vested with enormous powers and responsibilities. Many eminent scholars and learned men have occupied this position and have nurtured. its growth and development and have enhanced its reputation through service to scholarship and learning. The Librarian is assisted by top ranking professional library experts, scholars and specialists.

LC is organised into eight major blocks or departments. They are :

Page 34: Library Society

• Office of the Librarian

19

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

• Management, Services

• Congressional Research Service

• Copyright Office

• Law Library

• Processing Services

• Research Services

• National Programmes

Each of these departments is organised into divisions and sections based upon users served, functions performed, materials acquired/processed, services rendered; programs formulated and implemented. The organisation chart (Figure 3) gives the total picture of the activities and functions performed by these divisions:

Some of the activities and functions of LC are briefly described below just to indicate their scope and range.

Collection development, processing the mass of material for use, organising catalogue. . services, are the responsibilities of the Processing Services Division. Sixteen sections function under this major division - Acquisitions and Overseas operations, Cataloguing; Bibliographic. products and services are its major sections.

Collection Development

The collection development of LC is done through a) Copyright Depository Privileges, b) Exchange, c) Gifts and d) Purchase. While the copyright receipts bring in the commercial ' and other 'materials of the nation, the government exchange programmes bring in the records of all government affairs-federal, states, and foreign.

Gifts constitute the most valuable source of the library's materials. Besides, useful materials are donated by individuals. Some of the most rare, unique and significant materials come from scientific societies, labour unions, churches, industrial organisations and utility companies. Nearly 18 lakh material are received in a year by way of gifts, constituting the rarest portion of the Library's holdings.

More than 40 million dollars worth of foreign materials are purchased every year, which includes books and monographs, periodicals, newspapers and' other special materials. Acquisition activities have been extensive and widespread, as for example procurement offices have been established, under Public Law 480 program, in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, etc., to acquire all worthwhile materials of these regions for LC and the nation.

The Rare Books division alone has over 6 million books, some of them are most precious.

B) Processing and Organising the Collection

LC has developed its own techniques and methods for processing its huge mass of materials, many of which have become national and international standards. A big processing department comprising nearly 1500 professionals classify, catalogue and organise the collection. The Card Catalogue of 20 million cards in 25,548 drawers has been replaced in 1981 by a computerised catalogue. More than 2,000 computer terminals are located throughout the library for users to access LC resources through the computerised catalogue.

C) The Services

As it was basically created to serve the members of the Congress, personalised services are rendered to the members of the Congress. The Law Library serves the legal community. The Research Service cluster - comprising Divisions for Performing Arts,

Page 35: Library Society

20

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

Area Studies; General Reference, Special Collection and Preservation - serves the scholar and academic community. The creative world of authors, writers, musicians, artists, etc., are served by the Copyright division. They rely on the copyright to protect their intellectual products. Great musical, theatrical and literary collections are kept to help preserve their traditions. The National Progress cluster serves many national programmes" such as the American Folklife Centre, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Educational Liasion Office, Publishing Office and others. Within these five major departments nearly 90 independent functions are performed including several reading rooms wherein 3,000 persons can sit at a time. D) National Library Activities Of the several activities which are national in scope and perception, mention may be made of the National Union Catalogue, the Cataloguing-in-Publication Project and the Library Automation Programme, more particularly; the computerisation of LC catalogue which is generally known as the Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC) Project. The MARC Project also contributed to international thinking on the subject of machine readable cataloguing and set international standard formats for cataloguing various types of documents. The National Union Catalogue (NUC) compiled, maintained and printed by LC is an index to world publications and considered to be a valuable service to scholarly and library communities. It is an enormous author index to practically every book published anywhere in the world. NUC lists 18 million title holdings of about 2500 libraries. LC has a long history of successful co-operative cataloguing projects, ranging from the National Union Catalogue, Printed Catalogue Card Distribution Service, Cataloguing-in-Publication project (CIP) to the distribution of MARC tapes. These projects have been undertaken as a part of LC's national mission to share with other libraries the cataloguing records created by LC and thereby spare other libraries from duplicating their cataloguing work. The Printed Catalogue Card Distribution Service has been providing libraries a facility to acquire them to build their own local catalogues without much delay: The CIP Project provides cataloguing data on the verso of the title page of a book which considerably reduced libraries' need for using LC's printed Catalogue Card Distribution Service. LC prepares cataloguing data for nearly 80 percent of US publishing industry's output, excluding paperbacks, with a comprehensive subject coverage and with the co-operation of a record number of participating publishers. LC's computer activities for library automation and machine readable bibliographical records have been a pacesetter and precursor to many international computerised programmes in libraries. L C offers a variety of computer services, the most notable of them being the services available to the members of the Congress through a number of databases and the Machine Readable Catalogue of the Library. The Library has been putting its Western language books and documents into the computer since 1968 which provides quick access to LC's catalogue information, through the numerous terminals available at' various points in the Library. . The Library of Congress is indeed a highly complex institution but a vibrantly active centre. Endowed with such incomparable facilities and unparalleled riches, it is no wonder that scholars all over the world regard the Library as a heaven for their acdemic persuits. Self Check Exercises 8) Enumerate the major departments of the Library of Congress, using the

organisation chart (Fig: 3) 9) List three activities of the Library of Congress that aid professional library and

bibliographical service in general. Note : i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers.

Page 36: Library Society

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

21

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

Page 37: Library Society

22

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

Page 38: Library Society

5.4.3 The British Library

23

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom. It is more than just a library. It has the world's leading resources for scholarship, research and innovation, with incomparable collection, and expertise of staff. It occupies a central position in the library and information network of UK. It reflects the intellectual, cultural and socio-economic life of the country. The library aims to serve scholarship, research and development, industry, commerce and all other major users of information. Its services are based on the wealth of materials collected by the British Library System.

Objectives

The objectives and the functions of the British Library :

The British Library was created with an aim to provide the best possible central library services for the country. The objectives of this Library as depicted in the White Paper are as follows :

a) Preserving and making available for reference at least one copy of every, book and periodical of domestic origin and of as many overseas publications as possible. The aim will be to provide as comprehensive a reference service as possible: If a reader cannot get what he wants near at hand, he will know he can find it in the British Library.

b) Providing an efficient central lending and photocopying service in support of other libraries and information systems of the country; and

c) Providing central cataloguing and other bibliographic services related not only to the needs of the central libraries but to those of libraries and information centres throughout the country, in close co-operation with central libraries overseas:

To achieve these objectives, the British Library Act specifies the functions of the British Library. In short, the functions are as follows :

1) The British Library shall constitute a comprehensive collection of books, manuscripts, periodicals; films and the recorded matter, whether printed or otherwise;

2) The library shall act as a National Centre for reference, study and bibliographical and other information services in relation to scientific and technological matters and to the humanities; and

3) The services of the Library shall be available In particular to institutionf-of education and learning, other libraries and industry:

The library will carry out and sponsor research and in this way it will benefit institutions providing library and information facilities whether public or otherwise:

i) Background

The British Library was established in 1973 by an Act of Parliament (1972). This was a sequeal to two major committee recommendations which went into the University and the national libraries set up in the country and made recommendations for the development of a national library system. The British Government, therefore,' presented a Whitepaper to Parliament and the British Library came into being. It brought together the library departments of the British Museum, the National Central Library, the National Lending Library for Science and Technology, the British National Bibliography Limited and, in 1974, the functions of the Office for Scientific and Technical information (DSTI). Subsequently the Library took responsibility for other organisations viz., the Indian Office Library and Records in 1982, the HMSO Binderies in 1982 and the National Sound Archive in 1983.

ii) Organisation, Management and Services

The British Library is directed by a Board of Management comprising of the Chairman, the Chief Executive, the Directors General from the three operating divisions (humanities

Page 39: Library Society

24

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

and social sciences; science, technology and industry; bibliographic services) and nine members who have knowledge arid experience of library or university affairs, finance, industry or administration. The Chairman and the nine experts serve the Board part-time.

The organisation chart (Figure 4) at the end of this section, gives an idea of the organisational structure of the British Library.

A) Humanities and Social Sciences

The Humanities and Social Sciences Division of the British Library (formerly the Reference Division) comprise the library department of the British Museum plus the India Office Library and Records, the National Sound Archive and the Library Association Library. More than 11 million volumes are available for reference and selected items for loan.

Admission to specialist reading rooms is normally by a Readers Pass. Academic teachers, post-graduate student, librarians, information scientists, journalists and other investigative professional and other are eligible for Readers Pass.

The division is organised into five units :,a) Collective Development b) Public Services, c) Special Collections, d) National Sound Archive, e) Preservation Service. The Collection Development Unit co-ordinates the acquisition and record creation of material for the English Language, Western and East European collections of printed books, the Oriental Manuscripts and Printed books, and the collections relating to the history and culture of South Asia.

The Public Service Unit provides a wide range of reference and information services, based on the collection to those who visit the library and also to remote users. This Unit is responsible for the General Reading Room, Rare books, Official publications and Social sciences, Library Association Library and News paper Library.

The Special collections Unit looks after the non-book collections within the library that includes Western manuscripts.

The National Sound Archive preserves sound recordings of all kinds.

The Preservation Service Unit directs and controls conservation and preservation of the Humanities and Social Sciences collections, in addition to R&D activities in preservation processes and related areas.

B) Science, Technology and Industry

This Division comprises of the Document Supply Centre and the Science Reference and Information Service.- This Division not only focuses on providing service to science, technology and industry but also supplies documents to the humanities and social science communities:

The Document Supply Centre is the largest such centre in the world, exclusively devoted to the supply of documents on loan, photocopy and micro-film. This has been a world service of outstanding success.

The Science Reference arid Information Service Unit provides reference and information services, covering modern science and technology, business and commerce, patents, trade marks and designs. The computer search service 'of this unit, provides on-line searching of over hundred databases':

C) Bibliographic Services

This Division ~directs activities towards the creation of a national database, recording UK publishing output. It also provides the most important central resource of bibliographic records and services in UK, supporting the library community as a Whole and rest of the British Library. It publishes a range of printed and microfiche bibliographies, including the British National Bibliography and books in English, operates BLAISE (British Library Automated Information Service) on-line service,

Page 40: Library Society

which gives access to the British Library and other complementary databases for information retrieval and record supply; and supplies bibliographic records of magnetic tapes in machine readable form.

25

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA D) British Library Research and Development

This Department promotes and awards funds for research and development related to library and-information operations in all fields, relating to library, documentation and information aspects. The results of research are disseminated through a number of channels, including the publication of reports and a full programme of conference, seminars, demonstrations and workshops.

The Central Administration of the British Library supports the other divisions and departments including centralised personnel, training, administrative, accommodation and legal services.

Collections

The British Library occupies a shelving space of 104 Miles (167 KM). It contains a collection of 33.21 Lakhs including books, serials, reports, theses, conference proceedings, Music Scores etc. The annual intake is about 2 lakh documents. It possesses roll micro films over 2000 miles (3226 KM), Microfiches more than 42 lakhs. It also has about 35.66 lakhs of documents available on-line from Batch Information and Data Service Via JANET.

On-line Access

The British Library is in the process of mounting into it a number of data bases. In UK, the British Library files are available on the various inter-regional library systems. The serial, conference and monograph files are on the UNITY system. The literature files are available on BLAISE.

The details of the data base are available at the British Library National Bibliographic Service at Boston Spa.

The JOURNAL CONTENTS PAGE service is available on subscription. The service is tailored to individual requirements. New TITLE ALERT, is a weekly listing of new journal title: The Stock Alert Service offers subject searches based on BLAISE's -collections.

One Roof - Many Buildings

Though the British Library is being managed by British Library Board, its different divisions are located in different buildings in the London City.

1) Reader Admissions Office

2) Main Reading Room, North Library

3) Official Publications Library

4) Music Reading Area

5) Map Library

6) Manuscript student's Room N B : The above mentioned divisions are located on Russel Street, London.

7) Newspaper Library, Colindata Avenue, London

8) Oriental Reading Room, Store Street, London

9) Science Reference Library, Chancery Lane, London 10) Science Reference Library, Keam Street, London

Page 41: Library Society

26

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

11) India Office Library and Records, Blackfriars Road, London 12) IOLR News Paper Reading Room, Adwych, London 13) Library Association Library, Ridgmount Street, London.

Arrangements are being made to get all the above mentioned wings in one roof and one building.

Self Check Exercise 10) Give in five lines the bibliographical services division's activities of the British

Library.

Note : i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 42: Library Society

5.5 SUMMARY

27

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

National libraries, as we understand them today, have originated, grown and developed in the last two or three centuries. Almost all countries of the world today, have a national library, representing or reflecting their cultural, literary, socio-economic, scientific and technological traditiolys and advancements. This unit, traces briefly the origin, growth and development of National Libraries, more particularly, it examines the evolution of the concept of National Libraries. The objectives, functions and activities of National Libraries are studied in the light of experience obtained by different countries in developing their National Libraries, keeping in view their expanding functions and activities. On the basis of consensus evolved at national and international forums, the objectives and functions of a National Library would include

Building a comprehensive collection of the outputs of a country, both print and non-print and in addition acquiring all documents on the country/nation, irrespective of their origin and language;

ii) Acquisition of foreign publications based on demands;

iii) Processing and organising the collection according to international standards to make them available for use.

iv) Desseminating the information of the collection through catalogues, bibliographies, abstracts etc.;

v) Providing library, documentation and information services to all categories of users; and

vi) Assuming responsibilities for professional developments, including training of library/ information professionals and research in the field.'

In recent decades, National Libraries of several types have been set up on the basis of subjects, user groups, state/regiori, or type of materials. Examples of different types of national libraries in different, countries are given.

National Libraries of three countries, viz., India, USA and Great Britain are briefly described to get an idea of their growth and development. The main aspects described are: a) Collection, their varieties and volume; b) Processing and organising them for use; c) Disseminating the information of the collection through a number of bibliographical products; and d) Services offered using modern computer and communication, technologies.

5.6 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The three causes that led to reviewing the objects and functions of the National

Library are :

i) Production of extensive output of scientific literature and literature in other disciplines;

ii) The difficulties of national libraries to cope up with demand for service by scholars and scientists, in view of the extensive literature in scientific as well as in other disciplines;

iii) Undefined role of national libraries.

2) The broad groups under which the objects and functions of a national library can be considered are:

i) Collection development

ii) Dissemination service

iii) Readers services

Page 43: Library Society

28

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

iv) Other activities.

See Sub-section 5.2.4 in the text of this Unit.

3) Example of national libraries are:

i) National Agriculture Library, Washington, D.C → Subject

ii) British Library Document Supply Centre

iii) British Lending Library for Science and Technology

4) The -three historical phases of the National Library of India are :

i) First phase : 1835:-1903 : Calcutta Public Library

ii) Second Phase: 1903 -1947 : The Imperial Library

iii) Third phase: 1947 onwards: The National Library of India.

5) The major divisions of the National Library of India as given in the organisational chart are the following:

i) Indian, Asian and African Language Divisions

ii) Acquisition and Processing Divisions.

iii) Stack and Reading Rooms of Annexe Building, Gift Exchange, Maps and Prints Division.

iv) Main Reading Room, Reference and Bibliography, European Language Divisions

v) Science and Technology, Rare Books, Reprography Divisions Administration and Accounts

vi) Security and Conservancy Division.

6) The Readers Services offered by the National Library of India are:

i) Lending services, including Inter-library loan

ii) Reading Rooms located at the main building and the Annexe numbering 10, with an open shelf collection of about 10,000 books of reference and basic subject oriented collection.

iii) Bibliography and Reference services; Bibliographic services includes compilation of short and select bibliographies on specific topics on request.

iv) Reprography services which include copying facilities for getting copies of journal articles, small reports, etc. On a nominal charge and a printing unit for printing small publications for limited circulation.

7) The national libraries operating in India on the basis of subject, for special groups and for specialised materials are :

i) The National Science Library, INSDOC (Subject specialisation)

ii) The National Medical Library, (M/o Health Services) (Subject)

iii) The National Library for the Blind and the Physically Handicapped (For special groups)

8) The major department of the Library of Congress are:

i) Office of the Librarian

ii) Management Services

iii) Congressional Research Services

Page 44: Library Society

29

National Libraries : Their Functions: A Descriptive Accountof National Libraries of India, UK

and USA

iv) Copyright Office

v) Law Library

vi) Processing service

vii) Research services

viii) National programs

9) The activities of the Library of Congress which aid professional library and bibliographical services in general are:

i) The National Union Catalogue of Printed Books

ii) The Cataloging in Publication;

iii) MARC Project and Library Automation Program

10) The Bibliographical service of the British Library includes the publication of a range of printed and microfiche bibliographic records, the British National Bibliography, the Books in English; BLAISE on-line service, which gives access to the British Library and other complementary databases for information retrieval and record supply.

5.7 KEY WORDS

Birch Barks : Bark of a tree cut to a certain measurement and soaking in water and dried in sun to make writing material,

Depository : A place where anything is kept or stored for safe keeping.

Papyrus : An ancient paper like material made from tall stem of a river plant.

Parchment : Skin of sheep or goat which undergoes a process and treatment for writing purpose.

Sub-national : Under the national setup:

Vellum : Skin of an unborn and -still born lamb or calf which undergoes a process and treatment for writing purpose.

5.8 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Banerjee, D.N. (1994). India's National Library. Herald of Library Science: 33, pp.3-4.

Day, Alan (1994). The New British Library. London: Library Association Publishing. XII, 265p.

28

Goodrum, Charles A. (1980). Treasurers of the Library of Congress. New York: Harry Nabrams, Inc, 318p.

Krishan Kumar (1987). Library Organisation. Chapter 9. New Delhi: Vikas.

Page 45: Library Society

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

UNIT 6 ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: SCHOOL,

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Structure 6.0 Objectives 6.1 Introduction 6.2 School Libraries

6.2.1 Primary School Libraries 6.2.2 Secondary School Libraries 6.2.3 The Indian Scene

6.3 College Libraries 6.3.1 Objectives and Functions of a College 6.3.2 Library-Keystone in the College Arch 6.3.3 Key Components of an Ideal College Library 6.3.4 The Present Scene

6.4 University Libraries 6.4.1 Objectives and Functions of a University 6.4.2 Objectives and Functions of a University Library 6.4.3 The User Community 6.4.4 Governance and Management 6.4.5 Structural Organisation 6.4.6 Development of the Collection 6.4.7 Technical Processing and Organisation 6.4.8 Services 6.4.9 Physical Facilities 6.4.10 Professional Staff 6.4.11 Finance and Budget

6.5 General Observations 6.6 Summary 6.7 Answers to Self Check Exercises 6.8 Key Words 6.9 References and Further Reading 6.0 OBJECTIVES Use of books for reading and reference is an integral part of learning, teaching and research. Libraries in schools and colleges provide facilities for students and teachers to read books or consult them for reference, thus widening the scope of classroom learning and teaching. University libraries provide additional facilities for higher learning, research and dissemination of knowledge. In this Unit, you will be introduced to the role, objectives, functions and services of libraries in educational institutions, ranging from primary schools to universities. After reading this Unit, you will be able to: • explain the role of libraries at various levels of formal education; • describe the functions of libraries in schools, colleges and universities; and • grasp the nature and types of document collections in these libraries the way they are

processed and organised for use and the services that offered.

6.1 INTRODUCTION Education is a process of learning, with the aim to develop the capabilities in the people at all levels. In this process schools, colleges and universities play a vital role. The present educational system in India comprises both academic and professional studies by offering courses leading to bachelor's and master's degrees. This system has evolved over the last 29

Page 46: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and 150 years. It was initiated by the British rulers of the country and after 4947 it was developed by independent India with appropriate changes and modifications. In the last fifty years, the educational system has been reviewed by high powered commissions set up by the Government of India at different times, in order to introduce appropriate measures to improve the quality of education and make it more relevant to the country's requirements. In recent years, the government has been very much concerned with educational reforms, especially at the school level. The nation adopted a new educational policy in 1986 in order to provide the best education to our children, wherein we are in tune with our national heritage as well as modern with advances in science, technology and management.

30

Their Functions

In all these efforts to modernize our educational system, libraries. and self-learning have been considered vital components and integral parts of the entire educational process. Considerable thought and attention have been given to the planning and development of academic libraries and self-learning at all levels. As principal instruments of the modern educational system; there is, however, still scope for improvement in terms of their effectiveness. In this Unit, we shall study the libraries operating at primary and secondary schools, colleges, and universities. These libraries support learning, teaching, research and other educational functions appropriate to their parent institutions. We shall explain the respective roles that these libraries play at different levels of the educational process. We shall outline the types of document collections built up in these libraries and the way in which they are processed, organised, maintained and serviced to the user communities. These issues are discussed in the context of an ideal or a desirable setting, although in reality, many libraries do net meet the ideal standards. Nevertheless, 'we shall study these academic libraries in the Indian context. The following diagram broadly indicates the various types of libraries attached to different educational institutions designed and developed in India:

6.2 SCHOOL LIBRARIES Use of a library by a pupil must start from the primary school. The school libraries at Primary, Middle, Secondary etc. levels should have the following functions: i) acquiring, maintaining, lending and keeping track of books and other documents

relevant to the needs and interests of teachers and students; ii) generating curiosity and interest ;among teachers and students about the material

available in the library, and heaping them in every way to identify and obtain what they want;

iii) creating in the mind of a reader a value for books, and cultivating learning and reading skills so a student becomes a discriminate: user of learning resources;

iv) engendering strong self-learning ability and skills for life-long learning; v) enabling the teachers to use learning resources to support various programmes of the

school and for their own educational development; and vi) to generate confidence interest in libraries for getting information.

Page 47: Library Society

In order to achieve these broad ideals, appropriate courses of study for different stages of the school programme are designed. Methods of imparting instructions and teaching are also developed with the aids of audio-visual kits. Other extra curricular activities and programmes are planned for the different age groups to involve them in group activities, giving scope to develop leadership qualities, organisational skills, and to participate in school functions and other social work activities. Students with special talents such as in sports, games, painting, music, drama etc., are also provided opportunities to display their talents on appropriate occasions. In all these endeavors the school library becomes the resource centre.

31

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

The school authorities do build a variety of facilities to operate different functions of the school in order to meet the requirements of its students. One of the most important facilities is the provision of a modern library and its expanded services. In recent decades, libraries have been considered not merely a facility but as the chief instrument of learning in all its dimensions. Libraries could help students both in their academic and non-academic pursuits. We shall study in this section, the primary school libraries and the secondary school libraries. 6.2.1 Primary School Libraries These libraries are meant for children between five and ten or eleven years of age and the teachers who are involved in teaching and shaping them. This is the age of children when they form attitudes and habits. The school library should aim to: • foster book mindedness; • strengthen learning skills through kits now available in plenty; • create a love for books and other learning resources; and • inculcate the-habit of reading in a slow but deliberate process. In order to achieve these aims, the following aspects need careful attention on: • building up a good stock of books and other learning and teaching materials, for the

children as well as teachers; • organising and displaying the collection to attract the attention and curiosity of

children and making them easily accessible; • designing and organising programmes and services to inculcate in children the habit

of reading, learning and referring to books etc., for information; • getting proper physical facilities in terms of building, furniture and equipment; • acquiring adequate finance and operate a carefully planned budget; • recruiting appropriate professional staff to design, manage and operate the library

system; and • building up a book stock and other learning and teaching materials. The foundation of the reading habits among children is well laid by providing them with graded books and other learning materials which may hold their interest and arouse their curiosity. Children like to know about space and the universe, the bottom of the sea, life in jungles and deserts, towns and villages, flora and fauna, people of other countries, general principles in science and technology. Fortunately, mankind has developed literature for children in all subject sectors. A school library should build up collections on the following themes and use them extensively with students. i) Picture books depicting acts and deeds of valour and adventure, patriotism,

service to fellow persons and other similar themes; ii) Biographies of great men and women; iii) Books of travel and humour; iv) Folk tales, stories from the Panchatantra, Arabian Nights, Aesop's Fables, Stories

of Robinhood; v) Stories of animals and birds;

Page 48: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and vi) Popular games and sports;

32

Their Functions

vii) Cultural heritage; viii) Reference books like Children's Encyclopaedias and illustrated Dictionaries; ix) Children's magazine's like Children's World, Chandamama, Tinkle etc.; x) Audio visual aids such as motion films, animated films, tape-slide its, video

cassettes; xi) Models, charts, maps, globes, pictures, photographs, toys etc.; xii) Other learning apparatus and equipment; and xiii) Computers with software for play. Besides children's books and materials, the teaching staff would need reference books of different types such as instructional materials, books on children's psychology and other similar book. If funds do not allow acquisition of such materials, these items could be borrowed on inter-library loan from bigger libraries in the vicinity. Selection and Acquisition Building an appropriate document collection and other suitable and relevant materials for learning and teaching is a highly professional duty and responsibility. This should ~be based on a selection policy determined by the school management in consultation with the librarian and teaching staff. This involves professional skill and knowledge in the selection process and procedure, an intimate understanding of the details of book publishing and selling, manufacturers of educational equipment and audio visual aids and above all a through insight into the learning requirements of children and teachers. There must be library resource school libraries for optimum utilization of limited funds. An acquisition policy should take care of the types and kinds of books and non-book materials to be purchased or acquired through gift or exchange. The budgetory provision should conform to a norm, that is, a reasonable proportion of funds in relation to the number of children and teaching staff. Systematic procedures should be laid out for selection and approval by competent authority. The actual acquisition should be streamlined, with a well established and smoothly run procedure. The cooperation of the teaching staff and management is essential. Collection is an extremely important professional task which lays the base for all library services. Technical Processing and Organisation As the books and other learning and teaching materials are likely to be located at different places it is essential to have a complete record of the collections of the library. In libraries, it is the catalogue that serves the purpose, viz. it carries entries of bibliographical data of every item in the library in a standard format and is arranged in a systematic order of easy reference and consultation. In a primary school library, the catalogue should be prepared by applying very simple cataloguing rules, making it absolutely simple for the children to consult the catalogue when necessary. Similarly the documents should be classified using an easy classification scheme. The physical location and arrangement of the collection should be based on their use. The other library records such as an accession register and a shelf register may be prepared and maintained as per standard practices. Services Unlike library services offered at secondary and higher secondary levels, library services at the primary school level should be closely integrated with the learning and teaching process. Besides the school library, there must also be special class rooms where a judicious collection of books and other materials like toys, models, pictures, photographs etc. are collected and displayed. Classes can be conducted in these rooms at least for some time during the day so that children get stimulated in this environment. The teachers who should work with the children amidst books and other learning materials have a vital role to play. The professional staff of the library should aid this process by providing the necessary materials, and organising and displaying them attractively. Other services that ate normally offered are: Reference service to the users at request or in anticipation; Story hours. during which interesting stories are narrated by professionals, relating the

Page 49: Library Society

story to books available and encouraging children to read these graded stories by themselves;

33

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

• Display of press and other clippings; • Film shows; • Video shows both for entertainment and learning on various themes; • Book displays and exhibitions on important occasions and similar other activities. As mentioned earlier, the primary aim in offering these library services is to make children cultivate a love for and interest for knowledge in books and to encourage them to study them. These are essential preparations needed in modern times because today's child is tomorrow's citizen. Physical Facilities Investment in providing proper physical facilities, like suitable building space for the library, appropriate furniture and other equipment, would pay rich dividends. The location of the library should be at a central place, easily accessible and attractively furnished. The furniture should not only be functional but must also be aesthetically displayed and organised to attract the children to the library. Finance and Budget No norm is available for fixing the budgetory provisions for a primary school library. There should desirably be a proportion between the number of children and money spent on each child. The budgetory norm may be that a school appropriates about five percent of its budget to the library: Norms can be established for the distribution of the amount allotted for the purpose of books, materials, equipment, and others. Many schools request parents to donate a specific title(s) for building up useful children's literature in the school library. Gradually the collection grows and all the children are benefite. School librarians may propose this approach to their management. Professional Staff The head of a school library should be professionally trained in library and information science and should enjoy a status of a senior teacher of the school. The .person should have capability to work with children imaginatively, cooperate with the teaching staff and gain the support of the management by establishing high quality services. The number of library staff would depend on the strength of the school and other related needs. The librarian of a primary school library has the responsibilities of not only managing the library but also getting involved in activities that would complement and supplement classroom teaching. It would be highly necessary to have teaching skills also. Story-telling, book talks, demonstrating the lives of birds and animals through audio-visual aids etc., are other desirable themes for a librarian. These activities call for imagination both in design and presentation. The school librarian should work closely with the teachers of the school. Self Check- Exercises 1) State the objectives of a primary school library. 2) State the professional requirements of a primary school ' Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 50: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and 6.2.2 Secondary School Libraries

34

Their Functions

If primary school libraries are designed to function and operate as integral parts of the educational programme at that stage, the secondary school libraries maintain their specific educational identity in fulfilling all academic requirements of the young students for learning and of the teachers for effective teaching and their own development: Secondary school libraries support school programmes at three stage, viz. middle-classes 6 to 8, secondary classes 9 to 10, and higher secondary-classes 11 and 12; constituting a total period of seven years of the school programme. These are crucial formative years of the children and good habits formed at this stage would be everlasting. The library has a very positive educational role to play and to achieve the following aims: • Inculcate the habit of using the school library, not only with reference to their

learning for course requirements but also by learning reading for pleasure, general knowledge and recreation;

• development of learning skills for collecting information on any topic by consulting reference books and other material;

• provide opportunities to students to visit other academic, special and public libraries to get an idea of the library system in the country, as major resource for learning and use them at later stages of life.

a) Collection Building The primary responsibility of the secondary school library is to build-up a stock of books and kindred material relevant to the learning and teaching needs; of the students and teachers respectively. The collection should adequately represent: i) an excellent stock of text books, both prescribed and others, (in multiple copies,

if necessary) on all subjects; ii) relatively more advanced books on all subjects for brighter students and teachers; iii) general books on popular science, biographies of great persons, travelogues,

geographical explorations, sports and other areas that would create interest in learning;

iv) standard children's literature; fiction, collection of short stories and other light reading materials;

v) carefully assorted reference books such as : • encyclopaedias (junior levels); • illustrated dictionaries, both general and technical; • yearbooks on various subjects; • guides to literature, reference books in different subjects; • video and audio visual materials; • computer-based study materials; • and similar others material.

The selection of books as well as other material should be based on an acquisition policy of the school , -jointly evolved by the school management, teaching staff and the library staff. The librarian and-the staff should be entrusted with the task of implementing the policy. without any interference from any quarters. The professional skills that are required for achieving positive results in collection building are: • a good basic understanding of every subject taught in the school; a thorough

knowledge of sources for book selection; • a thorough knowledge of publishing and book selection; • a thorough knowledge of publishing and book selling trade; and other educational

material and equipment; • practical experience in acquisition procedures, either by purchase, gift or exchange; • most importantly a keen insight into the book/information needs of students, teachers

and the management. The acquisition programme should be operated through a well set routine, maintaining all the records' efficiently. Now, the schools in an area are developing a network for resource sharing and services.

Page 51: Library Society

A strong collection, geared. to the needs of users is the very base to operate every other library activity, particularly its services. If acquisition is faulty, every other activity would be correspondingly defective. Let students and parents donate useful titles to the school library for common good and benefit.

35

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

b) Technical Processing and Organisation Classification of acquired materials and the preparation of a catalogue for public use are the twin operations that call for great care and attention. The classification scheme chosen for the collection and the cataloguing code selected should be in tune with user's needs. There are excellent guides available for the purpose and should, therefore, be made use of. The collection should be on open shelves for the students to browse and select whatever interests-them. There should be adequate provision for reading within the library or for consultation. There should be a lending counter, in addition to 'a reference desk which should be at a central point to offer assistance to those that need help. The collection should be housed in well lit stack rooms, proper guides. The display of reference materials and the location of the public catalogue should be at a prominent place and be easily accessible to the user. c) Services A secondary school library should offer the following services: i) Lending; ii) Information, Consultation and Reference Service; iii) Guidance and advice service; iv) Preparation of reading list; v) Awareness service on current events, activities, personalities, scientific and

technological achievements, issues of national importance, and international events of significance.

vi) Other Services for knowledge dissemination through: • Organisation of book exhibitions at appropriate occasions; • Organising book talks; • Competitions - oratorical contests, debates on current issues, essay writing,

quiz programmes, etc. vii) Other routine services like display of jackets of currently acquired books,

newspaper clippings, particularly those that are of interest to students„ pictures and photographs of current events and activities and persons of importance.

Lending services enable students and teachers to borrow books and other materials according to the set of rules and regulations, for reading at home at their own study or leisure time and at their own pace. Students should be encouraged to make use of this facility. Statistical records, should be maintained relating to the following: 1) Number of students using the borrowing facility 2) How many books are borrowed and how frequently 3) What kind of books are borrowed 4) Borrower's name; class, subject specialization, if they are in classes nine to

twelve, etc. Analysis of this data collected would be invaluable not only to stock the library with book;; that are sought after; but also to get a clear picture of the users' interest and habits. Information and Reference Services are organised to help or assist students to simple tasks; such as locating books on the shelves, using the public catalogue, locate answers to, questions in reference books and understand the classification system used by the library„ The person at the reference desk must be sufficiently informed about the collection; must have have the ability to handle students and teachers with different temperaments and behaviour; and above all a willingness to serve. Guidance and advisory services are provided to serious students for writing an article fur the school magazine and for other media. The library staff should identify relevant material on the topic of assignment, help in using them and assist in drafting the article or preparation

Page 52: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and of a report, etc. For teachers, the library staff may provide help in preparing bibliographies or current information, in addition to obtaining the relevant material.

36

Their Functions

Preparation of reading lists, in anticipation or in response to requests is an activity which would help teachers in their task of not only teaching, but also in guiding students to the needed literature and to develop in them the capacity to help themselves. But this should be done on a selective basis, as this would demand a great deal of time. Current awareness service on important events would involve display, on notice boards, of. newspaper clippings, pictures etc., at periodical intervals. These clippings can be broadly grouped by title under a subject heading and the concerned field alphabetically. These services should be offered only if there is sufficient demand or response to the service. d) Physical Facilities The most important requirement in terms of physical facilities is adequate space for the library; in fact, a separate building would be ideal. The library should have adequate space for: • housing about 25,000 volumes; • display of current journals and books; • reading room • reference desk for consultancy; and a • a lending counter. Modern stacks for shelving books, storage for non-book materials, display racks etc., are among the different types of furniture necessary for a library. The library staff will also need adequate space and appropriate furniture for house keeping operations. The Library should have, if possible, a plain paper copier, film and slide projectors and other technological gadgets as may be necessary. e) Finance and Budget Finance for any school library usually comes from the appropriation made by the school management. About five per cent of the annual school budget should be made available for the kbrar3t, besides the capital cost of building, equipment and furniture and regular salaries. The library will have to apportion its budget for books, non-book material and maintenance. f) Professional Staff The success of the library depends entirely upon the quality of the professional staff. The head of the library should be qualified both academically and professionally just like a teacher. The additional library staff-required will have to be determined on the basis the number of students and staff served, the strength of the collection, yearly acquisition and services offered, etc. The school librarian should enjoy. the status and salary of teachers. The librarian and the staff should operate with high efficiency keeping in view all professional ethics and should provide high quality service. Proper rapport should be established by the library staff with students, teachers and the management. They must be imaginative and service-oriented. Self Check Exercises 3) Enumerate the type of collection that should go into a secondary school library. 4) List the types of services that a Secondary School Library should offer. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 53: Library Society

6.2.3 The Indian Scene

37

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

In the preceding two sections, we have described how school libraries should be designed, managed and operated, and assist the teachers and the taught to achieve their educational goals. In India, however, school libraries present a very dismal picture, because not even the most elementary requirements are met. Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries According to the Third All India -Educational Survey on Library, Laboratory and Science equipment facilities in schools, conducted and published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (1981), there were 5,89,031 schools. These schools are governed and managed by a number of different bodies: i) State governments through their departments of education, ii) Central Boards of the Government of India iii) Local bodies (panchayats, municipalities, corporations, etc.), iv) Private bodies or individuals v) Public Sector Undertakings and similar, others: There is, therefore, considerable variation in their perception of library facilities, priority in providing funds, employing right type of professionals and many other issues concerning role of school library. Out of these schools, only 41.80 percent have library facilities. The break up is as follows:

Type of Schools Library facility in % Primary 31.41 Middle 59.61 Secondary 94.05

Higher Secondary 95.75

The book stock position (without going into their quality and relevance) in these schools . are as given below:

Number of books . Library stock in % 100 17.8 100-249 9.6 250499.. 5.3 500-999 3.64 1000-1999 2.52 ~

2000-3999 94

4000-4999 1.63

Only 41 per cent of the schools have full-time qualified professionals in charge of the, libraries. Positive efforts to improve the situation In order to rectify the situation, the Secondary Education Commission (1952-53) with the late Dr.-Lakshmanaswamy Medullar as its Chairman, gave serious attention to the. provision of good school libraries and made a number of recommendations, most of which conform to the description of school libraries given in sections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2. The Commission recommended setting up of class libraries, subject libraries, library services during vacation - all these supervised by library trained teachers. Provision of adequate funds for the library, was stressed: The next positive step in the direction of vitalizing school libraries was taken by the Directorate of Extension Programme for Secondary Education of the Nationals Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT): The Directorate organised an All India Seminar on School Libraries in 1962 in Bangalore which was directed by the late Dr. S.R. Ranganathan. This Seminar also made very positive recommendations to improve the general conditions of school libraries. Later in 1965, NCERT made yet another effort to draw school. This effort the attention of the concerned to the need for having a full fledged library service in every - school. This effort of NCERT ended with nothing more than a: booklet on how to organise a school library. Since then, nothing serious has ever happened to vitalize school libraries, Since then, nothing serious has ever central schools and a few private schools. Education

Page 54: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and is an excellent investment to develop a strong manpower force for the progress and development of the country. Libraries play a very important supporting role in building this man-power.

38

Their Functions

6.3 COLLEGE LIBRARIES College performs an important function in the educational process. College education provides a totally different environment for boys and girls who go for higher studies. Usually the classes comprise a. large number, of students and unlike school education, the students of college get much less individual attention from the teachers. The students, therefore, have to etc end much more on self-learning. Therefore, the college library is the automatic choice for students to supplement their class room teaching. In these sections we shall discuss the objects, functions of a college library, the collection of documents that are built up for users, the different categories of users and the services to be rendered to them:

6.3.1 Objectives and Functions of a College

Among the several , objects and functions of the College, the following deserve special mention:

i) Giving young men and women a wider and deeper understanding of the various disciplines;

ii) Preparing the more precocious students for advanced studies in various disciplines;

iii) Preparing of young men and women for shouldering the higher responsibilities of manning schools, government departments, civic organisations, commercial establishments, business and industry, etc.;

iv) Providing adequate and comfortable physical facilities for study; v) Providing bibliographical information and special materials for the research

students and faculty; vi) Training young persons for various professions like law, medicine, engineering

and technology; vii) Training a body of more enlightened, knowledgeable and responsible citizen.

For translating into practice all these objectives and functions, the college library has a central role to play.

College life also provides students ample opportunities to involve themselves in group:' activities that help them to develop organisational skills and leadership qualities. Individual' talents in fine , arts, music, dance, sports and games and such other extra curricular activities v get full support during college education. Thus, college education aims to develop students into citizens with intellectual inputs as well as other desirable qualities useful for the ' country's advancement and progress.

For the young; men and women who enter the portals of colleges, a new and exciting phase of their life -begins. The vast syllabi, the new methods. of learning besides lecture methods, .the leisure and the freedom which students find in the colleges, give them new opportunities to be self-reliant in learning, and be-more. adventurous. They find that education which was more teacher-centered while at school, suddenly becomes more student cent6red'and library centered in colleges.

6.3.2 Library-Keystone in the College Arch

A good and efficient library will certainly help students to meet the new challenges they start facing at college: They -can, within the four walls of the library, use their leisure more usefully and meaningfully, discover their own inherent potentialities,- launch upon instructive ~ and absorbing hobbies and generally lay the foundations of a good and more responsible life in the future. The libraries will therefore become equally, if not more, important than the classrooms. The libraries will become students' workshops. It is in this context that a

Page 55: Library Society

college library has to play a very responsible role, vis-a-vis, the academic needs of young students.

39

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

6.3.3 Key Components of an Ideal College Library We shall now acquaint ourselves with the ingredients that go towards making an efficient college library system. These ingredients are: • a collection of books and other learning and teaching material; • the user community, comprising students, teachers, the college management and

others getting standard library services; • physical facilities like building, furniture, equipment; • professional staff of the library; • the college management; finance and budget. Collection of Books In order to satisfy the varied academic and extra curricular needs of both students and the teachers, a college library should acquire a wide variety of learning and teaching. materials. These may be broadly grouped as given below: • A good collection with multiple copies of text books and other recommended books,

at the rate of at least one copy for every ten users; • Books of a more advanced nature for the benefit of the teachers and also for the use

of the more precocious students; • A wide range of reference books such as general and subject encyclopaedias,

language and subject dictionaries, hand-books, manuals, biographical and geographical tools Carrier handbooks, Competition Success, General Knowledge; gazetteers, atlases;

• A browsing collection of light reading material like travelogues, humour books, art books, biographies, fiction etc.

• A select list of learned journals as well as popular ones, including back volumes; • Audio-visual learning and teaching kits to include films, film strips, pictures, audio

cassettes and discs, video-cassettes, etc.; • Computer-aided teaching and learning material. On the size of the collection, educationists hold the view that a representative college library should, have at least 50 books per student. Thus a college library, with an enrollment of about a thousand students; should have atleast 50,000 volumes, In addition,-it has to have advanced books for the teachers, the management and other users: Collection Policy The quality of the collection has, to be determined on the basis of a well thought-out acquisition policy. This policy is usually laid down by the Library Advisory Committee. The selection process is supported by groups of experts who have the knowledge and background of the literature in their respective fields of specialisation, and are fully conversant with current publications. The librarian and his/her staff, using global selection tools, should bring to the attention of experts; worthwhile titles on various subjects and help to build a stock which is oriented towards learning and teaching requirements. As ha$ been mentioned, in the earlier sections, the professional staff should be fully aware of the publishing and book selling trades, in addition to a broad understanding of the different ramifications of subjects in which the library acquires material. The whole acquisition activity has to be invariably based upon accepted standards and procedures to ensure smooth how of work: The collection could be live and active, only if there is a policy of weeding, out older text books and other overused books or unused books. This is important because these books occupy precious and costly shelf space. Related to this is the policy regarding loss of books. In an active library, there is bound to be loss of books, a reasonable percentage of this loss, must be written off. In modern times, when prices are going up each day, the libraries must go for resource sharing networking. All needed material can no more be

Page 56: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and acquired by a single library. Therefore, various libraries shall have to pool up funds and rotate materials between them through the rules of sharing.

40

Their Functions

Processing and Organisation A college library should give sufficient attention and thought to the processing and ` organisation of the collection for. shelving and display. The classification scheme chosen should fulfill the following criteria: • The system should have a general acceptance of users; • The system should have a central organisational base with facilities for periodic

updating of the schedules; and • The system should also have an in-built mechanism for accommodating newly

emerging subjects, without in anyway destroying the existing structure. In India, the Dewey Decimal Classification, the, Colon Classification and the Universal, Decimal classification are the systems mostly used.

The catalogue of the library should also be based upon international standard cataloguing rules. The Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules-2 or the Classified Catalogue Code of Ranganathan are the ones mostly used in Indian college libraries. The subject approach to information in the catalogue must be based on the basis of currently accepted international standard practice of deriving subject headings. Currently, computerised, systems are being inducted into academic institutions and colleges for library house keeping as well as for organising services. User Community and Library Services The second component of a college library constitutes its users. In addition to teachers, students and staff, the clientele may consist of other users such as authors and writers,: high school teachers, l4wyers, medical practitioners etc. The library must extend facilities to these users, treating them as its honored guests, adhering, however; to the rules governing the use of library. Important college library services are : i) Text book services; ii) Lending and inter library loan service; in) Reading room services; iv) Information and Reference; vi) Display of current additions or production of lists of current accessions; vi)

Documentation services, only on specific request, should include: vii) Current awareness to literature, special journals. Preparation of current lists of

reference, Indexing/Abstracting services on projects, etc. vii) Reprographic services; vii) Audio-visual services such as film shows, tape-slide demonstrations; etc.; ix) Exhibitions and special display; and x) Assistance in the use of the library. The provision of lending in college libraries must stimulate active use of the collection. Borrowing privileges should be liberal and the lending procedures need to be Simple. The library should also endeavour to obtain, through interlibrary loan the material which are not available in the college library. These should be adequate provision for supply of photocopies. This facility will minimise misuse-of the library and reduce unsocial practices such as stealing of books or misplacing them deliberately. The students should be given ready assistance in locating material in the library, and in~ _searching the library catalogue for specific items of information on documents available in ` the library. Students should be told about the methods of using indexing and abstracting, services and in locating factual information from reference tools. This kind of orientation may be offered by the reference staff whenever necessary. However, if--would be desirable to, offer regular programme of training in the use of the library and sources of information; at, periodic intervals to different groups of students, in an organised manner. The library should bring to the notice of the students and -teachers, currently acquired

Page 57: Library Society

materials through appropriate publications. Documentation services with reference to current literature or indexing and abstracting services may be offered only on request, or in anticipation, to select groups who need these services.

41

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

A special emphasis must be given to text book service. Text-book service makes a very positive contribution to students' efforts in preparing for examinations. This service, however, should be based upon strict vigilance on the procedure of lending. Reservations for any item must be based on strict rules and implemented impartially.

Physical Facilities

In order to be able to provide the amenities, referred to above, the college library will have to be housed in an independent building, functional and attractive. The University Grants Commission supports the concept of independent buildings for college library. A college library should have central location with.a commanding view and plenty of space around for future expansions. In addition, to the usual reading, stack and work areas; facilities for browsing, for arranging exhibition, seminars, film-shows, etc., should be provided. Special areas for -teachers, researchers, need to be provided. ,

The interior has to be aesthetically dressed up with mildly coloured walls, with flowers, paintings and attractive furniture. Storage facilities and space for non-book materials, plain paper copiers; microphone reader printers, audio visual equipment etc., be specifically provided; Provision for computer-room has to be made, as the future library systems and services are definitely going to be computer-based.

Professional Staff

A college library must be headed by a person with high academic and professional qualification and experience. It is necessary to give the college librarian the academic status in addition to the salary scale of teachers. The other staff should be recruited on the basis of the size of the library, its current acquisitions and the different services it offers. There are U.G.C. norms on these areas. The success of the library, entirely depends on the professional services offered by the library staff.

The College Management

An enlightened college management would regard the library as a lighthouse, a power station, a true temple of learning. Such a management will lend all administrative and managerial support and assure provision of sufficient funds to the library. It will also constitute a helpful Library Advisory Committee with the Principal of the College as its Chairperson and the librarian as its Member-secretary. A few senior members of the faculty and an outside library and information expert may constitute the other members of the committee. '

Finance and Budget

While the Radhakrishnan Commission recommended the setting apart of six per cent of the total college budget for the development of their respective libraries, the Kothari Commission raised it to about ten per cent. The Karnataka State Universities Review Committee (popularly known as the Raj Commission, as Prof. K.N. Raj headed this Commission) went a step further and recommended the setting apart of 20 per cent of the college budget for the maintenance and development of the library. It is a genuine and necessary requirement. Allocation of adequate funds, as recommended by the Raj Commission, is necessary for building a responsive service and for operating the library at the research and teaching level.

Self Check Exercises 5) Enumerate the type of users in a college library.

6) Write the services that may be offered to the users of a college library.

Page 58: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below

42

Their Functions

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6.3.4 The Present Scene

The foregoing account has given a pen picture of what a good, healthy and efficient college library should be. But the actual situation in India is not upto the mark. In spite of substantial financial aid from the University Grants Commission, several college libraries, still continue to wear a low profile. Colleges shall have to generate funds through substantive library fee in order to provide students proper academic nourishment. The shortcomings of these neglected libraries are inadequate book collections, inhospitable buildings, and faculty functioning, leaving much to be desired. The situation should improve if the aims and objectives of college education have to be achieved.

6.4 UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES A library is more important in a University, because a library can do without a University where as a University cannot function without a library. The number of universities in India has gone up from a mere twenty in 1947, to more than two hundred in the nineties. This number includes conventional universities, professional universities and deemed universities. The growth is signified by the total number of students' enrollments, creation of a number of new departments, a number of mission oriented projects of research and by many other social and intellectual factors. Institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology, (IITs), the Indian Institutes of Management, Agricultural Universities have also innovated a number of new educational practices. The open university concept for distance education is yet another new experiment at the university level. All these factors have effected university libraries in a great measure. Today, university libraries have a very large and difficult role to play in order to meet a variety of demands of information and knowledge by far larger number of people on far larger number of subjects at far higher prices and negligible grants. The clients of higher education must contribute toward the cost of learning materials because the state (any state) can never provide all required funds.

6.4.1 Objectives and Functions of a University

The library is the heart of a University. The objectives and functions of a university may broadly be grouped as follows:

• To provide intellectual and managerial leadership to the various fields of government, industry, health, engineering, law, defence, education, agriculture, etc., and imbue them with a sense of social purpose;

• To train a band of research workers in all the areas mentioned above so that the results of research could be harnessed to improve the quality of life of the people;

• To conserve knowledge and ideas for posterity;

• To foster the ideals of social justice, religious tolerance, national integration among its diverse people.

Page 59: Library Society

It is clear from the above that the affairs of the and are the most precious concern of a university. Therefore, there must be on our university campus proper scope for ferment of ideas, scope for relentless pursuit for excellence, scope for, dedication to learning and experimentation and respect for sound scholarship. The collections in a university library system will have to cater to the needs of teaching and learning, research, generation of new ideas and new knowledge and publication.

43

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

The mass of academic material collected in university library shall also require proper organisation, both in terms of their physical location and their representation in catalogues and indexes by providing noiseless retrieval. The library documentation and information services in a university library will also have to be highly organised with considerable professional expertise and knowledge of subjects. These aspects have been dealt with in the following sections in some detail. The five major functions of a university are: • Learning and teaching; • Research and generation of new knowledge; • Dissemination and publication of research results; • Conservation of knowledge and ideas; and • Extension and services. 6.4.2 Objectives and Functions of a University Library University libraries -support and help the university in achieving each of the objectives of the University. The major functions that are derived from these objectives are: • Development of a collection in a wide variety of subjects for learning, teaching,

research, . publication, etc.; • Getting the stock of knowledge materials organised and maintained for use; • Organise and provide a variety of library, documentation and information services,

both responsive and anticipatory. 6.4.3 The User Community The user community of university libraries include the following: • Students at different levels of study in different subjects; • Teachers, imparting instructions and guiding students at different levels and in

different subjects; • Research students working for M.Phil. or Ph.D degrees; • Post-doctoral research scholars working on specific projects; • Professors and experts guiding research projects and managing research activities of

the university; • Members of the various academic and executive bodies of the university; • The university management involved in its major task of managing of a large scale

institution of higher learning and research; • Scholars in general, who get special privileges of using the university library ; and • Others Thus, it can be seen, that the university libraries have a big responsibility and a very important role to play not only in shaping students for higher learning and research, but also in providing a variety of services to meet other demands. 6.4.4 Governance and Management The university library is governed--by statutory laws of the university. The Library system is subject to scrutiny and evolution by its academic and executive councils. The

Page 60: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and library system itself is under the charge of a senior executive who is the university librarian of the university, who works directly under the university vice-chancellor. A library Advisory Committee or a Governing Body invariably sets the policy for all the activities and programmes of the university library system. This committee is usually chaired by the Vice-Chancellor or his nominee, with the librarian as its member-secretary and convenor. This committee comprises some senior members of the university faculty, a few library and information science experts, representing professional interests, and a few scholars. The responsibilities of this committee are to lay down guiding principles and policies on all matters concerning academic and administrative affairs of the library system, including preparation of the library budget, periodic evaluation of the programmes at services of the university library system and in general, to oversee the welfare of the library staff.

44

Their Functions

The Chief Librarian of the university library will have the full responsibility to conduct the activities and programmes of the library in accordance with the principles and policies laid down by the library advisory committee or the Governing Body. The chief librarian as a member of the academic council will interact with students, teachers, researchers and other members of the academic council to get proper feedback for the efficient management of the library system. In the University of Delhi, the University Librarian participates in Executive Council meetings, as a special invitee. In IGNOU, the librarian is a member of Academic Council.

6.4:5 Structural Organisation

The university library system, being a fairly large body, should perform its functions with judicious distribution of work among its staff. The following chart gives a general model of the structural organisation of university libraries.

6.4.6 Development of the Collection

A major responsibility of the university library is to build up a sound collection of documents and other non-print materials, carefully geared to the academic needs of students, teachers,

Page 61: Library Society

researchers and others involved in academic pursuits. While it is difficult to define the best collection or measure it, the actual and potential needs of users have to be assessed at appropriate periodic intervals. User study techniques and methods have been developing in the last two or three decades. Some of the methods now being adopted are citation analysis for the selection and acquisition of current journals, analysis of library records on the use of the library, direct contact with users to obtain valid information on their information gathering habits and similar other types of studies that would give an insight into getting proper guidelines for acquisition.

45

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

The collection has to be built on the basis of expert advice. This is normally achieved by constituting book selection committees, in which faculty members who have intimate contact with literature and current publishing, are usually represented. These book selection committees should meet as often as is necessary to ensure that the best items go into the collection. The routine work of scanning selection sources, identifying items of interest and quality, getting them approved by appropriate authorities should be systematically and smoothly performed during an academic year. "As the library is meeting the requirements of research of a large number of specialised projects, it is necessary to acquire relevant documents such as government and official publications which include various types of reports; conference proceedings, thesis and dissertations, patents and standards and similar others. Besides print material, nonprint materials such as microforms, audio-visual kits, films, tape-slide kits, computer-based instructional materials, video-cassettes and such others should also be acquired. In summary, the responsibilities of building up a worthwhile collection in a university library is a highly skilled, scholarly and professional work, Indeed the university library is rated high or low by the quality of collection it builds. 6.4.7 Technical Processing and Organisation The large stock of materials acquired by the library has to be housed properly. As the stock is likely to be disbursed throughout the campus, they should be classified, using a system of classification acceptable to the user community and located at right places of use. They should be easily made accessible for anyone to use. The physical storage and filing of all documents, both print and non-print, must be conducive to use. In particular, with the open access concept, being practised by modern libraries, the responsibility for display and organisation of the collection assumes great importance. The catalogue of the library is a tool constantly consulted. The standard practices of cataloguing should be adopted keeping in view the multiple subject approaches of users for searching their relevant references. Computers are increasingly used for many of the house-keeping operations in libraries today. No effort should be spared, if facilities and opportunities exist in a university for computerised library services. 6.4.8 Services The university library should offer a number of library, documentation and information services. Among others, the services may include the following: a) Library Services

i) Lending: ii) Information and Reference, iii) Reading Room; iv) Assistance in the use of the library; and v) Display of current additions or preparation of lists of current accessions.

b) Current Awareness Services i) Current contents of journals; ii) Alerting services to important literature in select fields; iii) Selective Dissemination of Information; and iv) Newspaper clipping service.

Page 62: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and c) Bibliographic Services

46

Their Functions

i) Literature search; ii) Compilation of bibliographies on specific topics; and iii) Index to current literature.

d) Condensation Services i) Preparation of abstracts on specific topics;

ii) Digest Services; iii) Preparation of reviews/progress/advances on specific subjects; and iv) State-of-Art-reports.

e) Other services i) Document supply services; ii) Reproprographic services; iii) Translation services; and iv) Computer-based information retrieval.

f) Specialised Services i) User education; ii) Exhibition and special displays; iii) Special lectures and demonstrations; and iv) User oriented seminars, workshops, etc.

These services ought to be planned, keeping in view the general demand for such services and the capability of the library in offering these services. User needs and interests are of primary concern in offering these services. 6.4.9 Physical Facilities Most of the university libraries in India do have a separate building for operating their services. Many of them have been planned well to be highly functional, architectually beautiful, aesthetically inviting. These buildings have been planned by and large in the context of stocking and servicing print material to meet -educational learning and teaching of that time. Many of the older university buildings have outgrown their sizes and call for further space requirements. In planning future library buildings, the impact of computer and. communication technologies will have to be kept in view. These technologies are bringing about spectacular changes in the entire process of learning and teaching. Today, most of the print materials are available commercially in microforms or machine readable forms, making storage problems much simpler. Libraries have to take note of this change and prepare their future requirement for space in a totally different perspective. 6.4.10 Professional Staff The university professional staff must match the quality of the teaching and research community in terms of academic and professional qualifications, experience and expertise. The library, documentation and information services that are offered by the library system must reflect the professional competence of the library staff. Their constant interaction with students at different levels, faculty, research scholars, computer and communication experts, and management experts of the university should ensure credibility and appreciation from the user community. It is only through innovative approaches that the user communities would be attracted to the library and its services which, in turn, would result in the best use of the library. All these details call for specialised knowledge in different disciplines making them science librarian, law librarian, Indology librarian, etc: Ability to communicate - with the different groups requires competence in technical and scholarly writing, articulation to communicate orally and above all, a keen insight into public relation. It is for these reasons that the library staff should enjoy the status and salary of the teaching community and should be considered as part of the academic staff. 6.4.11 Finance and Budget The university library usually operates on the allocation of funds appropriated by the

Page 63: Library Society

university. This has been based upon norms set and recommended by the different commissions on education, reference to which has already been made. The recommendations of Raj Committee states that 20% of the university budget should be available for the university library. But as has been said in the earlier section, the cost of a university library must be viewed in the context of changing educational and information technology. It is learnt that the University Grants Commission is reviewing the entire situation to design a library network of university libraries. It is hoped that due emphasis will be laid on local and regional networks, as has happened all over the world, instead of going for inverted pyramid of a national structure alone, in absence of regional and local efforts. No inverted pyramid can ever be able to stand, be it INFLIBNET or any other body.

47

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

Self Check Exercise 7) State the objectives and functions of a university library.

8) State the distinct characteristics of a university library that distinguish it from a college library

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the model answers given at the end of this Unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6.5 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS In the last hundred years, a number of commissions and committees have been appointed by the government to review the educational system in India and make appropriate recommendations to improve and strengthen it. Notable among them are, the Radhakrishnan Commission on higher education (1948), the Mudaliar Commission on secondary education (1952-53) and Kothari Commission on education (1964) and Karnataka State Universities Review Committee, headed by Professor K N Raj (1979). All these commissions have drawn considerable attention to the- State of academic libraries in India and have made very worthwhile recommendations, relating to book funds, library and documentation services and professional personnel.

The establishment of the University Grants Commission is yet another landmark in the growth of library and university education in India. The University libraries have gained very substantially in terms of getting book funds, grants for library- buildings, and other facilities. These were done on the basis of the recommendations of the well known U.G.C. Library Committee Report "University and College Libraries" in 1959. Dr. Ranganathan was the Chairman of this Committee which contributed to the growth and development of

Page 64: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and university and college libraries. The University Grants Commission developed INFIBNET programme, in 1988, as library network for Universities and colleges, and for other research institutions in India.

48

Their Functions

INFORMATION ORGANISATION - INFLIBNET

As per the Report, the INFLIBNET is a cooperative network and will contribute to pooling, sharing and optimisation of resources, facilities and services of libraries and information centres in the University system as well as in the R & D complexes, It is a major programme towards modernisation of libraries and information centres in the country. With all the support that academic libraries, in particular, college and university libraries have been getting, the level and quality of service is yet to match the excellence of service offered by industrially advanced countries.

With regard to the future, we should note that education, world over, is in a state of flux, largely due to the impact of the tremendous advances in computer and communication technologies. The learning and teaching processes are undergoing unprecedented changes in industrially advanced countries, although at present, these changes have just touched the surface. But before the turn of the century, the educational processes are likely to change. University education also may have to change as well as the University libraries. It is in this context that we should view the future academic libraries in India. However, it must be reckoned that while the educational processes might change radically, educational objectives will remain more or less in tact viz., development of a high quality intellectual manpower for the rapid growth and progress of the country to which the academic institutions are entrusted with.

6.6 SUMMARY In this Unit, we have

i) described the Indian educational system brieffly; explained the role of academic libraries in the educational process; and enumerated the types of academic libraries and their respective functions;

Page 65: Library Society

ii) dealt with school libraries, explaining their intergral role, described the collections and services rendered by primary school libraries. We have identified the supporting role of secondary school libraries indicating the type of collection required and services to be rendered;

49

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

iii) explained the objects and functions of a college library, the ingredients that go to make up an ideal college library and the library and documentation services offered by it; and the financial support that a college library should get;

iv) explained the objects and functions of a university library in relation to the objects of the university itself; given a detailed description on the governance and management; collection development, the user community, library, documentation and information services and the university library finance and budget;

v) at the end of every section, we have indicated the current library scene in India, so far as the academic libraries are concerned;

vi) we have also briefly touched upon the efforts made by Indian Government to review the educational system in India vis-a-vis academic libraries;

vii) finally we have indicated the,world trend in education which is in a state of flux. Future planning of academic libraries should plan their library system with a totally new perspective in the light of the impact of spectacular advances in computer and communication technologies.

6.7 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The objectives of a primary school library are:

• to create library consciousness • to strengthen learning skills • to create a love for books and information • to generate interest in using them for learning • to inculcate the habit of learning and reading.

2) The librarian of a primary school library has a teaching role to perform. Therefore, the professional requirements are not only to manage the library but also to involve in those activities that would complement and supplement classroom learning. Story-telling, book talks, demonstrating through audio-visual kits the life of birds and animals, etc., are the special capabilities required in a scheme librarian. Almost every one of these activities should be designed imaginatively and presented in an attractive manner, In this task the librarian should work closely with teachers. `

3) The types of collection that should go into a secondary school library are: i) an excellent stock of text books, both prescribed and other children's

literature, in multiple copies; ii) relatively more advanced books on all subjects for brighter students and

teachers; iii) general books on popular science, biographies of great persons, travelogues,

geographical explorations, sports and games and others that would create interest in reading;

iv) books of fiction, collection of short stories and other light reading materials; v) carefully assorted reference books such as -

- encyclopaedias (junior levels); illustrated dictionaries, both general and technical yearbooks, consolidating current events, scientific and technological achievements and others, handbooks on various subjects, particularly those that are technically/technologically practice oriented; Carrier handbooks, Competition Success;

- guides to literature, reference books in different subjects; directories, bibliographical books such as indexes and abstracts on a highly selective basis;

- periodicals, both popular and learned, selectively; - Audio visual materials; - and others.

4) A secondary school library should offer the following services:

Page 66: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and i) Lending

50

Their Functions

ii) Information and Reference Services iii) Guidance and advisory services iv) Preparation of reading list, in anticipation or in response, on any topic v) Current awareness service on current events, activities, personalities,

scientific and technological achievements, anything of national importance and international events of significance.

vi) Other services for spreading the message of books and libraries, such as organisation of book exhibitions on appropriate occasions, organising book talks by those who can hold the interest of students, Competitions-oratorical contests, debates on current issues, essay writing, quiz programmes, etc.

vii) Other routine services like display of jackets of currently acquire books, newspaper clippings, particularly those that are of interest to students, pictures and photographs of current events and activities and persons of importance.

5) In addition to teachers, students and staff, the other users of the library are likely to be, authors and writers, high school teachers, lawyers, medical practitioners, and such others.

6) The common services that are provided in college libraries are: i) Text book service; ii) Lending; iii) Reading Room; iv) Reference; v) Display of current additions or production of list of current accessions;

vi) Documentation services, only on specific request, to include current awareness to literature, especially journal literature. Preparation of current lists of references Indexing/Abstracting services on projects and similar others;

vii) Reprographic services; viii) Audio visual services such as film shows, tape-slides demonstrations, etc; ix) Exhibitions and special display; and the x) Assistance in the use of the library.

7) University libraries aim to support and help to achieve each of the objectives of a university. The major functions and objectives of a university library are: • Development of a collection in a wide variety of subjects for learning,

teaching, research, publication, etc. • Getting the stock of materials organised and maintained for use; • Organise and provide a variety of library, documentation and information

services both responsive and anticipatory. 8) University library is distinct from a college library in functions such as research,

conservation of knowledge and ideas and publication of research results. Therefore, in a University library the collections, all the different house keeping operations, and the services have to be different from that of a college library. The competance required to perform these functions would be sound scholarship, effective communication, both written and oral, and ability for innovatious:

6.8 KEY WORDS Academic Libraries : The libraries associated with educational institutions. Browsing Books : To look through a book in a casual manner.

Page 67: Library Society

51

Academic Libraries: School, College and University Libraries

Documentation : Arts of collecting, recording, preserving and making use of the documents quickly.

Inhospitable : Unfavourable

Library Network : Interlinking library resources and services by means of computer and communication technologies.

Precocious : Forward in mental development.

Ramification of a Subject : Structural division of a subject.

Tape-Slide Kit : A slide presentation of an activity, a tool of reference, a description of an event, etc.,-with a running commentary.

6.9 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Deshpande, K. S. (1985). University Library System in India, Sterling: New Delhi.

Yelfand, M. A. (1974). University Libraries in Developing Countries. Delhi: University of Delhi.

Krishan Kumar. (1987). Library Organisation; New Delhi: Vikas Chapters 3,4,5; 19-71pp.)

India: Education Commission (1964-66) (Chairman, D S Kathari) Educational Planning and the National Policy (1971) New Delhi: NCERT

Ranganathan, S. R. (1973). New Educational School Library, New Delhi: Vikas Publications.

Role and Functions of a School Library (1989). New Delhi: National Book Trust India (folder). :

Trehan, G. L. Malhan, L. V. (1980). School Library Management. New Delhi: Sterling.

Page 68: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

UNIT 7 PUBLIC LIBRARIES: ROLE AND FUNCTIONS

Structure 7.0 Objectives 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Evolution of Public Libraries - Factors

7.2.1 Urge for Knowledge 7.2.2 Literacy 7.2.3 Universal Public Education 7.2.4 Enlightened Leadership and Philanthropy 7.2.5 Rapid Advancement in Science and Technology 7.2.6 Fruitful Utilisation of Leisure

7.3 Meaning and Mission of a Public Library 7.3.1 UNESCO Definition 7.3.2 Key Missions of Public Library

7.4 Basic Elements of Public Libraries 7.5 Public Library and Features 7.6 Functions of Public Library

7.6.1 A Centre for Information 7.6.2 A Centre for Self-Education 7.6.3 A Centre for Culture 7.6.4 A Centre for Local Cultural Materials 7.6.5 Development of Democratic Spirit 7.6.6 An Impartial Service Agency

7.7 Summary 7.8 Answers to Self Check Exercises 7.9 Key Words 7.10 References and Further Reading 7.0 OBJECTIVES This Unit introduces you to the concept of public libraries, their evolution and growth, functions and services. Public libraries are social institutions offering information dissemination services based upon knowledge for various public groups, on social, political, economic, cultural and other matters.

After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

• trace the evolution of public libraries;

• explain the meaning of a public library;

• describe the public library functions in general, and specially those with reference to the present day Indian society.

7.1 INTRODUCTION As a common citizen of your locality you may have had opportunities to visit and make use of a public library or you may even be a member of a public library. Among the different types of libraries evolved by society in modern times, public libraries are the most Popular, because of the functions they perform. They play a very significant role in the welfare of a society. What is meant by a `public library'? What meaning does it hold for you as an ordinary citizen of the country? How has it evolved? What is its concept as evolved by UNESCO? These are some of the aspects which are explained in this unit. This also familiarises you with the functions of a modem public library and apprises you of the typical characteristic features of the contemporary Indian society so as to enable you to visualise the role/functions of a public library.

52

Page 69: Library Society

53

Public Libraries: Role and Functions

7.2 EVOLUTION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES FACTORS Mankind has taken decades, nay centuries, to evolve this institution: It would be worthwhile to know the factors which have helped in the evolution of a public library. Important among these are :

• Urge for knowledge; Literacy;

• Universal public education;

• Enlightened leadership and philanthropy;

• Rapid advancement in science and technology; and

• Fruitful utilisation of leisure.

7.2.1 Urge for Knowledge

The urge to seek knowledge in an individual has goaded him to make efforts to get it from whatever source he could. Why did the man get this urge? As social historians point out that the urge for knowledge manifested in man (i) to protect one's individual freedom like right to think and express; right to communicate, etc., (ii) to master the environment around

, him through the help of science and technology; (iii) to achieve success in competitive spheres of economic and social life, and (iv) to achieve cultural progress. As a result of the joint influence of these factors, man over the centuries, has been striving hard, individually and collectively, to seek knowledge, assimilate it and to use it by his own thinking and application.

7.2.2 Literacy

To help oneself with the sources of knowledge like books, man had to master reading, writing and arithmetic. Although schools did provide him instructions in gaining certain degrees of competence in literacy, man heavily depended on institutions like public library: With the support of the union government in India, the Total Literacy Campaign was started in about 300 districts in 'the country and it is hoped that in the near future our country will be fully literate.

7.2:3 Universal Public Education

It was not enough for some one make their individual efforts to seek and use some sources of knowledge and profit thereby. The masses had to progress through collective efforts: For this purpose education was made compulsory for all citizens so that each one of them, by helping himself, would ultimately contribute to the nations overall progress. This kind of public education had to be on a continuing basis, therefore, the public libraries become vital means of providing life-long self-education in various walks of life.

7.2.4 Enlightened Leadership and Philanthropy

In Western society in particular, enlightened leaders like industrial magnates, parliamentarians, educationists, political leaders and others, who had derived the benefits of education and knowledge, the hard way, came forward to provide money, buildings, books, etc., to establish and develop libraries for the general public, so that those who do not have the means to provide themselves self-education could find in public libraries a place to do so. This trend '-assisted rapid development of public libraries in the west.

7.2.5 Rapid Advancement in Science and Technology

Communication of information among individuals or groups was at a snail's speed prior to the invention of ink, paper and printing. The invention of these materials by the Chinese, improved by Arabs and perfected later by Europeans, helped production of books in large number, better in quality (and therefore could be preserved for longer duration) and at lesser cost. These developments helped the libraries to collect more books for benefit of the people

Page 70: Library Society

54

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

With further improvements in communication technology, audio-visual materials like records, charts, illustrations, films, slides, etc., made their appearance to serve as a boon to the educated, illiterates or neo-literates in their efforts to acquire knowledge.

In the present century, with the introduction of mass media like film, radio and television and electronic media like tapes, cassettes and discs telecommunication, it has become possible to provide quick information to the masses, cutting across geographical, political and other man made barriers.

All these means of communication are being suitably exploited by public libraries of today to achieve the goal of providing easier, quince and free access to information. Their contribution, therefore, in the development of libraries has been quite immense. With satellite communication, the task of communication of information at the door steps of individuals is possible now.

7.2.6 Fruitful Utilisation of Leisure

With the application of machines to the manual and routine type of work, man could produce more goods, of better quality and in lesser time. By producing and selling such refined goods; he accrued more wealth for himself. Such additional wealth and leisure, slowly and gradually, were utilised to acquire more information and education, and in better cultural pursuits. The public library served as a good platform for such persons for fruitful utilisation of their leisure.

Thus, a variety of factors, individually and collectively, have played their role towards the evolution of present day public library in civilised societies of the world. Now let us consider the meaning of the term `Public Library' as it is now conceived the world over.

Self Check Exercise 1) State the six factors that caused the evolution of public libraries.

Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7.3 MEANING AND MISSION OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY Public library has been defined differently by different experts depending upon the importance they gave to its objectives. It was a People's University for those who laid stress on educative aspect; it _was a- common man's cultural centre for those who had in mind its recreational role; for some it was a centre to provide authentic information for various aspects of life.

7.3.1 UNESCO's Definition

However, the most widely accepted definition of a public library was formulated by UNESCO in 1949, which was revised in 1972 and again revised in 1994, and is known as the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto. The definition of a public library according to this manifesto is as follows :

• it is a public library which being the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, i3dependent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups;

Page 71: Library Society

55

Public Libraries: Role and Functions

• a living force for education, culture and information, an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women;

• the local centre of information, making all kinds of knowledge and information readily and freely available to its users;

• accessible for all, regardless of age, race, sex, relation, nationality, language or social status;

• and lastly, the libraries which have collections and services, all types of appropriate media and modern technologies, as well as traditional materials with high quality and have relevance to local needs and conditions. Material must reflect current trends and the evolution of society, as well as the memory of human endeavour and imagination.

This definition is exhaustive, covering all the facets of public library services.

7.3.2 Key Missions of Public Library

The UNESCO, in its public library manifesto, for the first time spelled out the key missions which relate to information, literacy, education and culture and should be at the core of public library services : • creating and strengthening reading skills and habits in children from an early age; • supporting both individual and self conducted education as well as formal education; • providing opportunities for personal creative development; • stimulating the imagination and creativity of children and young people; • promoting awareness of cultural heritage, appreciation of the arts, scientific

achievements and innovations; • providing access to cultural expressions of all performing arts; • fostering inter-cultural dialogue and favouring cultural diversity; • supporting the oral tradition; • ensuring access for citizens to all sorts of community information; • providing adequate information services to local enterprises, associations and

interest groups; • facilitating the development of information and computer literacy skills; • supporting and participating, in literacy activities and programmes for all age groups,

and initiating such activities, if necessary. With these key missions, the public libraries will enable the development of well informed citizens capable of exercising their democratic rights and play responsive role in the changing society. This will generally depend on a free flow of unlimited access to public libraries.

7.4 BASIC ELEMENTS OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES If you examine this definition closely you will find that it incorporates certain basic elements which are unique to a public library. Let us now understand these basic elements. i) A Free Library A public library does not charge its users any fee for any of its services like consultation of books on its premises or loan of books for home reading or for rendering reference service or for providing recreation through a film show or any other cultural programme. All these services are rendered free to the citizen of a locality. Thus, a 'public library is unique in bestowing a right to every citizen to have free access to its books and other information resources. However, a nominal charge may be made in cases when a particular product or a service passes to a reader as his own. For instance, when a certain bibliography or an article is copied for you and you retain the copy permanently with you, you may be charged nominally for such a service.

Page 72: Library Society

56

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

ii) Financed by Public Funds How, then, a public library maintains itself? The finance needed for the establishment, maintenance and development of public libraries is secured mostly from public funds. That is, the government under the law of the land levies an indirect tax known as library acess, which is levied as surcharge on property or land possessed by a person or income accrued on professions or vocations or on vehicles owned by a person. For instance, in Andhra Pradesh, the Government of Andhra Pradesh levies a library acess of 8 paise per rupee on house tax and property tax. A person who owns a property when he pays the property tax pays also the library acess.Thus every property holder indirectly contributes to the Library Fund of the area and thus lends support to the public libraries whether he/she is a literate or an illiterate. But the benefits of public library services are enjoyed equally by all citizens, irrespective of the fact whether they contribute to the library fund or not. As money accrued by way of library acess may not be sufficient for establishment; maintenance and development of public libraries, the State governments in some cases contribute certain amount to the library fund. For example, in Karnataka, the State Government contributes 3% of the land revenue of a district% to the District Library Fund. In addition, there is a provision for any other organisation (national or international) or the Central Government to contribute whatever they can to the library fund. It is for this reason that you find in the definition given above the phrases "financed for the most part" i.e., some portion of the library fund may come from the Central Government, other organisations or philanthropic individuals. iii) An Auxiliary Educational Institution Over the centuries civilised society has evolved a number of educational institutions of formal learning like schools; colleges and universities. The libraries attached to these educational institutions provide direct assistance for the teacher and the taught. But as the student population, which is increasing every year, is physically spread out in cities, towns and villages, the academic libraries are unable to meet all their demands. So, the-

public libraries located in these localities assist the students/teachers by providing suitable educative material, as may be needed, to successfully complete their formal education with ease: In this sense, a public library serves as an auxiliary educational institution serving each person according to his requirements. This part of the concept of a public library, therefore, assumes active cooperation between public libraries and academic libraries of a given area. iv) A Mandatory Institution A free library; supported by public funds in order to provide free access to every citizen impartially needs to be established under the law of the land by a competent authority like the Parliament or the State Assembly. In a democratic welfare nation it should be legally ensured that a public library is established, maintained and developed in all localities so as to enable a citizen to reap the benefits, whatever free access to information, education and culture could bring. Thus, in the recent past almost every civilised nation has enacted a library law under the provisions of which public libraries have come into existence. In India, ten states, viz., Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Manipur, . Kerala, Haryana, Mizoram and Goa have enacted library laws to provide public library services. You will learn more about this in the unit relating to Library Legislation. Self Check Exercise 2) Define and explain the concept of public library as per the UNESCO Public

Library Manifesto, 1994. Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 73: Library Society

57

Public Libraries: Role and Functions

7.5 PUBLIC LIBRARY AND FEATURES So far you have been acquainted with the factors in the evolution of a public library, the meaning of a public library as per the UNESCO manifesto and its general functions. At this stage, you may be eager to know what role/functions could be envisaged for such a library in our present Indian Society. This requires reinterpretation of the functions of a public library in the light of certain characteristic features of our contemporary society. Characteristic Features of Contemporary Indian Society To discuss the features of a multi-lingual and multi-cultural society with age-old traditions is a complex task.' However, an attempt is made here to present such of its features which, are having a bearing on the role of public libraries. These are : • Socio-economic features; • Politico-historical features; • Educational features; and • Socio-psychological features. i) Socio-Economic Features As per the 1991 census, 74.30 percentage of the Indian population resides in rural areas comprising small towns, villages and hamlets. It is, therefore, very much scattered. It is agriculturally oriented. The per capita income is quite low with nearly 40% of the population . living below the poverty line. The economic disparities among the people are glaring. With the onset of industrialisation, rural population is steadily migrating to the nearby urban centres. There are large number of linguistic groups residing in unilingual or bilingual states. But each linguistic state has in its fold substantial populations communicating in minority languages i.e., other than the State language. Similarly, the population could be distinguished on the basis of different religions and castes, which means different customs, manners, dresses, family laws, etc. Thus, there is the presence of varied beliefs and practices. ii) Politico-Historical Features The constitution of India envisages a democratic society but we are without democratic traditions. We have been ruled by princes, kings and emperors over the centuries more or less in an autocratic way. We have inherited rich civilisation and a culture, which depicts the amixture of various racial influences of Aryan, Semitic, Roman and Dravidian. Politically we are governed by different political parties with their specific ideologies. iii) Educational Features From the point of view of literacy, nearly 60% of the population is illiterate. Our constitution envisages provision of compulsory primary education for all children between 6 to 14 years of age. But this target is still to be realised.There is a high percentage of dropouts in the primary education. Secondary and higher education although show quantitative growth, these are not in line with planned development of the country. There are great disparities between the educated and the non-educated. Many people, especially rural, are unaware of scientific and technological developments which affect their lives, e.g., health, hygiene and nutrition. Thus, generally, the application of scientific and technological innovations is low. v) Socio-Psychological Features People are generally found to be tradition bound and fatalistic in their outlook on life. Traits of self-help and independent thinking are not found in many. Information is conserved rather than disseminated. People are governed by fear and diffidence rather than by hope and confidence. They are fearful of experimentation. Religion and language have hindered national unity and progressive attitude.

7.6 FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES Having acquainted ourselves with some features of Indian society let us try to visualize the

Page 74: Library Society

58

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

role, a public library could play in changing the unproductive mass of population into productive and contributive individuals in the overall progress of the nation. A public library as enunciated in the Unesco Manifesto is expected to play its role mainly in the three principal areas - information, education and culture. 7.6.1 A Centre for Information We have unusually large human resources which need to be harnessed and made productive. Lack of information and lack of free flow of information to the masses are impeding this effort. We, therefore, need to provide information suiting the needs of individuals and groups, almost at their door step and in a language understandable to them. The three immediate implications of this policy are (a) we need to establish more public libraries as information centres in rural areas where the maximum population resides (b) such information centres needed to be oriented largely towards agriculture (c) and information presented in a non-book form i.e., by the use of oral, audio-visual and mass media communications in view of high level of illiteracy in the population, a) Rural Communities To mitigate the hardships of poverty, libraries need to disseminate such information as people can use in seeking employment, skill development or in generating self-employment activities. For instance, rural folk needs to be appraised of the policies and programmes of the government whereby a farmer is able to get money to cultivate his land, purchase quality seeds at reasonable prices, purchase agricultural implements, irrigate his land, etc. The ignorance of a farmer is, at present, being exploited by middlemen. Similarly, policies of the Government relating to agro-industries need to be popularised in villages and hamlets so that a climate in favour of agro-industries is created which, in the long run, will be able to arrest the migration of the rural population. b) Developmental Activities Dissemination of information relating to development activities like construction of canals, dams and approach roads, digging water, construction of houses for weaker sections, establishment of cottage and village industries, etc., goes a long way in improving the economic conditions of the rural population. Dissemination of social information relating to unhealthy and unsocial practices in society is likely to bring out the issues into the open; and rally the people to face them boldly and profitably. Some such issues relate to: child marriage, widow marriage, the practice, Sati burning, dowry deaths, ragging in academic institutions, portrayal of women in low profile, corruption in public offices, drinking and gambling. In order to enable the people to think loudly on such issues, they should be provided with free and impartial sources of information. Public library is the most suitable agency to undertake this task, c) Popularization of Science Scientific and technological information also -needs to be published widely and in an understandable manner so that favourable attitude for such information is created among people. Information relating to science and technology which could be applied in day-to-day life needs to be made known by lectures, demonstrations and science exhibitions. Live demonstrations by agricultural scientists of the use of fertilisers will help 'the villagers. Dissemination of information through public libraries, on health and hygiene, child care, children's diseases will be highly profitable to all segments of the society. d) Language Groups As there are a number of linguistic populations in our country, libraries need to communicate information in regional languages - major or minor and not in a language unknown to the people. By systematic bibliographic work, librarians need to identify the lacunae in subject literature in different languages and communicate such information to potential authors and others who are concerned with production of literature. Efforts also need to be made to produce such literature in audio-visual format. e) Religious (Groups In order to build a sense of unity and respect for human values, literature relating to common

Page 75: Library Society

59

Public Libraries: Role and Functions

objectives of different religions, their beliefs and practices needs wider circulation among the public. At every opportunity the libraries should inculcate democratic traditions and values among people. Knowledge regarding our constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and responsibilities is essential on the part of every citizen. Similarly, appreciation of the benefits and pitfalls of. adult franchise has to be brought to the knowledge of the general public. f) Legal Groups Legal information relating to family laws, property laws, crime, etc., needs wider circulation. Awareness of rights as well as responsibilities in civil laws and criminal laws is vital for avoiding unwanted strife and misery among families and communities. Again, knowledge about the hazards of multi-party, system in a federal structure of government needs due to reach the public. 7.6.2 A Centre for Self-Education A very important function of a public library is to work as a centre for self-education. Institutions of formal learning like schools, colleges and universities provide a person a means of education far a particular period in certain subjects in a very formal way. But a person has varied interests in which he would like to seek knowledge at a pace or time, which suits his situation. Most importantly, he would love to do it in an informal way. Public library is the institution which provides self-education suiting one's interests throughout one's life span. Such a self-education enriches a person's life to a great extent and mitigates his or- her day-to-day hardships. Consider the case of a mechanic who has an innate desire to develop photography as his hobby. Public library assists such an individual to cultivate photography as a hobby by providing him suitable information and material to understand the mechanism of a camera, to handle. it effectively, etc., in a non-technical language. As he masters the basics of photography, the library provides him additional materials to keep up his interests. Thus, his leisure hours are spent in fulfilling his desire to learn in his own -way about his hobby which enriches his outlook on life. The money, time and energy utilised in this pursuit pays many fold dividend not only to the person concerned but to all those who are close to him. 7.6.3 A Centre for Culture A public library apart from being a centre of self-education and information is required to serve as a centre to promote local or regional culture. The Unesco-Manifesto declares that the public library is concerned with the refreshment of man's spirit by the provision of books for relaxation and pleasure. The term `books' is interpreted here in the widest sense to include all recorded materials of mankind: So, all recorded iftaterials of mankind depicting his excellence in prose, poetry, drama; music, painting, dance and sculpture are collected together to provide a smoothening effect to the working mind. As a public library is required to meet the individual needs of the, local public, local or regional cultural materials are given a place of prominence. To recapitulate, -a public library is essentially a free library, financed by public funds providing impartial service to all the members of a local community and which serves as an auxiliary educational institutions. It is 'a democratic institution providing information, education and cultural environment to each according to his needs. 7.6.4 A Centre for Local Cultural Materials Yet another important function fulfilled by a modern public library is to identify and collect cultural material of importance available in its area. These may be works of art or sculpture, paintings, literary documents, musical instruments of the past, etc. In short, a public library goes in search of all such materials which link the people of the locality with its cultural past. In countries like UK and USA, public libraries have separate sections known: as `local history collections': For the young, even an observation of such cultural materials kindles in him a sense of pride and achievement. Some of them are even tempted to try their hands

Page 76: Library Society

60

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

or minds to contribute their own share to such cultural -materials: In India, such cultural . material are often found in almost every town or village but most of them have remained scattered and unnoticed. These material need to be brought to the attention of the public at large so that they take due interest and pride in belonging to those places where these are found.

7.6.5 Development of Democratic Spirit

A public library by providing all shades of opinion on a particular topic or issue engaging the attention of a person at a particular time gives him an opportunity to think over the issue dispassionately and objectively. In short, by being an impartial-information agency, it stimulates thinking and thinking dispels ignorance and hatred and replaces it by. understanding, love and knowledge.

Further, as observed in the previous section, by bringing together in its socio-cultural activities, seemingly different segments of the society, on a sin& platform, the library slowly but surely develops a sense of amity, a sense of respect for the other groups, an appreciation of the difference in language, religion, customs and manners. Thus, sectarian life styles are substituted by democratic life patterns. In this sense, a public library, justifies its existence as a democratic institution.

7.6.6 An Impartial Service Agency

The third characteristic of a public library` is that its resources (i.e., book and non-book material) and services are amenable for use by any person irrespective of one's caste, creed or sex. In this sense, every person of a sound mind irrespective of one's age, status, income, language, religion, sex, literacy or culture is welcome to the doors of a public library and utilise its resources to the fullest possible extent. Public library, therefore, is deemed as the most democratic of the democratic institutions founded by mankind.

Self Check Exercise 3) State the characteristic and

Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

7.7 SUMMARY In, this Unit, you have familiarised yourself with the evolution of public libraries and the factors that caused their evolution. (Unesco's definition of public libraries include the basic elements viz., that they should be free, supported by public funds, serve as an auxiliary educational institution, should be established under the law of the land, serve as a centre of information, be a centre of self-education, be a centre of culture and also be an impartial service agency). The public library functions have been discussed at length in 'a general way and thereafter with particular reference to the characteristic features of the Indian Society. The function of a public library has been reinterpreted in three essential areas of its operation viz., information, education and culture. However, the patterns of services and

Page 77: Library Society

61

Public Libraries: Role and Functions

the media of communication of public library in India differ due to the typical features of our society. A public library does play an important role in building well-informed, skilled and productive individuals and tries to achieve this in a democratic way.

7.8 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The factors that caused the evolution of public libraries are :

i) Urge for knowledge; ii) Literacy; iii) Universal Public Education; iv) Enlightened leadership and Philanthropy; v) Rapid advancement in science and technology; and vi) Fruitful Utilisation of Leisure.

2) Definition of Public Libraries: i) living force of education, information and culture; ii) life long learning institution; and iii) free to all sections of the community.

3) The characteristics of public libraries: i) Socio-economic features; ii) Politico-historical features; iii) Educational features; and iv) Socio-psychological features. Functions of Public Libraries: i) Serving as Centre for Information; ii) Serving as Centre for Self-Education; iii) Serving as Centre for Culture; iv) Serving as Centre for Local Cultural Materials; v) Development of understanding democratic spirit; and vi) Being an impartial service agency.

7.9 KEY WORDS Audio-Visual : Hearing and Seeing. Auxiliary ' : Helpful, assisting, subsidiary. Cultural Materials : Literary contributions in the form of prose, poetry,

drama fiction; or contributions in fine arts like music, dance, drawing, painting and sculpture; or contributions in philosophy, religion, history, etc.

Fatalism : Belief that all events are predetermined by arbitrary decree; sub' mission to all that happens as inevitable.

Inculcate : Urge, impress. Innovative : Bring in novelties; make changes in. Mass Media : Means of communicating to large number of individuals.

Film, Radio and Television, etc. Semitic : Belonging to group of the races supposed to be

descendants of Jews, Arabs, Assyrians, etc.

Page 78: Library Society

62

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

7.10 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Gerard, D. (Ed.) (1978). Libraries in Society : A Reader, London: Bingley.

Khanna, J.K. (1987). Library and Society. Kurukshetra: Research Publications.

Mahapatra, P.K. Thomas, U.K. (Editor) (1996). Public- Libraries in Developing Countries - Status Trends. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House.

Raman Nair, R. (1993). Public Library Development. New Delhi: ESS Publications.

Sahai, Shrinath, (1973). Library and the Community. New Delhi: To-day and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers.

Verma, L.N. and Agarwal, U.K. (Ed.) (1994). Public Library Services in India. Udaipur: Himanshu Publications. '

UNESCO, (1994). Public Library Manifesto. Unesco: Paris

White, Carl, M. (1964): Bases of Modern Librarianship : A Study of Library Theory and Practice in British, Denmark, The Federal Republic of Germany and the United States, London: Pergamon Press.

Page 79: Library Society

Special Libraries and Information Centres

UNIT 8 SPECIAL LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES

Structure

8.0 Objectives 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Definitions 8.3 Special Libraries: Meaning and Purpose 8.4 Brief Historical Overview 8.5 Functions of the Special Libraries 8.6 Features of the Special Libraries

8.6.1 Collection Development 8.6.2 Processing and Organisation 8.6.3 Services

8.7 Evolution of Information Centres 8.7.1 Characteristics of Special Libraries and Information Centres

8.7.2 Types of Information Centres 8.8 The Indian Scene 8.9 Summary 8.10 Answers to Self Check Exercises 8.11 Key Words 8.12 References and Further Reading

8.0 OBJECTIVES Special libraries and information centres are a natural outcome of the need for information support to research and development, business and industry, expanded functions of governments and similar other organisations. This Unit introduces you to study their origin, growth and development and also their distinguishing features from public or academic libraries, with reference to their nature, scope, collection, services, etc.

After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

• identify and describe the activities, functions and services of special libraries that are attached to different types of organisations; and

• explain the evolution and growth of information centres, and distinguish their specific characteristics with reference to their specialised products and services.

8.1 INTRODUCTION In the previous Units of this Block, you have been acquainted with different types of libraries like national, academic and public libraries with respect to their meaning, objectives, functions and services. In this Unit, you will be learning about the nature, scope, functions and services of special libraries and information centres.

While special libraries have been in existence since the beginning of this century, information centres emerged from the fifties and have now developed into a major group of information centres. They have overlapping functional characteristics. There are also considerable variations in the level of services offered by them. In this Unit, we shall study the origin, growth and development of these two major information institutions, such as Special Libraries and Information Centres - the functions they perform, the products they generate and the services they offer. 63

Page 80: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and 8.2 DEFINITIONS

64

Their Functions

Though the concept of Special Library is of a recent origin, a good number of experts have defined the Special Library. M.L.M. Harrod in his "Librarian's Glossary of Terms" defined that a "Special Library is a collection of books and other printed, graphic or recorded material dealing with a limited field of knowledge and provided by a learned society, research organisation, industrial or commercial undertaking, government department or ~even an educational institution. It may also be a special branch of a public library serving certain interests or occupational groups such as a technical library or a special subject library, meeting the needs of all enquiries on that given subject such as a music library". Broad field defined that "a special library is neither academic, commercial, national or public but it. intends to serve the needs of a portion of a community requiring detailed information on a limited subject field". The reputed library scientist D.J. Foskett defines a special library as "one serving a group, having an extra-library existence, whose members direct at least some of their activities towards a common purpose. This excludes academic libraries as their users pursue their individual ends, and are in no sense united by a Common Purpose". "The group served, according to Foskett, may be a government department, a professional association, an industrial firm, a research association or an institute or any similar organisation. Special libraries serve organisations with a clearly defined group policy, and members of the group have indicated their acceptance of this policy by the fact of their joining, which implies their recognition of a common interest". Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, a renowned Library Scientist prefers to call it as specialist Library to supply detailed information regarding some subject field - scientific, technical and otherwise.

8.3 SPECIAL LIBRARIES: MEANING AND PURPOSE While other types of libraries serve multiple objectives such as education, research, recreation, cultural and social activities, the major and perhaps only objective of a special library, is the provision of information, in support of the objectives of its parent organisation. Special libraries exist in a wide variety of organisations, most of them being units of larger organisations. Their purposes are usually other than provision of education or conventional library services, invariably meeting the information requirements of the organisations to which they are attached. Special libraries are formed in research and development ' establishments, government departments, directorates, industrial and business undertakings, learned societies and professional associations, trade and business associations, hospitals and health services, social and welfare organisations, museums, national gallery of arts; etc. However special libraries are also established to serve a particular group of users or specialists working on a subject or a group of subjects or on a particular type of documents, etc. The following table illustrates these units:

Distinguishing Aspects Special Library

Special user groups Libraries for the Doctors, Entrepreneurs, Industrialists, etc. Kind of activity Nutrition (the Library of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad). Specialising in a group of Food Science and technology (the Library subjects of the Central Food and Technological Research Institute, Mysore). .

Type of documents A film library; a video cassette Library; a manuscript library.

These distinguishing features identify special libraries although their functions do very often overlap.

Page 81: Library Society

65

Special Libraries and Information Centres

8.4 BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Special libraries first began to appear in the United States (US) in the early decades of the 20th century. They were a new form of library, quite different from other types of libraries in their functions and purpose and in their new methods of collecting and organising material. In the later decades of the century, organisations increased in number, size and complexity, as business and industry began to grow rapidly. A large number of government organisations also sprang up to meet various activities of the government and libraries began to grow in all these organisations. World War 'I and II accelerated the process of industrial development backed by scientific and technological research. Research and development became increasingly institutionalised. This trend naturally led to the growth of special library collections and new services.

The growth of special libraries in Europe as well as in many of the developing countries also was modelled on the patterns of US special library movement: As nations continued to industrialise and increased their research, efforts, special libraries were established in research organisations and in other agencies. Growth and development of special libraries in India also has been on the model of the Western Countries.

8.5 FUNCTIONS OF THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES A special Library is a power house for the generation, storage and use of information: It performs the following functions :

• collects, maintains, stores and retrieves information and data keeping in view the evolving needs of its parent organization;

• analyses, synthesizes and evaluates information and data;

• provides critical reviews, monographs, reports and/or collections;

• provides critical compilations;

• provides state-of-the-art reports;

• provides replies to queries;

• provides reprints, bibliographies and references;

• performs literature searches and translation services;

• provides abstracts, indexes and extracts;

• prepares accession lists, bulletins, news-letters; summaries, hand-books or manuals;

• disseminates current information and SDI and thus does stimulates research.

Besides these, it has some more functions to perform :

• establishes simple order record;

• reviews library's collections to build-up weak areas;

• establishes a monitoring system for the evaluation of performances.

8.6 FEATURES OF THE SPECIAL LIBRARIES All the activities of a special library are derived from two basic types of information services that are provided by them. In fact, the reason for their existence, as stated earlier, is to provide such information services. The first service is provided in response to users' requests for information covering reference and literature search. The second is information service in anticipation of need and includes indexing, abstracting services which are designed to keep the users updated on new and current information. Decisions about collection development of the library, processing and organisation of documents appointment of staff etc. are made on the type and extent of services to be provided.

Page 82: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and 8.6.1 Collection Development

66

Their Functions

Special library collections are working collections to support their information services, with an emphasis on current information and retrospective material, determined on the basis of the projects and programmes taken up by the organisations. Besides the traditional forms of material such as books, journals, technical and research reports, other typical and significant material include patents, specifications in scientific and industrial fields, business records, trade information and news clippings, etc. A particular feature of a collection in a special library is *that it is never static, but dynamic and changing as new activities and programmes develop in the parent organisation. The library also gets affected by changes in the parent organisation and the scope and nature of the library collections and services also get changed suitably. Therefore, the staff of the special library must be constantly alert to possible new areas and the changing interests of the organisation so that the library collection and services can respond to changing demands of information. Generally speaking, the special library collections have three major components; the first is published information, the second internally generated information and the third, information available from sources, outside the organisation. In most of the special libraries, periodicals provide the most updated information. Therefore, periodical collections are perhaps the richest of the library resources and the maximum funds are provided for subscriptions to periodicals. Specialised reports form the second category of published information. Information collected through newspaper clippings, pamphlets, statistical compilations, sales literature, trade catalogues, financial statements, government documents, etc., form the other sources of information. The second major component of the collection is information generated within the organisation, such as, research reports, technical memoranda, laboratory note books, working papers, correspondence, house organs, newsletters, sales literature and company and competitive advertising etc. Use of resource outside the organisation is the third component of the special library collection. Usually, the special library has to depend on external resources for information and materials outside its scope of activities. In fact, special libraries quite often use public, academic and research libraries through formal inter-library loan procedures. 8.6.2 Processing and Organisation Special libraries employ a wide variety of methods in organising their collections. The physical storage of its collection is determined on the basis of use. Catalogues, indexes, abstracts are prepared on the basis of ease of use, scope of the activities of the parent organisation and coverage. Classification, cataloguing and indexing systems also are simple in their design but are chosen to meet their requirements effectively. 8.6.3 Services a) Reference Services Reference and research services range from answering simple reference questions to undertaking' complex research and literature services. Users are usually assisted in the pursuit of their own search for literature but quite often information expertise is made available in locating requested information and transmitting them in the most useful form. In fact, expertise is built into the special libraries' staff to handle complicated and complex problems of information handling. Some special libraries offer translation services either in house or obtain them from outside sources. In most of the special libraries, a close working relationship exists between the library staff and users to derive the maximum benefit from the library unit. b) Current Awareness and Routing Services Special libraries have developed a wide range of services to keep their users informed of new and current developments. Routing of current issues of periodicals is one of the most common functions of special libraries. The library periodically surveys its clientele as to which periodicals they wish to see on a regular basis, then circulates ahem to readers, as issues arrive. Current acquisition bulletins, indexes to current periodicals and title alerts are some of the different types of current awareness services provided by special libraries.

Page 83: Library Society

67

Special Libraries and Information Centres

c) Anticipatory Service

Besides these services, annotated lists, abstract bulletins, news summaries, digests or other types of anticipatory service are also provided by special libraries. In recent decades many of the special libraries provide computer based selective dissemination of information (SDI) service. In India SDI services are also provided but not necessarily through computers.

d) Retrieval Services

Abstracting, indexing and preparation of digests are of paramount importance in special libraries. Special project and retrospective files are built up in special libraries for meeting their requirements on projects or requirements for new product or process development.

e) Publication of Bulletins

The information about the new arrivals in the library are published in the form of acquisition lists or bulletins and supplied to all potential users: At times annotations are added to these entries. For some subjects, this service is available commercially:

f) Personnel and Staff

In general, special libraries are managed by a small staff. One of the continuing debates in the field is whether a special librarian should be primarily a subject specialist or a library professional or both. But most of the controversies on this issue are getting resolved as persons with different subject expertise, are taking increasingly the special librarianship and documentation. Thus, the new breed of specialists are competent and have the expertise required to handle various activities of a special library.

Self Check Exercises 1) List the nature of the collections in a special library.

2) List the services generally provided by a special library.

Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8.7 EVOLUTION OF INFORMATION CENTRES We noted earlier in this Unit that the emergence of special libraries at the beginning of this. century and their subsequent growth and development were due primarily to the need for library and information support for business, trade and commercial enterprises, research organisations and for various functions of government departments. These activities were intensified and expanded after World War II and were organised and operated through mission-oriented national research projects, innovative research for new product and process development, and vastly expanded activities and programme of governments towards socio-

Page 84: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and economic development. As a natural consequence of these activities, information services are organised through specialised information centres with a new orientation and fresh approach. These centres which grew in different dimensions, were not necessarily tied down to any single parent organisation but were catering to a wider circle of users who were working in the fields in which these centres were operating. Thus, new types of information centres began to evolve and shape. Today we have a variety of such centres operating in diverse fields at regional, national or international levels.

68

Their Functions

These trends were initially witnessed in industrially advanced countries of the West in the fifties and sixties of twentieth century.These models naturally were influencing the development of specialised information centres in developing countries. For instance, in India, in 1952, a national documentation centre (INSDOC) was established to take care of documentation and information services required by the research community in the entire fields of science and technology. But in the next two or three decades, a number of specialised information centres, have sprung up as no single centre can any longer serve a wide spectrum of research activities. Definition of Information Centre Harrod's Librarians' Glossary defines Information Centre as being "usually an office, or a section of a bibliographicaL centre, research bureau or documentation centre, which gives information about books or on a subject with which the organisation providing the facilities of the centre is concerned. The functions of this centre include technical writing, indexing, abstracting, SDI etc., each one of intensive nature". 8.7.1 Characteristics of Special Libraries and Information Centres The difference between information centres or information bureaus and many special libraries is one of degree with reference to the services they organise. Three functional levels of service are presently offered by these two types of information institutioris. At the minimum level, the special library disseminates information and materials acquired by them, answers reference questions, directs users needing details on research information to appropriate source and handles routing of periodicals to keep their users informed of current developments in the field. At the intermediate level, a special library or an information centre, offers complex literature searches in specific fields, compiles extensive retrospective bibliographies, selects and transfers relevant research material in anticipation of demand, produces current awareness bulletins in specific disciplines, new products or new processes, or SDI, services based on group or individual profiles. At a higher level, an information centre offers highly ; specialised consolidation and repackaging services which involve analysis, synthesis and evaluation of information and present them in a form required by users. The final output may be a critical bibliography, evaluative and comprehensive state of art reports or a repackaged report for a specific user category, etc. In fact, this range of services has necessitated the formation of different types of information centres, such as data centres, information analysis centres and information dissemination centres. The higher level of information service requires staff with subject specialisation and communication abilities. However, these services can be offered by a special library, depending on their staff strength and material acquired and organised. A general difference between these two types of information institutions, is that while the special library offers services only to the staff of their parent organisation, an information centre often serves a widely distributed group of users whose only link being common subject interest. 8.7.2 Types of Information Centres Information centres may be discussed under three broad major: groups, as given below : • Data Centres • Information Analysis Centres • Information Dissemination Centres i) Data Centres Data is usually quantified information obtained through observation in scientific experimentation in laboratories or field surveys in the social sciences. These are normally

Page 85: Library Society

69

Special Libraries and Information Centres

in numerical or non-numerical form and are presented in the form of tables, summary statements and in other special forms to the interested community.

Some examples of the types of data are given in the table below:

Type of Data Example Scientific thermal properties of materials

Engineering specifications of various commodities

Techno-economic raw material available in a region, consumption data in a locality

Business manufacture, sales, profits, losses, etc.

Industrial types of industry, production capacity, licensing capacity,. etc. Manpower skilled persons, employment potential, etc.

Socio-demographic different groups of people in a region

A data centre is an organisation handling quantitative numerical or factual data, whose functions are to store collect, organise, analyse and disseminate data and provide various types of services on demand or in anticipation of demand. The services range from straight forward supply of data. with reference to any query to correlation and critical compilation of data pertaining to any field of study, presented in a tabular or graphic form. Regular abstracts and indexes are produced by the data centres pertaining to different disciplines and are made available in print or machine readable forms. There are data centres operating at local, national and international levels. ii) Information Analysis Centres Information analysis centres provide the most user-oriented information service, in a timely, authoritative and evaluated form, convenient to the user. In this service, the user wants the data and information contained in the literature and not the documents themselves. His needs are information collected from different sources and supplied in a form that could be used directly. An information analysis centre is a formally structured organisational unit, specifically established for the purpose of acquiring, storing, retrieving, evaluating, analysing, synthesising, a body of information and/or data in a clearly defined specialised field. The purpose is to compile, repackage, organise .and present pertinent information and/or data in a form most authoritative, timely and useful to a group of specialists. The distinguishing characteristics of this type of centres are as follows: The key activities of these centres are analysis, interpretation, synthesis, evaluation and repackaging of information for the purpose of enabling users to assimilate the information or numerical data of a specii6c field. An information analysis centre- uses subject specialists to perform the analysis, evalua-tion and synthesis. An information analysis centre I produces new, evaluated information in the form of critical services, state-of-art monographs, or data compilations and usually provides substantive evaluated responses to queries. An information analysis centre provides assistance to a community of users and not just assistance to `in-house' personnel. iii) Information Disseminationi Centres During the last three decades another type of information centre has emerged whose primary function is to diffuse discipline;-oriented information among its clientele. Such centres -provide commercially available (,-urgent awareness, selective dissemination and retrospective literature search services by searching Computerised data base. These centres may operate as units of organisation that produce the data base or may be offering these services as

Page 86: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and independent organisations with proper connections with data base generators or vendors. Information dissemination centres differ from the other ,Zyype of information centres in that their services are not geared to serve any specified group of users operating in any field or discipline. Rather, they offer literature search services to any group of specialist users, by searching any Computerised data base. These institutions are also known as information broker agencies, information consultants, etc. These trends are leading to the development of information industries which have now started operating in many countries, offering services from simple document supply service to most complex information analysis and consolidation services, charging a fee for such services.

70

Their Functions

To coordinate the activities of such centres and to promote research and recommend standards, etc., associations at the international level have been established.

1) The Association of Scientific Information Dissemination Centres (ASIDIC) originated in 1968 at Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is an association of information centres in the United States, Canada and several other countries.

2) A corresponding organisation in Europe is the European Association of Scientific Information, Dissemination Centres (EUSIDIC) established in 1970.

3) An Information Industry Association also has been established in the late 1970s in USA whose members offer a variety of information services.

The information dissemination centres, most of them being commercial organisations, have introduced an element of trade in the field of information services. Information marketing has thus become a subject of great interest and attention is given to economics of information with reference to buying and selling information products and services.

Information brokers are also slowly emerging in India, inviting young entrepreneurs to enter the field of information industry.

Self Check Exercises 3) What is a specialised information centre?

4) Mention the key activities of an information analysis centre in about five sentences.

5) State in five sentences, the nature and scope of activities of information dissemination centres.

Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8.8 THE INDIAN SCENE India has been quite active in developing its special libraries and information centres in the last fifty years. In this section of this Unit, we shall give: you a quick overview of the main

Page 87: Library Society

71

Special Libraries and Information Centres

trends of current developments in India in this area. This section, however, has to be studied in conjunction with the other units wherein this topic has been discussed.

The trends witnessed in the industrially advanced countries of the West, influenced the design and development of special libraries, documentation and information centres in India also. Although India has been vigorously pursuing scientific and industrial research, backed by a positive government policy in the last forty years, special libraries had grown in India from the beginning of this century alongside research activities of organisations such as the Geological, Botanical and Zoological surveys, academic and professional institutions like the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and government councils like the Indian Council of Agriculture Research and the Indian Council of Medical Research and similar others. However, it is only after the advent of freedom in 1947, that research complexes such as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research began to be organised and research activities should to be established as institutional activities with government funding.

UNESCO actively promoted and provided technical assistance for the establishment of national documentation centres in many developing countries during the fifties and sixties. With the assistance of UNESCO, the INSDOC (Indian National Scientific Documentation Centres) was established in 1.952 as a constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.

The next decade saw several special institutions and documentation centres coming up in specialised fields such as atomic energy, defence, agriculture, medicine, social sciences and similar others. In the seventies, with the establishment of National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT) under the Department of Science and Technology, sectoral information centres at national levels in fields such as leather, drugs and pharmaceuticals, machine tools, and food were established to meet their specific information needs. Today three more national sectoral information centres are in operation, offering specialised library and information services in textiles, chemistry and chemical technology. In addition there is a data centre in crystallography.

The nineties are witnessing national information system developing in environment, non-conventional sources of energy, ocean sciences, space, biotechnology, electronics etc., under various departments of government, constituted for promoting research and development. Besides these, public sector undertakings such as heavy electricals, steel; drugs and pharmaceuticals, fertilisers etc., are also establishing information centres in their respective fields.

In all these special libraries and information centres, most of the types of library and information services, mentioned earlier in this Unit, are being offered. A beginning has been made to modernise their library and information services using computer and communication technologies (in many of these institutions). This period is crucial for India as demands for information services would increase with information technology offering unlimited for integrating information systems and services. This will necessitate a more sophisticated institutional infrastructure for information services in the country.

Self Check Exercises 6) Name the seven sectoral information centres established in India upto l98"'I mid

give the, hort form and their location.

Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 88: Library Society

Different types of Libraries and 8.9 SUMMARY

72

Their Functions

In this Unit, we have : i) described the origin, growth and development of special libraries and

information centres; ii) explained the functions of special libraries which are invariably attached to an

organisation such as business and industry, research and development, or government departments;

iii) pointed out the nature of the collections in libraries, their processing and organisation, the varieties of on-demand and anticipatory services;

iv) described the evolution of information centres, their distinct characteristics as differentiated from special libraries;

v) identified the three broad groups of information centres, describing their distinct functions and services; they are data centres, information analysis centres and information dissemination centres;

vi) given a quick overview of the current Indian scene of special libraries and information centres;

vii) presented a graphic summary of the operations of special libraries and information centres.

8.10 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) A special library collection is a working collection maintained to support its

information services, with an emphasis on current information and retrospective material, determined on the basis of the projects and programmes of the parent organisation. The three major components of the collection are: a) Published information available in books, periodicals, reports, etc. b) Information generated within the organisation such as research reports,

working papers, newsletters, sales literature, etc. c) External information i.e., information collected from sources available

from outside organisation. 2) A special library provides the following services:

i) Issue of documents, including inter-library loan ii) Routing of periodicals iii) Reference service iv) Literature search v) Current awareness vi) Bibliographic services vii) Referral service viii) Selective Dissemination service' ix) Document supply x) Translation

3) A specialised information centre serves the needs of the persons within a special subject field, often inter-multidisciplinary in nature, providing comprehensive information based on needs, regardless of the location of documents. Such centres are directed to help scientists, technologists and others.

4) The key activities of an information analysis centre are analysis, interpretation, synthesis, evaluation and repacking of information for the purpose of enabling the users to assimilate better the information of a specific field. Specialists in subjects with communication abilities, present this analysis and synthesis. The final product of an information analysis centre contains evaluated information in the form of critical reviews, state-of-art monographs, data correlation and compilations.

Page 89: Library Society

73

Special Libraries and Information Centres

5) Information Dissemination Centre offers customer-oriented information services by searching computer data bases of diverse subjects. This type of centre also known as information brokers or information consultants who charge a fee for the services they offer. The services these organisations offer may range from simple literature searches to the preparation of critical and comprehensive reports: These institutions are tending to become commercial, and are currently identified as one of the comporting an information industry.

6) The seven Sectoral Information Centres are:

S.No. Name of Sectoral Centre Year ofEstb.

Institution and Location

1.National Information Centre for 1977 Central Drug Research Institute, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Lucknow.(h1ICDAP) 2. National Information Centre for 1977 Central Machine Tools Institute, Machine Tools and Production BangaloreEngg: (NICMAP). , 3. National Information Centre for 1977 Central Leather Research, Institute,Leather and Allied Industries Madras.(h1ICLA1) 4. National Information,Centre for 1977 Central Food and Technological Food Science and Technology Research Institute, Mysore(NICFOS) 5. National Information Centre for' 1981 Deptt. Of Crystallography and Crystallography (TTICRYS) Biophysics, Madras Univ. 6. National Information Centre for 1986 Ahmedabad, Textile Industry's Textiles and Allied Subjects Research Association Ahmedabad:(NICTAS) " 7. National Information Centre on 1986 National Chemical Laboratory, Chemistry and Chemical PuneTechnology (NICGHEM).

8.11 KEYWORDS Consolidation : Comprehensive account, descriptive or critical, reported

separately or as journal articles, technical and research reports, conference papers, etc.

Digest : A publication consisting of summaries of information on a single topic or a number of related topics.

House Organ : A bulletin or newsletter of an organisation describing its current activities

News Clipping : A file of current events and activities reported in newspapers, cut and stored appropriately for retrieval..

Patent : A technical document containing descriptions of an invention and rating properly right to the inventor by Government.

Processing : Classification and cataloguing of documents in a library and and Organisation displaying them properly for use; include tools like library

catalogues and similar others for public use. Products : Indexes, abstracts, digests and others which are offered as

finished products Repackaging : Reports presented to suit a particular group of users.

Page 90: Library Society

74

Different types of Libraries and Their Functions

Services : Literature search, supply of current references on a topic, supply of a copy of a journal article, translation etc.

State-of-art : A report on the development of a specific subject field or Report problem by consolidating the literature of a certain period.,

Technical Report: A report concerning the results of scientific investigations or a technical development test or evaluation.

8.12 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Ahrenfield, J.L. [et al]. (1981). Special Libraries: A Guide for Management. New York: Special Library Association.

Gates J.K. (1968). Introduction to Librarianship. New York: Mc-Graw-Hill.

Harvey, Joan M. (1976). Specialist Information Centres. London: Clive Bingley:

Kent, Allen (et.al) (ed.) (1980). Encyclopaedia ofLibrary and Information Science, Vo1.28. pp.386-97: New York: Marcel Dekkar.

Silve, Manil (1970). Special Libraries : Andre Deutsch (Grfton Basic Texts): London.

Strauss, L.J. (et.al) (1964). Scientific and Technical Libraries: Their Organisation and Administration. New York: Inter Science Publication.

Weisman, Herman M. (1972). Information Systems, Services and Centres. New York: BeckBr and Hayes.

Page 91: Library Society

1

Library Legislation and Model Public Library Acts / Bills

UNIT 9 LIBRARY LEGISLATION AND MODEL PUBLIC LIBRARY ACTS/BILLS

9.0 Objectives 9.1 Introduction 9.2 State Policy for Library and Information Services 9.3 Objectives and Need for Library Legislation 9.4 Components of Library Legislation 9.5 Model Acts/Bills

9.5.1 Model Union Library Act 9.5.2 Model Act of Dr. Ranganathan 9:5.3 Model Bill of Ministry of Education 9.5.4 Model Bill of the Planning Commission 9.5.5 Model Library and Information Services Act

9.6 Summary 9.7 Answers to Self Check Exercises 9:8 Key Words 9.9 References and Further Reading

9.0 OBJECTIVES In this Unit, we introduce the need for having a state policy for library and information service which is an essential requirement for the design and development of a public library network in a country. We shall deal with some of the most important aspects of a Public Libraries Act which provides for a framework for the setting up of a public library network in a State. After reading this Unit, you will be able to: • recognise the areas to be included in the State Library Policy; • explain the need for library legislation; • identify the essential components of a Modern Public Library Act; and • State and describe the features of different Acts;

9.1 INTRODUCTION In Block 2 Unit 7, we have already skated that the main purpose of a public library act is to help a reader to use documents far enriching his knowledge or for leisure time occupation or for any other purpose. In this Unit; we intend to' extend the discussion by presenting a model Public Library and Information Services Act and describing what it can do to generate public library information and service. An effective means of designing and developing a public library service is to have a network of central points linking a number of activities: The structure of such a network can be set in hiararchical tiers. The type of hierarchy reflects the administrative units for revenue and State administration. We can organise these tiers in a radial fashion where a state library will have divisional libraries. Each divisional library becomes the radial focus to the district library, each district library to taluk/block library and each talul/block becomes a focal point of village libraries, and so on. Thus, the effective organisation of a library network calls for having a configurational analysis and simulation of other administrative structures.

Page 92: Library Society

2

Library Legislation

In this Unit, we shall study the effective way of forming such a network of libraries. Library : legislation is, perhaps, the best and assured way of providing public library services in a democratic and free society. We shall discuss the ways in which a model public library bill can be formulated and shall also note what we expect out of a model public library act and how it should enable the libraries to function effectively for serving the public. 9.2 STATE POLICY FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES As per the constitution of India; the subject of library services forms part of the State Lists whereas the subject of education is a part of Concurrent List. So, it is obligatory on the part of the State Governments or Union Territories to enact laws for library legislation. Before enacting any laws; the States should frame a policy for public Libraries and implement it through a statutory provision; i.e., State Public Libraries Act. The developed countries had adopted this procedure. The UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 1994; also stressed that “a clear policy must be formulated, defining objectives, priorities and services in relation to the local community needs.” The state policy for Library and Information Services should cover the following areas: 1) A Public Library should render service freely to all members of the community,

without any discrimination. 2) The public libraries shall serve the community in the following order of priority:

Illiterates and neo literates, semi-literates and the participants in non-formal education programmes; people pursuing self-education; people interested in self-employment schemes; semi-skilled; children and young; casual readers; housewives; and higher education and research, etc.

3} For arranging free access to information they should act as Information Centres: They should provide access to all citizens for all types of information at all levels, provide 'information on local enterprises, associations and local interest groups, develop local histories; develop community information services, utilise the services of National Informatics Centres and introduce computer skills for achieving speed, accuracy and efficiency in service.

4) The public libraries in a developing society should preserve cultural heritage, provide access to all forms of cultural expression, make efforts to foster inter cultural dialogue, favour cultural diversity and support oral tradition.

5) A federal country like India needs a two-tier Public Library System in a State, that is, one at the State level as an apex body and the other at the District level for spreading its activities to the village level with necessary infrastructure.

6) The State Government will formulate a comprehensive book selection policy for public libraries in the State. The public libraries should acquire all kinds of documents including the multimedia.

7) In case of human resources, the Government should constitute a State Library and Information Service Cadre including Subordinate Service unit for this purpose. Recruitment rules for the said service and conditions of service shall be subject to the provision of the Article 309 of the Constitution of India.

8) Through library legislation; the State Government will impose library cess, like educational cess, as surcharge, on all possible items such as; house tax, property tax, vehicle tax; etc., as per the local conditions.

9) The Government will encourage the libraries maintained by local bodies, voluntary agencies, Mahila Mandals, etc.

Considering the issues accepted in the draft State Policy of Public Library and Information Services, it is felt necessary to have comprehensive library legislation in each state and union territory.

Page 93: Library Society

3

Library Legislation and Model Public Library Acts / Bills

9.3 OBJECTIVES AND NEED FOR LIBRARY LEGISLATION

The public library should serve as a local information centre making the sources of knowledge readily available to the public. Public libraries should stimulate neo-literates, semi-literates, non users to become readers, and serve the population with knowledge and information. Need for Library Legislation It is recognised that ‘freedom, prosperity and the development of a society, and of individuals, are fundamental human values.’ These values can be attained through well informed citizens, who will be shaped through utilisation of public libraries. It is recognised all over the world that education including the provision for free public libraries is the responsibility of the Government at National, State and Local levels. A public library is the “People's University”. In the process of evolution, our country had established good number of public libraries maintained by local bodies and voluntary organisations, arid some libraries through subscriptions. But these libraries could not grow on modern lines because : 1) They were started mostly with voluntary efforts and had meagre funds to meet

information needs of the people. 2) The financial support through subscriptions or through public donations could

not provide viable services; 3) The governance and management of these libraries were on adhoc lines without

any structure and resources; 4) Very limited services were provided that too to members; 5) They had no stability nor scope for growth; 6) They functioned only as long as the initial enthusiasm of the founders remained,

thereafter these libraries slowly decayed. In modem times, the public libraries must provide services with certain standard, and with an objective of reconstruction and development of a society. They cannot be achieved only through individual munificence. A library service on sound lines requires library legislation to get a perennial source of income. Library leaders, public men, and scholars, have realised that the only way to establish and develop a public library system is through public law. Pioneers and men of vision -like Edward Edwards, Dr. S. R. Ranganathan and many others spared no efforts to bring about library legislation in their respective countries. The UNESCO public Library manifesto-1994, emphasises that "Public Library is the responsibility of Local and National Authorities. It must be supported by specific legislation and financed by National and Local Governments." So, a public Library is to be maintained efficiently, and permanently with uniform, pulsating and integrated library service with properly laid out network of library system. A simple executive order of the State Government will not be able to maintain sound system however good it might be, and at the same time executive orders cannot generate finances. With the ever growing needs, and the escalation of prices, the task in financing will be more difficult. Finance needed for the rising and growing services will be possible only with a State Legislation and library cess. In brief, the reasons for legislation can be summed up as under: l) It will constitute. a proper administrative and supervisory body with executive

powers; 2) It will provide a well organised library system for the state, district and upto the

remote village level with free access to all the citizens. 3) It will provide a steady and permanent source of finance; 4) It will. maintain standards in library service; 5) It will be obliged to meet the objectives and remain accountable.

Page 94: Library Society

4

Library Legislation

Finally, it is to be noted that library and information service is a crucial factor in the national development for meeting learning needs of the masses. Thus, it is only through a State Public Library Act that a public library system could be created, sustained and promoted, ensuring a smooth financial flow, properly governed and managed to provide modern library services to all. Self Check Exercises 1) Explain the components to be covered in the State Policy for Library and

Information Service. 2) List the deficiencies of precursors to modern public libraries. 3) How does legislation strengthen the system? Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9.4 COMPONENTS OF LIBRARY LEGISLATION

The Public Libraries Act, which is to be operated in Indian conditions should have the following components:- 1) The PREAMBLE of the Act should clearly spell out the objectives of

library legislation and therefore, it should be precise and explicit. 2) State Level Authority: The Act should have the provision for the

constitution of a Board as the State Library Authority.

The Minister-in-charge of libraries should be the State Library Authority, charged with the duty of implementing the Act. It will be his duty to supervise and promote the improvement of the library service, provided by the library authorities and to secure proper discharge of their functions. It shall be his statutory duty to establish, equip, administer a State library system, providing comprehensive and efficient library service, free of charge, to all the citizens in the State.

3) Chief Executive of the State: In this Act, the Chief Executive at State level shall be called the Director of Public Libraries; who should an in information science professional. The Director shall supervise and control the public library system of the state, with the guidance of the State Library Authority.

4) Network of Libraries: The act should provide for establishment and functioning of public libraries as a pyramidal structure from village, or even a hamlet level, to the state level via the districts covering towns and tehsils, etc.

5) Financial Clauses: The Act should spell out financial sources to ensure a regular flow

Page 95: Library Society

of funds and their deployment. There should be a provision in the Act to collect library cess from all possible sources. Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, a pioneer in library legislation in India, advocated for the provision of library cess in the Model Acts. He incorporated the provision of library cess in all Acts he had drafted in his lifetime. The Advisory Committee for Public Libraries headed by Shri K.P: Sinha, examined this issue and opined that "in spite of a strong body of opinion against library cess, the Committee has come to the conclusion that only a: cess can provide a stable base for library finance." It is to be recognised that the levy of library cess is essential for a planned and systematic growth of an authority through assured and established financial resources.

5

Library Legislation and Model Public Library Acts / Bills

6) Manpower: A provision should be made to create a cadre of State Library Service, and all the members of the said service should be Government servants, and their recruitment and conditions of service should be as per provisions of the Article 309 of the Constitution of India.

7) Accountability: The activities and accounts of the Public Library System shall be open to public inspection, supervision and as per official audit rules.

8) Registration of Books: There must be a provision for the registration of books and periodicals published in the State under the legal deposit rules.

9) Rules: Rules should be made by the State Library Authority for all the sections a4d for smooth functioning, administration and control of the offices and the staff.

Thus, if you examine the Model Library Act, you would see that it encompasses a wide range of activities. If you analyse, you will find that Model Library Act has the impact of Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library Science viz., • Books are for use • Every Book his/her Reader • Every reader his/her book • Save the time of the Reader • Library is a Growing Organism These laws provide not only a succinct statement of library's professional activity, but also form a set of guidelines for the management of libraries.

Self Check Exercises 4) Enumerate the main features of a Model Public Library Act. 5) List the informational headings of a Model Public Library Act.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 96: Library Society

6

Library Legislation

9.5 MODEL ACTS/BILLS Over sixty eight years, we have drafted six Model Public Library Acts in India on different occasions.

S. No Title of the Act Author Year

1) Union Library Bill ASTELEVEL

Dr. S.R. Ranganathan 1951

2) S.R. Ranganathan (Revised number of times till 1972)

1930 to 1972

3) Model Model Public Libraries Bill

Ministry of Education, Govt. of India

1963

4) Model Model Public Libraries Bill

Planning Commission, Govt. of India

1963

5) Model Public Library and Information Services Act

V. Venkattappaiah, Sponsored by Indian Library Association

1989 revised in 1995

The Model Acts and Model Bills are used as synonymous terms in this unit. Let us know some more details about the model Acts/Bills. 9.5.1 Model Union Library Act The Government of India appointed a Committee in the year 1948 to suggest the possibilities of establishing a National Central Library at New Delhi. Dr. S. R. Ranganathan as a Member of the Committee drafted "The Library Development Plan-Thirty Year Programme For India With Draft Library Bills For Union And Constituent States", Which contains Union Library Bill. The salient features of the Model Union Libraries Act are given below: 1) Constitution of a National Library Authority. 2) Establishment of a system of national central libraries i.e.; National Copy Right Library. 3) Constitution of National, Library Committee for the purpose of advising the National Library Authority on all matters arising under this Act referring to it. 4) Constitution of a National Library Fund; 5) Amendment to the delivery of Books and News Papers Act, 1954. Later, the Union Government did not take much interest either for opening a National Central Library at New Delhi or to pass a Union Library Act. As per the constitution, it may not be possible to pass a Union Library Bill without amending the Constitution of India because in the Constitution the subject libraries and education were originally included in the State List. Through the 42nd Amendment (1976), education was omitted from the State List and was added in the concurrent list. Libraries remained in the State List. If the Union Government wants to have a library legislation at national level, it has to amend the Constitution by shifting the item of libraries from state list to union of concurrent list: Till such time, it may not be possible to think about Union Library Legislation on libraries. 9.5.2 Model Act of Dr. Ranganathan Dr. S.R. Ranganathan initiated the Model Library Act as a conference paper during All Asia Educational Conference held at Banaras in 1930 and later he revised it as Model Public Libraries Act. Attempts were made to introduce this Model Act in West Bengal in 1931 and Madras in

Page 97: Library Society

1933. But, it could not be enacted due to some compulsory clauses. The salient features of this Model Act are mentioned below:

7

Library Legislation and Model Public Library Acts / Bills

1) Model Libraries Act will provide a system of Public Libraries for the city, rural and other areas.

2) Minister of Education shall be the State Library Authority (S L A). It shall be the duty of the State Library Authority to provide for adequate library service in the State.

3) Constitution of a State Library Committee for the purpose of advising the State Library Authority on all matters arising under the Act.

4) Constitution of a Local Library Authority (L L A) for each city and one for each district.

5) The State Library Authority and Government, and a Local Library Authority may raise the library rate in such a manner and at such cess as may be determined from time to time.

9.5.3 Model Bill of Ministry of Education Based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee for Libraries (1958), the Ministry of Education, Government of India appointed a Committee with Dr. M. D. Sen, as Chairman. This committee prepared the Model Public Library Bill in 1963. The salient features of this Bill are given below:

. 1) Constitution of State Library Authority, the appex body, to advise the

Government in the matter of developing libraries. 2) Constitution of the State Library Directorate for directing and controlling the

system. 3) Constitution of District Library Committee in each district. 4) Treatment of the employees as government servants. 5) Collection of library cess at a rate of 6 paise per rupee on house tax and

property tax. 9.5.4 Model Bill of the Planning Commission The Government of India, Planning Commission constituted a "Working group on Libraries", to advise on the development of libraries during the Fourth Five Year Plan. The Working Group recommended a Library Development Scheme to be implemented in the fourth plan period, with a financial commitment of Rs.309 million. During the plan period, if was contemplated to establish new libraries and maintain and improve the existing libraries. The Working Group submitted its report in 1965. The report was appended by a Model Public Libraries Bill, which contains the following features. 1) Establish, maintain and develop an integrated and adequate public library

service in the State. 2) Constitution of a Committee of Experts to prescribe the standards of service. 3) Provision of State Library Council to advise the Government in the

promotion and development of library services. 4) Provision to establish a State Library Directorate to control, direct and

supervise the library system in the State. 5) Establishment of Public Library System consisting of State Central Library,

State Regional Libraries (only in bilingual States) and District Library System.

6) Treatment of all the employees in the system as State Government Servants. 7) There is no library cess. The Government shall maintain the public library

system of the State.

Page 98: Library Society

8

Library Legislation

9.5.5 Model Library and Information Services Act At the request of Indian Library Association, Delhi Dr. Venkatappaiah drafted the Model Public Libraries Act in 1989, keeping in view the recent developments and experiences. This model . Act was discussed in the National Seminar on Library Legislation held at New Delhi 1990. In the wake of recent developments in the country such as, New Panchayat and Municipal Acts, after amending the constitution in 1992,releasing of UNESCO Public Library Manifesto in 1994, Total Literacy- Campaign, emerging necessity of information at a11 levels, the earlier Model Act of Dr. Venkatappaiah was revised as Model Library and Information Services Act in 1995. The salient features of this new Model Act are given below: 1) State Library and Information Service, based on a State Policy. 2} Constitution of State Library Authority at the apex level with Minister for

Libraries as Chairman, as policy making and executive body. 3) Formation of Directorate of Public Libraries for streaming the

administration. 4) Constitution of City, District Library Authorities for rendering service from

district to village level. Provision for a network of Public Library and Information Service from state level to .village level.

6) Constitution of the State Library and Information Services. Collection of Library cess on house tax and property tax; entertainment tax, professional tax, vehicle tax etc.

8) Constitution of State BQards for education, book production, co-ordination etc.

9) Accountability of public. expenditure and services. Impact of the Model Acts Attempts were made to. introduce the Public Libraries Bill in West Bengal and Madras. respectively. The Acts could not be passed due to some compulsory financial clauses. After independence, the public Libraries Acts were passed in Madras (1948), Hyderabad (1955), Andhra Pradesh (1960), Karnataka (1963), Maharashtra (1965), WestBengal (19?2 or 79); etc. These Acts have structuraly adopted; to certain extent, the Model Act of Dr: S.R. Ranganathan. There is no impact of the Model Bills of Ministry of Education and Planning Commission for passing Library Acts in these states in India. The ILA circulated the Model Act by to all the States.

Self Check Exercise 6) Make a comparative study of State Model Public Libraries Acts/Bills. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 99: Library Society

9

Library Legislation and Model Public Library Acts / Bills

9.6 SUMMARY We have discussed in this Unit the following aspects of a Model Public Libraries Acts :

1) The need for State policy for Public Library and Information Services.

2) The need for library legislation for setting up a network of public libraries;

3) The various methods of forming public library networks; 4) The method of establishing a Public Library Act to ensure a continued and

smooth public library service; 5) The salient features of a model Public Library Act;

6) The basic structure of a model Public Library Act and the different informational headings that should constitute the major components of such an Act:

7) Comparative study of Model Acts/Bills: 9.7 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK ERERCISES 1) Components to be covered in the State Policy for Library and Information Service:

a) Administrative system at all levels. b) Proposed Library Network c) Services rendered d) Human Resources Development e) Financial Sources for Public Library Services.

2) The precursors to modern public libraries had the following deficiencies : a} They were mainly voluntary efforts with meagre financial support, b) The financial support was weak as they depended on subscriptions and

public donations c) The governance and management standards were minimal. d) Services were limited to members; there were no services except book

borrowing. e) They were not certain to continue. f) They were functional only as long as their I founders were active;

subsequently they faded out for one reason or the other. 3) The strength of a network of public libraries established by law are: a) State legislation provides a legal basis, which is an acceptable

democratic process. b) It ensures a continued and smooth process of establishing a framework

of libraries on a statutory basis. c) It provides proper governance and management in the certain

standards. d) Its various clauses provide, the basis for the structure, functions,

personnel, and finance in meeting user demands for library services. e) It ensures sustained financial support and smooth flow of finance. f) It ensures sustained free public service to all. g) Its basic objectives, structural organisation, performance come in for

public

Page 100: Library Society

10

Library Legislation

scrutiny from time to time and hence provides ample scope for

modification, improvements, responding to societal changes and consequent needs of the society.

h) Obliged to the response and proper accountability: 4) The main features of a Model Public Library Act are:

a) It should define all the basic concepts or instruments or components for a library service system.

b) It should define the configurational structure of the system of libraries. c) It should state the governance apparatus such as library committees,

the board of management and the like. d) It should define the system of cadre, recruitment and concept of

professional excellence of library and information professinals. e) It should set up tiers of organisation for continuous financial support

and utilisation. f) It should provide for various types of services for regular and

specialised citizens. g) It should set up. the ways and means of reporting about services

rendered to the professional authorities as well as to the administrative authorities, by establishing a modern monitoring system.

h) It should provide for a complete library system that would also look into preservation of various kinds of documents as well as dissemination of information contained in them.

5) The information headings of a Model Library Act are: a) Exact title and short title of the Act b) State Library Authority c) Department of Library and Information Services d) Public Library and Information System e) State Library and Information Service f) Finance, accounts and accountability g) Rules for procedure, control and supervision.

6) Comparative study of the State Model Acts:

SNo. Act/Bill Governance System Finances

1) Model Act of Dr. S.R.Ranganathan

State LibraryAuthority

State Central Library at

Library Cess

2) Model Bill of Ministry of

State Govern-ment do do

3) Model Bill of Planning do do do

4) Model Act of ILA State LibraryAuthority Library

Cess

The last one has some more features like: a) Supported by a State Policy for Library and Information Services.

Page 101: Library Society

11

Library Legislation and Model Public Library Acts / Bills

b) Component of Information service upto village level. c) Participation in the post Literacy Programme. d) State Book Development Council. e) Accountability.

9.8 KEY WORDS Authority : A statutory body with executive powers.

Hierarchical Tiers : Any system of organisatonal set up ranked one above the other.

Model Act/Model Bills : A document prepared for the guidance to prepare a Bill for placing before the Assembly.

Network : An inter related and connected system forming part of a whole.

Nodes : A central point of component parts.

Radial : Going from the centre outward or from the circumference inward along the radius.

9.9 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Ekbote, Gopa1 Rao. (1987). Public Libraries System, Hyderabad : Ekbote Brothers.

Mittal, R.L. (1971). Public Library Law: An International Survey; New Delhi: Metropolitan Publishing Co.

Ranganathan, S.R. (1953), Library Legislation. Hand Book to Madras Library Act. Madras : Madras Library Association.

Ranganathan, S.R. and Neelameghan A. (eds). (1972). Public Library System: India, Srilanka, UK,USA, Comparative Library Legislation. Bangalore : Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science.

Rath, P.K. (1996) Public Library Finance. New Delhi: Pratibha Prakashan.

Venkatappaiah, Velaga (1990). Indian Library Legislation. 2 Vols. New Delhi: Daya Publishing House.

Venkatappaiah, Velaga (1994). Model Library Legislation. New Delhi: Concept

Publishing Co. Venkatappaiah, Velaga (1995). Model State Library Policy and

Legislation (For the States and Union Territories). Delhi :Indian Library

Association:

Page 102: Library Society

Library Legislation

UNIT 10 LIBRARY LEGISLATION IN

INDIAN STATES - THEIR SALIENT FEATURES

Structure 10.0 Objectives 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Legislations Studied 10.2.1 Madras Public Libraries Act, 1948 10.2.2 Andhra Prudish Public Libraries Act, 1960 10.2.3 Karnataka Public Libraries Act, 1965 10.2.4 Megastar Public Libraries Act, 1967 10.2.5 West Bengal Public Libraries Act, 1979 10.2.6 Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988 10.2.7 Karalla Public Libraries Act, 1989 10.2:8 Haryana Public Libraries Act, 1989 10.2.9 Misogamy Public Libraries Act, 1993 10.2.10 Goa Public Libraries Act; 1994 10.3 Comparison of the Ten Acts 10.3.1 Public Access to Libraries 10.3.3 Financial Provision 10.3.3 Human Resources 10.3.4 Governance . 10.4 General Observations 10.5 Summary 10.6 Answers to Self Check Exercises 10.7 Key Words 10.8 References and Further Reading 10.0 OBJECTIVES In Unit 9, you have been introduced to the facets of a Model Public Libraries Act and salient features of such an Act. In this Unit, we are introducing you to Public Libraries Acts of ten States of India namely, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur; Kerala, West Bengal, Haryana, Mizoram and Goa. After reading this Unit, you will be able to: • explain the management of public library system, the governance, structure, finance,

infrastructural facilities, etc.; • house the libraries and introduce the professional services; • identify the variations in the provisions of the Acts on the. five aspects stated in the

above para; and • describe and discuss the main features of the Public Libraries Act in the respective

ten States.

10.1 INTRODUCTION In Unit 9, we have discussed a few important aspects of library. legislation. The discussion also included the salient features of a Model Public Libraries Acts in some detail. In this, unit, we shall present. a comparative discussion on Public Library Acts enacted in the ten States, of India namely, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Kerala, West Bengal, Haryana, Mizoram and Goa. The basic provision of a Public Library System as envisaged in these Acts, such as, free access to reading and learning material, establishment of institutional structure, advisory boards to provide guidelines to policy making, decision making, finance, recruiting arid feedback, 16

Page 103: Library Society

etc. are discussed: All these aspects are explained in relation to the Public Library Acts of these States, In this Unit a comparative study of the Ten Acts is made in relation to the topics mentioned above. These provision are also studied with reference to their operation, in their strength, and weakness: Although Library Act were passed in ten States', they are under implementation only in five states. So, the study, in some areas, is based on the performance in those five States only.

17

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

10.2 LEGISLATIONS STUDIED Ten States of India have put into state book their Public Libraries Act. The chronological sequence is as follows:

i) Tamil Nadu

(Then -called Madras Public Libraries Act, 1948)

ii) Andhra Pradesh

(The Hyderabad Public Libraries Act, 1955, as a result of States reorganisation, merged in Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries. Act, 1960)

iii) Karnataka

(The Karnataka Public Libraries Act, 1965)

iv) Maharashtra

(The Koihapur Public Libraries Act was passed in 1945: After States reorganisation, this State, of Kolhapur was merged with Maharashtra State. The Maharashtra Public Libraries Act, 1967 came into being in 1967.)

v) West Bengal

(The West Bengal Public Libraries Act, 1.979)

vi) Manipur

(Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988)

yii) Kerala

(Kerdla Public Libraries Act, 1999)

viii) Haryana

(Haryana Public Libraries Act, 1989)

ix) Mizoram

(Ivlizoram Public Libraries Act, 1993)

x) Goa (Goa Public Libraries Act, 1994)

The basic provisions of the public library system as depicted in these Acts are discussed here. As stated earlier, library legislation should take care of the following five aspects: a) Accessibility of information to all sections of the people. b) An establishment of institutional network to provide, care and preserver documents. c) Establishment of committees to provide guidelines in relation to policy marking,

decision-making and implementation of services:

d) Provision of finances and the modus operandi for expenditure.

e) Arrangement -of a reporting system of the activities of various public libraries,

We shall discuss these features in detail in each of the ten Acts in the following sections, delineating the provisions made,. for public library services.

Page 104: Library Society

18

Library Legislation

10.2.1 Madras Public Libraries Act, 1948 The Madras Public Libraries Act is the first of its kind in the independent India. This act provided basis of the Public Libraries System in the erstwhile composite Madras State (before November 1956) and Tamil Nadu State: The salient features of the Act are delineated as under:

1) This Act facilitates the establishment of Public Libraries in the State.

2) Provision to constitute State Library Authority for the purpose of advising the Government on such matters relating to libraries as they may refer to it.

3) Provision to appoint a Director of Public Libraries. (From the year 1972 a separate department was created to that effect).

4) Constitution of Local Library Authorities, one for the City of Madras and one for each District. The District Library Officer is, the Ex-officio Secretary of the Local Library Authority.

5) Each Local Library Authority shall levy library cess in the form of surcharge on the property tax or house tax at a rate of 5 paise per rupee. The Government gives each local-Library Authority, except Madras, a matching grant to the amount of library cess collected.

6) The Connemara Public Library, Madras was treated as the State Central Library, Tamil Nadu.

7) Declaration that libraries are eligible far Government aid.

8) The Act amended Sec.9 of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, Central Act, XXV of 1867 to the effect that every printer shall deliver five copies of each book to the State Government out of which four will be deposited in the State Central Library, Madras.

10.2:2 Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act, 1960 When Andhra Pradesh was formed in 1956, comprising Andhra areas of composite Madras State and Telengana area of Hyderabad State; Madras Public Libraries Act was in force, in Andhra area. So, administrative problems were bound to be there, when two separate Acts are in operation in one State'. To clear this problem, both the Acts were amalgamated, modified and brought upto-date as Andhra Pradesh Libraries Act in 1960, and later, it was amended in 1964, 1969, 1987. and 1989 (major amendments); and such major amendments resulted into the . constitution of Andhra Pradesh Granthalaya Parishad, more or less a State Library Authority as the apex body. This Act is an improvement over Madras Act. The salient features of this Act are given below: -

1) Constitution of Andhra Pradesh Granthalaya Parishad, with nominated body by, Government, as apex body with statutory powers and functions.

2) Constitution of Directorate of Public Libraries to direct, supervise and control the Public Library System.

3) Constitution of City/Zilla Granthalaya Samsthas through nomination of Chairman and Members by the Government.

4) Librarians of City/District Central Libraries will act as ex-officio Secretaries of the

City/Zilla Granthalaya Samsthas.

5) Provision to collect library cess, upto eight paise per rupee as surcharge. on house tax and property tax collected by local bodies.

6) Payment of establishment charges of the staff working in the City/Zilla Granthalaya Samsthas by the Government.

7) Grant-in-aid to private libraries by Government and City/Zilla Granthalaya Samsthas.

Page 105: Library Society

This act is more functional than the earlier Madras Act and Hydrabad Act.

19

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

10.2.3 Karnataka Public Libraries Act, 1965 The Karnataka Act, one of the good Acts, so far, enacted paved the way for a State-wide network of Public Libraries in the Karnataka State. It comprises of Bombay-Kainataka area, old Mysore area, Hyderabad-Karnataka area, Madras-Karnataka area and Coorg, area. The salient features of this Act are given below:

1) Provision for a State Library. Authority in the form of a corporate body with Minister in-charge of Education as Chairman. The members are drawn from different segments of the society.

2) Provision for creating an independent Department of Public Libraries, with a profes-sional-as its head.

3) Provision for the establishment of State Central Library at the apex of Public Library System in the State.

4) Constitution of Local Library Authorities for the cities and districts.

5) Provision for setting up Advisory Committee for Branch and Village Library

Services.

6) Provision: for centralised technical processing.

7) Provision for centralised units like: a) Copyright collection of the State: b} State Library for the Blind; c) State Bibliographic Bureau; etc.

8) Provision for the levy of library cess in the form of a surcharge -on all possible taxable units of the State revenues. The District Library Authority gets the annual grant from the State Government (3% of the land revenue).

9) Creation of a State Library Service bestowing upon its employees all the benefits~ and privileges as are available to the other State government servants:

10.2.4 Maharaahtra Public Libraries Act, 1967 Maharashtra State was constituted with the areas of Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, Vidarbha, and by amalgamating princely states like Kolhapur, in the year 1960. Even though there were efforts.for Library Legislation from 1940 onwards, it could succeed only in the year T967, by enacting of Maharashtra Public Libraries Act:

The main features of this Act are given hereunder :

1) Constitution of State Library Council by the Government. Minister for Education sh4ll be the Ex-officio President of the Council. The Council will advise the State Government "on all matters connected with the administration of this Act."

2) Constitution of a separate Department of Libraries, and the appointment of a professional as its Director.

3) Establishment of State Central Library arid a Divisional Library for each Division.

4) Constitution of a District Library Committee for every District.- The. Chairman of the Education Committee of the Zilla Parishad functioning in the district, as the Ex-officio President of the Committee. In case of the Committee of the Greater Bombay, the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Municipal Corporation, shall be the Ex-officio President of the Committee.

5) Establishment of Maharashtra State Library Service and to treat all members of such service as Government servants.

6) There is no library cess. The Government shall contribute to the library fund every year,

Page 106: Library Society

20

Library Legislation

a sum not less than 25 lakh of rupees. The Government may make special grants to library fund.

7) Grant-in-aid to public libraries organised by voluntary organisations.

10.2.5 West Bengal Public Libraries Act, 1979 With a gap of more than a decade, the West Bengal Public Libraries Act entered in the statute book in the year 1979. This is more or less a replica of the Madras Act. But the unique feature of the Act is the conspicuous absence of library cess. The State Government is meeting the expenditure on the maintenance of. libraries from its exchequer. Tue important features of this Act are given below:

1) Constitution of a State Library Council with the Minister in Charge of library Service; as its Chairman, for advising the Government on the matters of public library system.

2) Representative from the employees of the libraries as a member in the State Library Council.

3) Constitution of a Department of Libraries to supervise and direct the matters of Public

4) Constitution of Local Library Authority for each district, The District Magistrate of the District shall be the Ex-officio Chairman of the Local Library Authority.

5) Provision for constitution of Executive Committee for Local Library Authority (LLA).

6) The Government is empowered/'to appoint District Library Officers and District Librarians in districts: The Government, after consultation with the Authority, may place the District -Libraries in charge of District Librarian. He shall manage library affairs subject to the control of the Authority.

7) No provision for Library Cess. The financial management for local libraries by the Local Library Authority. The following are the means: for augmenting funds:

a) Contributions, gifts and income from endowments;

b) Grants from the government for general maintenance of 'libraries or for any specific purpose; and

c) The amount collected by the LLA under the Act or the rules:

The Act provides funds by the State Government in the form of Annual Grants.

Self Check Exercise 1) State three distinct improvements of the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act over

the Madras Act.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Page 107: Library Society

10.2.6 Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988

21

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

A small State, Manipur, located in the eastern part of India got the opportunity for library legislation in 1988. The Salient features of the Manipur Public Libraries Act are given hereunder:

1) Constitution of a State Library Committee, to advise the State Government on all matters arising under this Act and to exercise and perform such other powers and duties as maybe prescribed.

2) Constitution of a Department of Public Libraries. 3) Provision for constitution of Executive Committee for District Library Authority. 4) Constitution of District Library Authority in each District, as a corporate body, for

the purpose of organising and administering public library service in the district. 5) Constitution of `Library Fund' formed mainly with the contribution of the State

Government: 6) No Library cess: 10.2.7 Kerala Public Libraries Act, 1989 Kerala Act is quite a different one, than the other Acts, But it is an unique one because of its democratic and more decentralised pattern. The characteristics of the Act are given below: 1) There is a three tier administrative system for the organisation and administration

of the public libraries system in the Kerala State. It comprises : 1) Kerala State Library Council 2) District Library Council 3) Taluk Library Union 2) The Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Secretaries, and Joint Secretaries, for the State

Library Council, District Library Councils ,and the Taluk Library Unions shall be elected and shall be responsible for the administration and organisation of public libraries.

3) The State Library Council advises the Government on all matters connected with the development of public libraries and also acts as authority.

4) The State Library Council coordinates the working of District Library Councils and the Taluk Library Unions, and controls the Public Library System in the State.

5) The Trivandrum Public Library shall be deemed to be the State Library of the State. 6) The District Library Council will supervise, coordinate and control the library

service in the district. 7) Constitution of Taluk Library Union, with the powers to supervise, coordinate

and control the library service in the Taluk and to give directions and advise to affiliated libraries in, regard to their day to. day function and management. ,

8) Transfer of Kerala Granthasala Sangham with its staff, assets and liabilities to the State Library Council.

9) Library cess will be levied in the form of surcharge on building tax or property tax in the area with the jurisdiction of panchayats, municipalities and corporations.

10) The State Library Council shall maintain a fund called State Library Fund from which all the expenses of the State Library Council, District Library Councils and Taluk Library Unions shall be met. The library cess collected in the State and the grants of the State and Central Governments etc., will be credited to the State Library Fund only.

11) Reservation to at least one women and one person belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in all committees.

Page 108: Library Society

22

Library Legislation

This Act appears to be more functional. Some how, it has not been implemented so far, and reasons for it are not known. 10.2.8 Haryana Public Libraries Act, 1989

The Haryana State was formed in the year 1966, carved out from the earlier Punjab State. Haryana Act has got the following features:

1) Constitution of the State Library Authority to advise the Government on all matters in promotion of Library Service in the State.

2) Formation of State Library Directorate to implement the programmes approved by the State Library Authority.

3) Establishment of the State Central Library.

4) Constitution of a District Library Committee for each District.

5) Constitution of a City and Town Library Committee for each city with a population of over a lakh and a Town Library Committee for a Municipal Town with a population of not more than one lakh, were provided in accordance with such rules as may be framed by the District Library Committee concerned.

6) Constitution of Block Library Committee and Panchayat Library Committees by the District Library Committee concerned:

7) Constitution of the State Library Fund, District Library Fund, City or Town or Block or Village Library Fund meant for the development, improvement and maintenance of the Library Service.

8) Levy of Library Cess in the form of surcharge on properly tax and house tax at such a rate decided by Government from time to time.

9) Provision to recognise State library associations, and co-operative institutions by the State Library Authority.

This Act was passed to provide for a comprehensive rural and urban library service with . the establishment of network of libraries. However, this Act has not come into force so far: 10.2.9 Mizoram Public Libraries Act, 1993 Mizoram became a full fledged State in 1987. Within five years it enacted the library Act. It possessed the following special features.

1) Constitution of the State Library council to advise the Government on all matters relating to libraries and also in regard to promotion and development of libraries in the State.

2) Constitution of Department of Public Libraries to control and supervise the public library system in the State.

3) Establishment of State library, District Library, Sub-divisional Libraries, Village Libraries, and so on.

4) Provision of grant-in-aid for private libraries.

5) There is no library cess. The total expenditure for the establishment and mainte-nance of the public library system will be met from the State funds.

10.2.10 Goa Public Libraries Act, 1994 Goa is the tenth State to have library legislation.

1) Constitution of State Library Authority with Minister in-Charge of Libraries as its Chairman. This Authority shall advise the Government on all matters arising under the Act.

Page 109: Library Society

2) Constitution of State Library Directorate for controlling and directing the public Library System in the State.

23

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

3) Organisation of State Library, District Library, Taluk and Village libraries.

4) All the employees are treated as Government Employees.

5) Grant-in-aid for private libraries.

6) Recognising the State Library Associations.

7) There is no library cess. Expenditure on the maintenance of the Department will be met from the consolidated fund of the State:

Self Check Exercise 2) State the difference in governance of public libraries between Andhra Pradesh and

Aaharashtra States.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10.3 COMPARISON OF THE TEN ACTS So, far, you were given the salient features of the ten State Acts. There are many points of similarity and also of major differences. We shall fix a comparative matrix for these Acts.

For this purpose, we have to get at a set of criteria. You may recall that when We began these units, we set up five criteria for the purposes of a State Library Act, namely:

• Public Access to libraries

• Development of infrastructure

• Establishment of a governance system

• Provision for financial management.

• Organisation of self-reporting and regulating system

We shall see how these ten State Acts compare with each other. This is based on the five criteria mentioned above:

10.3.1 Public Access to Libraries India is the largest democratic country amongst the commonwealth countries, with a population of 84.63 Crores (1991). Out of which 94.30% live in rural areas, and 25.70% in urban areas. There are 26 constituent States and 6 Union Territories. These comprise an aggregation of about 494 districts. There are about 1650 languages. About 20,000 books, monographs and periodicals are published in almost all the 15 major languages of India and in English. Half of these are fiction. Other half covers normally humanities, with a few titles in science and technology: India imports in bulk more than 100,000 titles published in English from the

Page 110: Library Society

24

Library Legislation

international market; most of these are for educational institutions. But Public Libraries-do, have a good share of the same. Public Library System According to Ranganathan; "We mean by this an integrated nation-wide network of public libraries, giving free book service to one and all of the citizens, literate or illiterate." To achieve the objective, a public library system is necessary for providing : 1) Access to use the libraries without any consideration. 2) Access to reading materials with a common pool from State to village users. 3) Access to information needed by the user. 4) Free facilities to have the benefits from cultural heritage, arts and scientific

achievements and innovations. 5) Facilities for personal development. 6) Periodic evaluation and feedback of service to users and their impact on administra-

tion. 7) Regulation of a financial income and expenditure to meet 'the needs of the society. We will examine a few details of the access points where the library legislation is under implementation. i) Tamil Nadu As per the Madras Act (1948), the government has provided for about 4,500 public libraries, 20 District Libraries, 7 Mobile libraries, 1538 Branch Libraries, 2,500 village Libraries. They provide access to 24 lakhs volumes of documents. There were around 2 crores registered borrowers, and 5 crores visitors to libraries per annum. However, the volumes used can be categorised into those consulted, 2 crore; and borrowed 3 crore volumes. Borrowing of books is around 1 volume per literate person. ii) Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh has a total of about 4,000 public library nodes viz. one State Central Library, 6 Regional Libraries, 1426 Branch Libraries, 344 Village Libraries and 3 Mobile libraries under Zilla Granthalaya Samsthas, and about 2,400 aided libraries. They provide access to about one crore volumes. They have registered borrowers of about 2 lakh persons, and about 2 crore visitors to consult books in libraries. The borrowing is about 1.5 volume per literate person. iii) Karnataka Karnataka State has a structure of one State Central Library, 20 District Central Libraries (out of 20, 10 District Central Libraries are having library and the remaining 10 are having office only). There are 15 City Central Libraries, 392 Branch Libraries, 1151 Mandal Libraries and 11 Mobile Libraries; with 6.54 lakh registered borrowers and a total book stock of 371akhs. About 81akh people visit the libraries in a year. iv} Maharashtra Maharashtra, is the fifth State to have a library Act; it has around 5900 Public Library nodes. Of these, one is a State Central Library, 5 Divisional Libraries, .8 District Libraries, 31 District Public Libraries; 259 Taluk Libraries and 5589 other types of Libraries. They provide access to about 50 lakh of books, the number of registered borrowers is more than 60 thousands and consulting readers is around 601akhs per annum. v) West Bengal West Bengal has about 3500 Public Library, nodes. These include a State Library, 21 District Libraries, 234 Town Libraries, 2,300 Government sponsored Libraries and 200 other type of libraries. There are additional District Libraries at Siliguri and City Central Library at Durgapur.

Page 111: Library Society

vi) Manipur

25

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

This State has, one State Central Library at Imphal and five District Libraries, and about one hundred Public Libraries are functioning which are managed by voluntary organisations.

vii) Kerala Public access is more in Kerala State, which now achieved cent per cent literacy through Total Literacy Campaign. The earlier Trivendrum Public Library was upgraded as State Central Library, after the formation of Kerala State. There are about 3030libraries located at District. _ Taluk, village level accessible to the public.

viii) Mariana The District Library ©f Amble, was upgraded as State Central Library of Mariana in 1.967. 12 District Libraries were established in the State. In addition to it 11 libraries at Municipal areas, 11 sub-divisional libraries are accessible to the people.

ix) Misogamy After the formation of the State, State Library was established at Arial and two more District Libraries started functioning. There are three sub-divisional libraries accessible to the people: About 80 village libraries are recognised by the State Planning committee.

x) Goa A small State, with the influence of Portuguese rule has a Central Library for a long time. Five talk libraries and fifty six rural libraries are functioning at village level.

Comments ''hus, we find the State Library Acts have provided an infra-structure for the public library access to general public in each state.

Self Check Exercise 3) State the configuration of public libraries with their numbers arid levels of location,

operating in each of the five states which-have operational library Acts.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10.3.2 Financial Provision Libraries can grow with increasing use and number of readers. They should be of course, well financed. Let us look at the financial status of these library acts.

i) Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Public Libraries have three types. The State Central Library, Connemara Public Library and the Kaurmani Nilayan Library, Government Oriental Manuscripts Library maintained by Government Funds. The District Central Libraries, and Branch Libraries established, under the Act are maintained from Library Fund (i.e., Library Cess plus Government's matching contribution. Besides this, the Government is giving grant-in-aid to the libraries such as, Thanjavur Saraswati Mahal Library maintained by local bodies and voluntary organisations.

Page 112: Library Society

26

Library Legislation

ii) Andhra Pradesh The total expenditure on Government Libraries will ' be borne by the Government. The establishment charges of Zilla Granthalaya Samstha will be met by the Government. The Expenditure on other items such as books, periodicals, buildings etc., will be met from library fund of the City/Zilla Granthalaya Samsthas, They will provide some grant-in-aid to private libraries. iii) Karnataka The State Central Library is funded fully by the State Government. The libraries at District and City level, including Branch Libraries are financed from `Library Fund'. Under the provision of this Act, Library cess is levied as surcharge on properties tax, motor vehicle tax, entertainment taxes. The Cess is collected by the local bodies such as, Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, District Boards and Village Panchayats. The State Government provides for the salaries of the staff of the public libraries at all levels. iv) Maharashtra Maharashtra Act does not levy any library cess. However, the State Government has to provide for at atleast 25 lakh of rupees as grant-in-aid for library development. This does not include administrative and establishment expenditure. Five Divisional Libraries and eight District Libraries in Vidarbha are fully financed by the Government of Maharashtra. v) West Bengal In West Bengal, since there is no provision for levying library cess, the entire expenditure on public libraries, started through the provisions of the Act, will be met from the consolidated fund of the State. Every Local Library Authority shall maintain library fund out of the grant received from Government, contribution of gifts, income from endowments etc. However, a few private libraries will get grant in aid from the Government, for their maintenance. vi) Manipur In Manipur Act, there is no provision for library cess. So, the State Government will meet the total expenditure from the State funds. This State will also support the private libraries with grant-in-aid. vii) Kerala There is a provision for library cess in the Kerala Act. Since, the Act was not implemented, the State Government is helping the libraries by grant-in-aid, through the State Funds. viii) Haryana, (ix) Mizoram and (x) Goa The same position prevails in Haryana as in the case of Kerala. The Library Act was not implemented in these States. Comments There is provision for library cess in Madras, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Haryana Act. The provision for library cess has a greater impact as a democratic right to contribute for the development of libraries as well as to get access to library facilities. Government will have to actively consider establishment and maintenance of libraries, as library cess makes it imperative. However, one of the problem faced is the uneven distribution of library cess in cities and districts as the property value varies from place to place. In all the State, Government is supporting the libraries managed by local bodies and voluntary organisations by Grant-in-aid, of course on a small scale. Self Check Exercise 4) State the sources of finance in the ten States which have a public library Act.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below. ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

Page 113: Library Society

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

27

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

10.3.3 Human Resources The library staff in different states are provided for variously.

i) Tamil Nadu The State has Directorate of Public Libraries which supervises, directs and runs public library service: There is a Librarian to manage the State Central Library (Connemara Public Library), The District Central Library is manned by a trained librarian with Degree in Library Science; and the Branch Library is usually manned by a person holding a Certificate in Library Science. The delivery stations are generally looked after by local elementary school teachers employed on part-time basis on monthly remuneration.

Each District Central Library is inspected by the Directorate of Public Libraries. Each Branch Library is inspected by the District Library Officer.

ii) Andhra Pradesh The Director of Public Libraries is the controlling officer for die library system in the State. All the libraries in the system are managed by professionals only. The Librarian, City/District Central Library is the Ex-officio Secretary of the CityIZilla Granthalaya Samstha. The number of professionals are about 250 and semi-professionals are more than 1000 in number.

iii) Karnataka This State has a Director of Public Libraries to supervise and direct all matters relating to public libraries. The State, City, District and Branch Libraries are managed by professionals. The strength of the library staff in public libraries is around 500. The professional strength is around 150 with minimum qualification of degree in Library Science but several have MLISc degree. There are many certificate holders: There are 300 non-professional and about 150 unskilled workers. The entire technical staff of the public libraries comes under the cadre of ` `Karnataka Library Service.

iv) Maharashtra Maharashtra Act provides for a Director of Libraries as the Head of the Department of Public Library Service. He is responsible for planning, maintenance and organisation of public library service in the State. There is one Assistant Director in each of the 5 divisions to assist the Director: The libraries upto district and Town level are maintained by professionals.

v) West Bengal West Bengal Act provides a post of a Director of Libraries, as Chief Executive of the public library system. The State Central Library, Calcutta Metropolitan Library, District Libraries and Town Libraries are managed by professional librarians.

vi) Manipur There is provision in the Act to appoint a Director of Public Libraries. It appears that the Act was not implemented so far. Now the Chief Librarian of the State Central Library, Imphal is looking after the matters in libraries. The total number of professionals working in Public libraries does not exceed 20 in the State.

Page 114: Library Society

28

Library Legislation

vii) Kerala The special feature of the Kerala Act is that there is no post of Director of Public Libraries. The Act was not implemented so far. Only after the implementation of the act, we will be able to know the position of the staff.

viii) Haryana Since the Haryana Act has not come into force, the personnel who are managing public libraries are under the control of Director of Higher Education, Haryana. At present the staff working in the State and District Libraries are treated as Government servants.

ix) Mizoram The Deputy Director of Education, Government of Mizoram, as the controlling officer. The State Library, District Library and Sub-Divisional Libraries are managed by the qualified librariaris not more than 20 in number.

x) Goa Central Libraries, Government of Goa; Panaji is the controlling officer of the human resources, In Goa about 25 professionals are working in State Central Library (Bibliotheca National De Nova Goa, and its five Taluk Libraries). Teacher- Librarians are incharge of most of the Government village libraries.

Comments It may be observed that the staff structure and cadre for librarians are well-organised in Karnataka Public Libraries Act: In all other states, the public librarians status and salary are not commensurate with their duties and responsibilities.

Self Check Exercise 5) Name the State which has a well organised staff structure, giving the details.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10.3.4 Governance

i) Tamil Nadu The State Tamil Nadu comprises of Madras City and 23 Revenue Districts. There is a Local Library Authority - one for each Revenue, District. From 1972, the Department of Public Libraries became the full. fledged Department. The Director of Public Libraries is responsible for superintending and controlling the work of all local library authority constituted under the Act. Till 1977, the District Educational Officers had acted as Ex-officio Secretaries of the Local Library Authorities. As per the recommendation of the Subbarayan Committee, the District Educational Officers of each Local Library Authority is rendering free library service to public by opening District Central Library at District Head-Quarters, a Branch Library in each town, and library vans for some small villages and hamlets.

Page 115: Library Society

ii) Andhra Pradesh

29

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

To organise and promote library service in the State, the Government of Andhra Pradesh amended the Act in 1989, and constituted Andhra Pradesh Granthalaya Parishad, an appex body. The Parishad is the principal policy making body and exercises the powers and performs the functions as per the directions of the Government. The State has been divided into 23 Revenue Districts including the City of Hyderabad for the purpose of administering the Library System. There is a Zilla Granthalaya Samstha for each district and one City Granthalaya Samstha for the Hyderabad City. In the Pyramidal system of organisation, the State Central Library is at the appex, the village library at the bottom and the Branch Libraries, District Central Libraries, and Regional Libraries in between. iii) Karnataka This State is divided into 20 revenue districts. A separate Department of Public Libraries started functioning with effect from 1 November 1966 as per the provisions of the Karnataka Public Libraries Act (1965). The, Department is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of public libraries an~ the organisation of a comprehensive rural and urban libraries' service in the State. The Act provides for the establishment. of the following libraries including Branch Libraries and Book Delivery Stations: a) A State Central Library at Bangalore which will act as the reservoir of books for the

entire state b) A City Central Library for each of the 15 principal cities. c) A District Central Library for each of the 20 Revenue Districts in the State. In the State three library authorities have been established. The Karnataka State Library Authority advises the State Government on matters related to library development in the state, and acts as managing authority for the State Central Library. The Local Library Authorities of the major cities and Revenue Districts will look after the matters of public libraries in their respective jurisdiction. There is a fair amount of democratic representation as well as technical expertise built into the composition of the State Library Authority. iv) Maharashtra In Maharashtra, the State Library Council has been set up to advise the Government on all matters concerning libraries: It consists of 28 members with the Minister of Education as the Ex-officio Chairman, and the Director of Libraries as the Ex-officio Member Secretary. At District Level; District Library Committees have been set up for advising the Government on all matters concerning public libraries in their respective areas. The .Directorate of public libraries with a Director as its head looks after the planning, management, organisation, development and maintenance of public libraries and the library system in the State. This state has 35 revenue Districts. This State has 17 Revenue Districts. West Bengal Public Libraries Act was adopted in 1979. The Act provides for the creation of a State Library Council and Local Library Authorities. Under the control of Director of Libraries, the Public Library System, with State Central Library at the apex. Calcutta Metropolitan Library, District Libraries, Town Libraries and Rural Libraries will function with a paramedical structure and governance. vi) Manipur Manipur has 8 Revenue Districts. The State Central/ Library, Imphal is managed by Education. Department and the District Libraries are attached to District Educational Officers. vii) Kerala This State is divided into 14 Districts. Trivandrum Public Library is the only Public Library

Page 116: Library Society

30

Library Legislation

directly managed by State Government. The Municipal Libraries and the Panchayat Libraries are managed by the concerned local bodies.

viii) Haryana The State Haryana was formed in the year 1956 with 17 revenue Districts. Haryana Library Administration is still under the control of Department of Higher Education.

ix) Mizoram Mizoram is a small State with 3 Revenue Districts. In Mizoram, Deputy Director of Education is made f or controlling the Public Libraries.

x) Goa Goa is the, smallest State with two Revenue Districts. In Goa, the curator, Central Library Government of Goa is looking after the Public Libraries.

Comments The infrastructure provided in all the library Acts appears to be wellknit. But, the provisions in Andhra Pradesh Act gives a comprehensive structure for governance.

Self Check Exercise 6) Name the State having comprehensive structure for Governance, describing its

features in brief.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10.4 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS Though the Library Acts were passed in ten States, so far only five States have implemented their Acts, i:e., Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and West Bengal States. The general observations on these Acts are mentioned below:

1) A library system was formed with necessary administrative infrastructure from State to District level.

2) Libraries with a pyramidal structure, i.e., State, Regional, District, Sub-divisional, Taluk/ Block Village Libraries are established, as per the funds available at the disposal for the system.

3) Arrangements are made through statutory provision for the perennial source of income through library cess and State grant.

4) Essential services like use of news papers and magazines, lending services and reference services are introduced. Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka States provides Mobile Library services to the villages located at nook and corner of the state.

5) Public library service free at all levels regardless of age, sex, religion, language or

Page 117: Library Society

social status to the citizens. It appears that the States of Manipur, Kerala, Haryana, Mizoram and Goa have not implemented the Acts so far, due to administrative reasons: However, they are rendering some service with the existing facilities.

31

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

Self Check Exercises 7) List two helpful factors of library cess.

8) The five criteria for comparing the public library Acts.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10.5 SUMMARY In this Unit, we have examined the following aspects of public libraries of the ten States in India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Manipur, Kerala, Haryana, Mizoram and Goa) which have Public Library Acts.

i) Free access to documents, institutional framework, governance and management, infrastructure for physical facilities, finance, library services, reporting, evaluation and feedback.

ii) Public library activities and their features.

iii) Provisions of the acts and comparison of, these provisions with a set of criteria.

iv) Strength and weakness of the Acts.

10.6 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The Improvements in the Andhra Pradesh Act over the Madras Act are:

a) The Andhra Pradesh Act has a provision to 'constitute Andhra Pradesh Granthalaya Parishad, an appex body with an authority.

b) The A.P. Act nominates the District Authorities.

c) The Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act had a provision of library cess to the range from 4 to 8 paise per rupee.

2) The difference in governance of Public Libraries in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, as provided by their respective Acts, is given below:

Page 118: Library Society

32

Library Legislation

State Apex Committee Structure Executive Head

Andhra Pradesh

A.P. Granthalaya Parishad, Chairman nominated by Govt.

Separate Dept. ofPublic Libraries

Director of Public Libraries

Maharashtra

State Library Council, headed by the Minister of Education. The Director is the Member Secretary

Separate Dept. of Libraries

Director of Libraries

3) The configuration of Public Libraries, number and location, in the five operational States having public Library Acts, are as follows:

State Total Number Levels of Libraries Andhra Pradesh 4000 One State Central Library, Six

Regional Libraries, 1426 Branch Libraries, 4 Mobile Libraries, 344 Village Libraries, 2400 aided libraries

Karnataka 2700 One State Central Library, 15 City Central Library, 20 District Central Libraries, 392 Branch Libraries, 10 Grant-in-aid Libraries, 2140 Other kind of Libraries

Maharashtra 5900 One State Central Library, 5 Divisional Libraries, 8 District Libraries, 31 District Public Libraries, 259 Taluk Libraries, 5589 Other Types of Libraries

Tamilnadu 4000 One State Central Library, 20 District Libraries, 1538 Branch Libraries, 7 Mobile Libraries, 2500 Village Libraries

West Bengal 4000 One State Central Library, 6 Regional Libraries, 1629 Libraries under Zilla, Parishad 2400 Aided Libraries

4) Sources of the ten States:

States Cess State Grant

TamilNadu Library Cess on Property Taxor house tax

A matching grant not less than the cess collected

Andhra Pradesh Library Cess on House tax andproperties Payment of staff salaries

Page 119: Library Society

Karnataka

Library Cess on lands and buildings Octroi, duty, vehicle tax, Taxes on professions, trades callings, and employments

Grant-in-aid from Government payment of staff salaries

Maharashtra No Library Cess State Gcant

West Bengal No Library Cess State Grant

Manipur No Library Cess State Grant

Kerala Library Cess on buildings or property tax Grant-in-aid from Government

Haryana Library Cess on property tax and house tax Grant-in-aid from Government

Mizoram No Library Cess State Grant

Goa No Library Cess State Grant

33

Library Legislation in Indian States – Their

Salient features

When there is no library cess, the major part of maintenance of library is met from Government grant.

5) Karnataka has a well-organised staff strength to manage its public libraries in the State. The Director of Public Libraries is a library professional: This gives the opportunity to improve the strength of qualified staff. The entire technical staff of the public libraries comes under ;the cadre of Karnataka Library Service: A qualified staff having minimum qualification of B.Lib. Sc., some with M.Lib.Sc., and holders of Certificate in Library Science operate the public library system. All these staff provide. a professional competence and ensure a minimum standard of service.

6) Andhra Pradesh State has a comprehensive structure of Public Libraries in a Pyramidal structure. a) Andhra Pradesh Gtanthalaya Parishad b) Directorate of Public Libraries c) Regional Libraries d) City/District Central Libraries e) Mobile Libraries f) Branch Libraries g) Village Libraries h) Aided Libraries

7) The two helpful factors of Library cess are: a) Library cess makes it imperative on the government to actively consider the

establishment and maintenance of libraries. b) The provision for library cess has a greater impact as a democratic right of

citizens to contribute to the development as well as to get access to library facilities.

8) The five criteria for a comparison of the Public Libraries Acts are: a) Public access to literature b) Development of infrastructure c) Establishment of a governance system d) Provision for financial management e) Organisation of self-reporting and regulating system

Page 120: Library Society

34

Library Legislation

10.7 KEY WORDS

Cess : Surcharge collected on some statutory taxes

Governance

: A method or system of government or management

Infrastructure : The basic underlying framework.

10.8 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Ekbote, Gopal Rao, Public Libraries System, Hyderabad : Ekbote Brothers: 1987. Mittal, R.L. Public Libraries Law: An International Survey. New Delhi: Metropolitan Publishing Co.,1971.

Ranganathan, S.R: Library Legislation. Hand-Book to Madras Library Act. Madras Library Association, 1953.

Ranganathan, S.R. and Neelameghan A. (eds.). Public Library System : India, Srilanka; UK, USA,

Comparative Library Legislation; Bangalore : Sarad Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science, 1972.

Rath, Pravakar (1996) Public Library Finance. Delhi Pratibha Prakashan.

Venkatappaiah, Velaga. Indian Library Legislation, 2 vol. New Delhi: Daya Publishing House, 1990.

Venkatappaiah, Velaga. Model Library Legislation: New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co., 1994.

Venkatappaiah, Velaga. Model State Library Policy and Legislation (For the States and Union Territories) Delhi : Indian Library Association, 1995.

Page 121: Library Society

Librarianship as a Profession and Professional Ethics

UNIT 14 LIBRARIANSHIP AS A PROFESSION

AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Structure

14.1 Objectives 14.2 Introduction 14.3 General Ethics 14.4 Profession, Professional, Professionalism 14.5 Professional Ethics 14.6 Librarianship as a Profession 14.7 Professional Ethics in Librarianship

14.7.1 US Experience 14.7.2 UK Experience 14.7.3 Indian Situation 14.7.4 Issues and Problems

14.8 Summary 14.9 Key Words 14.10 Answers to Self Check Exercises 14.11 References and Further Reading

14.1 OBJECTIVES Professional ethics is a topic of considerable importance to determine, set and maintain acceptable standards in professional performance. This Unit explains the meaning and contents of professional ethics for librarians and information scientists. After studying this unit, you should be able to: • get an understanding of ethical values; • appreciate ethical values which enhance quality in professional performance to

ensure societal recognition and appreciation; • realise the responsibility of being a library/information professional and perform

work according to prescribed ethical standards; and • attempt to establish ethical standards in professional performance.

14.2 INTRODUCTION This unit introduces the concepts of ethics, profession, professionals, professionalism, ethical codes and such other ideas. Professional performances should conform to ethical principles to give customers full satisfaction for services rendered by professionals: Librarianship/Information service fulfills prescribed characteristics in order to quality as a profession. The general meaning of ethics is that it is a set of moral principles. These may be rules of conduct recognised with respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc. Professional associations have been keen to develop ethical values, as to set ethical codes to be followed by professionals. The age-old professions like medicine, education, law, religion and others, have been constantly reviewing the need for ethical codes for their professionals to set minimum standards of performance. The implementation of ethical codes in professional practice is, however, a self-imposed issue mainly because it is not possible for others to enforce these codes on professional practitioners. 5

Page 122: Library Society

Library Associations, Promotional Another issue that confronts most professions today, is that they are under tremendous pressures due to the application of various kinds of technological advances in professional techniques and practices and consequent societal changes. These advances and changes destabilize established relationships with their respective customers as well as within professional members and others; for example between doctors and patients and among doctors themselves and law enforcing institutions.

6

Agencies and Systems

The profession of librarianship and information scientists is also under such pressures. In recent decades, the dimensions of library and Information science have widened, with the application of information technology, rapidly expanding information heeds of users, unprecedented increase in the volume and variety of information packages and societal changes: These developments generate new problems and issues that are often creating conflicting approaches in setting ethical standards in professional performance. However, the library and information professional bodies in USA and UK have come out with codes of ethical standards for professional performance, although these codes are not mandatory on professionals in their performance. In India, the subject of professional ethics in the practice of librarianship is still to take roots, although the Indian Library Association (ILA); and the Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC) have professional ethics as an important aspect of work listed in their programme of activities. In fact, IASLIC had discussed professional ethics in its Eleventh National - Seminar at Calcutta in 1984-MI these aspects of professional ethics are discussed in this unit 14.3 GENERAL ETHICS Websters International Dictionary defines Ethics as : 1) the discipline dealing with what is good and bad or right and wrong with moral duty

and obligation;' 2) a group of moral principles or set of values; a particular theory or system or moral

values; the principles of conduct governing an individual or a profession; standards of behaviour.

3) the adjective ‘Ethical’ connotes conformity to professionally endorsed principles and practice or a system/philosophy of conduct and principles practiced by a person or group.

Ethics has been a subject of study and enquiry in philosophy which is as old as human history. There are three philosophical positions in ethical enquiry in the West, viz. monistic, relativistic and pluralistic: The monistic position is based on the precept that there is a single and a set of absolute moral principles or golden rules that can guide correct behaviours in different situations: The relativistic position is based on the precept -that moral principles are varied and that no one is any better than any other, therefore they are all mere personal or individual principles. These two have been rejected as they don't seem to be tenable in practice. Pluralistic position, however, is the belief that there are multiple moral principles that can correctly guide behaviour. This position appears to have emerged as the dominant philosophical position. In Indian philosophical thought, moral behaviour is closely 'associated with religious beliefs and practices. All these ideas; thoughts and theories lead to different aspects of studies of ethics, particularly in modern societies. Some of these studies relate to personal, organisational, professional; business ethics which quite often introduce conflicts in practical applications in the real life of an individual. In this Unit, however, we are concerned only with professional ethics, although the other aspects of ethical values are relevant and are in many ways interconnected. Self Check Exercise 1) What do you understand by ethical values? What purpose to these values serve? Note : i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. …………………………………………………………………………....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Page 123: Library Society

Librarianship as a Profession 14.4 PROFESSION, PROFESSIONALS,

PROFESSIONALISM

7

and Professional Ethics

In order to understand properly the technical words relating to professional ethics, we shall study their meanings and contents in this section. The Random House Dictionary of English Language (RHD) defines: A Profession, as an occupation, especially that one requiring extensive education in a branch of science or the liberal arts; or the body of persons engaged in such an occupation. Synonymous with `profession' are words such as vocation, employment, occupation, business, trade - all refer to the activity to which a person regularly devotes himself, especially his regular work, or means of getting a living. Whereas `occupation' is the general word to indicate an activity in which a person is engaged for his living, `profession' implies an occupation requiring special knowledge and training in some field of science or learning. A Professional is one who is engaged in an activity as a means of livelihood or for a gain or pertaining to or connected with a profession. For example: A professional tennis player; a researcher; a musician who are all competent experts in' their respective occupations. Professionalism is the professional character, spirit or methods, the standard practices of a professional as distinguished: from an amateur. An expertise is expected of professionals with full involvement in and commitment to those who receive services from them. The age-old professions are agriculture, medicine, education, fine arts (painting, sculpture, music) and such other established occupations, recognized and respected by society, not necessarily -measured by the monetary earnings of these professionals. With industrialisation, economic and social growth, many' new professions have sprung up in the last two hundred years: More particularly the 20th century has witnessed the growth of hundreds of new professions Librarianship is one such profession that emerged in the 19th/20th Century when corpus of knowledge multiplied geometrically requiring rapid expansion' in its nature of work and services of knowledge organisation, retrieval and dissemination. Self Check Exercise 2) Distinguish the meanings of the words profession, professionals and

professionalism. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

14.5 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Professional ethics is considered as an expression of the ethos (i.e character, spirit, culture, practice) of an occupation. In other words, it should reflect or be based upon, all the basic values associated with the occupation. It should reveal what the occupation is, what the practitioners think of themselves and of their place in society. It should indicate what is distinctive about the group. The quality of service offered by them should be of a class that makes they distinguished. Very often; we refer to the quality of a work of a person being highly professional, meaning thereby that there is a near-perfection in the nature of the performance, the intellectual and/or technical expertise and their sense of responsibility and commitment to the customers. So professionals carry, generally, this kind of a reputation, although there

Page 124: Library Society

Library Associations, Promotional may be on occasions poor performance too. In order to sustain societal recognition and to give their best, almost every profession, attempts to evolve a code of professional behavior to guide practitioners.

8

Agencies and Systems

Interest in ethical behavior of occupations, often formalized into codes, has a long history. Although rules of conduct have existed since many centuries; the modern codes had their' origin in the nineteenth century. To cite examples from the United States, the Code of Ethics of the American Medical Association (AMA) was adapted in 1848 when AMA was organised. Between 1890 and 1925, more than two hundred American Business and professional groups adopted their codes of ethics: The legal profession adopted its first code in 1908. The teaching profession imposed standards as guidelines for conduct in its, first code of ethics: Thus the code "was to serve more as a control mechanism than as a support system." Other countries have also adopted appropriate codes to guide, various professionals. It is of great importance to keep ethical problems under continuing scrutiny and debate through journals, training programmes, with social scientists taking the initiative in the process; in order to provide increasingly acceptable principles for clarifying ethical issues concerning professional performance. Every profession has been constantly engaged in reviewing and resetting ethical codes in order- to be consistent with current professional practices and behaviour. Since its earliest beginnings; medical practice has rested on a solid foundation of principles and values, designed to promote and protect patients in their relationships with doctors. But this stable relationship has been showing signs of destabilization because of scientific discoveries and technological innovations in medical practice and the revolution in social attitudes and behavior, which brought medical practitioners under the scrutiny of consumer protection courts. For example, within the last quarter of a century, we have developed medical facilities for replacing organs, introduce life through surrogate motherhood, prolong life artificially using life-support systems, conduct research in genetic engineering with potentially dramatic effects and assemble data about people and their illnesses on a `scale hitherto unimaginable. Interest in professional ethics has increased due to the growth of numerous occupations and formation of new professional groups. Both legal and ethical issues are getting modified by the' changing demands of society, such as the public expectation for accountability and consumers' demand` to be informed, consulted and protected. The changing roles f the professionals, which have come to include consulting, advising, making policy, and delivering government service, all bring into question the extent to which existing codes provide for these complex questions. We shall discuss in the next section how library and information service profession has evolved its own approach to professional ethics and the formation of ethical codes. Self Check Exercise 3) What is professional ethics? How do they get affected as a professional

occupation advances through scientific and technological applications and societal changes?

Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below. ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

14.6 LIBRARIANSHIP AS A PROFESSION A Code of Professional Ethics for Librarians describes that "The goal of librarianship is to mediate between humanity and humanity's store of recorded knowledge and information; to encourage an informed, enlightened and empowered citizenry; and to join with others in the ' fight for intellectual freedom and access to information." To build up this 'image for the library and information profession, and to establish quality, a set of ethical codes has to be formulated and is to be practiced by librarians and information professionals. But before we

Page 125: Library Society

Librarianship as a Profession get to discuss these codes; we shall see to what extent librarianship can be deemed to be a profession.

9

and Professional Ethics

The generally recognized professions, such as medicine, law, have certain characteristics or attributes that are enumerated below: • Extensive period of training (usually formal education); • Dominance of intellectual component in work activities; • Expertise; • Service orientation; • Altruistic motivation; • Self motivation; • Autonomy. Another set of criteria for a vocation to be considered a .profession, is as follows: 1) A fairly complex, personalized client-professional relationship - usually involving a

fee; 2) A certain amount of independence on the part of the professional (he is rarely closely

supervised, and is rarely responsible to anyone to a greater degree than he is to his client;)

3) A clear-cut body of professional technique and practice held in common by all practioners;

4) A professional association with real power i.e. power of enforcement and power of certification.

Taking into consideration these sets of criteria, librarianship cannot, perhaps, be placed on par with the' more well-established professions like medicine, law, accountancy, etc. However, there is certainly a clear-cut body of professional techniques in librarianship that would involve its recognition as a profession: Librarianship in various degree fulfills some of the other characteristics like intellectual component, expertise, service orientation, altruistic motivation, self motivation and autonomy. The Five Laws of Library Science of Ranganathan also provide the right set of guiding principles that could govern and motivate persons towards service orientation; intellectual involvement in developing tools and techniques and a body of professional knowledge to get recognition for librarianship as a profession: The Library Association of U.K. recognized the importance of and an urgent need for giving some broad definition of professional library work to indicate to employers the particular skills which professional librarians can bring to oraganisations, and to help librarians themselves to identify and assert the special skills which they have. One of the reasons for low pay and none too complimentary images of professionals is undoubtedly the fact that there is a lack of clarity, among library and information professionals, about what they actually do. The Association produced a report in two sections, one aimed at employers, and the other aimed at professionals. The section for employers provided a brief guide to the special skills that library and information professionals have and how they apply them. It included a note on professional qualifications, a description of professional skills and activities and gave the following definition: "Professional librarians formulate; plan, direct and deliver library and information services by identifying the needs and demands of actual and potential users; collecting, retrieving and organising knowledge and ideas in a variety of forms; from books and manuscripts to computerised databases; and disseminating and marketing library and information services to clients." Self Check Exercise 4) State the criteria that Librarianship fulfills to deem it a profession. 5) Give the definition of a professional librarian stated by the UK Library

Association. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

iii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 126: Library Society

Library Associations, Promotional ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

10

Agencies and Systems

14.7 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN LIBRARIANSHIP While it is easy to think of ethical values as essential to ensure quality of professional performance, it is very difficult to design a universally acceptable standard code far professional ethics. Individual/personal ethics are fundamental to any set of ethical codes which are not explicitly stated in any professional code, as they are very often assumed to be basic to every situation. There are also differences in the conception of ethical behavior in different societies and cultures. In order to be effective, therefore, professional ethics have to be perceived at various levels, appropriate to different cultures and situations. These levels may be at the primary, institutional; professional, national and international levels. Primary levels are a set of basic guiding principles which are fundamental to human behavior with. reference to any activity, such as honesty, good conduct, adherence to truth and so on. At the professional and organizational levels, there are likely to be occasional conflicts, particularly when a person has to make a judgement in making a choice for a course of action. For instance; professional ethics may at times clash with organizational loyalty. Similarly, there may be conflicts between professional, national and international ethics in performing a particular task. These types of conflicts appear in any professional activity. Therefore, designing ethical codes becomes not only too ideal to be realistic but it is also difficult to implement, particularly because, no ethical code can ever be enforced as they are not statutory laws. 14.7.1 US Experience Despite all these problems and difficulties, attempts have been made to design a code of ethics for the library and information profession. The American Library Association, after prolonged debates and discussions, adopted a professional ethical code in 1938. The ALA Ethical code attempted to define and regulate the relations of librarians to a) the governing authority; b) their constituency; c) their fellow employees within the library; d) their profession; and e) society. The national debate, however, on the articles relating-to the above stated areas went on in the next decades. In 1975 ALA adopted a new Statement on Professional Ethics which replaced the 1938 code. The same year, the ALA Council instituted and authorised a standing committee on professional ethics to augment the Statement on Professional Ethics by explanatory interpretations and additional statements. At the ALA membership meeting in 1981, the Code of Ethics was officially adopted. Responding to numerous criticisms on the 1981 Code, the ALA Standing Committee on Professional Ethics decided to proceed towards further revision. In 1990,the American Association for Information Science (ASIS) also, published a draft of the ASIS Code of Ethics for Information professionals in the August/September 1990 issue of the - Bulletin of the ASIS: This Code comprised a preamble and four categories of ethical

Page 127: Library Society

Librarianship as a Profession responsibilities to:

11

and Professional Ethics

a) individual persons, b) society, c) the sponsor, d) the client or employer, e) and the profession. The ASIS Code of Ethics for Informational Professionals has, however, remained in draft form pending acceptance by the Association's Board of Directors. 14.7.2 UK Experience In 1978 the Working Party on Professional Ethics was established within the United Kingdom's Library Association to develop a draft code of ethics. A draft was prepared for discussion and debate in 1980; the final version of the code, the Code of Professional Conduct was adopted by the Council of the UK Library Association at its 100th Annual General Meeting in 1983. The Code includes the procedures and regulatory actions that will follow a breach of the code by a member of the Library Association. A unique feature of the LA's Code of Professional Conduct is its implementation mechanism that involves sanctions imposed by the LA's Disciplinary Committee on those who ignore the professional conduct set by the Code. The features of the Code relate to: a) the competency of the librarian; b) the question of discretion and respect of a client’s privacy; c) professional independence and intellectual freedom; d) the impartiality of the library profession; e) financial ethics and f) the integrity of members. 14.7.3 Indian Situation Indian adventure of designing a professional code of ethics have remained at the level of efforts to survey literature on professional ethics and no more.. Mention has already been made about discussions at a national conference of IASLIC in 1984. The subject of professional ethics has been dealt with in A K Mukherjee's book, Librarianship - Its Philosophy and History (1966) and R L Mittal's, Library Administration (1964). Two articles by Meganand in Indian Librarian in 1962 and a literature survey by Amitabh Chatterji appearing in Iaslic Bulletin in September 1965 are additional literature references. The only effort to consider this subject seriously in a professional forum appears to be at the Iaslic Conference in 1984. There were ten papers presented at the Conference five of these give a good overview of professional ethics, four on professional ethics for persons working in university, special and other institutional libraries, and another on Ranganathan's Five Laws vis-à-vis professional ethics with special reference to a research library. All these papers have a good number of references which would facilitate further readings on the subject. Self Check Exercise 6) Give the features of the codes of professional ethics of ALA and LA of UK. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

iv) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 128: Library Society

Library Associations, Promotional Johan Bekker; a leading authority on ethics in librarianship, has suggested a few broad principles for designing a code.

12

Agencies and Systems

1) Librarians should exercise their best professional judgement on behalf of users.: They should therefore: provide the highest level of service; not only complying with requests, but also anticipating needs; consider the needs of users the central focus of their work; assist actively in preventing incompetence and misconduct in their profession and in encouraging adherence to this code and other standards; protect each user’s right to privacy.

2) Librarians should strive to improve libraries and library services. They should therefore: be active members of local and national professional associations; pursue continuing education in order to improve their: skills, knowledge and qualifications; protect and enhance the reputation of libraries by exemplary professional conduct and service; involve themselves in research' and other systematic efforts to understand' and improve library service; avoid' situations that could compromise professional judgement or provide personal benefits at the expense of the library and its users.

3) Librarians should help create and maintain conditions under which. learning and scholarship can flourish; freedom of inquiry and of thought and its expression: They should therefore: ensure the free flow of information between libraries; allow access to the library is holdings and services to everyone in need of information; avoid bias in the acquisition and presentation in information; resist efforts to censor library materials or restrict intellectual freedom:

4) Librarians should be sensitive to the concerns of the larger society of which they are a part. They should therefore: protect and preserve sources of information for future use; assure that confidential and proprietary information is safeguarded; avoid transgression into the practice of other professions; take care that the access to information provided to users is not misused to curtail the freedom of others:

This type of code attempts to present, both to those who work in libraries and to those who use libraries, an indication of what it is that librarians stand for and what should be expected of them by the public: The implementation of such a code would depend on the ability and willingness of librarians and the public to take such statements seriously and to see that breaches of the code do not occur. Self Check Exercise 7) Summarise the broad principles suggested by Bekkar in designing a professional

ethical code for librarians. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

v) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

14.7.4 Issues and Problems Apart from the difficulties in designing an acceptable ethical code for professionals, there are also many other issues and problems in which emerge dealing with professional ethics. Some of them are: 1) Image of the library and information profession in society; 2) More than one professional body; 3) Authority in implementation with provisions for disciplinary action in case of

violation of the ethical principles enunciated by ethical codes; 4) Expanding dimensions of the profession; 5) Consequent undefined state of the profession; 6) Quality of professional work; 7) Immigration of specialists from other disciplines and professions.

Page 129: Library Society

Librarianship as a Profession Professional Image: The image of the library profession, particularly in India, is not very high in society as library and information work are considered auxiliary to education, research, industrial or business development etc. As a result librarians and information workers constitute a group of specialists in their respective parental organisation and their independent image does not get the proper focus in the eyes of the public. It is only a small group of users who get high quality of library and information service, appreciate the support given to 'them in their activities. Such a limited appreciation does not contribute to the image of the profession in the society as a whole. As far as Indian public libraries are concerned, there has never been any remarkable performance/ achievement that would enhance the professional image in the eyes of country.

13

and Professional Ethics

Professional bodies: in many countries, there are more than one professional body each of which may have different goals and objectives, although there may not be any serious conflicts between them. The ideal condition for effective disciplinary action in the case of violation of ethical codes enumerated by the leading American expert Bekker are: There should be only one national occupational association; There should be only one basic national code of ethics; Subscriptions to the code should be a condition-for the acceptance or renewal of membership; Membership in the occupational association should be a condition for licensing to practice; There should be only one national committee on occupational conduct. Notwithstanding the desirability of the above stated basic approach to the design of professional codes, it is not possible in practice to have such a single central authority: But it is essential to have coordination and cooperation among the- various professional bodies in designing of a code of ethics, because all persons are basically librarians and information personnel. Authority in Implementation: Even assuming a central professional authority, it is not always possible to penalise anyone who may violate professional ethical- codes. There are no legal validity to these ethical codes. Conforming to ethical codes are invariably more voluntary individual effort arising out of personal belief or faith in ethical values. Expanding Dimensions: The dimensions of professional activity have expanded unprecedentally in the last quarter of 20th century. The conventional and traditional functions of a library have undergone a tremendous change. New skills are expected in library and information work and such skilled persons are to be drawn from outside the profession. Professional education and training in this changing context have, therefore, been in a state of flux. This creates numerous problems, particularly the new entrants acquire a new view of professional work and activities. This is not peculiar to the library professional alone. Other professions are too facing similar situations, for example the medical profession. But; the medical profession has an established public image and hence has no such problems as faced by the library profession. What would be the stature of librarians of the future? It is difficult to predict at this stage of transition but, it is bound to be different from what it is now and what it had has been in the past. Professional Quality: Today's insistence on quality assurance has been a major concern of those involved in every human activity. Consumers' societies have been asserting their right to have quality in whatever they buy and seek legal protection in consumer courts to ensure quality. Library and information products and services also have to face this problem sooner or later as pricing for library and information services is on the anvil. New Entrants: Library and information activities are attracting persons with different educational and professional backgrounds and qualifications: Persons with different professional experience are migrating to the library and information fields with varied conviction, faith, world views, - and political influences. All these are affecting professional conduct and behavior. In the final analysis, it is important to note that it is only personal conviction, involvement, commitment and faith in library and information service that would largely, determine professional behavior and conduct. Self Check Exercise 8) Enumerate the problems and issues in designing professional ethical codes for librarians. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

vi) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 130: Library Society

Library Associations, Promotional ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

14

Agencies and Systems

14.8 SUMMARY The general meaning of ethics is that it is a set of moral principles such as rules of conduct recognised with respect to a particular class of human action or a particular group, culture, etc. Professional bodies have been keen to develop ethical values, for setting ethical codes to be followed by professionals to ensure quality, social recognition and respect. The age-old professions like medicine, education, law, religion and others, have set up professional ethical codes and have been constantly reviewing the need for ethical codes for their professionals to set: minimum standards far performance. Library and information professionals also try to set up ethical codes to govern performance. Librarianship and information service activities fulfill the basic characteristics to be deemed to be a profession and hence professional practices should conform to certain ethical values. The American and British Library Associations have taken lead in evolving a set of ethical codes for their professionals. These ethical codes relate to professional behaviour and conduct, performance standards in .dealing with clients; social responsibilities and winning the goodwill of users: In India, no professional ethical codes have evolved although this topic has been discussed in professional fora. Bekkar, an American expert in professional ethics, has a suggested a few basic principles on which professional ethics could be designed. Some of them are user orientation in service, high level performance, leadership and scholarship, and societal acceptance and recognition: As cultural variations and environmental factors vary from country to country, ethical codes are designed to be relevant to national, regional and local conditions. There are, however, a number of practical difficulties in implementing a code of professional' ethics. Some of these are: 1) Image of the library and information profession in society; 2) More than one professional body; 3) Authority in implementation with provisions for disciplinary action in case of

violation of the ethical principles enunciated by ethical codes; 4) Expanding dimensions of the profession; 5) Consequent undefined state of the profession; 6) Quality of professional work; 7) Immigration of specialists from other disciplines and professions. Despite these difficulties, problems and issues, professional ethics are necessary for professional practices; to ensure quality in service and in social recognition.

14.9 KEYWORDS Ethics: is a set of moral principles such as rules of conduct recognised with respect to a particular class of human action or a particular group, culture, etc. Profession: an occupation, especially that one requiring extensive education in a branch of science or the liberal arts; or the body of persons engaged in such an occupation. Professional: is one who is engaged in an activity as a means of livelihood or for a gain or pertaining to or connected with a profession. For example: A professional tennis player; a researcher; a musician, who all are competent experts in their respective occupations.

Page 131: Library Society

Librarianship as a Profession Professionalism is the professional character, spirit or methods; the standard! practices of a professional as distinguished from an amateur. An expertise is expected of professionals with full involvement in and commitment to those who receive services from them.

15

and Professional Ethics

Professional ethics: is considered as an expression of the ethos i.e. character, spirit, culture, practice of an occupation.

14.10 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The general meaning of ethics is that it is a set of moral principles. These ethical

values introduce a practice for correct conduct of individuals in their relationships with others and in society. The adherence is largely due to the faith and respect for ethical values which individuals have to self impose in serving to the society.

2) A Profession, as an occupation, especially that one requiring extensive education in a branch of science or the liberal arts; or the body of persons engaged in such an occupation. A Professional is one who is engaged in an activity as a means of livelihood or for a gain; or pertaining to or connected with a profession: For example: A professional tennis player; a researcher; a musician who are all competent experts in their respective occupations. Professionalism is the professional character, spirit or methods, the standard practices of a professional as distinguished from an amateur. An expertise is expected of professionals with full involvement in and commitment to those who receive services from them.

3) Professional ethics is considered as an expression of the ethos (i.e. character, spirit, culture, practice) of an occupation. In other words, it should reflect or be based upon, all the basic values associated with the occupation. It should reveal what the occupation is, what the practitioners think of themselves and of their place in society. Ethical values get destabilised with advances in professional developments and societal changes. For example, medical facilities for replacing organs, introducing life through surrogate motherhood, prolong life artificially by using life-support systems, engage in genetic engineering with potentially dramatic effects and assemble data about people and their illnesses on a scale hitherto unimaginable:

4) Librarianship fulfills the following criteria to deem it a profession: 1) intellectual content of librarianship; 2) service orientation; 3) expertise in tools and techniques; 4) a body of professional tools and techniques; 5) altruistic motivation and self motivation to a degree; 6) autonomy; 7) period of training including the general preparation far a degree in a discipline.

5) Professional librarians formulate, plan, direct and deliver library and information services by identifying the needs and demands of actual and potential users; collecting, retrieving and organising knowledge and ideas in a variety of forms, from books and manuscripts to computerised databases; and disseminating and marketing library and information services to clients.

6) The ALA Ethical code defines and regulates the relations of librarians to: a) the governing authority; b) their constituency; c) their fellow employees within the library; d) their profession; and e) society.

7) The features of the UK Library Association Code of professional ethics relate to: a) the competency of the librarian;

Page 132: Library Society

16

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

b) the question of discretion and respect of a client’s privacy;

c) professional independence and intellectual freedom;

d) the impartiality of the library profession;

e) financial ethics and

f) the integrity of members.

8) Some of the issues and problems in designing a standard code of ethics for librarians are:

1) Image of the library and information profession in society;

2) More than one professional body;

3) Authority in Implementation with provisions for disciplinary action in case of violation of the ethical principles enunciated by ethical codes;

4) Expanding dimensions of the profession;

5) Consequent undefined state of the profession;

6) Quality, of professional work;

7) Immigration of specialists from other disciplines and professions.

14.11 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READINGS IASLIC. Towards a Code of Professional Ethics. Papers presented at the llth National Seminar, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 1984.

FINKS Lee W: Professional Ethics. Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. V 52, Supplement 15, p 301-321.

KING S S: Organizational Ethics: Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. V 56; Supplement 19, p 307 - 318.

Page 133: Library Society

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

UNIT 15 ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Structure 15.0 Objectives 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Need and Importance of Professional Associations

15.2.1 Aims and Objectives of Library Associations 15.2.2 Programmes and Activities of Library Associations

15.3 A General Account of Library Associations in India 15.3.1 Indian Library Association (ILA) 15.3.2 Indian Association of' Special Libraries and Information Centres

(IASLIC) 15.4 Library Associations in Other Countries

15.4.1 American Library Association (ALA) 15.4.2 Library Association (LA-UK) 15.4.3 Association for Information Management (ASLIB) 15.4.4 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) 15.4.5 International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID)

15.5 Summary 15.6 Answers to Self Check Exercises 15.7 Key Words 15 8 Further Readings

15.0 OBJECTIVES The purpose of this unit is to acquaint you with library associations in India, the USA and the UK, and their activities and programmes including their administrative and organizational structure and functions. After studying this unit, you should be able to : • list and elaborate the aims and objectives of professional associations engaged in the

library and information field. • explain the programmes and activities of library associations in the realization of

their aims and objectives, and • identify and detail the activities of selected library and information associations

within India and outside.

15.1 INTRODUCTION In the earlier units, you have obtained a fairly good insight into the historical perspectives of libraries, library development in modern society; types of libraries and their functions, categories of users and their information needs, etc. In all these sectors you would have discovered that there is an underlying unity of purpose, i.e. provide a good library and information service. This basic approach has unified all persons working in libraries and information/documentation centres to come together to form associations to focus attention on their common objectives. Library associations are learned societies. They promote development of the library movement in a country. They strive for better provision of library and information services. In this process, library associations also strive for advancement of the profession and the professionals. Professional associations are made up of, by and for the professionals in the fields concerned. e.g. librarians, library staff members, library science teachers, users of libraries and library associations. 18

Page 134: Library Society

All these sectors are eligible for membership of library association. An association is what its members make of it by their active collaboration and participation in its programmes and activities. As a fresh entrant to the profession, it is worthwhile for you to know how you can participate in the activities of the professional associations to serve their, ultimate cause.

19

Role of Professional Association

Library associations, systems and -programmes Now as a participant in this programme, you are aspiring to qualify yourself to become a library and information professional. You should know your responsibilities and obligations to the profession, i.e. striving for improvement of library and information systems and services and advancement of library and information science. After all, the image of a profession is built up by its members. Qualitative performance of duties and adherence to ethical principles and standards are essential to bring credibility, and to hold the status of the profession high. You will study in the succeeding sections how professional associations aim to foster these values. This unit elaborates i) the need for and importance of professional associations; ii) aims and objectives of library associations; and iii) programmes and activities of library associations. After giving a general description on the above aspects, this unit presents briefly the objectives, structural organization, activities, publications, etc., of library associations and their relation with other national and international organizations and future perspectives.

15.2 NEED AND IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

A lone professional person; or a single institution; cannot possibly do much to deal with wider and far-reaching issues of professional concern. Collective action by interested groups is necessary. In this, professional associations serve as a forum for coordinated efforts. Library development is dependent upon professional planning, foresight, understanding and involvement. These issues are managed in a better way by library associations than by individual institutions. Hence, the solidarity of the profession is a prerequisite for working for a common cause and to achieve results. In fact, the strength and effectiveness of professional associations reflect this solidarity. Library associations, if they, play their part well, can help in spreading the public library movement in a country and ensure better library service. They, indeed; assist in clarifying concepts of libraries and library and information services; and also present appropriate proposals to the right quarters. 15.2.1 Aims and objectives of library associations Library associations are established with the following aims and objectives: • to herald the library movement in a country to spread knowledge and information

and • ultimately contribute to human resource development; • to work for the enactment of public library legislation, drafting of the bills along

progressive lines and based on sound principles; make the people library conscious so that they demand the right of access to public library services; mobilize social pressure for the healthy development of library services;

• to strive for the evolution of an integrated national library and information system based on a national policy; bring to the attention of the authorities the deficiencies, defects, etc., in the existing library infrastructure;

• to provide a common forum for library professionals for exchange of information, ideas; experiences and expertise; work for the betterment of salaries, grades, service conditions; status, etc. of library professionals;

• to hold the image of the library profession high in society; promote cooperation among libraries and library professionals;

Page 135: Library Society

20

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

• to share resources and avoid duplication of efforts;

• to contribute towards manpower development for library and information work which includes education and training, research, incentives, awards and rewards, etc.

15.2.2 Programmes and Activities of Library Associations Library associations usually undertake all or some of the programmes and activities mentioned below, depending-upon their stage of development. These associations interact with conceived governments from time to time, using every conceivable opportunity for sound development of a library system in the country. These tasks are done by advising, representing and helping in drafting of legislation, formulation of policy statements, guidelines, etc. Conferences Organising conferences, seminars, lectures, etc. to afford opportunities for library professionals to meet, discuss and exchange information, ideas, experiences and expertise. Library publicity Organising library week, exhibitions, book fairs; competitions, etc. for promoting library consciousness and reading and learning habits among the people. Service conditions Taking up with the managements at all levels, through appropriate means, the issues relating to betterment of salary grades, service conditions and status of library professionals, Library association also in help recruitment of library personnel: They formulate codes of ethics for library professionals in order to preserve high values in conduct and service. Education Conducting training courses that are necessary to supplement university education in library and information science and continuing education programmes for working professionals. Functioning as an accrediting body to maintain proper standards in library and information science education. Instituting awards and rewards to recognize outstanding performance of library professionals and .library systems. Publications Library associations publish professional literature like a Regular periodical and a newsletter as well as hoc publications such as proceedings, directories, catalogues, bibliographies, course manuals, textbooks; reference books and others. Standards, services, research Formulating standards, guidelines, codes and manuals with regard to practices, procedures, techniques, tools and equipment, as a step towards fostering cooperation among libraries. Undertaking bibliographical projects on their own and through outside contract. Offering advisory and consultancy services. Undertaking research surveys of library facilities and services, user demands, learning and reading habits, book production etc. in order to identify strengths and weaknesses so as to take necessary steps to improve the system. ° cooperation Establishing cooperation with international and national associations of other countries having similar objectives. Maintaining liasion with book and publishing trade for attending to mutual problems in library acquisitions.

Page 136: Library Society

Self Check Exercise

21

Role of Professional Association

1) State the aims and objectives of library associations. 2) List under six broad groups the programmes and activities of library

associations. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15.3 A GENERAL ACCOUNT OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS IN INDIA

We have historical records of early library associations in India such as Baroda Library Association (1910), Andhra Desa Library Association (1914), Bengal Library Association (1927) and Madras Library Association (1927). The Indian Library Association was founded in 1933. The Post-independence period has witnessed an increase in the number of library associations. We have, at present, many national and state level library associations. There are also associations devoted to special categories of libraries, subjects, fields and other special interests. For example, the Govt. of India Libraries Association, (GILA), Indian Association of Teachers of Library` and Information Science (IATLIS), Micrographic Congress of India (MIC); Society for Information Science. Only a few associations are active in contributing to professional development. Professionals are generally indifferent to become members of library associations. The fact that many states w have not enacted library legislation points out that our library associations have not been effective. There is however; scope and need for better functioning and performance of our library associations. Two associations at the all India level are described in the following sections. The Indian Library Association and the Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres. 15.3.1 Indian Library Association (ILA) The Indian Library Association was founded in 1933 at Calcutta. It is a registered society, with headquarters now located at Delhi. It is the premier national association representing the entire library profession in the country. The birth of the Association can be traced to the holding of an All India Library Conference at Calcutta in September 1933. All leading librarians of that period were instrumental in organising the conference, whose main aim was to form the Indian Library Association. Between 1933 and 1947, seven Al1-India Library Conferences were held in different parts of the country. Publications of ILA included two editions of the Directory of Indian Libraries and a quarterly journal entitled Library Bulletin, as an official organ. After Independence, the Association witnessed both hectic and lean periods of activity. Until 1983, when ILA completed fifty years, 22 more All-India Library Conferences were held. The growth over the period was steady but not spectacular. Some initiatives taken by the ILA

Page 137: Library Society

22

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

can be said to have had an impact over library development in the country. For instance in 1992, the ILA successfully organized an Indian Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) conference at Delhi. However, the expectations of the library profession have all along been far more than what was achieved. At the present time, the library profession is keen to make ILA strong and effective and there are signs of some progress. a) Objectives The Association aims at establishing high standards of librarianship and library services in the country. It has the following objectives: i) promotion of library movement in the country and enactment of library legislation; ii) improvement of library services; iii) development of library science education and training and accreditation of library

schools towards maintaining proper standards of education; iv) betterment of salary, service conditions and status of library personnel; v) promotion of cooperation among libraries and library professionals; vi) promotion of research and bibliographical studies; vii) affiliation with state and other library associations; viii) cooperation with international and other national associations with similar

objectives; ix) publication of serial and other publications for dissemination of information; x) providing a common forum by organising conferences, seminars and meetings; xi) promotion and formulation of standards, norms, guidelines, etc., for management

of library and information systems and their services. b) Organization The membership of the Association comprises patrons, life and ordinary members, and institutional and associate members. The general body elects, for a two-year term, a President, Six Vice Presidents, a General Secretary and Council Members up to 20 at the rate of one representative for every 100 personal members, and one representative for every 40 institutional members. 'There are 11 Sectional Committees, one representative of each member state library association and ex-Presidents of the Association are also members of the Council. An Executive Committee consisting of the President, one Vice-President, the General Secretary, the Treasurer, two Secretaries, P.R.O. and three Council members look after routine management. While the general body meets once a year, usually at the time of All India Library Conference, the council meets at least once in a quarter and the Executive Committee meets as often as necessary. The Annual Report and Accounts of the Association are passed at the General Body Meeting. Members, Subscription Rates are: Ordinary Rs. 100/-, Library Associations Rs. 750/-, Institutions Rs. 300%, Life Rs. 750/-, Patron Rs. 10,000/-. Address Indian Library Association (ILA), A 40-441, Flat No. 201, Ansa1 Building, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi-110 009. The Association has a duly approved written Constitution. It has also framed some bye-laws to codify procedures. c) Activities Conferences and Library Meetings An-All India Library Conference is held every year at some place in the country. The host institution is either a university, an institution or a local library association. A National Seminar, on one or more themes of importance and relevance is a part of the programme of the All-India Library Conference. In addition, national seminars on themes of topical interest are also held from time to time. The Association arranges lectures, round table discussions, etc., mostly in Delhi. A study circle meeting is held regularly once a month at Delhi for discussing technical subjects. It associates

Page 138: Library Society

itself with libraries, other library associations, institutions, etc. in the programmes generally organized during the National Library Week in November each year.

23

Role of Professional Association

Publications The Association brings out a quarterly journal entitled ILA Bulletin as an official organ and a vehicle for publishing learned articles contributed by professionals in the library and information science field. There is a scheme of awarding prizes such as PV Verghese Prize, for best article contributed to the ILA Bulletin. The Association published ILA Newsletter every month to disseminate information of current interest to members. Since 1978, the Association has been publishing regularly the proceedings of the All India Library, Conference which includes the Seminar Papers discussed at the meeting. In the case of ad hoc seminars also, a pre-seminar volume carrying the papers is brought out. In 1985, it brought out the fourth edition of the Indian Library Directory. An ILA Members Directory was published in 1987. The Association brings out regularly its Annual Report and Statement of Accounts. It is expanding its publication programme at the present time. In 1995, a database NALANDA of over 10,000 libraries (5336 Academic, 1470 Public and 3280 Special) was created. Continuing Education The Association has recently started a Continuing Education programme for the benefit of working professionals. It organized during the last decade a series of workshops in different cities on Computer Application to Library and Information Activities. More such programmes are planned for the future. Consultancy The Association hook up and completed successfully a project for technical processing of about 35,000 volumes of a special collection for the Lal Bahadur Shastri (LBS) National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie. It took up a similar project, starting from November 1987 for the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Professional Issues The Association takes up with the State Governments, at every conceivable opportunity, the issue of enacting library legislation in order to develop the public library system. It has been repeatedly sending memoranda persuading the State Governments to initiate action on library v legislation. It has been active in pursuing with the governments, with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and with other managements matters relating to betterment of salary grades, service conditions and status of library professionals. It took initiatives in drafting a national policy for library service and held a seminar on the topic, as a result of which, the Government of India appointed a Committee to prepare a National Policy on Library and Information System. During the All India Library Conference, a number of resolutions are usually passed on matters of professional interest and concern, which the Association takes up with appropriate authorities for implementation. Participation in Official Bodies The ILA was represented in the Seventh Plan Working Group on Modernization of Libraries and Informatics, which submitted its report in July 1984. The Committee on National Policy on Library and Information System prepared a draft in May 1986; and the Review Committee for considering salary scales of government librarians was constituted by the Government of India as per the recommendation of the Fourth Pay Commission. It was called upon to tender its opinion before the Mehrotra Committee which considered the salary scales for university library staff as well as the librarians under the Fourth Pay Commission. The ILA is also represented on the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, Good Offices. Committee, National Bureau of Standards, Executive Committee-2 (NBS) Section Committee on Documentation Standards, UNESCO National Commission and National Book Trust (NBT), World Book Fair Committee, etc. Relations with Other Professional Bodies ILA plays a leading role in the Joint Council of Library Associations(JOCLAI) in India towards evolving a coordinated approach and a common strategy on professional issues of concern to all library associations. It has good working relations with IASLIC and state library associations.

Page 139: Library Society

24

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

International Activities of ILA

ILA is a member of IFLA and the Commonwealth Library Association.

It hosted the 1992 IFLA General Conference in Delhi. The International Conference on Ranganathan's Philosophy organized by ILA in November 1985 was an event of great significance. The ILA also organized the IFLA Universal Availability of -Publications (UAP) Regional Seminar in October 1985 and FID/CR Regional Seminar in November 1985 in New Delhi.

Perspectives for Future

The ILA is now firmly organized, with the confidence of the library profession assured, to carry on and expand its programmes and activities with a view to meet the hopes and aspirations of the profession and to serve the cause of librarianship and library service in the country.

Self Check Exercises

3) List the main activities and programmes of the Indian Library Association.

4) State the professional issues that were taken up by the Indian Library Association with state and central government authorities.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answer given at the end of this unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15.3.2 Indian Association of Special and Information Centres (IASLIC)

Address: F-29/-GTT Soheme 6 M, Kankurgachi, Calcutta 700 054. The Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC) was founded in 1955. It is a registered society with headquarters located in Calcutta. It was formed with the aim of having an association in India similar to the Association for Information Management in the UK and the Special Libraries Association in the USA.

At a largely attended meeting of librarians held at Calcutta on 25 June 1955 under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. L. Hora, the idea of starting an all India association devoted to the progress of special libraries and information centers was motted. Following this initiative, another meeting held on 3 September 1955 formalized the decision to establish the Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC).The spontaneous cooperation and enthusiasm shown by professionals in the formative period as well as dedicated efforts of some founding members have helped in laying a firm foundation for the association. Over a period of forty years and more, IASLIC has grown in stature and in range of activities and has been contributing in many ways to the improvement of special libraries and information centres in the country. It has earned recognition for its regular and systematic work all these years.

Page 140: Library Society

a) Objectives

25

Role of Professional Association

IASLIC has the following major objectives : i) To encourage and promote the systematic acquisition, organization and

dissemination of knowledge; ii) to improve the quality of library and information services and dissemination work ; iii) to coordinate the activities and foster mutual cooperation and assistance among

special libraries; information centres, etc; iv) to serve as a field of active contact for libraries, information bureause,

documentation centres, etc; v) to improve the technical efficiency of workers in special libraries, information

centres, etc., and look after their professional welfare ; vi) to act as a centre for research special library and documentation techniques; vii) to act as a centre for information in scientific, technical and other fields ; viii) to take such action as may be incidental and conducive to the attainment of the

objects of the Association. b) Organization The membership of IASLIC consists of honorary members, donors, life and ordinary members and institutional members. The General Body elects, for a two-year term; a President, six Vice-Presidents, a General Secretary, a Treasurer, two Joint Secretaries, two Assistant Secretaries, a Librarian and 25 Council Members. The Council appoints from among its members the Executive and Finance Committees. The work of the Association is distributed among six divisions with specific responsibilities assigned to them. c) Activities i) Meetings

IASLIC holds a biennial seminar and a conference in alternate years in different parts of the country at the venue of host organizations who are usually university libraries/ departments of library and information science, institutions, associations, etc. It has recently formed special interest groups devoted to areas like Industrial Information, Social Science Information, Computer Application and Humanities. They meet at the time of the annual conference seminar to discuss problems of common interest. IASLIC organizes from time to time ad hoc seminars~, lectures, exhibitions, etc. It-has study circles at Calcutta and other cities. The meetings of the study circles are held every month, wherein technical issues are discussed.

ii) Publications The serial publications of IASLIC are IASLIC Bulletin (quarterly) established in 1956, annual subscription Rs. 300/-. It is the official organ and carries learned articles in library and information science. These are the IASLIC Newsletter (monthly) which disseminates information about the activities of the Association as well as other news of professional interest; and the Indian Library Science Abstracts (annual). It brought out the second edition of the Directory of Special and Research Libraries in India in 1985. It has brought out some monographs and one each of a manual, code and glossary. The Association brings out regularly its Annual Report and Statement of Accounts and Membership List. IASLIC gives best Librarian of the year and best Article in IASLIC Bulletin awards every year.

iii) Education and Training In the past; IASLIC used to conduct regular training courses in foreign languages and in library science at graduate level. Now, it is engaged in a con6nuing education programme on topics like Computer Applications, Indexing, CDS/ISIS. It conducts short-term training workshops for the benefit of working professionals at Calcutta and at other places. Every year 3-4 workshops are being organized.

iv) Bibliography and Translation Services IASLIC offers translation and bibliography compilation services to individuals and institutions on a on-profit basis.lt maintains a library devoted to library and information science literature.

Page 141: Library Society

26

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

vi)

vii)

v) Professional Issues The Association strives to improve the standards of service in special libraries and information centres. In this connection, it has made attempts to evolve a code of ethics for librarianship. It brings to the attention of authorities issues which call for improvement and corrective measures. It concerns itself-in sound planning and development of library and information system and promotes suitable measures in this regard. It has taken Measures like drafting an inter library loan code for library cooperation. It has been quite responsive to the need .for securing better salary scales, service conditions and status for library professionals. It brings together library and information professionals at all levels and speaks for them as a Whole on professional issues. Relations with other Bodies IASLIC maintains a healthy relationship with the Indian Library Association and other library associations. It has taken a leading part in the formation of the Joint Council for Library Associations in India. (JOCLAI). It takes an active interest in implementing the common programmes of this Joint Council for Library Associations in India. IASLIC is cooperating with the National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT) by taking up specific assignments and projects. It is represented in Indian Standards Institution, Documentation and Information Committee (ISIIEC2) (now known as Bureau of Indian Standards). Perspective for Future IASLIC has had satisfying accomplishments in playing a leader/ coordinator role in the "'' library -and information field '--country. It now poised for assured growth and development in the period ahead for serving the cause of special librarianship in India.

Self Check Exercises Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this unit. 5) List the activities of IASLIC that distinguish its special character.

6) Name the publications of IASLIC.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15.4 LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS IN OTHER COUNTRIES Three library associations, one of the United States of America and two of the United Kingdom, are described ha this section. These associations have a long and distinguished record of activities and service and have been pattern setters for the creation of national associations in many countries. The three associations described in this section are the American Library Association, the Library Association of U.K. and the Association for Information Management, known formerly as Association for Special Libraries and Information Bureaux (ASLIB) also of the U. K.

15.4.1 American Library Association (ALA) The American Library Association (ALA) has the uniqueness of being the oldest and largest library association in the world. It was founded in 1876 with its headquarters at Chicago.

Page 142: Library Society

Address : American Library Association 50, East Huron Street, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

27

Role of Professional Association

A group of 103 library activists, at a meeting' held in Philadelphia in the fall of 1876 to coincide with the nation's centennial celebrations, resolved on a motion moved by Melvile Dewey, the father of librarianship; to form the American Library Association. ALA, thus born, has been a success story by dedicated efforts of eminent librarians who steered the Association in its formative periods, the ALA grew in strength steadily and became even in the early part of this century the national voice for library interests. Today, with a solid foundation, wide base, expanding programmes and activities and social impact, ALA plays a dynamic role to foster American library interests with great success. a) Objectives ALA is an organization for librarians and libraries with the overall objective of promoting and improving library services and librarianship and providing life-long services to all. It stands for user-oriented library and information, services. Its aim is to propagate library consciousness and promote the library interests of the country. It is there to work for intellectual freedom without the constraint of censorship and for free access to reading materials. The ALA is concerned with the profession, and the professional's interests. b) Organization Any person, library or other organization interested in library services and libraries is admitted as a member and there is no geographical limit. ALA elects a President, a Secretary and other office-bearers. It is governed by a Council. The Executive Board is the management arm. It has at present 11 divisions such as those relating to adult services, school librarians, libraries for children and young, library education, reference and adult services, and resources and technical services as well as committees devoted to various other subjects. In some areas, there are well developed units working under the umbrella of ALA, but they are functioning as separate divisions, such as American Association of School Libraries, College and Research Libraries, American Library Trustee Association, Association for Library Services to Children. Association, of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, Library Administration and Management Association, Library and Information Technology Association and Public Libraries Association. Yet another tier in the structure of ALA consists of Round Tables, which are membership units dealing with aspects of librarianship outside the scope of a division. c) Activities i) The work of ALA is centered mainly on its divisions, committees and round tables:

The Annual Conference of ALA .is held usually in June in different cities of United States. A number of pre and post-conference seminars, workshops, etc., is also held at that time.

ii) From the very beginning, ALA focused its attention on standardization of library procedures, techniques, forms etc. In education and training for librarianship, its role has been mainly accreditation and setting up of proper standards. However, its activities under its continuing education programme are many. ALA has a creditable record in promoting and encouraging research, innovation, invention, etc. in the library and information science field. The library technology programmes have contributed significantly.

iii) ALA has been quite active in the passage of federal legislation in matters relating to library services. The Library Bill of Rights, Library Services Act of 1956 (amended in 1964), and legislations dealing with postal rates, copyright and funds for library services are examples of initiatives taken by ALA. It also takes interest in clarification of legislative issues whenever situation the warrants it.

iv) Publications: Its publication programme is large and impressive. It is directly responsible for the following serials. ALA Handbook of Organisations and Membership Directory (annual) ALA YearbookAmerican Libraries (ii issues) (1907) Previously ALA BulletinBooklist (22 issues), Choice (11 issues) Library Technology Project (LTP) Reports (6 issues). Other units of ALA are also bringing out serial

Page 143: Library Society

28

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

titles. Its ad hoc publications comprising monographs, manuals, guides, codes, handbooks, proceedings of annual conference etc. may extend to more than 2,000 titles and account for significant world library science literature.

v) Awards: ALA has instituted several awards in the name of some eminent library scientists to encourage and recognize working professionals for outstanding performance and excellence in certain fields. The following are a few examples: John Cotton; Dana Library Public Relations Award; Clearance Day Award for promoting love of books and reading; Melvil Dewey Award for creative professional achievement; E.P. Dutton-John McRae Award for advanced study for serving the needs of culturally deprived children; Margaret Mann Award for achievements in cataloguing and classifications; Ralph R. Shaw Award:

d) International Activities of ALA ALA has been active in international cooperation and relations. It participates in the programmes of UNESCO, IFLA and FID. It has assisted many countries through advisory services, technical assistance, fellowships, travel grants, supply of reading materials, etc.

Self Check Exercises 7) List the various divisions of the American Library Association. 8) State the international activities of the American Library Association. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

iii) Check your answers with the answer given at the end of this unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15.4.2 Library Association (LA-UK) The Library Association (LA-UK) is another old and large library association like the American Library Association. It was founded in 1877 with its headquarters in London. Address : 7 Ridgmount Street, London; WCIE, 7 AE: It was founded as the Library Association of the United Kingdom at the conclusion of the First International Conference of Librarians held at Brussels in October 1877. Publication of the Monthly Notes commenced on 15th January 1880, and 'The Library was adopted as the official journal on 10th December 1880. On 30th January 1896, the name of the Association was changed to the Library Association. It was granted Royal Charter on 17th February, 1898. The Library Association Record commenced publication as the official journal of the Association in January 1899. It became a wholly professional association in 1962 when new bye-laws came into operation. In spite of the proliferation of library associations, the Library Association has steadily advanced into its second century and it continues to be actively involved in promoting library interests in Great Britain. a) Objectives The objectives of the Library Association are primarily to unite all persons engaged or interested in library work and include promotion of the establishment and improvement of libraries,

Page 144: Library Society

promotion of appropriate legislation; encouragement of research; better qualifications of librarians and raising of professional standards and conditions generally.

29

Role of Professional Association

b) Organization The membership of the Library Association is over 24,000 and is open to all interested in its aims and objectives. However, the status of Chartered Librarian and the use of the title of Associate of the Library Association (ALA) are restricted to those who have successfully completed the courses and training of the Association prescribed for the purpose. Fellowship of the Library Association is given on submission of an approved thesis for outstanding service to librarianship. The Library Association has twelve regional branches, including the Scottish and Welsh Library Associations and twenty three special interest groups. The Library Association is governed by a 60- number council elected by the members and is advised by four main committees : Executive Coordinating, General Purpose, Library Services and Professional Development and Education. c) Activities i) Conferences

The Library Association holds an annual conference regularly. In addition, Branches and Groups arrange their own conferences; meetings and study schools. Printed proceedings usually result from these meetings.

ii) Education From its earliest years, the Library Association has been organising courses for aspiring librarians, planning syllabus, conducting examinations, and maintaining a professional register. It has encouraged formation of library schools in the country. After the library schools were developed; LA's role as an examining body has diminished: But it still plays an important part in continuing professional education and training: It organizes an increasing number of short courses on currently important aspects of library and information science and carries on a continuing dialogue with library schools for maintaining high standards of library education. These are available at Book Point Ltd., 39 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon O X 14 4 TD (UK).

iii) Library Legislation The role of the Library Association in promoting library legislation is acknowledged in all quarters. The Public Libraries Act of 1892, Public Libraries Act of 1919 and the revision of the bye-laws of the Public Libraries and Museums Act of 1964 were due to the initiatives of the Library Association: It has been active in clarifying issues arising from legislations, whenever situation warrants. The Library Association has to its credit many surveys conducted by it in regard to the public library system in the country.

iv) Library Research Research and development are also given prominence by the Library Association. It sponsors numerous projects on its own initiative and with its own resources. It also works with the British Library and ASLIB in several areas of research.

v) Relations with other institutions The Library Association is represented in many official bodies and committees and has been offering advisory service and professional assistance in many programmes of library development. It had a role in the establishment of the British Library in 1973. The Library Association has helped the formation of the regional library system and promoted inter-library cooperation.

vi) Library Standards The Library Association has been advocating high standards of library service: It has evolved a code of ethics for the library profession. It has taken interest in evolving standards and guidelines of techniques, procedure, equipment etc. Though not working along trade union lines, the Association has been constantly striving for the betterment of salary, service conditions and status of library professionals.

d) Publications

Page 145: Library Society

30

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

The Library Association has an impressive publications programme. The publications are brought out by, the Library Association Publishing Ltd. The .serial titles of the Library Association are: Library Association Record (monthly) Journal of Librarianship (quarterly) British Humanities Index (quarterly) Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts (Bi-weekly) Library and Information Science Abstracts (Bi-monthly) (LISA) Current Research in Library and Information Science (three issues) Current Technology Index (monthly) It brings out from time to time monographs, directories and other occassional publications. One of the best seller of LA's publications is Walford's Guide to Reference Materials 6th edn, 1995. 3 volumes. During the~ centenary year in 1977, it brought out a number of centenary volumes, out of which was a History of the Association by W.A. Mumford, 1977. Its annual publications are L.A. Yearbook and Proceedings of Public Library Conference.

e) Awards and Rewards

The Library Association has a scheme of instituting awards to recognize excellence and outstanding performance in its field Some of them are :

Carnegie Medal for Best Children's Book Kate Greenaway Medal for Best Illustrated Children's Book Wheatley Medal for 0utstancing Index Besterman Medal for Outstanding Bibliography Mc-Colvin Medal for Best Reference Work.

f) International Activities of Library Association (U.K.)

The Library Association collaborates with UNESCO, IFLA and FID and participates in their programmes towards international cooperation and exchange of experience and expertise. It assists the British Council in implementing its assistance programmes in developing countries. It organizes visits, study tours, fellowship programmes, etc., which are part of cultural exchange programmes. It is particularly active in relations with Commonwealth countries: It has helped to establish the Commonwealth Library Association.

g) Perspective for Future

Since 1986, the Association has been considering its future development and in this connection two reports, Futures-l and Futttres-2, have appeared. With a creditable record of performance in the past and a well organized structure, the future of the Library Association is one of hope and promise.

Self Check Exercises 9) List the educational and training activities of the British Library Association. 10) List the publications of the British Library Association. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

iv) Check your answers with the answer given at the end of this unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 146: Library Society

15.4.3 Association for information Management (ASLIB) Address: ASLIB, Information House, 20-24 Old Street, London EC 1 V9AP UK.

31

Role of Professional Association

You would like to know why this Association has come to be known as the Association for Information Management but yet uses the acronym ASLIB, which does not tally with its name at all. For this, you may have to go into its past. This Association was founded in 1926, as the Association for Special Libraries and Information Bureau (ASLIB) and earned a great reputation by its record of professional service. In 1983, however, the Association extended its activities, in tune with expanding dimensions of information and was renamed the Association for' Information Management. But as the Association was well known as ASLIB; it continues the same acronym to represent its new name also. The British Society for International Bibliography was merged into it in 1949. ASLIB has been instrumental in focusing on the importance of information in all spheres of national endeavour, particularly in the reconstruction period after World War II: By demonstrating its usefulness, ASLIB could secure the recognition of the British Government as a research association. The creation of the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, which was a forerunner to the British Library was largely due to the spade-work done by ASLIB. a) Objectives ASLIB aims to facilitate the coordination and systematic use of sources of knowledge and information in all public affairs and in industry and commerce and in all the arts and sciences. It aims to increase the contribution of information to the economic, social and cultural life of the community by the promotion of effective information management. b) Organization The membership of ASLIB is largely composed of corporate 6odies, including industrial and business organizations, professional and learned societies, public, academic and national libraries, publishers and database providers. It has over 2,000 members, approximately a quarter of whom are in countries other than the UK. Further, personal members may account for only one fourth of the membership: It has branches in Scotland, the North of England and the Midlands. Subject groups have been formed in biological and agricultural sciences, chemistry, economic and business information, electronics, engineering, private view-data, transport and planning. There are also technical groups covering translations, informatics and computer application. A sub-group represents the interests of one-man-Bands (unit staffed by one person only). c) Activities i) ASLIB regards itself as a resource for management. ASLIB's research role was

abandoned in T985. Its earlier record of research efforts is impressive. Consultancy service which ALIB used to offer is now taken over by an independent unit in association with ASLIB. ASLIB concentrates now on: (a) information services to its members. In addition to referral service, ASLIB advises its members. on practical aspects of information management such as on-line information retrieval methods and systems, library automation, networking and local area network; (b) application software, and; (c) modern library and information resource management.

ii) The Library of ASLIB holds 20,000 volumes relevant to documentation and information science and subscribes to several periodicals.

iii) ASLIB keeps registers of specialist translators and indexes. It maintains an index of translations into English of articles on scientific and technical subjects.

iv) ASLIB and its, various specialist groups organize from time to time conferences, seminars, study circles and such other meetings to discuss issues of current importance and relevance to library and information professionals. The papers presented at these meetings get published in ASLIB proceedings. The Annual Conference of ASLIB is devoted to a major theme and it is largely attended. d) Publications

The serial publications of ASLIB are : ASLIB Proceedings (monthly)

Page 147: Library Society

32

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

ASLIB Booklist (monthly)

ASLIB Information (monthly)

ASLIB Newsletter (monthly)

Index to Theses (annual)

Journal of Documentation (quarterly)

Netlink (3 issues)

Program : News of Computers in Libraries (quarterly)

Forthcoming International Scientific and Technical Conference (quarterly) Technical Translation Bulletin (3 issues).

ASLIB's occasional publications consist of monographs, directories, reports, proceedings, bibliographies, etc. The publications of ASLIB have a wide recognition and appeal for their content and standard. For example, ASLIB's Handbook of Special Librarianship and Information Work (Edn 5, 1985) is widely distributed and serves as a valuable guide for developing library and information services and systems.

e) Education

ASLIB organizes a number of short courses for both members and non-members. A wide range of topics are covered in the training programme. Most of them have practical value. In a year, as many as forty courses may be organized. On some topics, the courses are repeated many times. Attention is paid to courses in newly emerging areas. The training programme of ASLIB has earned recognition and is increasingly being taken advantage of.

f) Perspective for Future

There has been a shift in emphasi5 in the objectives as well as in approaches to realize the objectives. Information management is' now the core programme of ASLIB. Promotional role is less prominent. It is becoming a service centre. Nonetheless, ASLIB w ill continue to have its influence and impact in special library and library field in the UK and elsewhere.

Self Check Exercises 11) State in five lines the aims of ASLIB. 12) name the areas of work ASLIB presently concentrates on. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answer given at the end of this unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15.4.4 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) founded in 1929 with the aim of promoting international contacts among library associations and librarians, is a non-governmental professional organisation. In the first two decades, It had remained almost

Page 148: Library Society

as a forum confirmed to leading librarians from Europe and America: In the post-war period; with a consultative status accorded by UNESCO, it began to develop, but slowly. The International Conference on Cataloguing Principles held in Paris in 1961 gave some impetus to the growth of IFLA. After the Secretariat shifted to the Hague in 1971, IFLA (under the presidentship of Herman Liebaers), stepped up its activities and was able to enlist universal international membership. At the present time, with some major projects and many smaller programmes, IFLA is quite active and is making worldwide impact towards promoting the cause of librarianship.

33

Role of Professional Association

The broad objective of IFI.A is to promote international understanding, Cooperation; discussion, research and development in all fields of library activity including bibliography; information service and education of personnel and to provide a professional body through librarianship can be represented in matters of international interest. IFLA has two categories of members-Associations and Institutions. In 1986, IFLA had 171 member associations and 823 member institutions from 123 countries. There is provision for admission of personal affiliates and consultative status to international organisations involved in activities similar to the activities of FID. The members elect the council, which is the supreme governing body. The main steering bodies are the Executive and Professional Boards, the first full powers for administration and management and the second is concerned with coordination and planning of professional activities. For carrying out professional tasks, Round Tables and Working Groups have also been formed. - IFLA has an International Office for Universal Bibliographic Control and an Office for International Lending at the British Library Reference and Lending Divisions respectively. There are two regional Bureaus at Kuala Lumpu, Malaysia and Dakar; Senegal. The activities of IFLA are guided by Medium Term Programmes (MTP) prepared by the Programme Development Group, such as for the periods 1976-i980, 1981-1985 and 1986-1990. The major programmes in which IFLA concentrates its efforts are Universal Bibliographic Control (Launched in 1974); Universal Availability of Publications (UAP); International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD), and International MARC. These Programmes have received substantial support from UNESCO. These have indeed been making a global impact. Another major sphere of activity of IFLA is development of "library work in the third world countries. It is able to enlist the participation of librarians from Asia, Africa; America and Caribbean countries in this task by organising conferences and seminars, awarding fellowships, etc. The other activities with regard, to developing countries are studies on special problems in ` cataloguing, preparing course syllabus for library schools; preparation of braille books, and advice on rural library service. IFLA is also interested in areas such as standards for library work, legislation for public libraries and library statistics: Of late the Annual General Conference of IFLA is turning to be a minor attraction to foster personal contacts among the international community of librarians. Some 2,000 delegates attend the Annual General Conference. In conjunction with the Annual Conference, a number of pre and post-conference seminars and round table meetings devoted to specific areas are held. The periodical publications of IFLA are: IFLA journal (quarterly); International cataloguing (quarterly), IFLA Annual and IFLA Directory (annual). In the Monograph Series, IELA has a number of useful publications, brought out by K.G. Saur (Munich/London). Another series, relates to UBC Publications. India has begun to take an active part in IFLA lately. The India Library Association and a few other professional associations and institutions have become members. India is also represented in the Executive Board of IFLA. ILA organised IFLA Regional Seminar on UAP in New Delhi in 1985. It is a matter of great significance that IFLA: General Conference was held at New Delhi in 1992 hosted by the India Library Association. 15.4.5 International Federation for Information and Documentation (FID) The Internati6nal Federation for Information and Documentation (the word Information was added to the name in 1986, but the acronym FID is continued) was founded by Paul

Page 149: Library Society

34

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

Otlet and Henri La Fontaine in Belgium in 1895 as the International Institute of Bibliography (IIB). At that time, the main objective was the creation and maintenance of a Classification (UDC) from the Dewey Decimal Classification for Providing order and access to the bibliographical entries in the world repertory. While the Universal Bibliographic Repertory project had failed the IIB left legacies of great value in providing a nucleus for the evolution of FID and in the development of UDC. Which is still the world's major classification scheme for information and knowledge. In the early period. The activities were few and the participation was confined to European countries. In 1938, when the headquarters was completely shifted to the, Hague, the International Institute assumed the name International Federation for Documentation to signify an expanding role to cover documentation in all its practical aspects. After World War II, there has been a gradual increase in membership and steady expansion of activities reflecting its international character. FID is essentially a scientific and professional organisation. It is a non-governmental body. A small permanent secretarial functions at the headquarters which is now located at the Hague: The membership comprises national members, one each of over sixty countries two international member and a large number of affiliate members. Its revenue comes from membership subscription. Sale of publications and small grant from UNESCO. The Federation is governed by a General Assembly of national and international members which meets once in two years. Implementation of policies is delegated to a Council elected by and from the national delegates of the General Assembly. The President, permanent Secretary General and senior officers form an Executive Committee, which is charged with the management of the Federation. The functioning of FID is supported by a series of Technical Committees and Task Forces devoted to areas such as Research on the Theoretical Basis of Information, Informatics; Terminology, Linguistics in Documentation, Classification Research; Central Classification Committee which coordinated revision of Universal Decimal Classification. Broad System of Ordering, Information Systems and Network Design, Education and Broad System of Ordering, Information Systems and Network Design, Education and Training, Study of User Needs, Social Science Documentation and Information. These Committees have been set up to review fields, plan and execute actions towards furthering the technical programmes of FID. In order to take care of regional interests; FID has set up regional Commission for Asia and Oceania (FID/CAO) and Regional Commission for Latin America (FID/CLA). With the central aim of promoting, through international cooperation, research in and development of information and documentation, FID has been guided in the past by three major plans, namely, Outline of a Long-Term Policy (1960), FID Programme (1970) and a New Programme Structure (1978). FID Crossing its 94th Anniversary, is now embarking upon a new Plan to guide its activities. The general Fields of concern of FID are sources of information, storing, retrieving, repackaging and conveying information, properties of information, Supply of information to match user needs and personnel development. The special field are education and training, aids to translation and classification and indexing. The framework of the New Plan provides for drawing general and specific objectives, evolving strategies; establishing major programmes and carrying out a number of activities. Revision, development and maintenance of UDC have been looked after by Fid as a direct responsibility. Under the overall coordination of Central Classification Committee (FID/CCC), thirty or more UDC revision committees assist the developmental work of UDC. In all other areas, the activities are carried out thought the technical committees and task forces. The outcome of those activities may lead to generation of reports, publications etc. in some cases. Occasionally, seminars, workshops and meetings are held by the technical committees to focus attention on technical issues and to come up with useful recommendations.

Page 150: Library Society

Once every two years, FID holds a congress at different venues. Usually a general theme is selected for the Congress. A pre-conference volume carrying the papers is brought out. The Conference is well attended. In conjunction with the biennial conference, the technical committees may also organise seminars sometimes: The Regional Commissions, FID/CAO and FID/CLA also hold biennial Congress and General Assembly.

35

Role of Professional Association

In addition to an active monograph publications programme, FID publishes take monthly FID News Bulletin, the quarterly International Forum on Information Documentation (English and Russian), R&D Projects in Documentation and Librarianship (bi-monthly), Extensions and Corrections to the UDC (annual) and FID Directory (bi-annual). FID Cooperates with the programmes of other organisations such as UNESCO, IELA, International Council of Archives and International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 46 (ISO/TC 46). India's association with FID dates back to 1948. At the instance of Dr. Donker Duyvis, a past Secretary-General of FID, the late Dr. S.R. Ranganathan carried on the work of FID/CA Committee for General Theory of Classification and DID/CR - Committee for Classification Research. As Rapporteur-General and Honorary Chairman respectively for more than two decades Dr. Ranganathan made lasting contributions. Since its establishment in 1952, INSDOC has been the national member of FID. Indian representatives have held offices of vice-presidentship and council membership for many terms. FID honoured Ranganathan by electing him in 1957 as a Member of Honour. The Chairmanship and the Secretariat of FID/IM committee for Informatics ate with India (INSDOC) now. India is also represented in many Technical Committees such as Fid/Cr, FID/ET, FID/II, FIDISD, and FLDIPD. India hosted the Third International Conference on Classification Research in 1975 and the Second Regional Conference on Classification Research in 1985. In order to ensure~ active participation of India in FID's programmes, a National Committee of FID has been constituted by INSDOC. The 49th FID Conference and Congress was also hosted by INSDOC in October, 1998. 15.5 SUMMARY Library Associations are learned bodies which foster a spirit of public service among their members, promote library services, protect the interests of their members and build up the image of the library profession. In this unit, we have dealt with the following aspects : i) The role, aims and objectives, programmes and activities of library associations at

national levels in India as well as in the USA and the UK. ii) Two major associations of India, viz. the Indian Library-Association and the

Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres have been described, with reference to their objectives, organizations, activities, publications, educational and training programmes, consultancy services and other information services, professional issues, relations with other professional bodies, international relations and future perspectives.

iii) The American Library Association, the Library Association of the UK and the Association for Information Management also of the UK, IFLA, FID are described with reference to their aims and- objectives, organizations, activities; publications, public library legislation, library research, relations with other institution's, awards and rewards, international relations and future perspectives.

15.6 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The aims and objectives of library associations are :

a) Promote/Spread Library movement in a country to disseminate knowledge : b) Work for enactment of public library legislation in the country; c) Work towards the evolution of integrated national library and information

systems; d) Professional development including improving service conditions for the

professionals;

Page 151: Library Society

36

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

e) Contributes towards manpower development. 2) The programmes and activities of a library association can be broadly grouped under

the following categories : a) Undertaking surveys of library facili6es and services; b) Continuing educational programmes; c) User studies; d) Qrganization of conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. e) Publication activities; f) Professional development.

3) The activities of the Indian Library Association are : a) Holding conferences and meetings b) Publication of ILA Bulletin: ILA Newsletter; Conference Proceedings; ILA

members directory; Annual Reports; c) Continuing education programmes. d) Consultancy services; Directory of Libraries database. e) Handling professional issues; f) Participation in national library and information development; g) Maintaining relations with other professional bodies; h) Maintaining international relations; i) Preparing for the future.

4) The professional issues taken by the Indian Library Association have been: a) Enactment of library legislation with the state governments; b) Betterment of salary grades, service conditions and status of library

professionals; c) National Library and Information Policy.

5) The activities of IASLIC that distinguished its special character are: a) Biennial seminars and conferences in alternate years in different parts of the

country; b) Formation of interest groups devoted to areas like Industrial Information, Social

Science Information; c) Organising special lectures; exhibitions; d) Publications of literature in the library and information science; e) Support research projects getting financial assistance from funding bodies.

6) The Publications of IASLIC are : IASLIC Newsletter, Proceedings of Seminars and Conferences, Indian Library and Information Science Abstracts, Monographs, Manual; Codes and Glossaries etc.

7) The divisions of the American Library Association are : School Libraries, Libraries for Children and Young : Library Education: Reference and Adult Services : Library Resources and Technical Services and Library Automation; College and Research Libraries,

8) ALA's International Activities include Participation in the programmes of UNESCO, IFLA and FID, assistance -to many countries through Advisory Services, Technical Assistance, Fellowships, Travel Grants, Supply of Reading 1Vlaterials, etc:

9) The educational and training activities of the British Library Association include : Admission as Associate Members on; the successful completion of courses prescribed for the purpose ; Admission as Fellows on the submission of an approved thesis and its evaluation or for outstanding services to librarianship, Organization and conduct of continuing education and training programmes; Encouragement to the establishment of Library schools and maintenance of high standards in professional education and training;

10) The British Library Association Publication Programme includes publishing : Library Association Record (monthly); Journal of Librarianship (quarterly) British Humanities Index (quarterly) Applied Social Science Index and Abstracts (bi-weekly) Library and Information Science Abstracts (bi-monthly) (LISA)

Page 152: Library Society

37

Role of Professional Association

Current Research in Library and Information Science (three issues a year) Current Technology Index (monthly)

Monographs, directories, yearbooks, Conference proceedings and other occassional publications.

11) ASLIB aims to facilitate, the coordination and systematic use of source of knowledge and information in all public affairs and in industry and commerce and in all the arts and sciences: It is to increase the contribution of information to the economic, social and cultural life of the community by the promotion of effective information management.

12) ASLIB mainly concentrates on information services, publications of professional literature and professional development.

15.7 KEY WORDS Continuing Education : Non-formal education for the benefit of working

professionals to upgrade knowledge and skill, Ethics : Rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular group. Forum : Public place for discussion of matters of common interest to a given group.

Library Movement : Progressive development of libraries towards providing the public access to knowledge and information.

Objectives : Specific aims, goals to be achieved:

Official Organ : A journal, newspaper or other publication representing a special group.

Profession : Body of persons engaged in an occupation, requiring an extensive education in a branch of science, arts, etc.

Programme : A coordinated group of things to be done or performed.

Standard : Model, Guide or Pattern for guidance.

15.8 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING American Library.Association : 1986. ALA, World Encyclopedia of Library and lnformation Services. Edn.2. American Library Association : Chicago (pp. 43-49 : pp. 462-67).

Halsam, D.II-.: 1975. The Library Association : An Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, Marcel Decker, New York, Vol. T4 {pp.312-337):

IASLIC, ILA, LA (UK) : Annual Report and Statement of Accounts (last five years)

Stern, J. 1968. An Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, Marcel Decker, New York. Vol: I. (p. 666).

Stevenson, Grace T 1968. `American Library Association'. An Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences. Marcel Decker, New York. Vo1. I (pp. 267-302).

Harrod's Librarian's Glossary and Reference Book. Comp, by Ray Prytherch. Sixth edition: Gower Pub. Co. (USA), 1987.

Page 153: Library Society

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

UNIT 16 ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED IN DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

Structure 16.0 Objectives 16.1 Introduction 16.2 International Organisations

1.6.2.1 United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) 16.3 National Organisations

16.3.1 University Grants Commission (UGC) 16:3.2 Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF)

16.4 G1oba1 Information Systems 16.4.1 United Nation Information System in Science & Technology (UNISIST) and

General Information Programme (PGI) 16.4.2 International Nuclear Information System (INIS) 16.4.3 Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS)

16.5 National Information .Systems 16.5.1 National Information System for Science & Technology (NISSAT) 16.5.2 National Information System for Science & Technology (NISSAT) Sponsored

LLNs (Local Library Networks) 16.6 National information and Documentation Centres

16.6.1 Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) 16.6.2 National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC) 16.6.3 Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC)

16.7 Summary 16.8 Answers to Se1f-Check Exercises 16.9 Key Words 16.10 References and Further Reading

16.0 OBJECTIVES In Unit 15, we learnt about professional associations and their contribution to library development. In this unit, we present a few examples of specific organisations, systems and centres, both at international and national levels; to illustrate the activities of professional bodies: After reading this Unit you will be able to: • Elaborate on a) international organisations engaged in the development of library

and information services, (b) global information systems devoted to collection, processing and dissemination of information, (c) national information systems in India involved in the : promotion and development of information services; and (d) national level information centres in India actually performing certain information functions;

• Explain programmes and activities that are being undertaken by such organisations in the promotion, coordination and development of library and information services; and

• Identify specifically the role played by some- representative organisations and systems, such as UNESCO, UGC, RRRLF, NASSDOC, UNISIST, IN1S, AGRIS, NISSAT, and NISSAT sponsored local library networks, INSDOC, DESIDOC and NASSDOC.

37

Page 154: Library Society

38

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

16.1 INTRODUCTION There are many international and national organisations and also systems and centres contributing towards promotion, coordination and development of library and information services. These include governmental bodies as well as voluntary professional organisations. In their functioning they may belong to advisory, catalytic, grant giving or service-oriented categories. Their useful role is increasingly recognised today, when networking, systems approach, resource sharing and cooperation are emphasised to solve many complex problems of information handling and service. In this unit, descriptive accounts are given of well established international organisations such as UNESCO, UNISIST; international information systems like the International Nuclear information System (INIS), International Information System on Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS); National organisations like UGC and RRRLF, the National Information System for Science and Technology of India; and National Documentation Centres of India; viz., the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC), the National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC) and the Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC). 16.2 INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS International organisations abound in the library and information field. They foster mutual cooperation and relations among countries for sharing and exchanging information, ideas and experiences. Some of them take up global programmes for benefiting all countries. Some international organisations like FID are old, having been founded with the initial aim of attempting universal bibliographical control. While FID and IFLA are general purpose ones, covering a wide field; there are also specialist organisations such as International Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists, International Association of Law Libraries and International Association of Technological University Libraries, UNESCO, which looks after library, documentation and information areas in the UN system including FAO, WHO and UNIDO, is an intergovernmental organisation. FID, IFLA, and similar others are professional forums for international cooperation, exchange and pooling of knowledge and experiences. They hold annual/bi-annual conferences, carry out projects, bring out publications, perform advisory roles and assist member countries in many ways in the advancement of the library and information profession. On the other hand, bodies like UNESCO help member countries in the promotion and development of library and information services by catalytic actions, technical assistance, `standardisation, training, promoting computer application and carrying out regional projects. 16.2.1 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) UNESCO, founded in 1946, is an inter-governmental agency belonging to the United Nations system. Among many subjects implied in the title, it deals with Library, Documentation, Information, Archives, Book Production, Copyright and similar other things. These subjects are handled at the UNESGO headquarters by different units, However, in I976, two main divisions, namely that of Documentation and Information which has been responsible for carrying out the UNISIST programme were combined to establish ; a new division known as the General Information Programme (PGI). The operational information services within UNESCO such as Documentation Systems Division including Computerised Documentation services, UNESCO, Library and UNESCO Archives are administratively separate from the PGI. It is learnt that very recently the PGI and the operational services divisions have been grouped together as General Information Service under a unified command. From its inception, UNESCO has been active in promotion, coordination and development of library, documentation and information services. Its role has been one of promotional, advisory, catalytic and sensitizing in nature: The involvement is in the nature of carrying out projects under a Technical Assistance Programme on its own behalf and on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), by holding seminars, conferences and meetings, by providing experts, equipment, fellowships and consultancies, by publishing manuals, and preparing

Page 155: Library Society

standards and guidelines, by supporting bibliographic al projects and by rendering advisory services. It has been carrying out numerous programmes, projects and activities, particularly to benefit developing countries.

39

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

UNESCO has taken some concrete steps in areas such as development of public libraries, setting up ,and strengthening of national libraries, improving university libraries, development of bibliographical services and tools, compilation of union catalogues; production of reading materials, promoting international exchange of publications, undertaking translations of classics, supporting copyright laws, introduction of UNESCO book coupons, securing postal concessions for books, removal of customs barriers and similar others. The contribution of UNESCO in the field of documentation, particularly in establishing national documentation centres in many developing countries is noteworthy. To sum up UNESCO's record of performance in all these areas has been impressive. UNESCO activities in developing library, documentation and information activities are grouped into five directions: a) Principles and Structure of Documentation, Library and Archives services

UNESCO through its various principles has contributed a lot to documentation, library and archival services. The UNESCO Public Library Manifesto gave a new image and wide scope to public libraries. UNESCO influenced the development of public libraries in many member states and underdeveloped countries and recognised the role of libraries in educating communities. UNESCO also concerned itself with school libraries and educational documentation services both as an essential aid to education and an ideal means of establishing the learning and reading habit among different groups of people. Concerning the university the special libraries, UNESCO initiated several activities like seminars, technical assistance missions, grants, publications, etc. to improve the services of libraries in member states. UNESCO's contribution to the development of scientific and technical documentation centers helped member countries to overcome problems of information explosion and paved the way for the increase of S&T research. UNESCO also recommended to member countries the setting up of a National System (NATIS) which helped to lay the foundation of national, regional and international cooperation in information services.

b) Internationalization of Documentation; Library and Archival Services UNESCO has contributed to a great extent in the internationalization of documentation, library and archival services at national, regional and international levels. It helped in the free flow of information and documentation embodying the product of the human intellect. Its periodic associations with international non-governmental organisations like FID, IFLA, and ICA have enabled it to extend its programme of activities. Many international seminars, workshops, conferences, courses, have been organised throughout the world. UNESCO sponsored or funded many publication programmes.

c) Professional Training Lack of qualified professional staff has been a serious problem in developing and underdeveloped countries. UNESCO gave high priority to this problem and as a result several specialiized courses, meetings of experts; courses for teachers in schools of librarianship were organised, scholarships were granted, and regional training centers and library schools were set up.

d) Book Promotion A familiar problem in most of the developing countries is lack of books in their vernacular languages. UNESCO has organised a number of regional meetings to study this problem and as a result regional book promotion centers have come up with the participation, of member states.

e) The Future The efforts of LJNESCO have increased considerably in promoting international co-operation and more stress is also given in the application of computer and communication technologies in the development of information systems. The other activities of UNESCO aim at improving national and regional programmes such as training, seminars, refresher courses, in service training to managers, etc.

Page 156: Library Society

40

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

Self Check Exercises

1) State the programmes and activities of UNESCO relating to libraries, documentation and information, with reference to developing countries.

2) Write a note on india’s relationship with UNESCO

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

16.3 NATIONAL ORGANISATIOS 16.3.1 University Grants Commission (UGC)

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is a statutory organization established by an Act of Parliament in 1956. This is a national body for the co-ordination, determination anti maintenance of standards of university education. The UGC serves as a vital link between the Union and ` state governments and the institutions of higher learning. In addition to its role of giving grants to universities and colleges; the UGC also advises union and state governments on the measures necessary for the improvement of university education. It also frames regulations such as those on the minimum standards of instruction and qualifications of teachers on the advice of subject specialists and academicians with whom it frequently interacts in connection with the formulation, evaluation and monitoring of programmes.

Section l2 of the UGC Act provided that the Commission shall, in consultation with the universities concerned, take all such steps as it may think fit for the promotion and coordination of university education and for the maintenance of standards in teaching, examination and research. Schemes/programmes are implemented by the Commission for promoting excellence and in enhancing standards of institutions of higher learning.

The Commission; being an apex body in maintaining higher education in the country, has also played a major role in promoting library and information services in these universities and colleges. Besides, it has also established and constituted a number of libraries/information centers/study centers and committees to provide quality education and service in the field of library and information activities. Some of these are :

a) Financial Assistance to University and College Libraries b) Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) on Library & Information Science. c) Establishment of National Information Centres d) Establishment of INFLIBNET e) Modernization of university libraries f) National Review Committee on University and College Libraries. a) Financial Assistance to University and College Libraries

Financial assistance is given to universities and colleges including Central Universities, State Universities, Deemed Universities, Government and affiliated colleges, which receive grants for building up libraries so as to meet the demands of the students, teachers and research scholars. The Commission provides substantial grants for the acquisition of books and journals.

Page 157: Library Society

For other infrastructural facilities also like library buildings, furniture and equipment grants are given in every five-year plan period. It also introduced a scheme of `book bank' in colleges and universities by providing `grants to acquire multiple copies of costly text books recommended in all the disciplines. The objective of this scheme was to provide text books to poor, needy and deserving students for home study on long term basis by charging nominal deposits. This Scheme is no longer in operation by UGC support.

41

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

b) Curriculum Development Committee (CDC) on Library and Information Science

The UGC constituted CDC on Library and Information Science in 1990 to restructure the courses of studies. The committee in its recommendations framed, guidelines for LIS schools, covering admission policy, students and faculty strength, instructional methodology> teaching aids, application of information technology etc. Besides, it also constituted a committee called UGC Panel in Library and Information Science to suggest the changes to be brought in the education and training of LIS courses. c) Establishment of National Information Centres The objective of establishing National Information Centres in specialized areas is to provide improved access to information and to provide bibliographic support to teachers and research scholars in their respective fields. Three such centers have been established and they have developed computer databases to render reference and information services, documentation services and current awareness services. These three centres are:

Name of the Centre Disciplines 1) National Centre for Science Physical, Applied and Natural Sciences

Information, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

2) Maharaja Sayajirao Social Sciences and Humanities University, Baroda

3) SNDT Women's University, -do- Bombay

d) Establishment of INFLIBNET The UGC established an Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Programme with headquarters at Ahemedabad as a project of the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCA) Pune in April 1991. The INFLIBNET Programme aims at the establishment of a national network of libraries and. information centers in institutions of higher learning including universities, colleges, R&D institutions and national organizations like CSIR, ICMR, ICSSR, ICAR, DOE, etc. INFLBNET is a computer-communication network of libraries and bibliographical information centres. It is a co-operative network programme for pooling, sharing and optimisation of resources, facilities and services of libraries and information centres, in the university system as well as in the R & D complex, It provides access to information to students, academies and researchers in rendering various information and documentation services such as (a) catalogue based service (b) database service (c) document delivery service (d) collection development and (e) communication-based service. e) Modernisation of University Libraries Recent advances in information and communication technology and its utility have forced the university libraries to computerize their services and connecting themselves to various network programmes like INFLIBNET so as to provide fast, efficient and reliable computerized information service to its users. The UGC provided special financial assistance to central university libraries (2 crore rupees) and University libraries established before independence (50 lakh rupees) during the 199495 and i995-96 financial years for updating library facilities. The main objective was to computerize the library activities and connect them to INFLIBNET programmes. The utilization of the fund provided for the purpose is to meet the following expenses.

Page 158: Library Society

42

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

1) Purchase of computer system, monitor, printer, terminals, software etc. 2) Computer; furniture and electrical fittings and air-conditioning. 3) Mode, telephone line and connection to nearest communication mode. 4) Appointment of Information Scientist. 5) Support for Data .Entry work 6) Purchase of books, journals, Avs and their processing. 7) Data entry conversion (modernisation). 8) Staff training. 9) Other contingencies etc.

f) National Review Committee on University and College Libraries The purpose of constituting such a committee is to review the utilisation of grants to central universities and some state university libraries of Rs. 2 crores and Rs.50 lakhs respectively, secondly, to prepare a status report of university and college libraries in India, and, thirdly to prepare a strategy plan/guideline for the future for smooth functioning of these university and college libraries. 16.3.2 Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Calcutta Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation was established in May 1972 on the auspicious occasion of the bicentennial birth anniversary of Raja Rammohun Roy. The Foundation is an autonomous organization, established and sponsored by the Department of Culture, Govt. of India. Its headquarters is located at Calcutta. Objectives The main objectives of the foundation are to promote and support the public library in the country by providing adequate library services and by developing reading and learning habits all over the country. This objective is achieved with the active cooperation of state governments and union territories and of voluntary organizations operating in the field of library services, cultural activities, adult education and the like. Some of the main objectives are listed below. 1) enunciation of a national library policy and working towards its adoption by the

union and state governments and persuading them to enact library legislation where such legislation does not exist;

2) helping build up a national library system by integrating the services of national libraries, state central libraries, district libraries and other types of libraries, for instance through an inter-library lending system;

3) acting as a clearing house for ideas and information on library development; 4) providing financial assistance to libraries, to regional and national library

associations and to other organisations engaged or interested in the promotion of library development;

5) promoting researc6 in problems of library development; and 6) taking all such measures as may be found necessary to promote library development

and its utilization in the country. Programmes and Schemes of Assistance The foundation has taken a number of steps to promote and develop all types of public libraries under certain schemes of matching and non-matching assistance. It has taken up book assistance programmes under two schemes, viz., (i) assistance towards building up of an adequate stock of books and other reading and visual materials, and (ii) -assistance towards development of rural book deposit centres and mobile library services. There are seven other schemes under which financial assistance is also rendered. 1) assistance towards; organisation of seminars, workshops, training courses

(orientation/refresher) and ,book exhibitions; 2) assistance towards storage and display of books; 3) assistance to voluntary organisations providing public library -services;

Page 159: Library Society

4) assistance to public libraries below district level for increasing accommodation;

43

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

5) assistance to state central libraries and distinct libraries to acquire TV cum- VCR sets for educational purposes;

6) assistance to children's libraries or children's sections of general public libraries (non-matching);

7) assistance to public libraries towards centenary celebrations. Other Promotional Activities During the last 25 years, the foundation has functioned as a promotional agency, an advisory and consultancy organization and funding body for public library development in India. The foundation has covered almost 30,000 libraries at different levels throughout the length and breadth of the country. a) State Libraries 28 b) District Libraries 435 c) Sub-Divisional/Taluka Tehsil Libraries etc. 501 d) NYKs 242 e) Bal Bhavans/ Bal Kendras 49 f) Town/Rural Libraries 28,635 g) Others 128 Total 30,018 The amount of assistance rendered to libraries during the Eighth Five Year Plan (1992-97) reached Rs.11, 88.53 lakhs. The foundation also played a major role in the preparing a NATIONAL POLICY ON LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM. It has also issued GUIDELINES ON PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AND SERVICES. It also completed a report on loss of books in libraries for the Govt. of India: The Raja Rammohun Roy Memorial Lecture by a scholar of eminence is an annual feature of the anniversary celebration of the foundation. The foundation also interacts with many national and international professional associations like IFLA, ILA, IASLIC and different state-level library associations. The academic wing of the Foundation has brought out many publications. In addition to RRRLF Newsletter (quarterly), Annual Reports; and Books for the Millions At Their Doorsteps (Information Manual), the significant publications are : i) Indian Libraries : Trends and Perspective ii) Raja Rammohun Roy and New Learning, iii) Directory of Indian Public Libraries iv) Granthana : Indian Journal of Library Studies. Besides being a fund disbursing body, the foundation is a nodal agency of the union government in the field of public libraries and functions as a national agency for coordinating, monitoring and developing the public library movement. With the persistent efforts of the Foundation 10 states have passed library Legislation for effective supervision, maintenance and governance of public libraries; ensuring a steady flow of funds. The programmes of assistance also received a. good response from state governments, union territories, voluntary organizations; authors, publishers and general readers. Self Check Exercises 4) Describe the various efforts made by the UGC in promoting library and information

activities. 5) Enumerate the broad objectives of RRRLF. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

Page 160: Library Society

44

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

16.4 GLOBAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS It is well known that the early attempts in universal bibliographical control have ended up in failure due to impracticability of handling enormous amounts of literature. The advent of the computer, as a major tool in information processing, has enhanced the possibility of creating machine-readable database which in turn has now opened up new opportunities for the development of international information systems. This new development has been harnessed further by adding to the attempts of international information systems the concept of decentralised input of information from the lixal sources while retaining centralised processing of information through computer; and yet provide decentralised dissemination of information at the user's end. The success story of the International Nuclear Information System (INIS), which incorporates these features, has shown the way for embarking upon similar systems such as AGRIS (agriculture), POPINS (population), SPINES (science policy) and DEVSIS (development science). In these systems, the input of information is provided by the country of origin itself by designating an appropriate centre for the purpose. Surely, inputting from the origin will be reliable, comprehensive and timely. The national input is expected to be in a prescribed standard format and preferably in machine-readable form, which will ensure compatibility while processing: The central agency of the system, which has access to a big computer system, .processes the information received from the national input centres, develops retrieval programmes and distributes database tapes as well as hard copy of the secondary service. The central agency maintains the source documents in microfiche, and makes copies available when required. The national centres, which receive the database tapes, are expected to offer to users current awareness and SDI services, with document back-up if required. This imaginative approach -has worked well with INIS because of the critical nature of the subject field and willing participation of national members who are usually advanced in nuclear capability. 3'he same extent of progress may not have been achieved by other systems that came up later. But AGRIS, POPINS, SPINES and DEVSIS are providing useful services. 16.4.1 UNISIST and PGI The launching of UNISIST(United Nations Information System in Science and Technology), also known as World Scientific Information System programme in 1973, and' the formation of General Information Programme(PGI) Division marked a new phase in UNESCO's work in the library, documentation and information field. UNTSIST, with emphasis on scientific and technological information, is a conceptual framework and not an operating system by itself. It envisages development of international network of information services. The broad objectives are improvement of tools of system inter-connection, strengthening institutional components of information transfer chain, development of manpower for information work, evolution of national information policy 6y national governments and assistance to member countries to develop capability in information handling and service. An inter-governmental council at the UNESCO Headquarters guides the implementation of the UNISIST programme by PGI. At the national level, liaison with UNESCO is ensured by a National Focal Point and a UNISIST National Committee. The action programmes of UNISIST

Page 161: Library Society

have contributed to creation of awareness about formulation of information policy by

45

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

member countries, development of information infrastructure especially in developing countries, establishment of special information systems, facilities for training of information manpower and above all establishment of norms and standards for information work. While three major inter-governmental conferences namely, UNISIST I, NATIS and UNISIST II(1971, i 974, 1979) identified a number of recommendations, the implementation of actual programmes has been carried out in terms of UNESCO's Medium term Plans (1977-1982,1984-1989). The activities being carried out by PGI reflect a very clear policy of practical action on behalf of member states, emphasis being laid on pilot projects, training activities, application of modern technologies, exchange of experience and know-how and, in general', activities that have a catalytic and multiplier effect. The major thrust in PGI's current work is on promoting computer application to library and information activities in developing countries, and use of computer and communication technologies in network development and online facilities for sharing and exchanging information from local area to international levels. PGI has held a number of seminars and training programmes to expose the developing countries to new technologies. It has been offering software and hardware, consultancies and fellowships, etc. to promote the use of micro-processors and in the-development of online facilities. A contribution of great ,value is the effort by UI~ESCO/PGI to develop and make available freely to developing countries portable, user friendly software packages to be supported by micro-processor systems for application in library and information field such as CDS/ ISIS,SUPERDOC and IV +V (Information Vermitting and Verarbeiting: English translation information dissemination and processing). Indeed, UNESCO's work in this regard is a great encouragement to developing countries to switch over to computerization and modernization in the library and information area. Another significant programme of UNESCO/PGI was the establishment in 1984 of a Regional Network for Exchange of Information and Experience in Science and Technology in Asia and the Pacific (ASTINFO). This UNESCO-UNDP sponsored network seeks to promote socio-economic development, regional cooperation and better understanding through sharing of information resources and experiences available within the region. A number of activities have 6een proposed for implementation under the ASTINFO project. As fund allocation from UNDP is still due, UNESCO/PGI, from its own limited resources, has taken up a few activities. There is yet another network, called Asia-Pacific Information Network in Social Science (APINESS), launched by UNESCO in 1986 with the collaboration of Association of Asian Social Research Councils. Apart from PGI, UNESCO has been responsible for the development of some specialised databases and information systems such as the Data Retrieval System for Documentation in the Social and Human Sciences (DARE), Science Policy Information System (SPINES), International Information System for Architecture, International Bureau of Education Documentation and Information System (IBEDOC) and International Information in Research in Documentation (ISORID). The bi-monthly UNESCO Bulletin for Libraries had been a widely circulated general periodical in library and information science but it is no longer published. It has been replaced by UNISIST Newsletter, which is of informative nature and appears quarterly. Other publications of UNESCO cover monographs, manuals, handbooks, standards and guidelines, training manuals and packages; reports, seminar proceedings, project documents, etc: These are authoritative documents and make a valuable contribution to library and information science literature. India, a member of UNESCO from the beginning, takes an active part in its programmes and has also been deriving benefits. While the Indian National Commission for UNESCO is the official channel; the NISSAT in the Department of Scientific and industrial Research is the focal point for UNISIST/PGI and is the Coordinating Centre for the ASTINFO programme. NASSDOC/ICSSR is the focal point for -APINESS. In India, UNESCO has supported many projects and programmes; and has provided technical assistance for specific missions; it has held meetings and seminars and has conducted training programmes. UNESCO has also drawn on the expertise and experience of India and its experts for its programmes in other countries. Presently, India is taking an active part in ASTINFO and APINESS projects. On the whole, India's association with UNESCO with regard to library and information field has been rewarding.

Page 162: Library Society

46

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

Self Check Exercises 6) Discuss the objectives of UNISIST and activities of PGI. Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

16.4.2 International Nuclear Information System (INIS) Sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, INIS started functioning in 1970. INIS is the world's leading information system on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. It is produced and maintained by the IAEA in collaboration with 99 participating countries and 17 international organisations: These participating members contribute to the database by reporting all publications published in their national literature that contain scientific and technical information related to any aspect of the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology or, since 1992, the economic and environmental aspect5 of non-nuclear energy. Information is transmitted to the INIS Secretariat at the IAEA where it is collected, merged into the database and made available to all members. INIS has the objective of achieving maximum economy in time, money and effort by avoiding duplication in handling nuclear science literature. The salient features of INIS are: international IR system, cooperative venture communication with participants, maximum- decentralisation and minimum centralisation, adherence to standards and rules, computer-based system, a document retrieval system, use of thesaurus for subject indexing, indexing and abstracting service with a high quality input, a dynamic and flexible system, machine readable information service, and a mission-oriented system. A designated centre in each participating country is responsible for identification and selection of documents of its origin and preparation of their bibliographical description in a standardised form by categorising, cataloguing, indexing and abstracting and also making available one .copy of the piece of literature which cannot he obtained through normal publication channels; INIS has developed its own thesaurus for subject indexing. The input so received is checked, corrected and transferred into machine-readable form at INIS headquarters, where access to a large computer system is available. The merged input after computer processing produces an output in magnetic tapes, and becomes a secondary service/database for current nuclear science literature. Further, printed INIS Auto index (a fortnightly abstracting journal with indexes) is also brought out. The TNIS output utilisation is decentralized. 'The INIS Atom index an magnetic tapes received from the headquarters by the national centres is used for offering current awareness, SDI service, etc. according to local information needs. The national centre can also obtain from INIS copies of any source documents, whenever required. India has been actively participating in INIS from the beginning: The Library and Information Services Division of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre; Bombay, is the national centre responsible for INIS activities. It has been successfully performing its tasks of inputting and output utilisation. However, due to hardware incompatibility, some problems persist in undertaking SDI service. On account of participation in INIS, Indian scientists have no longer any problem in having access to the world’s literature on nuclear science and technology. INIS Non-Conventional Literature The non-conventional literature is the literature referred to in the INIS database which is not available through commercial distribution channels and thus is generally difficult to locate. Examples are scientific and technical reports, pre-conference papers, patents, dissertations and other non-commercially published literature. INIS clearing, house, a unit within the INIS secretariat of the IAEA, supplies on request microfiche copies of most of the non-conventional literature announced in the INIS database. The Report, Standard, Patent or Conference Number that appear in the INIS records as "RN" serves as identification of the corresponding document

Page 163: Library Society

(microfiche) available from the INIS clearing house. Starting with January 1997, INIS non-conventional literature is being produced on CD-ROM.

47

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

16.4.3 International Information System on Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS)

AGRIS; which is closely modeled on INIS, became operational in 1975. It is sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN with the following objectives: i) To create a single comprehensive, current inventory of world- wide agricultural

literature, which reflects research results, food production, rural development and also to help users to ;identify problems involved in all aspects of world food supply;

ii) To meet information needs by means of current awareness, selective dissemination of information and specialized subject retrieval services and provide means of fulfilling requests for documents; and

iii) To interact with new and/or existing secondary specialized information services so as to increase efficiency and eliminate unnecessary duplication.

It is a cooperative world agricultural information system, in which some 125 countries and 20 international institutions are at present participating. As in the case of INIS, the input in standard format is provided by participating countries. Both INIS and AGRIS use common computer configuration and software packages located at the IAEA, Vienna. The information processed through computer yields two output products every month, namely printed AGRINDEX and AGRIS magnetic tape. These services contain full bibliographical descriptions of all documents and offer facility to retrieve information from AGRIS database which now exceeds 12 million entries in 16 main subjects under 85 subject categories and 817 commodities. The annual addition to the database is around 1.2 lakh items. The AGRIS database is being maintained online by a number of international data centres, such as DIALOG, IAEA and ESA. AGRIS Database is available to national centres on magnetic tapes. Though abstracts of articles are not printed in AGRINDEX, they are available on magnetic ' tapes and in microfiche. With the Agricultural Research Information Centre of IOAR, as the national centre, India has been participating in the AGRIS programme: On an average, 3500 bibliographical entries are passed on to AGRIS database as Indian input every year. The Agricultural Research Information Centre receives from FAO every month updated AGRIS magnetic tape. A computerised SDI service is operational using Burrough's B-4700 computer systems of the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute: A retrieval programme has also been developed for carrying out retrospective search. The SDI service is at present offered against 200 profiles. AGRIS is now firmly established as a single comprehensive current inventory of worldwide agricultural literature and meets the information needs of agricultural scientists and others. Self Check Exercises 7) List the salient features of INIS 8) Write a note on AGRIS Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 164: Library Society

48

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

16.5 NATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS During the past three decades, a number of special libraries, documentation centres and information centers have come up in our country under a variety of ownership and jurisdiction. When they came to be established, they sprang up piecemeal, without any coordination. There has not been much of liaison between them. There has been .realisation; lately that their resources and facilities need to be coordinated towards optimum utilisation and elimination of wasteful duplication. Further, the existing libraries and information centres require to be upgraded to be able to meet the growing needs of information in the context of advances in information technology. Uniformity in techniques, methods, practices, etc. has to be aimed at in order to facilitate exchange of information between different components. The action programme in this regard envisages interlinking and coordinating a large number of subsets of sources, services and centres into versatile, articulate and integrated information systems. 16.5.1 NISSAT (National Information System for Science and Technology) The increasing role of science and technology in the economic and social development of the country has generated a pressing demand for faster technology transfer to industries. Apart from access to information generated within the country, it is also necessary to draw from externally generated information to support internal efforts on research and development. Information centres that have come up to serve the needs of different industries and R & D units are therefore required to be coordinated' and organised into an integrated system to avoid a haphazard growth and duplication of activities and in conformity with national and international standards. The National Information System for Science & Technology (NISSAT) programme envisages promotion and support to the development of a compatible set of information systems on science and technology and interlinking these into a network. The approach adopted is to bring the existing centres, systems and services to a higher level of operation so that the interests of the national community of information users could be better served. For this purpose, the programme also contemplates experimentation with and introduction of modern information handling tools and techniques and the development of endogenous capabilities. 1) Objectives • NISSAT functions with the following objectives : • Development of National Information Services • Promotion of Existing Information Systems & Services • Introduction of Modern Information Handling Tools & Techniques • Promotion of National & International Cooperation in Information • Development of Indigenous Products & Services • Support to Education, Training and R&D ;in Information Strategies • Emphasis on Contents Aspects • Use of Existing Infrastructural Facilities • Commercialisation of Information Services NISSAT programmes are being implemented through several sub-programmes which include inter alia : • Establishment of information centres in specific sectors, subjects and products • Development of information resource sharing systems like library networks, union

catalogues and consultative committees • Establishment of international database access centres • Promotion of application of modern information technologies • Development of skills in information technologies and information handling tools,

techniques and so on.

Page 165: Library Society

2) NISSAT Information Centres

49

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

a) Sectoral Information Centres The major instrument for information resource development and dissemination is the information centre which provides bibliographic as well as factual and numerical information on a product, discipline or mission; A series of information centres (Table-1) were established to create information awareness and to meet information needs of academicians, scientists; technologists, entrepreneurs; management executives and decision makers.

Table 1: NISSAT Centers No. Subject Area Acronym Host Institution

i) Leather Technology NICLAT Central Leather Research Institute,

Chennai

u) Food Technology NICFOS Central Food Technology Research

Institute; Mysore iii) Machine Tools & Production NICMAP Central Manufacturing Engineering Institute, Bangalore iv) Drugs and Pharmaceuticals NICDAP Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknowv) Textiles & .Allied Subjects NICTAS Ahmedabad Textile industry's Research Association,

vi) Chemicals & Allied Industries NICHEM National Chemical Laboratory, Pune

vii) Advanced Ceramics NICAC Central G1ass and Ceramics research Institute, Calcutta viii) Bibliometrics NCB -, Indian National Scientific ' Documentation Centre, New

ix) Crystallography NICRYS University of Madras, Chennai

x) CD-ROM NICIDRO National Aerospace Laboratory,

Bangalorexi) Management Science NTC1vIAN Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad

xii) Marine Science NICMAS National Institute of Oceanography

Goa These Information Centres were built around the existing information resources and facilities: They maintain extensive collections of published and unpublished documents in the form of books, periodicals; research reports, development and trade reports etc., in the relevant subject areas. Besides providing documents and preparing bibliographies on request, they offer SDI, CAS; reprographic, micrographic, industrial and technical inquiry service; translation and other services. i) The core activities of the NICLAI centre were focused on its development as a

national centre for information on leather and allied industries. The areas of specialisation covered are: leather science and technology, footwear, leather goods, chemical engineering, collages, polymers; leather economics; biochemistry, etc. LESA (Leather Science Abstracts) is being regularly brought out: It also; provides wide spectra of services including colour photography, slide making, and video

Page 166: Library Society

50

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

coverage: NICLAI brought out eight special publications during the period of report. The major database developed using GI)S/ISTS includes LESA (Leather Science Abstracts), LECAT (List of periodical holdings of CLRI Library). The centre also created E - Mail facility for faster communication. Server facility has been established under ERNET and NICNET. NICLAI is actively participating in the 1VIALTBNET, a cooperative t3etwork for effective resource sharing in the region. The centre also provides technical support to MCA students in the preparation of project reports as a part of their curriculum.

ii) The NICFOS centre is a clearing house for all types of information on food processing in the country and has initiated several information oriented programmes to fulfill the information needs of the food sector. It earned a revenue of Rs. 5.04 lakhs during 199596. The services provided by the centre include : Documentation services, Reprography, and computer-based SDI services. The regular publications of the centre includes : Food Technology Abstracts (monthly), Food Digest (quarterly), Food Patents (quarterly) and Library Bulletion. The centre maintains eight databases on food technology. The centre also conducted a user survey to assess the utility of the centre. ,

iii) NICMAP is acting as a clearing house of information on Machine Tools and Production Engineering. It earns about Rs.6.5 lakhs from its membership subscription, sale of publications and document supply services. NICMAP maintains about 6 databases on bibliographical, statistical and product categories: The centre is planning to host its data on TIFACLINE of CMC for on-line accessing by users. The centre has already selected Informatics and Silver Platter for producing their databases in Ch-ROM. The Silver- Platter will provide the software and market the product. NICMAP is providing expert consultancy to the African Regional Centre for Engineering Design and Manufacturing (ARCEDEM), Nigeria, for establishing an information centre. NICMAP will also conduct sensitisation programmes in different African countries to make them aware of the new services for ARCEDEM:

iv) The activities of the NICDAP center includes publication of drugs and pharmaceuticals ' bulletins, document delivery services, query services on industrial R&D and patents, and database development. The centre organised a user group meeting to assess the usefulness of the services of the centre. The centre earned a revenue of Rs. 2.32 lakhs from ifs services. The centre provides CDROM based services using medicine, chemical abstracts, popline, excerpta medica, international pharmaceutical abstracts, biotechnology abstracts, drug information, NUCSSI, PID Environment Asia and Current Contents. The centre also provides on-line services using Datastar-Dialog and STN. The centre has INTERNET connectivity through RENNIC.

v) The services provided by NICTAS include literature searches, translation, reference service, E-mail facility, marketing of ASTINFO document delivery services. NICTAS continued the publication of TEXINCON and other state-of-art reports. The centre -organised a user interaction meet.

vi) The NICHEM centre continued to perform well during the year 1995-96. About 70% of its services are provided to industry, primarily the chemicals and pharmaceutical industry. There has been a marked increase in the demand for patents and translation over the previous year. The revenue generation of the centre is Rs. 38 lakhs including the receipt of Rs. 9.11 lakhs from on-line services. NCL has an active research group in the area of polycarbonate process chemistry. An integral part of this activity is to track emerging patents in this area world wide and disseminate the information to research groups in an organised way. Therefore the centre has decided to bring out a quarterly publication of "Polycarbonate Monitor" and the first issue has already been published.

vii) The NICDROM centre continued its activities. The bimonthly publication of the centre, namely CD-FOCUS is being brought out regularly and sent to 50 institutions, The CD-Rom holding list of institutions has been prepared. The centre procured

Page 167: Library Society

NTIS, Aerospace, Inside information and TFPL directory CDROM databases. The centre realised an amount of Rs. 5,036 from its services.

51

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

viii)The NICMAN centre acquired the computer hardware and integrated the network of the library. The centre is using the VSAT facility existing in the institute for remote accessing. The centre started providing services using the databases of the NICMAN centre and CD-ROM databases. The centre has acquired ABI/INFORM G16bai, Econlit, Predicates, and IMT and CD-ROM databases are available on-line with it the institute.

ix) The NICMAS centre started in April 1996 only. The centre has procured the equipment and appointed project staff. The activity for the development of database on "Indian Ocean" is initiated and earned a revenue of Rs. 20,000/-

b) LISFORUM An Electronic Mail Discussion Forum for providers and users of information services in library and Information Services India, called LISFORUM has set at NCSI in November 1995. LISFORLTM provides an E-Mail based electronic forum for its participants to discuss issues of relevance to library and information services. The facility is available to users of ERNET and other networks that have connectivity to ERNET

c) VAPIS – Value Added Patent Information System With the changing economic scenario in the country and the impending IPR regime, it is imperative to strengthen the patents information activities in India. The fierce competition faced by Indian industries; the necessity of the awareness of competitions, innovations and the availability of foreign technology have made patent information vital for industry. Considering the expert manpower available in the national R&D systems and the increasing need from industries for technical information, NISSAT established Value Added Patent Information System (VAPIS) at the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute -at Bangalore to offer specialized, value added information services. The services are based on databases pertaining to US, European World, Japanese and other patents available on CD-ROM. A separate subject of the database on chemicals is located at NCL, Pune, and on Engineering in CMTI, Bangalore. The information on patent and IPR legislations, etc., of various countries is located at the patent office of the CSIR. The main objective of the centre is to take advantage of the expertise available with the host institutions to add value to patent information and offer such services to industry. The addition of value to patent information is made by analysing contents of the patents. Value addition.to patent information involves understanding the contents of patents, and adding to them details of technology options, technology gaps, and other items of crucial information.

The orientation of the centres would be towards market needs with a clear indication of activities, target clientele and revenue earning projections. 3) On Line and CD-ROM Based SDI Services

In order to bring information support services to the scientists and technologists in India on par with those available to their counterparts in the developed countries, NISSAT has established nine NISSAT Access Centres to International Database services - NACIDS as listed in Table-2.

Table 2: NISSAT Access Centres to International Database Services (NACIDS)

S. No. Place Host Institution

i) Bangalore National Aerospace Laboratory

ii) Calcutta Indian Association for Cultivation of Science

iii) Madras Central Leather Research Institute

iv) New Delhi Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre

Page 168: Library Society

52

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

v) Pune National Chemical laboratory

vi) Ahmedabad Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association

vii) Bombay Victoria Jubilee Technical Institute

viii) Hyderabad Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology

ix) Thiruvananthapuram Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation

The NACIDS use PSTN telephone lines upto the local PAD of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) and there onwards, the international carriers via the Gateway Packet Switching Services (GPSS) at Bombay. NACIDS have trained intermediaries to assist or conduct online searches. The centres are gaining popularity considering that there is an increasing number of users and full search costs are recovered from them. CD-ROM Based SDI Services Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) is provided regularly tv users on the basis of their information needs. Such services are offered by the following institutions using various CDROM databases in their respective subject areas (Table 3)

Table 3: NISSAT CD-ROM BASED SERVICES

Host Institution & Place Database

Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research : Colour Index

Association; NICTAS Ahmedabad

AIOIIVET Society, Ahmedabad Inside Information

BONET, Bombay Inside Information.

CALIBNET Society, Calcutta inside Information

Central Leather Research Institute NICLAI; Madras :

$IOSIS

Indian Institute of Science NCSI, Bangalore ADONIS -

National Chemical Laboratory NICHEM Pune CA; CC & LCMARC

PUNENET Society, Pune Inside Information CD-ROM Depository Centre NISSAT established a facility at Foundation for Innovations and Technology Transfer at the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, in 1996, as a depository centre for acquiring all CD-ROM databases on INDIA AND ABOUT INDIA. Some of the collections of the centre include Business India, Electronic Corporate Directory, Environment Asia; Gandhi, Goa - The Pearl of Asia, Guru Nanak CDROM, Health Asia; Hindi English Dictionary, India Mystica, Invitatory India, Information Interactive on Rajasthan; Innoware Edticational CDs, Innovations India CD -ROM, Iyengar's Yoga for AIi, Kompass India, 96, Mythological collection on CDROM, Suehak, Karishma, Taj Mahal, Wealth Asia, Ye11ow Pages etc. 4) Information Technology Application The demand for use of computers ranges from automation of routine management functions in libraries to information retrieval or analysis .of global databases: Since its; inception NISSAT had accorded a high priority to all aspects of computer-based bibliographic .information processing. As a part of the programme, NISSAT acquired proven software packages like CDSI ISIS for bibliographic information processing & retrieval and IDAMS for statistical data `processing from UNESCO. NISSAT subsequently obtained the official rights for distribution of the two packages in India. As on date, there are about 1200 installations of CDS/ISIS and 25 installations of IDAMS in

Page 169: Library Society

India. The implementation of CDS/ISIS is monitored regularly through exchange of information; user's group meetings and periodic surveys.

53

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

"SANJAY" is one of the major tools developed with 'the initiative of NISSAT to help the libraries and information centres in India to improve their housekeeping and service functions through automation. The package is totally menu driven and can be used even by nonprofessionals. The package was released for marketing in September 1995. Though the activities of NISSAT were earlier targeted to benefit users in scientific and academic institutions; the programme is being redesigned now to assist business and industries as well. NISSAT also developed another CDS/ISIS based package; known as TRISHNA The TRISHNA; developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Science Technology and Development Studies (NTSTADS), New Delhi, supports the use of CDSIISIS using a GIST CARD for materials in Devnagri and several other Indian scripts. This package was distributed, to ASTIIVFD member countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. 5) Development of Skills in Information Technologies The education and training of information personnel in handling the modern information handling tools, techniques and information technologies was another area of thrust. Although, existing library `and information science courses have been undergoing changes to incorporate modern developments in the information field, there is a need to supplement these with continuing education programmes at various levels. In view of this situation, NISSAT encourages and supports a variety of manpower development programmes which cover topics such as application of computers in library and information centres, use of personal computers & CDS/ISIS, TQM-in library services, science and technical communication, scientometrics & bibliometrics, computer cataloguing, CDROM/Online search; modern information access facilities to business and industry etc., in various parts of the country. NISSAT has developed facilities for the conduct of regular series of courses at IJRTG, Bangalore; RCC Calcutta and University of Poona, Pune: About I6 short-term courses were conducted during the reporting year. Organisations and Institutions, involved in Development of Library and Information Services 6) Research & Development and Studies NISSAT also promotes and supports studies, preparation of directories, databases, basic and applied research in information science, etc. The details of such projects/efforts are explained in points 7 to 10: 7) Scientometrics Coordinated Programme The plan of action for Scientometrics & Informetrics in India was prepared to identify the main areas in Scientometrics and Informetrics with due regard to intellectual and economic gains, the investments necessary and the infrastructure already existing in the country. NISSAT has taken up the implementation of a programme of coordinated research in the area of Scientometrics/ Informetrics/ Bibliometrics. As a first step~ towards this, nine projects on "National Mapping of Science using CDIROM databases" like CA, Compendex, Inspect, SCI, Madeline plus, EMBASE, Georef, CAB, AGRICOLA, ISA etc. has been taken up. 8) International Activities The activities of ASTINFO/UNESCO (Regional Network for the Exchange of Information and Experiences in Asia and the Pacific/LTNESCO) are closely coordinated with those of NISSAT. The NISSAT Advisory Committee also functions as the National Advisory Committee of UNISIST and the National Advisory Group for ASTINFO. The activities under ASTINFO are given below: The NISSAT secretariat has been awarded a UNESCO project for the establishment of the "Clearing House on CDS/ISIS software and creation of Database on library network experts in ASTINFO region" under the participation programme. Further, ASTINFO document supply service promoted and supported by UNESCO is being continued. Under this scheme; the National Library of Australia Services overseas document requests are managed by NISSAT, for Indian requests for the services, r1ISSAT as the ASTINFO national coordinating unit in India, has identified a set of institutions on

Page 170: Library Society

54

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

considerations of logistics. The request forms are also available from NICTAS/ATIRA, Ahmedabad, which has an outlet for all NISSAT Products and services. NISSAT organised two-day Indo-Japan Information Workshops. The Japanese side was represented by Japan Information Centre of Science & Technology (JICST) which is the central organisation for collecting, processing and providing S & T information in Japan. JICST presented its role and future plans; and gave a demonstration of Japanese databases through INTERNET, Japanese-English machine translation system. The corresponding scenario on India was presented by the Indian side. 9) Monitoring and Coordination In order to reduce dependence on government investments for the development of scientific & technical information infrastructure in the country, NISSAT products and services are to be marketed aggressively. In this regard several measures have been taken for market promotion. For example, operative level personnel from various NISSAT information centres have been given orientation courses on information marketing. NISSAT supported centres are being encouraged to generate revenue and to plough back this revenue far infrastructure development. As an incentive, NISSAT provides a matching grant for the revenue earned. NISSAT entrusted

the responsibility of marketing the products and services produced/ generated by NISSAT to one of its information centres namely NICTAS at ATIRA, Ahmedabad. NISSAT signed an MOU with ATIRA for this purpose.

10) Information Today and Tomorrow (ITT)

NISSAT Newsletter namely ITT gives an overall view of developments in information products, services, systems and technology. This covers wide-ranging issues relating to information and development of information centres and networks. News items like new concepts and services, events like seminars and training courses, new products like directories and information on status of information systems, at both national and international levels, and trends in their development are covered: Produced quarterly in cooperation with one of the centres of NISSAT at CLRI, Madras, it is distributed to 5000 individuals and institutions. The NISSAT Newsletter enjoys user appreciation and high professional esteem in India.

16.5.2 NISSAT-Sponsored LLNs (Local Library Networks)

With a mandate to facilitate provision of broad-based information services in the country, NISSAT has taken the initiative for promoting, resource sharing activities. These initiatives are aimed to ensure better utilisation of S & T information resources, minimisation of the functional load of information centers and encouragement of motivational factors to a large extent by better means of communication.

Library Network

The ultimate goal of information/library networks is to interlink information resources in a metropolitan area in such a way that users can access information irrespective of its location, format, medium, language, script etc. Further, the development of such networks requires actions in several areas such as - training, rationalization of information resource acquisition, diffusion of standard, preparation of union lists, generation of database services apart from setting up hardware, software and communication facilities. To meet this end, NISSAT has initiated library/ information network development activities such as: ADINET in Ahmedabad, BONES in Mumbai, CALIBNET in Calcutta, DELNET in New Delhi, MYLIBNET in Mysore and PUNENET in Pune. NISSAT strives to develop self-sustaining information systems. With this end in view, NISSAT only goes to the extent of setting up general infrastructural facilities like network service centers including hardware, software, manpower and other organizational requirements, communication facilities etc. With a change in the development and implementation strategy, the participating institutions in a network are to arrange their own terminal hardware, software, manpower and data conversion. The networks initiated by NISSAT are :

Page 171: Library Society

i) ADINET has ten institutional members, five associate institutional members and two professional members. A centralised database has been created at ADINET which contains Institute Master, Journal Master and Book database. It also organised six workshop and training programmes. ADINET provided E-mai1 connectivity to 301ibraries of Ahmedabad.

55

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

ii) BONET has about 36 libraries networked under BONET through an IIP027 computer

named SAKTI for providing access to members. It also, uses a locally developed software named "Request". Under BONET, the following databases were, created.

a) 15,000 items in a bibliographic database on computers and software technology.

b) Union Catalogue of journals and other periodicals in 10 libraries in the region.

c) Tables of contents of 250 Indian periodicals created by the National Center for Information.

A number of CD-RO1VI databases have been mounted on a Novell Server for use in training activities and for use in demonstration to members.

iii) CALIBNET has adopted a two-way system for networking i.e. (i) the network route with a library automation and networking through its own application software "Maitrayee" and (ii) the E-mail route connecting member libraries with online access to various databases within network and Internet access.

CALIBNET established a high-tech resource-base and provides the following services:

b) Full-text Document Delivery

c) Database services

iv) DELNET at present has 100 libraries as its members. The libraries that have more than 10,000 books are taken as institutional members and those which have less than 10,000 are given Associate Institutional memberships. DELNET has developed many services including software development. It has national and international membership.

The following four databases created by DELNET are available online to member libraries and other DELNET users.

a) Union Catalogue of books in member libraries

b) Database of Indian Specialists

c) Multi-lingual books database d) Union list of current serials

DELNET provided E-mail connectivity to its members through ERNET The libraries have access to ERNET users and also to Internet. DELNET is providing a nationwide training programme.

v) MALIBNET is the first library network established in a small city. The launching of MALIBNET in association with Mysore City Library Consortium (MCLC).took place on the 12th of June 1995. A high-level coordination committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Director, CFTRI, Mysore. There are 16 institutional members. The holding list of Mysore city libraries has been computerised and a software has been developed to enable the users to access the software on-line. MALIBNET provides E-mail facilities to its members.

vi) PUNENET: Presently 24 libraries and 1,5 professionals from Pune city are accessing the Punenet through modem: The users not only access Punenet data; put also use the E-mail and Internet facilities. Following databases are available on Punent for its members. • Catalogues of holdings of all member libraries

Page 172: Library Society

56

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

• UC of current periodicals in Pune libraries and information centers Publishers and booksellers database

• Information and booksellers database • Deluxe Abstract edition of Reference Update for SDI services • Database on International grants and fellowships in the Health Sciences • Hard databanks in Biotechnology • Access to NICNET, AIDS Database, US patent databases etc. • Access to Internet and various databases available on Internet • Patent information • Union catalogue of Books available in British libraries.

E-mail Connectivity NISSAT has established E-mai1 connectivity with its information centres, library network societies, etc: through ERNET: This connectivity greatly enhances the .resource sharing capabilities among these centres and also the provision of user services more efficiently. The ERNET group of the Department of Electronics, Government of India; has provided the overall know how in these venture. Union Catalogue NISSAT intends to promote and support the development of a Union List of Current Scientific Serials (ULCSS) in major cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Goa, Nagpur, Pune, & Ranchi. It has also completed a union list of scientific serials in the oil sector. ULCSS Lists will serve as a valuable resource for scientists, researchers, academicians and library professionals to provide information on the availability of-serials in the selected cities, and to identify the gaps in the- acquisition of serials by encouraging resource sharing. Self Check Exercises 9) Describe the broad objectives and functions of NISSAT. 10) Write down the different subject areas in which NISSAT has established Sectoral Information Centres (SICs). Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16.6 NATIONAL INFORMATI~N AND DOCUMENTATION

CENTERS IN INDIA The post-independence period in India has been witnessing the establishment of many bibliographical information, centres, in response to the need for information support to diverse national endeavours, be they related to R & D, industrial development or planning and decision making. Information is an intellectual resource and a vital input of developmental processes. Realising the need and importance of information delivery support systems, countries all over the world have been quite active in creating information centres and documentation at national level and in various sectors of the economy: India's progress too in this regard has been quite satisfactory. Our national information system comprises national information and documentation centres, regional centres, sectoral centres and local information and documentation units and special libraries. The national information and documentation centres are unique in character; covering a wide field and performing various national-level tasks of a residual nature in order to supplement the functions of other levels of information and documentation centres.

Page 173: Library Society

We have now many national information and documentation centres such as INSDOC; NASSDOC, DESIDOC and NIC (National Informatics Centre). To these may be added the BARC Library and Information Services Division, ICAR Agricultural Research Information Centre, National Medical Library, NIHFW Documentation Centre (family welfare) and so on, because they are also performing national level information functions: The growth and development of such national centres and the increasing. use made of them by user communities are an indication of their need and importance in building up the information infrastructure in the country.

57

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

16.6.1 Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) INSDOC, established in t952 is a premier- S & T information organisation in the country. It is serving the information needs of the scientific community by providing high quality information services based on recorded human knowledge of the world and through the utilisation of current and emerging information technologies. Information is a vital tool for any type of R & D work, but the information requirements change with the change of time to keep pace with changing trends: Organisational Structure INSDOC activities have been organised under five groups at its Headquarters in New Delhi: Each group comprises of two or more divisions or activities. The present organisational structure is as follows: -

1) Education, Training & Translation Group (ETTG) comprising

a) Education Division (ED)

b) Training Division (TD)

c) Pilot Electronic Classroom Project (PECP) d) Translation Services Division (TSD)

2) Programme Management and Marketing Group (PMMG) comprising.

a) Programme Management Division (PMD)

b) Marketing and Customer Services Division (MCS)

c) SAARC Documentation Centre-National Focal Point Cell (SDC-NFP Cell)

3) Library, Bibliographic and Bibliometric Group (LBBG) comprising

a) National Science Library (NSL)

b) Pilot Electronic Library Division (PELD)

c) Bibliographic Services Division (BSD)

d) National Centre for Bibliometrics (NCB)

4) Data, Computer and Software Group (DCSG) comprising

a) Data Services Division (DSD)

b) Computer Services Division (CSD)

c) Software Development Division (SDD)

d) Engineering Services Cell (ESC)

Indian Science Abstracts (ISA)

Indian Science Abstracts, a semi-monthly abstracting service of INSDOC, is available in machine readable form since 1990 in addition to the print form. The database covers original scientific research work published in about 1200 Indian journals including short communications; research work published in foreign journals by Indian scientists; review and informative articles appearing in Indian scientific and technical journals; proceedings of conferences/seminars/symposia held in India; monographs and ad hoc scientific reports from Indian scientific research institutions; Indian patents and standards. However; articles of a popular nature are not included:

Page 174: Library Society

58

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

The database offers search by journal, author, author affiliation, title and keyword. The database also lists keyword and author dictionaries and journals covered. The abstracts are broadly classified according to the Universal -Decimal Classification (UDC} scheme. The abstracts in the printed version are arranged under the UDC number. The entries are serially numbered. There is an author index and keyword index in each issue which refers to the abstract by the serial number.

National Union Catalogue of Scientific Serials in India (NUCSSI) Database

NUCSSI is the first major database created at INSDOC. It contains more than 3.2 lakh holding~ data pertaining to nearly 42,000 titles of serials held in 861 libraries of scientific institutions, universities, R & D units of industrial complexes and other institutions like IITs. During the year, holding of 87 libraries were updated: The holdings of about 406 libraries with update status of 1991 onwards are accessible, online. The database is available also on CD-ROM. NUCSSI-on-CD-ROM is the first CD-ROM product from INSDOC. The CD-ROM version of NUCSSI indicates the availability of 38,000 serial titles in about 350 libraries. The CD~ROM version: facilitates quick access and faster retrieval of information on the availability of any, serial in India. The database is a very helpful reference tool for librarians for cooperative ' acquisition, resource sharing, interlibrary lending etc:

Library Automation

INSDOC has designed and developed a user friendly software package ` Granthalaya'. It is being perfected to meet the requirements of a modern library or information centre. It serves as a useful tool for automating the libraries of varying sizes and types. The software is an integrated library automation package and has many unique features:

• its design is based on an object oriented paradigm;

• it is totally modularised permitting libraries with varying requirements to pick and choose only the required module(s};

• it adopts and conforms to international standards;

• it uses a novel data entry concept based on dictionaries which leads to a very high level of data integrity and accuracy and permits data entry without a trained operator;

• it is available on a variety of platforms like single user `DOS or WINDOWS, multi-user UNIX version using a variety of RDBMS platforms such as INGRES or ORACLE and LAN version running under Novell netware or TCP/IP environment.

The following set of five modules comprises version I of this package:

1) Data Administration

2) Query

3) Circulation

4) Acquisition

5) Serials Control

The responsive services of INSDOC are document copy supply which involves locating, procuring and supplying copies of scientific documents asked for by user clientele, bibliography compilation involving literature search and provision of short bibliographies on specific subjects: INSDOC renders technical translation facilities for about 18 foreign languages; reprography and micrography services and. printing. Its anticipatory services are in the nature of producing information publications (secondary services) such as the :

i) Indian Science Abstracts (semi-monthly) : Which is a national abstracting service in science and technology, reporting annually about 25,000 scientific documents on the, work done in India. -

Page 175: Library Society

ii) Annals of Library Science and Documentation (quarterly}, which is a primary journal carrying original and review articles and others.

59

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

INSDOC has been engaged in computer-based activities for a long time, and has carried out a number of worthwhile projects and services, such a SDI service from commercial data-bases like Ca Search, index preparation for its secondary publications, computer processing of union catalogue and maintaining a machine-readable database, processing of many directory compilations and producing computer listing, and library house-keeping jobs: Recently it has strengthened its hardware facilities with the addition of micro-processor systems.

The National Science Library of INSDOC, which has at present over 1.3 lakh volumes and receives about 4,700 periodicals, has the role of supplementing the national collection of scientific literature resources by identifying the gaps and. filling them by its own acquisition, instead of duplicating the already available materials:' As a result of collaborative programmes with the former USSR, INSDOC has built up a prestigious collection of Russian monographs .(about 40,000 volumes) and backfiles of 600 scientific periodicals. INSDOC has also been engaged in the compilation of National Union Catalogue of Scientific Serials in Indian Libraries. Earlier it had brought out l8 volumes under the Union Catalogue series. The entire Union Catalogue data is computer processed and is held in machine readable form.

INSDOC brings out from time to time access tools/referral directories relating to various aspects of R&D infrastructure. It has compiled directories on Scientific Research Institutions in -India, Directory of Indian Scientific Periodicals, Current Research Projects in CSIR Laboratories, and Awards and Rewards in science.

Towards manpower training, INSDOC runs a regular, advanced level course of two years duration, leading to the award of Associateship in Information Science, which is declared as equivalent to a master's degree. The course is being rated very high for its standard and performance. In addition, INSDOC conducts also from time to time short courses in specific areas INSDOC has established Regional Centres in Bangalore, Calcutta and Madras. They offer documentation services catering to the requirements of users in the region concerned. INSDOC as national member, council members, chairman of FID/IM Committee; ete. maintains close relations with the International Federation for Information ,and Documentation. It also cooperates with UNESCO in many programmes: It is an Associated Centre of ASTINFO:

16.6.2 National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC) The National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC), renamed so in 1985, was established in 1970 by the Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, with the object of providing information support to social science research activities in the country. It is well equipped with resources and facilities and has been carrying out a number of useful programmes and projects. The Library of NASSDOC has backfiles of a large number of social science periodicals and basic reference books. It receives systematically all Indian periodicals in social sciences. Its book collection is mainly on social science research methodology and related aspects. Its collection of Indian doctoral dissertations and research project reports is significant. It is also building up a microform collection of important materials; In collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University, it has set up an Inter-Library Resource Centre to help service libraries to deposit their less used collection. Under its Union' Catalogue 'project, NASSDOC has immediate plans to update the Union Catalogue of Social Science ;Periodicals and Serials (brought out during 1972-76 in. 32 volumes) covering about 500 libraries and to store the information in machine-readable form. It had brought out during 1971-1972 Union List . of Social Science Periodicals in four volumes, and a Union Catalogue of 'Newspapers in Delhi Libraries: NASSDOC's current awareness publications are : Acquisition Update (monthly); Conference Alert (quarterly), Indian Diary of Events (quarterly) Paging

Page 176: Library Society

60

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii)

Periodicals:Review of Contents (bimonthly), Social, Science Research Index (irregular), Social Science News: Index to Select Newspapers in English (monthly), and Samajik Vigyan Samachar (monthly, Hindi). NASSDOC has, an impressive record of bibliography compilation work. Under its Research Information Service, it brings out subject, area studies and language bibliographies. Bibliographies on Student Teaching, and Social Sciences in the Present Day World are some recent subject bibliographies. While work on some states in regard to.area study bibliography has been completed, it is in progress in the case of others. About 10,000 titles in English and regional languages have been collected under the area study project. In the language bibliography,. compliation work in Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada and Oriya is in progress. NASSDOC is presently engaged in bringing out an Index to Indian Periodicals: Sociology and Psychology (1915-70), which is a retrospective cumulative index. NASSDOC compiles a number of short bibliographies on specific subjects response to requests from research clientele. It provides document delivery support by supplying photocopies of individual papers to research workers. It has printing facilities on a small scale. NASSDOC gives grants-in-aid to individuals, institutions, libraries, and documentation centres for compilation of indexes, bibliographies, etc. It offers consultancy and advisory services in social sciences documentation and information: It has recently started training programmes in social science documentation. NASSDOC is actively participating in UNESCO's Asia Pacific Information Network in Social Sciences (APIN$SS), which has been launched recently. While promoting APINESS activities in India, it is bringing out the APINESS Newsletter NASSDOC is represented in FID and IFLA.

NASSDOC has initiated Computerisation for its information processing and service operations and for that purpose hag installed a microcomputer system. It has plans to establish a microfilming unit. It is now 'working towards the evolution of a National information System for Social `Sciences for the country. Some of the publications 9f NSSDOC are listed below

Current Contents to Indian Social Science Journals (Q) Conference alert (Q) Acquisition Update (Bi-ainn) Bibliographic Reprint (Irr) APINESS Newsletter (Bi-ann) in India An Annotated Bibliography Bibliography on India in 2000 AD. (with abstracts)

16.6.3 Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC) DESIDOC was established in 1958 under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to serve primarily the information requirements of DRDO scientists. In 1967, it became an independent institution under DRDO. DESIDOC, functions as a central agency in DRDO to collect scientific and technical information from various published and unpublished sources and to process and disseminate it to various user groups in the defence establishments. It has also a coordination role in the information set-up of DRDO. The Defence Science Library of DESIDOC has built up an active collection of publications of interest to defence science which is multi-disciplinary. It has some 1.40 lakh items in stock comprising 40,000 books, 40,000 reports, 14,000 back volumes of periodicals and others. It receives about 800 current periodicals. Towards dissemination of information to users, DESIDOC offers a number of services. SDI service was being offered until recently by manual method to senior officials of the DRDO and the Ministry of Defence. A computer-aided SDI service is now being operated on against some limited profiles, which is to be enlarged progressively. It brings out a bi-monthly Patents Information Alerts to draw the attention of scientists to Indian and foreign patents of their subject interest and Defence Reports Abstracts covering

Page 177: Library Society

NASA, NTIS, RAND, DRIC and other report literature. The bi-monthly indexing service called DESIDOC List is a current awareness publication. DESIDOC has brought out at least six state-of-the-art reports in recent years. It also undertakes literature search and supplies bibliographies on specific subjects. DESIDOC is compiling a Union Catalogue of periodicals in DRDO libraries.

61

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

For meeting current requirements, DESIDOC has set up a Technical Information Centre in the DRDO Headquarters at Sena Bhawan, New Delhi. It has in-house translation facilities for some foreign languages. It maintains also a translation bank. English abstracts of foreign language scientific articles of interest to DRDO are prepared and circulated to defence scientists. DESIDOC publishes primary journals such as Defence Science Journal (quarterly) which is a research periodical, R & D Bulletin (quarterly) which is a classified publica6on, R &D Digest (bi-monthly), Popular Science and Technology (half-yearly), DRDO Newsletter (monthly) and DESIDOC Bulletin (bi-monthly) of Information Technology, Current Contents in Military Science and Technology, Library and Information Science. DESIDOC has been engaged in computer-based information activities. It is offering computer-based SDI service, which is to be expanded. It has been maintaining its databases in machine-readable form. It is now planning to set up a DRDO Information Retrieval System, which will be a computer-based information network; covering libraries/TICs of DRDO establishment. DESIDOC has a good range of reprography and audio-visual equipment. It has in -house printing facilities. DESIDOC organises, from time to time, short-term training courses in different area5 of information science for the benefit of DRDO information personnel. It offers also technical advice and consultancy in the library, documentation and information fields. DESIDOC held a National Seminar on Defence Science Information in 1986 and as a result of its recommendations, it has taken measures to evolve a Defence Science Information System for the country. Self Check Exercise 11) Discuss the activities of INSDOC, DESIDOC and NASSDOC in a tabular form

List the salient features of INIS Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

16.7 SUMMARY Information is an international resource: For that matter, trans-border flow of information without any impediment is advocated. Industrilised countries are information rich; Third World countries are information poor. The widening gap between these two sets of countries must be bridged: Even advanced countries cannot claim self-sufficiency in scientific and technological information. Widespread use of computer and communication technologies in information dissemination would require compatibility of systems for information exchange. For all these, international cooperation becomes imperative. It is fostered by voluntary participation of national agencies. International organisations have also come about to offer a framework as well as a machinery to practices international cooperation. United Nations agencies like UNESCO are inter-governmental bodies whose role is promotional and advisory and whose activities have a catalytic and multiplier effect in the participating member countries. On the other hand, organisations like FID and IFLA axe voluntary organisations. They are professional bodies, offering a forum for contacts and exchange of ideas and experiences. Global information systems like UNISIST, INIS and AGRIS are cooperative systems and

Page 178: Library Society

62

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

services. Through cooperative action, they are able to attempt universal control and dissemination of information. In response to the need for information support to diverse national endeavours, be they related to research and development, industrial development, or planning and decision making, information systems and centres have a progressive development in our country: Information systems at the national level like NISSAT have emerged mainly for the coordinated and integrated development of the information infrastructure: NISSAT also supported a number of` Local Library Networks in India. National level information centres like INSDOC and NASSDOC are required to take care of overall national needs for information services. The growing demand for information and increasing use of presently available facilities and services clearly indicate the need for and importance of information systems and centres as components of our information infrastructure.

16.8 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERGISES 1) UNESCO's programmes and activities relating to developing countries are

Establishment of documentation centres Development of public libraries Development of national bibliographic projects Setting up/strengthening of national libraries Supporting Union Catalogue projects Introduction of UNESCO book coupons Securing postal concessions for books Removal of customs barriers Supply of equipment, technical assistance Fellowships Support to computer applications Establishment of ASTINFC and APINESS

2) As a member of UNESCO India has taken an active part in UNESCO's programmes and activities and has also been deriving benefits. The Indian National Commission for UNESCO is the official channel, NISSAT is the National Focal Point for UNISIST/PGI and coordination centre; and NASSDOC is the national focal point for APINESS. UNESCO has conducted many projects and programmes, provided technical assistance for missions, held meetings and seminars, and conducted training programmes. UNESCO has also drawn on the expertise and experience of India for its programmes in other developing countries.

3) UNESCO has been responsible for the development of some specialised documentation and information systems such as the Data Retrieval System for Documentation in

Page 179: Library Society
Page 180: Library Society

8) AGRIS is a cooperative world agricultural information system, in which 125 countries and 14 international institutions are participating: It is based on INIS model. The printed AGRINDEX and AGRIS magnetic tape, contain full bibliographical descriptions of all documents and offer facility to retrieve information from a database exceeding 12 million entries in 16 main subjects under 85 subject categories and 817 commodities. The annual addition to the database is around 1.2 lakh items. Printed AGRINDEX does not carry abstracts but may be obtained in microfiche. Cumulative indexes to AGRINDEX are produced annually in microfiche.

63

Organisations and Institutions involved in

Development of Library and Information Services

9) NISSAT functions with the following objectives: • Development of National Information Services • Promotion of Existing Information Systems & Services • Introduction of Modern Information Handling Tools & Techniques • Promotion of National & International Cooperation in Information. • Development of Indigenous Products & Services • Support to Education, Training and R&D in Information

10) NISSAT has established a number of Sectoral Information Centres (SICs) in different subject areas which include Leather Technology, Food Technology, Machine Tools and Production Engineering, Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Textiles and Allied Subjects, Chemical and Allied Industries, Advanced Ceramics, Bibliometrics, Crystallography; CD-ROM; Management Science, Marine Science, etc.

11) The activities of INSDOC, NASSDOC and DESIDOC are as follows: INSDOC NASSD0C DESIDOC National Documentation ' Collection of Monographs Collection

developmentSupply Service -Reference materials; in Defence Science primary periodicals, doctoral Bibliographical and

Literature Search and dissertations research reports; Documentation services

Bibliography etc. in Social Science Computer-based SDIScientific and Technical Translation Preparation and Production of Publication of primary Union Catalogues in Social Journal.Reprography Service Sciences Printing Secondary Services Preparation of special Indian Science Abstracts bibliographies.

- directories and referralNational Index of tools. Translations

16.9 KEY WORDS Catalytic Activity: Causing, accelerating, forcing action by an agent. Coordination: Harmonious interaction among constituents of a system

towards optimisation of resources. Foca1 Point: The central or principal body of activity or attention. Global Information System: International/global cooperative venture in terms of

coverage of documents and variety of services and products to users for achieving economy in money, time and effort.

Information Centre: An organisation that collects, handles, processes and disseminates information to those who need and seek.

Page 181: Library Society

64

Library Associations, Promotional Agencies and Systems

Infrastructure: All institutional bodies holding information resources and facilities.

Inter - Governmental: International organisation in which the members are national governments.

Multiplier: An action by which similar action in multiplied, showing the way for development.

National Information System: A network of existing information resources together with new services for identified gaps, so coordinated as to reinforce and enhance the activities of individual units.

Promotion: Advancement, furtherance or encouragement of some cause, product, service, institution, etc.

Sectoral Centres: Subject/discipline/mission oriented information centres.

Universal Bibliography: Bibliography of world wide coverage to include all countries, all languages and all types of documents:

Voluntary: Done on one's own accord or by free choice with all good intentions.

16.10 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING INDIA (1997): Annual Report (1996-97): Department of Scientific and Industrial Research,

Ministry of S & T, -New Delhi.

INSDOC. Annual Report (1996-97). New Delhi, INSDOC.

INFLIBNET (1995) CALIBER -95 Access Through Networks. Ahmedabad.

INFLBNET.

RRRLF. ~1988). Books for the Millions at their Doorsteps: Calcutta ; RRRLF.

RRRLF. (1997) Newsletter. Vo1. XVII (3 & 4), XVII (1), Calcutta. RRRIF. (25 years of service to the Nation : 1972-97)

UGC: (i995-96). Annual Report. Delhi. UGC.

Page 182: Library Society

User Studies

UNIT 11 USER STUDIES Structure 11.0 Objectives 11.1 Introduction 11.2 User and User Studies 11.2.1 User Characteristics 11.2.2 User Studies

11.2.3 The Need far User Studies 11.2.4 Planning of a User Study 11.2.5 Methodologies/Techniques for User Studies

11.3 User Studies: Limitations and Criticisms 11.4 Case Studies 11.4.1 Efforts Made in India 11.5 Summary 11.6 Answers to Self Check Exercises 11.7 Key Words 11.8 References and Further Reading.

Appendix

11.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

explain the concept of user of a library or any information system or service; • •

• • •

describe characteristics of different users and categorise them into specific groups; understand the need for careful and continuous study of,` and contact with the users; highlight the relation of user studies in the design of information systems, products and services; explain the essential steps necessary in planning of a user study; identify and adopt suitable methodologies for user studies; and enumerate general variables and characteristics of users and use as subject of study.

11.1 INTRODUCTION Libraries and information systems are designed and built-with the primary objective of meeting the information needs of a group of people who: constitute their clientele. In the past, information systems and services were developed based more on ‘literary warrant’ rather than ‘users warrant’.

In fact, the key to the aims, direction and contents of any and all information. activities is the user. Talking of information users, P.L: Leggate observes "unlike retrieval systems and computer systems, users are human and therefore difficult to classify. Unfortunately, one can say almost any thing and it will be true of 'some users. Any generalisation which can be made will be true of at least some users". Identifying 'definite user groups to which information is to be provided involves number of complex, costly, and demanding processes. However, the basic questions and problems are not how effective or efficient these processes are, but :

1) what an information system or information unit or library can do to assist an information user in identifying; clarifying or solving a problem?

2) what such a system or unit can do to raise the probability that a user will find relevant and useful information with a minimum effort?

5

Page 183: Library Society

Resource Sharing and

6

User Studies

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

v)

The above stated questions form the foundation on which to build or develop information systems or information units including library services. These questions provide a practical operational framework for viewing the objectives, products and services as well as for evaluating the success or failures of such products or services. If this contention is accepted, it follows that the first requirement for designing an information system, service or product would be to study thy users. The users should be studied not only before designing an information system or starting of an information service or product, but also, during the life cycle of the system or service. It might be emphasised here, that while study of users increases the probability of a longer life cycle of such a system, lack of a Careful study may decrease it sharply: Conducting of a user study is a difficult proposition because the related theories, models, and methodologies have not been fully developed and perfected. However, there is a much higher probability that products and services based on user studies will be better designed than those based on intuition, anecdotal evidence or committee deliberations. It must be stressed that the basic purpose of a user study is to gather information that is useful in design and provision, 'and/or evaluation of specific information products or - services geared to meet the needs of specific users. To emphasise further,user studies are a necessity in all phases of information activities from design to evaluation, to marketing and to management. Therefore, the central question is: What useful information about users or uses should be collected? In other words, what user and use variables should be collected? The choice of such variables for study is wide. Depending on the objective, individual studies will concentrate on a limited number of specific variables. Some of the general variables possible to examine in user studies are :

the factors or variables in the users of information that effect their perception of the problem;

the specific ways they are most likely to use information and their capacity to use a given type of information;

the stages in the information transfer process which relate to the knowledge an individual has about a specific idea or innovation;

environmental or social characteristics; and

communication characteristics, etc.

In the literature of LIS, the term user studies has been interpreted differently. The different interpretations along with other related aspects are discussed in the subsequent sections. The main purpose of this unit is to furnish adequate information to the participants of this programme so that they might be in a position to plan and conduct a user study in course of their professional work. 11.2 USER AND USER STUDIES As has been mentioned earlier the user is the focal point of all information activities at all levels: User is a broad concept which may include both producers as well as clients of information. In LIS literature, a number of terms have been used to signify users. They are more or less near synonyms. For example, the words patron, client, member, customer are used to signify the concept of a user. Whitaker defines user as a person who uses one or more of the services provided by a library. On the other hand, Guinchat opines that a user can be defined on the basis of two sets of criteria, namely i) objective criteria, such as socio-professional category, specialist field, nature of the activity for which the information is sought, reason for using the information system, and ii) social and psychological criteria such as the user's attitudes and values with regard to information in general and in his relations with information unit in particular. The key factor being reasons behind his particular information seeking and communication behaviour and his professional and general social behaviours. Guinchat categorises users into three broad groups : i) users not yet engaged in active life, such as students; ii) users with a job and whose information needs are related to their work. They are classified by main activity (management research, development, production, services, etc.) i) by branch of activity and/or specialist field (civil

Page 184: Library Society

User Studies service, agriculture, industry etc.) and by level of education and responsibility (professional staff, technical. workers); and iii} the ordinary citizen needing general information.

7

Prof. J.D. Bernal provides some sort of classification of users of scientific and technical information from the point of view of the kind of information services required by them. One major aspect of this grouping is combining engineers, architects, medical practioners and agriculturists into the category of technologists. Also, managers (both business and industry) could be conceived as a distinct group of users of information. The two figures are given-below:

Another method of grouping users is on the basis of their approach to information. They can be classified as :

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

the potential user - one who needs information which can be provided by specific services;

the expected user - one who is known to have the intention of using certain information services;

the actual user - one who has actually used an information service regardless of the fact whether he derived advantage from such a service or not; and

the beneficiary user - one who derives a measurable advantage from information services.

It may be worth noting here that Dr. S.R. Ranganathan has grouped users on the basis of types of services enunciated by him into: the freshman, ordinary inquirer, specialist inquirer, and general reader.

Page 185: Library Society

Resource Sharing and It may be stated that a wise system designer recognises that the user of information must be an active participant in the system whose needs should direct the system design: Therefore, the information service must anticipate, match and be responsive to the requirements of its clientele. In certain situations the' users may not be fully aware of the many advantages of a particular system or service. In such situations the system designer must guide him to the pertinent aspects providing a tailor-made service.

8

User Studies

Generally, three important groups of a scientific and technical information system users are distinguishable according to the kind ©f activity in which they are engaged: They are: a) researchers b) practitioners and technicians engaged in developmental and/or operational

activities the different fields of technology, and c) managers, planners and other decision makeis who are engaged in co-

ordinating development activities at local, national, or international levels. The above mentioned three groups are very broadly defined and are not exhaustive. 11.2.1 User Characteristics Since-the main purpose of any user study is to gather information that is useful in design, provision, and evaluation of specific information products or- services geared to specific users,, it becomes necessary to have full understanding of the user characteristics. User characteristics may be studied under the groups i) individual characteristics, ii) stages in the information diffusion, iii) environmental or social characteristics, and iv) communication characteristics. Individual Characteristics The individual characteristics of users deal with the factors in the users of information that' effect (a) their perception of the problem and their definition of the problem faced along with their description of the needed information and; (b) the specific ways they are most likely to use information and their capacity to use a particular type of information: ,; Stages in the Information Diffusion' This aspect relates to the amount of knowledge an individual (or a group of users) has about a specific idea or innovation. Information needs' at various stages are different and therefore information products and services have to be tailored for each stage. This might be possible only when the capabilities of the user are clearly perceived. Environmental or Social. Characteristics The factors in the social system (such as the norms, situation, reference groups, etc.) that have an important effect on the individual's behaviour and communication fall under the category of environmental or social characters pertaining to an individual (or group) of user: Awareness about these factors enables the system designer to precisely gauze the information requirements of the user: Communication Characteristics The elements related to the use and diffusion of information constitute what are known as communication characteristics .Some of these include: information sources; information structures, communication channels and information, systems .These aspects need to be correlated with other characteristics. A proper and systematic user study aims at collecting all the pertinent data concerning the users with the objective of building an efficient information system .Such data enables establishment of close relationship between users and the information system designers. Self Check Exercises l) What do you understand by the expression user of a library, information

system , information service or product? 2) Explain what you understand by the expression ‘categories of users’.Mention

the different categories of user that an that an information professional generally comes across.

Page 186: Library Society

User Studies 3) Discuss the main groups under which user characteristics may be studied.

How does the knowledge of users help information system designers?

9

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below. ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………

11.2.2 User Studies

In the foregoing paragraphs the concept of user and the characteristics associated with users have been described and discussed. In this section let us try to understand what constitutes a user study, and its development. It is the recognition of the paramount importance of users that leads us to user studies.

In the literature of LIS, the earliest reference we come across is to the study conducted by L:R. Wilson in the late 1930s. It was an attempt to investigate the distribution and status of libraries in the USA and was not aimed at obtaining information relating to library use or users.

The concept of users and their information needs found some expression at the first conference of Royal Society held at London and became a subject of discussion at the International Conference on Scientific Information held at Washington in 1958: Prof. J.D. Bernal's paper entitled `The Transmission of Scientific Information: a user's analysis" received a great attention.

It may be mentioned here that a pilot study on the use of scientific literature by scientists was. conducted by R.R. Shaw in 1956 on behalf of National Science Foundation. Shaw's study is considered as one of the pioneering efforts in the direction of user studies. Since then a number of comprehensive studies have emerged on the subject: For example, Davis and Bail compiled a bibliography consisting of 438 such studies as early as in 1964. It has been recorded that by 1977, more than 1000 important studies were conducted on the subject of `user studies'. It must be mentioned that the growth of science and technology and, the importance accorded to the use of scientific information proliferated such attempts of user studies.

An event of great significance in the history of user studies was the establishment of the centre for Research on User Studies (CRUS) in 1975 by The British Library at University of Sheffield. The main objective of this centre was to create a national centre to act as a focus for research in user studies. Let us hope that researchers on different facets of `user studies' will receive encouragement from the centre in future and a theory of user studies would be developed. The establishment of a centre for research on user studies indicates the importance of the subject `user studies'.

11.2.3 The Need for User Studies

Information need surveys or user studies are potentially useful in bridging the gap between the kind of information services needed and the kind of services in existence. Any information system would definitely require identification of user requirements. However,

Page 187: Library Society

Resource Sharing and there had been certain doubts regarding the point whether information needs could really be established through user studies or surveys. For instance, it has been stated that information needs, as distinct from wants, cannot be determined through public opinion poll type surveys. It has been further stated that information service is a professional service (such as medicine) as opposed to a consumer service (such as packaging of breakfast food) and hence users of information services cannot provide correct guidance in the designing or improvement of an information system. This view shifted the emphasis towards the techniques or methodologies for conducting such surveys. This situation led to the efforts for development of reliable methodologies for conducting user studies and further emphasised the need for conducting user studies as necessary requirement for the design and operation of effective and efficient information systems, services and products.

10

User Studies

11.2.4 Planning of a User Study It is important to plan a user study carefully from the beginning to the very end. In this regard, it is necessary to lay out a detailed plan of each step hand before. The various stages of work are to be spelt out along with the general objectives of the study, translation of the objective into a set of questions or means of answering the questions, selection of the tool or appropriate technique for obtaining the answers, the selection of the sample of users to be observed and a plan for getting the necessary co-operation, the pretesting of the technique, the full scale study itself, analysis of data and preparation of the final report: In each stage of work certain decisions are to be taken. Different Steps in the Plan Any plan for conducting a user study should consist at least the following steps : i) Surveying the previous studies and literature in general and learning about all

aspects of user studies; ii) Spelling out the objectives of the study; iii) Determining the variables to be studied and the specific model to be

followed; iv) Selecting the sample population to be studied; v) Determining the method for collection of data for observation; vi)

Determining the method of analysis of data or observations; vii) Determining the ways of presentation of data and utilisation of the results

including dissemination. of such results. While setting the objectives of the proposed study one has to spell out in clear terms what exactly one is going to find out from the study. All the subsequent stages will hinge around ' this decision. In this context, it may be pointed out that what are generally referred to as* information use or need studies are a composite of many different things. Such studies may be grouped into four broad categories. Different Categories of User Studies i) Studies which are conducted to find out the overall pattern of interaction of

the users-' community with the communication system, without reference to any specific information receiving event, are categorised as communication behaviour studies;

ii) In the second category are placed studies which are conducted to find out the use of any. communication medium like primary periodical, secondary periodical, etc. and are called , user studies;

iii} The third category. includes studies which are conducted to find out the pattern of flow of information in the science communication system as a whole. They constitute studies in the flow of information;

iv) The fourth category includes studies/surveys which are conducted within the limited context of a library or an information centre, mainly to find out the extent of use of the services and facilities offered by an agency with the ultimate objective of improving the system or services.

It may be mentioned that any particular study/survey may have different aspects and hence overlap each other on the categories mentioned above. Hence, while setting the objectives,

Page 188: Library Society

User Studies

11

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

it has to be decided what exactly will be the nature of; the study/survey as per the four categories described above.

11.2.5 Methodologies/Techniques for User Studies

After the need for conducting user studies has been established and the relevant aspects (variables) to be studies are decided, the next logical step would be selection of methods for conducting a user study.

From sizable literature on the subject, it is evident that most of the general surveys, e.g.,, interview, questionnaire, diary, etc., have been extensively used by workers in the field of information use study also. The methods used so far may be grouped as under:

a) General or Conventional Methods i) questionnaire ii) interview iii) diary iv) observation by self v) operations research study

b) Indirect Methods in the context of Information Use vi) analysis of library records vii) citation analysis

c) Special and Unconventional Methods, viii) computer-feedback ix) unconventional methods

A description of all the above methods may be found out from literature. Hence, a detailed : discussion is not attempted here. However, the selection of methods depends on previous decisions, on objectives of the study and also on the variables to be studied. Three important aspects are involved in the selection of methods :

i) selection of a sample of user population; ii) determination of procedures for collection of data from or about the sample; iii) determination of procedures for analysis of collected data to derive: or

summarise results.

Each one of these, has to be considered in detail before one actually plunges into action regarding user studies: ` One of the most commonly committed mistakes in user studies is to collect data without any idea as to how the data is to be analysed.

It is always useful to consult a statistician and take his help in the selection of appropriate . methods to be followed in the envisaged user study.This would greatly enhance the usefulness of the results derived from the user study .However, the study should avoid incorporation of meaningless statistics in the user study.

As to the question of selection of a sample of user population there are a number of methods available which would facilitate this task. The most common in this regard being . ,

Convenience Sampling : which means picking the first 25, 50 etc. users that come along as subject of study;

Random Sampling : which involves picking users for the study from a population at random;

Stratified Sampling : which involves sub-dividing the population into sub-groups and then picking users for study at random;

Representative Sampling :which involves determining beforehand individuals, pairs of individuals, or small groups with some characteristics in common as subject of study.

Similarly, there are a number of methods available for data collection. Some of the commonly used methods are :

Page 189: Library Society

Resource Sharing and Surveying: This involves questioning users and obtaining answers directly from users User Studies about their behaviour, attributes, values, conditions and/or preferences. This is by far the most often used method in user studies: It leads to somewhat biased results;

12

User Studies

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

Observation: Which involves making direct observations on the communication behaviour of users in given situations, practices, and time periods etc.

Records analysis : This method involves obtaining written records or other artifacts of previous communications (such as papers, correspondence, statistics) and deriving inferences about users from the records.

Experimentation: This method involves introduction of an element defined group of users and observing the results or consequences; possibly also comparing the group with another where the element was not introduced.

Next step involved is identification of some of the data analysis methods. An analysis is informal because it consists of gaining an impression or feeling of what the data indicates and in which direction they point. For formal analysis the most frequently, used methods are :

Statistical analysis which comprises application of standard statistical techniques to' summarise, compare and test for significance data which is expressed. numerically;

Semantic analysis involves application of semantic techniques to summarise and compare data which is expressed verbally.

Psycho-social analysis which involves application of psychological; sociological or an- ' thropological techniques to classify or describe the data obtained through an user study, which is represented conceptually, logically or representatively;

Economic analysis which comprises application of macro or micro economic techniques to derive conclusions in economic terms on data expressed in all the above mentioned ways.

Each of these techniques of analysis do require knowledge of the respective fields. Standard statistical packages are widely available which will accomplish the required results: However; use of such packages requires some practical training. Appropriate techniques can also be ` adapted relatively easily from the previous studies.

Self Check Exercises

4) Discuss briefly the need for user studies.

5) What is meant by planning of a user study? Indicate the different steps in conducting a user study.

6) Discuss briefly the different types of user studies.

7) Explain some of the methodologies/techniques employed for conducting user studies.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below. ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 190: Library Society

User Studies 11.3 USER STUDIES : LIMITATIONS AND CRITICISMS

13

Although a number of studies have been conducted in the past to assess the information needs of scientists, engineers and technologists, the, information needs proved to be extremely complex and varied. As a result, most of these studies proved to be inadequate to the task of completely revealing the precise nature and needs of information users. These investigations have, at best, provided only an a priori approach to the problem and much is needed to be done in this direction.

There have been some criticisms on the methods and techniques used in the user studies/ surveys. For example, it has been stated that the question of sampling in user studies left much to be desired. In other words; in selecting the sample, refined techniques of random sampling have not been taken into account. The usual error of getting into the sample a large number of workers who take `an interest' or are methodical and co-operative to return questionnaires and diaries, is always there. This error should be avoided. Moreover, it is not only the size of the sample that is important but also the composition of it taking into consideration the environments of the participants. One of the critics has suggested as many as seven different environments as follows: i) academic institutions, ii) research organisations, iii) industry, iv) government, v) professional associations, vi) trade unions and political parties, and` vii) the press and broadcasting. Similarly, users can also be categorised according to functions such as : i) research, ii) teaching and training, iii) management, iv) social work and administration, v) the press and broadcasting, vi) politics, vii) business and commerce, viii) study and learning. All these are likely to influence a person's information needs and behaviour.

There are several other variables also. These are demographic (e.g., age, education, length of experience in research) and psychological (such as motivation, intelligence) variables which may well be related to information requirements, needs and users. Hence, it has been mentioned that user psychology must also be taken into account. Aspects of user psychology to be considered include: the search time that can be tolerated, the amount of irrelevant material that can be tolerated, time available for retrospective searching, the ,, preferred form of the search product, user's input channel capacity, work habits, terminological idiosyncrasies, prior knowledge of reference tools and information system and user's judgement about the comfortableness of the physical aspects of the information system.

The importance of including individual variables in studies of information gathering and information seeking behaviours has also been stressed by some experts. Some of the individual variables cited include : i) age, ii) experience in research in a particular job; iii) background qualification, iv) whether solitary or team worker, vii) persistence and thoroughness and viii) motivation, etc.

With appropriate inclusion of some of the above mentioned aspects in user studies, the critics believe that the short comings in them can be minimised and the findings can be made valid and widely applicable.

11.4 CASE STUDIES Since Prof. J.D. Bernal made his pilot study for the Royal Society's Scientific Information Conference in 1948, there had been several attempts to investigate the methods by which scientists and engineers obtain the information they need and then put them to use. The ' basic assumption behind these efforts was that the conventional information tools and systems currently in use needed improvement and the. improved tools and services of tomorrow would spring from those we have today.

Use studies/surveys have been conducted in different countries at different levels with different samples of population. It is not possible to discuss or present the findings of such studies in this Unit. However, the important findings of some of the studies have been reported in the literature which are provided in this Unit in the form of references.

One of the investigations published in 1995, reported the analysis of some 796 user studies

Page 191: Library Society

Resource Sharing and noticed through LISA for the period 1969-1989.. This investigation revealed that the contemporary research areas in user studies included areas like direct enquiry of users, assessment of user attitudes, experimental information services and their evaluation and direct observation of users. The weak areas of research in user studies appeared to be use made of information; communication not involving documents, relevance and refinements, etc.

14

User Studies

11.4.1 Efforts Made in India

The problems of communication in' science and the user interface have received some attention in this country since last three decades. For instance, INSDOC conducted a use survey relating to its current awareness service entitled "INSDOC List of Current Scientific literature" as early as 1964. As a result of the findings of this survey, INSDOC had to wind up the above mentioned current awareness service' and had to start the compilation of `Indian Science Abstracts'. Another significant effort in this direction is the study conducted by Carl M. White regarding the use of Delhi University Library in 1965. In the same year (i.e. 1965) the Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC) conducted a seminar on "Users and Library and Information Service. Though the seminar did not discuss or, report any worth-while study/survey, it helped in drawing the attention of the authorities of special libraries and information canters towards these problems.

In the year 1967, INSDOC conducted a pilot survey to assess the information potential and the information needs of the research workers engaged in the field of `electronics'. This survey was undertaken in connection with the formation of `Electronics Information Grid'. Interview technique and questionnaire method }were employed in this study. The findings, though essentially empirical in nature; have been published in the form of a report. Yet, another worthwhile effort in this direction was the survey conducted at the Delhi University to determine the reading patterns, information needs and information gathering habits of the teachers and research scholars attached to the chemistry department of the University.. This survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire (see appendix) and also through interviews. The findings of this survey are compatible with the findings of similar studies undertaken in other countries. ` A sample copy of the questionnaire used in this study is - provided in the appendix.

Though libraries exist for users, research in Indian librarianship has taken for granted the user component of the. system. It is only in recent years that extensive and in depth customer related studies began to appear.

One such effort was made by M:S: Sridhar. His doctoral research work was on information seeking behaviour (ISB) of the Indian Space Technologists (IST) of ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), Bangalore. The results of this study have been published under the title "Information Behaviour of Scientists and Engineers". This study is a contribution towards user studies and therefore worth considering as one of the case studies: The case studies referred to above are illustrative in nature and not exhaustive.

Self Check Exercises

8) Briefly discuss some of the limitations and criticisms concerning user studies.

9) Describe some of the significant efforts -made in India relating to user studies/ user :-surveys.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below. ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 192: Library Society

User Studies ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

15

11.5 SUMMARY In this Unit on user studies, an attempt has been made to explain to you the concept of a 'user' of a library or information system. Different connotations to the term `user' have been discussed. It has been emphasised that libraries or information systems are designed and built with the primary objective of meeting the information needs and requirements of a defined group of people, called users. Users, therefore, become the focal point of all information activities at all levels. This situation calls for acquisition of an intimate knowledge regarding the users of an information system. The users should be studied not only before designing of an information system or starting of an information service or product, but also, during the life cycle of the system or service. It might be mentioned here, that while the study of users increases the probability of a longer life cycle of an information system, lack of it might decrease it rather sharply. The efforts made to acquire an indepth knowledge of users constitute what are commonly referred to as user studies. The need for user studies, the planning necessary for a user ;study, the methodologies/or techniques available for conducting user studies, and other important aspects related to user studies have been described and discussed in body of this Unit. Detailed information relating to some significant' efforts made in the development of user studies in developed countries as well as in India, has been furnished. These, along with the self check exercises and model answers are expected to help the students to a large extent, to grasp the basic concepts relating to user studies. The Unit, as a whole, may enable them to gain sufficient insight and skill to plan and conduct user studies, if needed, during the course of their professional work.

11.6 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) User is a broad concept, which may include both producers as well as clients

of information: In library and information science literature, a number of terms have been used to indicate users of a library or an information system. They are more or less synonyms. For example, the words patron, client, member, customer are used to signify the concept of a user. Whitaker defines user as a person who uses one or more of the services provided by a library. On the other hand, Guinchat opines that a user can be defined according to two sets of criteria namely: i) objective criteria such as socio-professional category, specialist field, nature of the activity for which the information is sought, reason for using the information system; and ii) social and psychological criteria such as the user's attitudes and values with regard to information in general and in his relations with the information unit in particular. There, are reasons behind his particular T information seeking and communication behaviour and his professional and general social behaviour. Users constitute a very important component of any information syst4m or service.'

2) Many information scientists attempted classify and group users of library and information systems and services. Different perceptions have been expressed by them.

Prof. J.D. Bernal provides some sort of classification of users of scientific and technical information from the point of view of the kind of information services required by them. They are: scientists, engineers, doctors, technologists and business managers. Guinchat, categorises users into three broad groups : i) users not yet engaged in works such as students; ii) users with a job and whose information needs are related to their work; iii) the ordinary citizen needing general-information. Another way of grouping users is on the

Page 193: Library Society

Resource Sharing and

16

User Studies

i)

ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii)

basis of their approach to information as i) potential user; ii) the expected user; iii) the actual user and iv) the beneficiary user. It may be of interest to know that Dr. S.R. Ranganathan grouped users on the basis of types of services enunciated by him into: freshman, ordinary inquirer, specialist inquirer and general reader: Generally speaking an information professional comes across three important groups of users: a) researchers, b) practitioners and technicians engaged in developmental and/or operational activities in different fields of technology and c) managers, planners and other-decision makers who are engaged in co-ordinating developmental activities at local, national or international levels.

The above mentioned groups very broadly defined and are not exhaustive. 3) Since the main purpose of any user study is to gather information that is useful in

design, provision and evaluation of information products and services, it is imperative to have a full understanding of the user characteristics. User characteristics may be studied under the groups: i) individual characteristics; ii) stages in the information diffusion, iii) environmental or social characteristics, and iv) communication characteristics. A proper and systematic user study aims at collecting all the pertinent data concerning the users with the objective of building an efficient information system: Study of user characteristics enables establishment of a close relationship between users and information system designers and service providers.

4) Information need surveys or user studies Are potentially useful in briding the gap between the kind of information services needed and the kind of services in existence. Any information system would definitely require determination of user requirements, In the past, there had been doubts regarding the point whether information n6eds could be established through user studies. But, subsequent research has proved that it is possible; to find out information needs of users by means of user studies. The availability of reliable ' methodologies for conducting user studies has enabled the profession to establish the fact that design of effective and efficient information systems and services, can be better accomplished through user studies. The establishment of a research centre in U:K. to undertake research on user studies in 1975, proves the importance attached to this subject. It may therefore be emphasised that user studies are a pre-requisite for the development of efficient information systems, services and products.

5) Like all serious efforts, conducting of a user study requires prior planning. It is important to plan a user study from the very start to the end. For this purpose, it is necessary to work out a detailed plan of each step in advance. The different stages of work are: the general objectives of the study, translation of the objectives into a set of questions or means of answering the questions, selection of the appropriate techniques for obtaining the answers, the selection of the sample of users to be observed and a plan for obtaining the necessary co-operation, the pre-testing of the technique, the full scale study itself, analysis of data and preparation of the final report need to be clearly conceived after deep "thinking. In each stage of work certain decisions need to be taken. Different steps involved in the plan: Any plan for conducting a user study should consist at least the following steps:

surveying the previous studies and literature in general and learning about aspects of user studies; determining the objectives pf the study; determining the variables to be studied and specific model to be followed; selecting the sample of the population to be studied; determining the method for collection of data for observation; determining the method of analysis of data or observations; determining the ways of presentation and utilisation of the results including dissemination of such results.

While establishing the objectives of the proposed study, one has to spell out in clear terms

Page 194: Library Society

User Studies

17

i)

ii)

iii)

iv)

i) ii) iii) iv) v)

what exactly one is going to find about: All the subsequent stages will depend on the decision.

6) Different types of user studies: Information use studies or information need studies are a composite of many things. Such studies may be grouped into four broad categories such as : -

studies which are conducted to find out the over all pattern of interaction of the user's community with the communication system, without reference to any specific information receiving event, are categorised as communication behaviour studies; studies which are conducted to find out the use of any communication medium like primary periodical, secondary periodical, etc. and are called user studies; the third category includes studies which are conducted to find out the pattern of flow of information in the science communication system as a whole. They constitute studies in the flow of information; the fourth category, includes studies/surveys which are conducted within the limited context of a library or an information centre, mainly to find out the extent of use of the services and facilities offered by an agency with the ultimate objective of improving the system or service.

It may be pointed out that any particular study/survey may have different aspects and hence overlap over the categories mentioned above: Hence, while setting the objectives, it has to be decided what exactly will be the nature of the study as per the categorisation stated above.

7) Methodologies for user studies: Once the need for conducting user studies has been established and the relevant aspects (variables) to be studied are decided, the next logical step would be selection of suitable method for conducting a user study. From the literature available on the subject, it is evident that the majority of user studies adapted three broad categories of methods : a) General or conventional methods such as:

questionnaire interview diary observation by self operations research study

b) Indirect methods in the context of information use : vi) analysis of library records vii) citation analysis

c) Special and Unconventional Methods viii) computer-feedback ix) unconventional methods.

The important aspects involved in the selection of methods may be mentioned as follows:

i) selection a sample of user population; ii) determination procedures for collection of data from or about the

sample; iii) determination of procedures for analysis of collected data to derive

or summarise results. Each one of these, has to be considered in details before one actually plunges into action regarding user studies: As to the question of selection of a sample of user population, there are number of methods available. The most common among them are: i) Convenience sampling ii) Random sampling iii) Stratified sampling iv) Representative sampling

Page 195: Library Society

Resource Sharing and Similarly a number of methods are available for data collection: Some of them are:

18

User Studies

i) surveying ii) observation iii) records analysis iv) experimentation Next aspect involved is identification of some of the data analysis methods. For formal analysis the frequently used methods are : i) statistical analysis ii) semanticanalysis iii) psycho-social analysis iv) economic analysis Each of these formal methods require knowledge of the respective fields. Standard statistical packages are widely available which will accomplish the required results. However, use of such packages requires some practical training on the part of the users. One can also adapt the techniques used in previous studies.

8) Although a number of studies have been conducted in the past to assess the information needs of scientists, engineers and technologists, but the information needs proved to be extremely complex and varie0, as a result, most of these studies proved to be inadequate to the task of completely revealing the precise nature and needs of information users. These investigations have, at best, provided only an a priori approach to the problem and much is needed to be done in this direction. There have been some criticisms on the methods and techniques used in the user studies/ surveys. For example, it has been said that the question of sampling in user studies has left much to be desired: In other words, in selecting the sample, refined techniques of random sampling have not been taken into account. The usual error of getting into the sample a large number of workers who take `an interest' or are sufficient in being methodical or co-operative to return the questionnaires and diaries, is always there. This error should be avoided. Moreover; it is not the size of the sample that is important but also the composition of it taking into consideration the environments of the participants. There are other variables also that affect the behaviour of users in so far as information use is conceived. Hence, it has been stated the user psychology must also be taken into account. Aspects of user psychology include: the search time that can be tolerated, the amount of irrelevant material that can be tolerated, time available for retrospective searching, the preferred form of the search product and users input channel capacity, work habits etc. all need to be incorporated. The importance, including individual variables in studies of information gathering and information seeking behaviours, has also been stressed by some experts. With appropriate inclusion of some of the above aspects in user studies, the critics believe that the short comings in them can be minimised and the findings can be made valid and widely applicable.

9) The problem of communication in science and the user interface have received some attention in India since last three decades. For instance INSDOC conducted a use survey', relating to it current awareness service entitled `INSDOC List of Current Scientific Literature, as early as 1964. As a result of the findings of the survey, INSDOC had to wind up the mentioned service and had to start compilation of Indian Science Abstracts (ISA). Another significant effort in this direction is the study conducted by Carl M. White relating to the use of Delhi University Library in 1965. In the same year 91965) IASLIC conducted a seminar on "Users and Library and Information Science". Though the seminar did not discuss or report any worth-while study/survey, it helped in drawing the attention of the , authorities of Special Libraries and Information Centres towards these problems. In the year 1967, INSDOC conducted a pilot survey to assess the information potential and information needs of research workers engaged in the field of `electronics'. This survey was undertaken in connection with the formation of `Electronics Information Grid'. 'Interview technique and questionnaire method were employed in the study. The findings,

Page 196: Library Society

User Studies though essentially empirical in nature have been published in the form of a report. Yet another worthwhile effort in this direction was the survey conducted by Prof. Krishan Kumar at the Delhi University to determine the reading patterns, information needs and information gathering habits of the teachers and research scholars attached to the chemistry department of the university: This survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire and also through interviews. The findings of this survey are compatible with the findings of similar studies undertaken in other countries.

19

In recent years, extensive and indepth customer related studies began to appear, one such effort was made by M:S. Sridhar: His doctoral research work was on Information seeking behaviour (ISB) of the Indian Space Technologists (IST) of ISRO Sattelite Centre (ISAC). Bangalore. The findings of this study have been published under the title `Information Behaviour of Scientists and Engineers'. This study is a contribution towards user studies. The case studies referred to above are illustrative in nature and not exhaustive.

11.7 KEY WORDS User: A person who utilises the information resources of a

library, the services and products of an information system and derives benefit from them. Users are also known as patrons or clientele

User Categories :

Users, on account of their educational background, intellectual level, and need for information, may be grouped' into definite categories such as scientists, engineers, doctors, -technologists, business managers, administrators, faculty members and students, etc. This classification is known as categorisation- of user community.

User Characteristics :

The factors in users of information that effect: i) their perception of the problem faced and

their definition of -needed information, and ii) the specific ways they are most likely to use

information and their capacity to use a given type of information are known as characteristics of users. The can be grouped broadly into : i) individual characteristics; ii) environmental or social

characteristics; ' iii) communication characteristics.

User Studies : Systematic efforts undertaken to obtain information

on the manner in which information is obtained and used by different categories of users are known as user studies. It is imperative to know the information needs and behaviour of users and the different ways of attaining such knowledge to design and develop tailor made information systems, services and products.

User Warrant: The demand for specific type of information requirements expressed by different categories of users is generally interpreted as user warrant.

11.8 REFERENCES, AND FURTHER READING Bernal, J:D.(1948).. Report on Royal Society's Scientific Conference. London: Royal Society. Bernal; J.D.(I959).The Transmission of Scientific Information: A User's Analysis - In: International Conference on Scientific Information. Washington: NRC. Vol.l, pp.77-95.

Page 197: Library Society

Resource Sharing and Busha, Charles H. and Harter, Stephen, P. (i980). Research Methods in Librarianship: Techniques and Interpretations. New York: Academic Press.

20

User Studies

Devarajan, G. (1995). Library Information User and Use Studies. New Delhi: Beacon Books.

Guha, B.(1976). Techniques of User Studies. Paper 11.3 in DST Course Material. New Delhi :INSDOC.

Kawatra, P.S. (1992). Library User Studies: A Manual for Librarians and Information Scientists. Bombay: Jaico Publishing House.

Krishan Kumar (1968). Users Survey Concerning Teachers and Research Scholars in the Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi. Ann Lib Sci Doc. 15(4). New De1hi:INSDOC:

Raizada, A.S.(1967). Electronic Information Potential in India. New Delhi: INSDOC.

Saracevic, T: and Wood, J.B. (1981). Consolidation of Information: Handbook on Evaluation, Restructuring and Repackaging of Scientific and Technical Information. Chapter 11.4, pp.36-44. Paris: UNESCO.

Satyanarayana, R. (1976). Categories of Users, their Information Requirements and Information Gathering Habits. Paper 11-2 in DST Course Material. New' Delhi: INSDOC.

Satyanarayana, R. (1976). Some Important user Studies and Their Findings: Paper 11.2 in DST Course Material. New Delhi: INSDOC.

Shaw, R.R. (1956). Pilot Study on the Use of Scientific Literature by Scientists. Washington: NSF.

Sridhar, M.S. (1995). Information Behaviour of Scientists and Engineers: A Case Study of Indian Space Technologists. New Delhi: Concept Publishing.

White, Carl M. (1965): A Survey of the University of Delhi Library: Delhi: University of Delhi:

Wilson, T.D: (1981): On User Studies and Information Needs. J DOC, 37(pp. 3-15).

Page 198: Library Society

User Studies Appendix

21

Questionnaire used in the users' survey concerning teachers and research scholars in the department of chemistry, University of Delhi.

QUESTIONNAIRE UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY SCIENCE Users' Survey

You are kindly requested to assist in the search for information with regard to the information needs, types of information, and the use of science-technology literature by research workers so as to enable librarians to provide you more effective library services. Please think over the questions in Part I and we will discuss, them together at some time convenient to you. Please answer the questions in Part II and make any additional suggestions on the back of these pages or on a :separate sheet of paper. Your cooperation is appreciated and the information provided will be kept confidential.

Part I for discussion A) What are your needs for information in terms of amount, kinds, levels,

variations at different times such as at the beginning, during, and at the end of a research project.

B) How do you get the information you need? C) Which types of publications do you use? e.g. books (i.e. monographs),

handbooks, literature guides, journals, abstracts, indexes, reviews, research reports, advances in -, Progress in... etc. For what purpose do you use each of the type of publication used by you.

D) Are you able to keep up with the literature in your field? Do you have any problems in keeping up with you field?

E) Have you ever used a library outside Delhi including the ones located in foreign countries? Give your impression and compare them with the libraries used by you at present. .

Name ............................................................... Department ............................. Area of research .............................................. Status ........................................ Date ....................................................

Part II for factual answers 1) How much time on an average do you spend on reading in your field

in a week? ………………………………………………………………………… 2) How much time on an average do you spend in the laboratory in a

week? ………………………………………………………………………… 3) Which foreign languages can you read to be able to follow literature in

that language? ………………………………………………………………………… 4) Of which professional societies are you a member? …………………………………………………………………………

Page 199: Library Society

Resource Sharing and 5) What other subjects besides Chemistry, do you need to consult and

how often (frequently or rarely or never)?

22

User Studies

………………………………………………………………………… Subject How often 5.1 5.2 5.3 6) Have you ever felt the need to improve your skill in the use of science-

technology literature. ………………………………………………………………………… 7) 7.1 Do you think training in the use of Chemical literature would

be helpful to you? …………………………………………………………………………

If yes, when should this training be given: 7.2 Undergraduate level ..............7.3 Pre-Ph.D. Level ………... 7.4 Postgraduate level..................7.5 Any other level …………

8) 8.1 Which library do you consult most? ......................................... 8.2 Which library do you borrow from most?...................................

9) How many hours per week on an average do you spend on reading in your field in library and elsewhere, and how often do you do it? (Daily, 3 times a week, once a week, fortnightly, monthly, rarely, once only).

How often Times spent per week (hours)

9.1 in the University Library (main)

……………………………………………………...

9.2 in the Department . of Chemistry

……………………………………………………

9.3 in other library(ies)

……………………………………………………

9.4 at home …………………………………………………… 9.5 enroute between

home and department

……………………………………………………

10) Do you find the collection in the field of your interest in the libraries you use most, strong enough to meet your demands. Indicate below names:

Names of the libraries 10.1 Completely adequate ………………………………………… 10.2 Partially adequate. ………………………..…………… 10.3 Not at all adequate…………………………………………… 10.4 Completely inadequate …………………………………….

11) 11.1 Do you ask for material not available in the University Library/Department Library? ................................................................. 11.2 How many times in the past 12 months did the library succeed in satisfying your demand? ............................................................:. 11.3 How much time did it take to get the material? .......................... 11.4 What other libraries have given you such service? .....................

Page 200: Library Society

23

User Studies

12) How far in terms of distance would you go to consult a library for your needs not fulfilled by the libraries you now use?

13) Do you ask for assistance for the reference libraries or other members of the library staff in these libraries:

13.1 to locate books or other items ....................................................

13.2 to locate current periodicals........................................................

13.3 to understand the use of various tools ........................................

13.4 other assistance ..........................................................................

14) 14.1 What service not now provided in the University/Department Library would you like to be made available? (e.g. preparation of a bibliography, getting a photocopy of article, doing literature search etc.)

14.2 Are you willing to pay for such special services?

15) Can you use a library card catalogue effectively?

16) Can you locate material in a library?

17) Which library do you think is easiest to use:

Name of library

17.1 Its reference collection ................................................................

17.2 In searching periodical literature ................................................

17.3 For borrowing books ...................................................................

17.4 In locating material on shelves ...................................................

17.5- For consulting its card catalogue ...................................................

17.6 Other activities ............................................................................

17.7 General comments on what makes a library easy to use ......................................................................................................

18) Suppose there were to be two or three lectures on `How to use a library effectively', would you attend these?

19) About how may scientific journals do you:

Indian Foreign 19.1 subscribe to

19.2 read regularly

19.3 scan regularly

Page 201: Library Society

Resource Sharing and User Studies

UNIT 12 USER EDUCATION Structure 12.0 Objectives 12.1 Introduction 12.2 User Education

12.2.1 Definition 12.2.2 Components

12.3 Development of User Education 12.3.1 Pioneering Efforts 12.3.2 Institutionalisation of User Education 12.3.3 UNISST Programme: User Education

12.4 User Education: Goals and Objectives 12.4.1 Goals and Objectives 12.4.2 Goals and Objectives of Library User Education

12.5 Teaching Methods and Media 12.6 Information Technology and User Education 12.6.1 Groups Involved in Online Education

12.6.2 Main Goals 12.6.3 Methods

12.7 Evaluation of a User Education Programme 12.7.1 The Scope of Evaluation 12.7.2 Methods of Evaluation 12.7.3 Need for Evaluation of Library User Education

12.8 Summary 12.9 Answers to Self Check Exercises 12.10 Key Words 12.11 References and Further Reading

12.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this Unit, you will be able to :

• Understand the concept and meaning of user education; • Define its purpose and trace its development; • Explain the role of user education in the broader perspective of educational.

processes; Identify different components of user education; • Plan, design and conduct user education programmes for different levels of target

audience; • Identify suitable teaching methods and appropriate media for conducting user

education programmes; • Critically evaluate the effectiveness of user education programmes; and Conceive

ways and means to integrate user education and the library.

12.1 INTRODUCTION Education is a life long process. However, formal education starts at the elementary school level and is said to be complete at the university level after one acquires the highest degree in some discipline. In earlier days, it was the belief that knowledge regarding the use a library was an essential part of 'education-for-life' in order to prepare the students for the continuing process of self-education.

In 1926, Coming, discussing the organisation of a university library in an article in the, 24

Page 202: Library Society

User Education Library Association Record, expressed the view that to learn how to use a library and to acquire a disinterested love of reading were important elements of education.

25

The education-for-life aspect is more important to-day when the rapid growth of information places greater stress on the ability to continue to learn throughout life. Students are encouraged to develop logical, creative and critical approaches to the subjects studied. In order to do this, they must be taught to be independent. In order to be independent, students need knowledge and skills to find their own way. The emphasis on self-education has led to increased use of seminars, tutorials, projects, etc. as teaching methods and less reliance on formal lessons and classroom lectures. There is an implicit assumption in this educational change, that learner is capable of finding material relevant to his needs. However, in practice, such an assumption is not valid. In other words, the learner requires to be taught that capability. Only then, student is able to prepare for taking full and active part in the new ways of learning. Another factor which necessitates library use instruction to the student, is the growth of interdisciplinary courses, particularly in institutions of higher education, such courses which cut across the traditional boundaries of subjects, create problems for the student in the location, selection and organisation of the material for study. The mere, quantity of material to be searched, because of the various disciplines involved, requires that-the student should be helped to find his or her way. Not only quantity, but the diversity of sources and formats, make the need for help essential. Without suitable training the student would be unable to make efficient use of all, the information that is available and potentially useful. In the beginning of the twentieth century; the service library was regarded as a reactive library providing excellent service for a relatively small group of .4etual.users. Libraries cost a great deal of money to be equipped and run. These expensive institutions are only being used by a small proportion of the potential users. This fact has been reported by Committees such as Parry Committee. The Parry Committee report mentioned that many students were not active users of their academic libraries in U.K. On the other hand, the concept of a proactive library advocates that an attempt should be made to attract all potential users into the library. In all types of library, it is important to attract as many users as possible. It is no use buying literature, carefully processing and storing it, if no one uses it. Therefore, it has been stated' that money spent on educating and training users is a good investment if this effort increases the use and appreciation of the library: The purpose of user education was not solely to stimulate library use as this is but one- of the sources of information. User education- is concerned with the whole information and communication process and one part of this involves the total interaction of the user with the library. User education is central to the whole purpose of library and the effective utilization of information resources. In this Unit, we intend to discuss the concept of user education, the need for such education, the components of user education, the methods by which user education programmes are designed and imparted to different categories of audience, and the techniques relating to the evaluation of user education programmes together with other aspects concerning the subject. The detailed discussion contained in this Unit on different facets o: the theme, the self check exercises and the model answers will enable you to easily grasp the concept of user education and its intended purpose. On the whole, the material contained in this Unit, will enable you to acquire skills relating to different aspects of `user education' and make better `information professional' out of you.

12.2 USER EDUCATION A number of user studies conducted in different countries have establishment the fact that only a few scientists make the optimum use of libraries and are aware of the various bibliographical tools. "The inference is that, contrary to the opinion of some academics, knowledge of the structure and use of scientific literature is not gained intuitively, but has to be taught". Training in the use of scientific information has been officially recomanended by the Royal Society Scientific Conference. The Perry Committee Report included a survey of the undergraduate use of the university libraries in the United Kingdom. The survey showed that: many students were not active users of academic libraries. All these factors

Page 203: Library Society

Resource Sharing and establish firmly the need for imparting training to the users in the use of libraries and information resources. Several attempts have been made all over the world to design and develop programmes for training and 'educating the users in the use of libraries and information resources. Imparting of such knowledge to the users is commonly referred to - as user education'.

26

User Studies

12:2.1 Definition

User education may be defined as a process or programme through, which the potential users (may be scientists, engineers, technologists, academics and students) of information' are made aware of the value of information and are motivated to use information resources. In her book on reader instruction, Mews defines this as instruction given to readers to help them make the best use of library. Gordon Wright opined that a student cannot be taught the use of library in splendid isolation, but must be made to see it as continuous process of education in which the various facets of communication are inextricably mixed: Jacques Tocatline(UNESCO) defined `user education' to include any effort or programme which will guide and instruct existing and potential users, individually or collectively with the objectives -

a) the recognition of their own information needs; b) the formulation of these needs; c) the effective and efficient use of information services; and d) assessment of these services. It may be stated that user education' is concerned with the- whale information and communication process, and one part of this involves the total interaction of the user with the library. This (user education) should be a continuous process starting with school and public libraries and with the possibility of extension into academic and special libraries. User education is central to the whole purpose of the library and the effective utilization of information resources. The pattern of many academic user education programmes is similar to that proposed at the Royal Society Scientific Information Conference in1948. It should have one of the courses given to new students to introduce them to library use followed by courses for advanced users on the structure of the literature of given subject fields.

12.2.2 Components

Ideally, “user education” should be a continuous process with the two components, orientation, and instruction, combined as necessary to the needs of the user:

Orientation is basically concerned with ways of introducing the user to the general methods of library usage and services available, and to the organisation,' layout and facilities of a particular library: Orientation is related to both cognitive objectives _( i.e., understanding) and affective objectives (i.e., feelings and attitudes). In orientation, it is important to try and create the right kind of environment for effective communication between user and the library, staff and to present an image of the library as a pleasant, friendly institution, where help can be obtained. As a result of orientation, the user should feel confident that the library staff is competent and is always willing to help him.

The second component of user education, namely instruction, is concerned with learning to make use of the information resources available in a specific library. This aspect is also known as bibliographic instruction and is concerned with the problems of information retrieval and the techniques of exploiting information sources to the maximum extent. Bibliographic instruction may be given at two stages: as an introductory course, and as an advanced course depending upon the level of the users:.

At a practical level, `user education' relates to the organisation of courses - timing, timetabling, deciding the size of group, optimum period of the course, etc. as well as the context of the course itself. Also, as a practical difficulty the basic lack of guiding in libraries has been mentioned in addition to the prevalence of jargon which not only perpetuates the mysteries of librarianship but also does little to create a good image of the librarian: It is not just enough for the student to be stimulated by the librarian to make use of the library. His teachers must provide him with experiences convincing him that using the library is a necessary and rewarding part of education. In other words, to tackle this problem effectively

Page 204: Library Society

User Education the user education programme must be integrated with academic teaching programme involving closer cooperation between the librarian and the teaching faculty. As an outcome of such cooperation relevant practical work can be incorporated into user education programmes.

27

The concept 'course-integrated' user education implies close relationship between library and academic programmes. Different forms' of user education programmes` have been suggested along the lines of ideal librarian/faculty , cooperation. In this context, mention must be made of the concept, of the `library college' in. which the student's dominant learning' mode is "independent study in the library, bibliographically guided, intellectually aroused, and spiritually stirred by the faculty".

12.3 DEVELOPMENT OF USER EDUCATION The history of development of user education has been well-documented. For example, Bonn's `Training laymen in the use of the library' furnished a survey of the whole field of user education covering upto the period 1958. This was updated through the efforts of Mirwis covering the academic instruction in the USA in the form of a bibliography for the period (1960-1970). Lockwood's (1979) 'bibliography of library instruction contains as many as 934 items arranged in three sections: i) general, ii) types of libraries, and iii) teaching methods and formats'. Apart from such efforts; Tindmarsh described developments in theory and practice of user education in academic libraries in the United Kingdom. Apart from this well documented record, the concept of user education evolved itself and has been widely-accepted due to the initiative and systematic work of some great persons. The pattern of development is briefly discussed in the following paragraphs. 12.3.1 Pioneering Efforts The systematic use of the concept of user education owes its origin to Patricia B. Knapp and her 1964 report which mainly attempted at "exploring methods of developing a more vital relationship between the library and college teaching". This project was sponsored by the Monteith College of Wayne State University. Earlham College also tried to provide user education programmes more or less on the same lines. It was during this period that user education was identified with bibliographic instruction and/or course-related library instruction with its own strategy. Bibliographic instruction comprised two components, one concerning the sources for imparting of knowledge; and the second relating to the development of skills essential for imbibing bibliographic instruction which consisted of the following aspects: a) general types of reference works, b) indexing and abstracting periodicals, c) library catalogue's, d) principles of knowledge organisation, e) search strategy, and f) subject analysis. The role: of library in higher education has been a subject of debate for long. In 1934, Louis Shores brought in the concept of `Library Arts College'. This concept gradually changed to `Library College'. The purpose of `Library College, is to increase the effectiveness of student learning, particularly through the use of library centred independent study with the help of a bibliographically expert faculty. The Library-college is concerned with changing the mode of instruction from the class room lecture arrangement with the library as a supporting agency, to the carrel or room in the library with the teaching/learning process dependent upon the individual and the independent efforts of the student. The pioneers i.e., Louis Shores, Patricia B. Knapp, and Thomas G. Kirk were essentially loners, despite the fact that they received some institutional support for their experimentation in this direction: 12.3.2 Institutionalisation of User Education In the, process of institutionalisation of user education the lead was taken by the Council of Library Resources and Association of College and Research Libraries in USA. Actually, it was the British Library Research and Development Department and the centre for Research in user studies which promoted and gave impetus to the development of user education

Page 205: Library Society

Resource Sharing and programmes in U.K. This institutional patronage was mainly responsible for a number of important user education projects.

28

User Studies

12.3.3 UNISIST Programme: User Education The basic focus of user education programmes has all along been in the direction of academic institutions, with the American activity being concentrated towards under-graduates and the British programmes emphasising on post-graduate and research students. In the case of less developed countries user education programmes have got ~ be geared towards developmental processes. UNESCO under the UNISIST Programmes, attempted to make user education programmes initiated in less developed countries. UNISIST promulgated the UNESCO General Information Programme (PGI) in 1975. The UNISIST Information Policy objectives lay stress on user education. The UNISIST document notes: "basic training in the use of -existing information sources, obtaining feedback from users on the results of information needs, studies, and involving, as wide range of users as possible in any new experimental services". The Bangkok and Rome Seminars (UNISIST) 1976 considered user education as an important factor in the National Information Policy of any country. The Rome seminar recommended that National Policy on User Education should be formulated as an integral part of the national policy and in correlation with the national education policy. There have been many conferences and seminars at both international and national levels on the theme of user education. One of the earliest conferences o~ the subject was the Fourth Triennial Meeting of IATUL (International Association of Technological University Libraries) held at Loughborough, U.K. in 1970. The theme of this meeting was `Educating the library user': The first international conference on Library User Education was held at Cambridge in 1979 with the theme `Library User Education: are new approaches needed?" This was followed by the second conference held at Oxford in 1981. This conference covered user education in different types of libraries. Other examples of international seminars on various aspects of user education are the Anglo-8candinavian seminar on library user education held in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1976; Workshops held at Essen, Federal Republic of Germany in 1981 and at Cranefield Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia in 1981 and a seminar on user, education in the online age' held in Gothenburg , in 1982. It may be stated that the early development of user education was largely concentrated in English speaking countries - mainly Britain, USA, Australia and Canada. However, during the last two decades there have seen a rapid growth in user education programmes in Scandinavia. During the last 10 years or so other European countries have been concerned with the development of user education and have been paying increasing attention in this direction. Japan is actively concerned with the user education movement and in China; end-user training has been a successful activity. Indian Scene: There has been some activity in India too, as far as development of user education is concerned. For example, the INSDOC, New Delhi and the DRTC, Bangalore, ' have organised seminars and workshops for the promotion of user education. The IASLIC, Calcutta organised a national conference on User Education at Waltair (AP) in 1981 and produced a volume of papers on the subject. 3ARI (New Delhi) has made efforts to organise a special course on "library use, reference compilation, scientific paper writing and proof correction": This course is not based on any standard guidelines such as UNTSIST guidelines. Except for some voluntary efforts on a sporadic basis, no systematic effort has, been 'made for institutionalisation of user education in India. It may be mentioned here that the concept of user education caught the imagination of librarians and information professionals all over the world: There have been three streams of experience so far as user education is concerned . Historically speaking, the American experience is said to be innovative, because it has laid the basis for others to follow. 'I7re names of Louis Shores, Patricia B. Knapp and Thomas Kirk would be remembered as pioneers. It was through their initiative and leadership that user education came to be accepted widely in USA. The next step in the development was the institutional framework pioneered by Eastern Michigan University through its various activities. Yet another major step in this direction was statement of objectives of the Association of College and Research Libraries in which user education received attention. This process of

Page 206: Library Society

User Education institutionalisation of user education has been accelerated by the allocation of funds from private foundations:

29

The experience of U:K. in user education was somewhat different. Here, user education programmes have tended to emanate from a central body like the Library Research and Development Department.

From institution-making which was largely decentrelised in the United States, user education has assumed a special character of centralisation in U.K: Centralisation has the advantage of co-ordination and contributed to a planned development: It might be emphasised that while at conceptual level' user education has a worldwide community at its disposal, it might take different shapes and forms in different countries keeping in line with their specific requirements and unique experiences.

Self Check Exorcises 1) Define user education and what are its components?

2) Explain in brief the development of user education.

Note : i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

12.4 USER EDUCATION: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES In .planning educational programmes for library users, it is necessary to define the main - goals and specific objectives for the courses to be organised: In other words, the course content and timing of different stages, the teaching methods and the media to be used must 'be decided in advance. The result of this planning is tested in a practical situation to assess the effectiveness of the programme: The different steps involved in the development of a course of education are represented diagramatically in the figure 1.

The clear definition- or indication of changes desired as a result of a given educational process in the form of goals and objectives, facilitates the choice of course content, of media and methods for presenting this material along with the timing of different parts.

Page 207: Library Society

Resource Sharing and

30

User Studies

12.4.1 Goals and Objectives

Goals and objectives can be grouped for the purposes of convenience into three main groups: cognitive, affective and psychomotor. In library user education, the objectives are to be found mainly in the cognitive and affective domains.

Cognitive goals and objectives are concerned with understanding various concepts. Within cognitive domain (area) the goals and objectives can be arranged according to degree of complexity - from complex to simple and from abstract to concrete.

Affective goals and objectives are concerned with feelings such as whether the student wants to and subsequently, does behave in various educationally desirable ways, as for, example the pleasure involved in making use of library resources in order to find information.

Psychomotor goals and objectives are concerned with coordinated physical activity such as the use of a computer terminal. There is usually a close relationship between cognitive and affective objectives. Thus, in library user instruction in the cognitive domain the student should know how to make use of specific library tools, such as catalogues and abstracts, when asked to do so. In the affective domain the student will feel confident in using appropriate library resources in connection with his information needs. It is always better to involve students in the process of decision about educational goals and objectives.

12.4.2 Goals and Objectives of Library User Education

One of the important developments of user education has been the -growing realization that it is important to set goals and objectives, while planning library user education. Concern over the lack of guidelines for instruction in library skills has been expressed by some authors like Lubans and Stevenson. 1n the United States, the Tull name ACRL Task Force on Bibliographic Instruction played an important role in increasing awareness of the importance of instructional goals and objectives and a set of model objectives have been" included in the ACRL Bibliographic Instruction Handbook, 1979.

It may be mentioned that the goals and objectives for programmes of library user education must be in agreement with the general aims of the university library; these aims must in turn,

Page 208: Library Society

User Education be related to the goals and objectives of higher education: "The general" goals of a university library may be expressed in the following way:

31

1) To contribute to the realization of the aims of the university with regard to

teaching learning and research by acquisition of printed and non-print material necessary to cover present day and future information needs;

2) To register and store the material acquired in such a way that it not only permits but even actively stimulates the use of this material;

3) To adopt these information resources to the changing needs of the university and society;

4) To contribute to the integration of both national and international information resources. with in the university.

It is to be noted that one of the ways of stimulating the active use of information stored in the library is by teaching the library user how to obtain information from the material available. Thus, a general goal for a programme of user education for any type of library is to create awareness of the resources available. In special libraries, for subject like, science, medicine or technology, where the rate of growth of literature is very rapid, the, need for user instruction is particularly critical. Library user education is not part of a separate academic discipline. It consists of a series of-skills which can be made use of in connection with different academic studies. Hence, 'i education -in library use should be closely integrated with the teaching programmes which prevail in different academic disciplines. Therefore, there is a great need for cooperation between library staff, academic staff and the student community for its successful implementation. In the past, there has been a prolonged debate relating to the goals and objectives for library user education: Organisations like ACRL in the USA and ASLIB in U.K have attempted to develop their own proposals and guidelines in this direction. Information professionals like Hutton, Scrivener and Hartz have communicated their views on the subject. Scrivener while discussing the general aims for university library user education programmes describes the following as a summary of what any programme might aim to achieve: `the details will necessarily vary in different situations but teaching should establish and promote those traditional skills without which no student can make adequate use of this library: i) an understanding of library arrangements; physical, bibliographical and conceptual; ii) a knowledge of sources which will be appropriate in any given situation; and iii) the ability , , to interpret his own peed so as to frame relevant question; iv) an awareness of search techniques including the ability to devise serviceable routines and finally the student needs skill in the art of evaluating his sources and presenting his materials". The main goals identified for a user education programme at Chalmers University of Technology Library, Sweden have been formulated in the following way: • the ability to apply the principles of scientific communication to the problems of

information retrieval; • the ability to use the different tools available in the library in order to obtain

information useful in connection with studies and later work as and when required: Once the broad goals for the programme are formulated, it would be possible to draw up a number of specific objectives within the broad framework: It is always beneficial to make a distinction between library orientation and library instruction. It may be emphasised that . library orientation is concerned with enabling the student to become aware of the existence of the library and the services available there, aiding the student to learn about the general use of the library; while library instruction is concerned with enabling the student to obtain information required for specific purpose by making full use of the resources and material available in the library and is concerned with problems of information retrieval.

12.5 TEACHING METHODS AND MEDIA Education has been defined 2s a process which changes the learners. This process can be affected by a variety of factors. There are four basic factors that affect learning in

Page 209: Library Society

Resource Sharing and practical situations. They are: motivation, activity, understanding and feedback. These factors might be considered in relation to library user education programme as well. Choice of teaching methods and media depends on the learning/teaching situation, the subject material; the students and the teachers. No single method will be suitable for all situations. However, teaching methods may roughly be categorised into those which are suitable for group instruction, those suitable for individual instruction and those suitable for both. These methods are depicted in the diagram given below.

32

User Studies

Teaching methods may use visual or auditory stimulation or a combination of both. It is stated that methods which make use of a combination of sensory inputs are likely to be more effective than those which rely on a single channel of communication. In fact, interaction between individuals concerned in the learning/teaching situation also affects the learning process. The interaction may be categorised into teacher-student and student-teacher interaction: Revill is of the opinion that in programmed instruction students work as isolated individuals. Therefore, there is little or no interaction with other students or with teacher. This situation might be advantageous to introvert students but may not favour the extrovert students who prefer the companionship and the competition of the classroom. Described below are various teaching methods for library user education and indicates the factors affecting the learning process along with the number of sensory inputs utilised and students-teacher, and student-student interaction. From the description it might be observed that no single method is suitable for all learning/teaching situations or, for all individuals: In fact, various methods and media should be used to supplement each other in any given programme of education: However, traditional library instruction has made considerable use of the lecture method for large groups, the guided tour for smaller groups and individual help for those who ask for this at the information desk.

In the following sections the use of various methods and media for library user education are briefly discussed.

Page 210: Library Society

User Education The Lecture

33

Lectures are the most common method of instruction. They are used for teaching large groups of students. In lecture method of teaching both auditory as well visual sensory inputs (via blackboard or overhead projector) are made use of. The lecture as a form of communication in education has been strongly criticised: The great disadvantage of this method is that the speed of delivery of information can not be controlled by the receiver and repetition is not possible without the provision of printed hand outs. However, lectures provide an opportunity for personal interaction and some feedback could be obtained from the students. Lecture is an unsuitable method for conveying information about bibliographic data. It is only suitable for providing a general introduction to a course on information retrieval. The lecture method may be more advantageous to a mature group of audience rather than beginners. Seminars, Tutorials and Demonstrations These are organised for small groups of 'students/users .Compared to lecture method, seminars, tutorials and demonstrations are methods which provide opportunity for active involvement of users in learning process through greater interaction between the teaching staff and students. In seminars, the atmosphere tends to be less formal and more congenial for integration between the teacher and the taught. It is possible to provide motivation and to see that students are actively involved by means of practical exercises.During the practical sessions the students receive feedback as to their progress. For example, an attempt can be made to relate new information to existing knowledge. It is rather difficult to explain the use of various specific tools for information retrieval in absence of source materials. It will be ideal to conduct seminars relating Library user education in libraries. This would facilitate demonstration of specific tools for information retrieval. Demonstrations might prove to be a good way of teaching small groups of students/users the use of various tools used for information retrieval. They may be provided with an opportunity of actively searching for information about some topic in which students/users are interested. The Guided Tour This is one of the traditional approaches commonly followed to orient the freshets to the use of the library. This type of orientation is often given when the students have little or no motivation actually to use the library. From the point of view of library administration the guided tour type of library orientation makes heavy demands of library staff time. "A better programme for short library orientation is the self-paced printed or audio tour followed by appropriate exercises. This method brings library users into the actual building where they carry out a series of practical tasks concerned with the location materials, photocopying, use of catalogues and other routines. Self guided tours have been used successfully in many libraries". Audio-Visual Methods In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the use of audio-visual media in teaching and learning process in general and for library user education in particular. A catalogue of AV media and CAI software for user education and librarianship have been published in 1982. They contain useful information in this field. It is stated that there are few areas in library education where it is necessary to use moving images. As a result, the information can be conveyed in a series of units such as slides or overhead transparencies or printed illustrations. This would suggest that the tape/slide medium or the use of audiotape in conjunction with printed material would be suitable for library user education. The advantages of tape/slide productions are: flexibility, constant availability, speed of presentation and the clarity associated with the exposition apart from being easy to update: Video-tapes Videotapes like films can be used to convey both motion, and in some cases, colour. It is possible to re-use the tape thereby making and updating less expensive. However, updating of video tapes is a time consuming activity. Video-recording can be used to create an atmosphere of reality and convey moving images but these requirements are not usually met with in library instruction. Video recording can make use of tape, film or discs for actual storage of recorded material. But, one of the problems facing libraries in the use of video materials has been the lack of standardisation between different systems. It would appear

Page 211: Library Society

Resource Sharing and that cassette systems are more appropriate in the context of library education. There are at present two types of TV cassette systems; for playback alone, and systems for both recording and playback: But the main problem is lack of compatibility between different systems.The advantages of these methods are that they allow for careful preparation of material and can make use of the best teachers repeatedly available as the recorded material can be used many times. Internal TV systems can use displays suitable for audiences of different sizes; whereas the personal contact of teacher or seminar is last in this method. The students cannot stop in the middle of the programme and ask questions and discussions cannot be organised. In other words; the instruction tends to place the student in a passive atmosphere.

34

User Studies

Programmed Instruction The programmed instruction can be carried out by the use of a variety of media such as printed books, automatic projection of slides or by means of a computer-aided instruction (CAI). Programmed instruction is associated with many advantages for library instruction. For example: student/users can work at their own pace. They can actively participate in the learning process and receive direct feedback in respect of their progress. It is also possible for the teaching staff to obtain a record of the student's progress.' Of course, the disadvantage is that of the isolation factor on the part of the student. Extrovert students who like `companionship and competition of the classroom might not prefer this method of learning. CAI instruction is largely developed in the USA. Signs and Informational Graphics Sign systems and informational graphics are one of the most basic methods available for providing orientation about the use of the library. A study of British libraries conducted by Graphic Information Research unit at the -Royal College of Art revealed that the general standard of graphics was poor, signs in particular tended to vary in design and construction. " However, in the US; there has been a marked increase in this important aspect of user education in recent years and a number pf handbooks and guides have been produced in this area. "Librarians started to apply systems approach in which different types of signs are used to illustrate different functions such as orientation, direction, identification, instruction, prohibition or regulation or current awareness. These functions fall into two main types: signs related to direction finding and signs related to the use of library resources. If signs are to be effective for user orientation, they must be carefully planned with regard to position, content and presentation". Well designed signs are expensive but this expense becomes a good investment in that the signs will last for a long time and help to overcome the physical barriers of the library. Individual Instruction at the Reference Desk It is believed that the best form of library instruction can be imparted by personalised service at the reference desk: This is because a user asks a question about the use of some part of the library when he is motivated to learn that aspect. The student/user is actively involved in the learning process and is receiving tuition from an expert. The difficulty associated with this type of individual help is that it may provide immediate relief to the students/users, but not necessarily the understanding and background knowledge to cope up with similar situations that the student/user might face in future. In summary, it might be said that choice of teaching methods and media depends on the v learning-teaching situation; the subject material and people to whom training has to be imparted and the staff involved in the training process: The methods and media for library user education should preferably involve the active participation of the student/user at a point when he/she feels motivation. In practice, a combination of teaching methods and media might provide the ideal basis for programmes of library user education. Self Check Exercises 3) What are the goals and objectives of library user education? 4) Mention the various methods and media used for library user education. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

Page 212: Library Society

User Education ii) Check your answer with the answers.

35

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

12.6 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND USER EDUCATION

During the last two decades computers are increasingly being used for information activities. This has resulted in rapid growth of computer-based online information retrieval systems. Databases and computer stored information files are produced by many organisations such as American Chemical Society (Chemical Abstracts) and the US National Library of Medicine (Index Medicus) etc. These databases are now widely accessible for information searching: from local terminals which are' linked to the central computer via a telecommunication network. Such efforts have resulted in the development of a number of online information retrieval systems. The use of these systems depends on the education of users and the availability and functioning of this method of information retrieval: The aim of this section is to examine the goals and objectives for online user education and to suggest examples of methods, media and training programmes suitable for accomplishing these goals and objectives.

12.6.1 Groups Involved in Online Education

Different groups are concerned in online orientation, training and education. They are:

1) Database producers

2) System operators '

3) Institutions responsible for terminal operation for example; libraries or information centres

4) Library schools

5) Intermediaries

6) End users

The motivation for each of these groups is expected to vary considerably. Generally, the motivation for taking part in such training programmes might be considered partly financial, and closely linked to the sale of a specific product - database or information system: For the sake of convenience online education programme may be divided into two components: orientation and instruction. Orientation is concerned with enabling the user to learn of the existence of computer-based information retrieval and the services available. On the other hand, instruction is concerned with enabling the user to learn in detail how to carry out computerised information retrieval. The goals and objectives for online user education may be categorised in terms of the two main groups namely the end-users and the intermediaries.

12.6.2 Main Goals

i) To enable an end-user to carry out online information searches either himself or with the help of an intermediary, within his own subject field, as and when required, in connection with information needs:

ii) To enable an intermediary to carry out online information searches, for end-users, within many different subject fields, from the available databases, on the various information retrieval systems.

Page 213: Library Society

Resource Sharing and 12.6.3 Methods

36

User Studies

In the earlier section a detailed account has been provided on the teaching methods, and media appropriate to library user education in general. In addition to the methods discussed earlier, it must specially be noted that as online retrieval is an interactive process, particular attention needs to be paid to methods which permit the display and experience of this interaction.

In order to demonstrate online information retrieval, it is necessary to be able to show moving images generated in the computer search, thereby creating a feeling of reality. The ultimate aim of online, instruction, for both end-users and intermediaries, is to be able to carry out online information searches. Therefore, it is essential to practise on a real system. This forms part of `learning by doing' concept, which is also important in other forms of library user education. The need for live online instruction has been recognised by systems operators, who have provided various aids for teaching. In MEDLINE system; for example, the user can interactively ask for instructions at the beginning of the search, or for assistance during the search, when part of the instructions are given as requested. The SDC (System Development Corporation) provides an online database over databases, DBI (Data Base Index) where the user can type in the subject area -of interest and receive information as to the appropriate databases ranked in order of suitability for searching.

One of the most common ways of providing training for intermediaries is by letting them observe and' work with a trained searcher. This is considered to be an essential part of intermediary training.

Real `hands-on' training in online searching is an important element in the education of end users in computerised information retrieval. This would` enable the students/users to be motivated and involve themselves actively in the learning process.

Choice of teaching method is often dependent, not only on the learning effects, but also on availability of equipment and cost of use.

12.7 EVALUATION OF A USER EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Evaluation has been described and interpreted in different ways by educational research workers: Evaluation is concerned with the collection of information about the effects of an educational course or programme. It involves the comparison of observed effects with expectations or intentions. It is important to consider why evaluation is carried out when trying to understand what evaluation is.

"Evaluation is concerned with the collection and analysis of information about the input, in terms of educational potential, the variables affecting the educational process, and the end product or output. Evaluation can be directed towards the various aspects of the educational course or programme." The basic purpose of evaluation is to collect and analyse information that can be used for rational decision making. In the context of library, user education, evaluation is also concerned with the economic use of specific libraries and information systems in general. The goals and objectives of a successful programme of library user education must be based on the synthesis of the needs of students, academic staff and library staff. Evaluation, based on attempts to measure the realisation of prespecified goals and objectives, must be multifaceted, concerned with library use and. information skills, attitudes to libraries, effects of various instructional programmes, and use' of a given library or information resources.

12.7.1 The Scope of Evaluation

"Evaluation might range from the study of details such as the use of given teaching methods or media, through the effects of specific courses, whole library instructional programmes to the extreme of general educ4onal systems". '

Page 214: Library Society

User Education 12.7.2 Methods of Evaluation

37

There are three methods which are normally used for evaluation purpose. They are; i) the psychometric, ii) the sociological or management, and iii) the illuminative or responsive. Psychometric evaluation is based an the assumption that it is possible to expose experimental and control` groups to different treatments, while all other variables are controlled, and to measure the changes by means of psychometric tests, achievement tests or attitude~ scales. Thus, the experimental group may $e exposed to a new type of course where as the control group follows the traditional course, in every other respect the two groups are exactly comparable. Pre-tests and post-tests are: given to both groups and the analysis is concerned with establishing significant differences in performance of the two groups.. This evaluation procedure is concerned with measuring output in terms of pre-specified goals and no attention is paid to unexpected effects: The sociological evaluation method is used in the study, of changes in the structure of an organisation. This type of evaluation makes use of interviews and questionnaires: Attention is focused on the organisation undergoing the change, rather than on comparison with any control group. The third type of evaluation has been called illuminative evaluation by Parlett and Hamilton. It is not limited by the initial formulation or aims, but allows the expression of unexpected results. The actual implementation of an innovation is regarded as the most important part of the study, Research is focused on what is actually happening in response to the innovation, This type of evaluation is not concerned so much with testing of an educational `programme, but with describing and understanding the conditions in which the programme works, and how the participants are affected by it: Observational studies and explorative interviews are used to obtain the information. 12:7.3 Need for the Evaluation of Library User Education Of late, librarians have become more particular regarding the evaluation of programmes of library instruction. In 1976, Brewer and Hills observed that "librarians should take evaluation ` more seriously and to think more professionally about their teaching commitment". A critical examination of the bibliographies and handbooks on user education reveals that evaluation is not well documented as compared to other aspects: It might be mentioned that while there is a growing increase in awareness about the importance of evaluation in library user education programmes, not many examples of systematic evaluation of libraty, user: education programmes are presently available. One of the examples cited in this- connection is that of the evaluation studies conducted at Chalmers University of Technology Library. A review of work done in library user education programme evaluation reveals that evaluation has been carried out in many different ways in an attempt to study the value of such programmes and the measurement of the effects of such educational programmes on those who participated in such programmes. : It might be emphasised that evaluation and the feedback received in the process will lead to the improvement of such programmes. Self Check Exercises 5) How Information Technology helps in providing user education? 6) What is the need for evaluating user education in libraries. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Page 215: Library Society

Resource Sharing and 12.8 SUMMARY

38

User Studies

An attempt has been made in this Unit to explain to you the concept of user education, its purpose and the different teaching methods and media appropriate for user education programmes in library user education. In course of discussion, the impact of application of technology on user education was examined. The special requirements necessary for providing user education programmes relating to online searching and computer-based information retrieval were emphasised. The Unit concludes with a brief account of the evaluation aspects relating to library user education programmes. It is hoped that the information furnished in this Unit along with self check exercises and their model answers will enable you to gain sufficient knowledge on user education in libraries.

12.9 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) User education is described as a process or programme through which the

potential users of information are motivated to use information resources. User education has basically two components such as: i) orientation and ii) instruction.

2) The development of user education originated since 1934 when Louis Shores brought the concept of "Library Arts College" with the objective of developing the student learning through the use of library. Patricia B.K. Knapp and her 1964 Report also attempted at "exploring methods of developing a more vital relationship between the library and college teaching". Afterwards various institutions and associations in USA, UK and India as well as UNISIST programme and user education organised seminars and workshops to promote user education.

3) The goals and objectives of library user education programmes are to: i) create awareness of the resources available, and ii) acquaint a series of skills which can be made use of in connection with different academic studies. '

4) Lectures, seminars, tutorials and demonstrations guided tour, video tapes, programmes instruction, graphics, individual instructions are various methods and media used for library user education. .

5) Computer-based on-line Information Retrieval Systems are helpful to users to carry out on-line information searches either himself or with the help of an intermediary.

6) The need for evaluating user education in libraries is to study the value of different programmes and measurement of the effects of such educational programmes on those who participated.

12.10 KEY WORDS

Affective Goals and Objectives :

They are concerned with feelings whether the student wants to, and subsequently does, behave in various educationally desirable ways. They are of long term importance for the behaviour of the student.

Cognitive Goals and Objectives :

These are concerned with understanding various concepts. Within domain they are arranged according to degree of complexity.

Goal: Used to express broad, general statements of purpose.

Illuminative or Responsive Evaluation :

This type of evaluation emphasises participant observation and interviews as means to obtain an

Page 216: Library Society

39

User Education

overall view of education programmes.

Objective: Used to express specific short-term aims, in agreement with the main goals.

Psychometric Evaluation: It has evolved from the discipline of psychology and is based on the assumption that it is possible to expose experimental and control groups to different treatments, while all other variables are controlled, and to measure changes by means of psychometric tests, achievement tests or attitude scales.

Psychomotor Goals and Objectives:

These are concerned with coordinated physical activity, such as the use of a computer terminal.

Sociological Evaluation: The management or sociological approach to educational evaluation has developed from the discipline of industrial sociology. This method is used to study changes in the structure of an organisation.

12.11 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Fjallbrant, Nancy and Malley, Ian (1984): User Education in Libraries. 2nd ed: London:-

Clive Bingley.

Fjallbrant, N: (1996). Educate.- a networked user education project in Europe. In IFLA Journal, zz(I).

Girja Kumar and Krishan Kumar (1983). Philosophy of User Education. New Delhi: Visas Publishing House.

Kirkendall , C.A. (1980). Library Use Education: Current Practices and Trends.. Library Trends, 29(I).

Knapp, P.B. ('1964). The Monteith College Experiments. New York: Scarecrow Press.

Lubans, J, ed. (1974). Educating the Library User. London: BOWKER.

Moghdam, D (1975). User Training for :Online Information Retrieval Systems. JASIS, 26 (1975).

Rajagopalan, T.S (1978). Education and Training of Information Users. Library Science, 15 (1978).

Revi11, H.H. (1970). Teaching Method in the Library; A Survey from the Education Point of View. Library World, 71(1970)

Satyanarayana, N.R. ed. (1988).User Education in Academic Libraries. New Delhi: ESSESS Publications.

Satyanarayana, R (197b). Training Courses for Users of Scientific Information. Paper 11.4a DST Course Material: New Delhi: INSDOC.

Stevenson, M.B. (1977). User Education Programmes: A Study of Their Development; Organisation, Methods and Assessment. Wetherby; British Library.

Tadesse, Taye and Neelameghan, A (1995) User sensitisation and orientation: a case study in postgraduates in the medical sciences. Journal of Inf. Se., 21(I).

Taylor, P.7. (1978) User Education and the Role of Evaluation. Unesco Bulletin for Libraries, 3291

Tocatlian, Jacques. (1978) Training Information Users. Unesco Bulletion for Libraries 32 (1978). Paris: Unesco.

Page 217: Library Society

Resource Sharing and User Studies

UNIT 13 RESOURCE SHARING - CONCEPT,

NEED FORM AND SELECTED CASE STUDIES

Structure 13.0 Objectives 13.1 Introduction

13.2.1 Definition 13.2.2 Objectives of Resource Sharing

13.2 Concept of Resource Sharing 13.3.1 Agreements On 13.3.2 Basic Records 13.3.3 Technology

13.3 Requirements for the Organisation of Resource Sharing 13.4 Realising the Goals of Resource Sharing 13.5 Developments in India (Some Case Studies)

13:5.1 CALIBNET 13.5.2 DELNET 13.5.3 INFLIBNET

13.6 Summary 13.7 Answers to Self Check Exercises 13.8 Key Words 13.9 References and Further Reading

13.0 OBJECTIVES After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

understand the concept of resource sharing; its purpose and objectives; • • •

identify different aspects of resource sharing; know the developments taking place due to the impact of modem information technologies; and have exposure to some of selected case studies.

13.1 INTRODUCTION In the present day context, no single library could think of organizing library services entirely based on its own collection. It has, to certain extent, depend on resources external to its collections: The reason for this dependency is ascribed to the rising cost of journals, the growing pressures on library space and the cost of processing and maintaining large collections. In essence, these factors call for effective cooperation among different libraries.

It may also be mentioned here that library cooperation in resource sharing has become essential because of a shift on the part of the libraries from permanent acquisition' to temporary ownership. It may be pointed out that the advocates of "ownership paradigm" emphasise the acquisition of materials, believing that the academic library is fulfilling its role in planning and managing for anticipated information needs for scholars and students. The 'temporary ownership' model is criticised because of the short term application, since its objective is to satisfy the immediate information needs only.

The concept on 'access' to information resources is a part of wider philosophy concerned with resource sharing in libraries. It may be stated that access is facilitated by means of cooperative collection development and inter-library loan activities.

One of the significant aspects that need to be emphasised is that resource sharing activity is based on the concept of equivalency: that is libraries should not only receive but should 40

Page 218: Library Society

Resource Sharing – Concept, also give however small it should be. In order to facilitate such arrangements all the participants must know what each of the member libraries has and what resources it will be acquiring in future.

41

Need Form and SelectedCase Studies

An attempt is made in this Unit, to furnish information relating to resource sharing, its objectives, organization and development. The sharing of information resources is enhanced by the concept of networking. Libraries have been familiar with the concept of networking for decades. They have predicated a portion of their service goals on networking - the ability to obtain needed materials from other libraries: What has changed in 1980's and 1990's is the ability to carry out such resource sharing more efficiently with the use of telecommunications networks. The unit also discusses the implications of modern information technologies to Library Resource Sharing Service, and presents a few case studies, especially some of the developments taking place in India in the academic sector in resource sharing activity. It is hoped that the material presented in this Unit will be found helpful by-the students of BLISc Programme in understanding the concept of Resource Sharing in libraries.

13.2 CONCEPT OF RESOURCE SHARING Librarians are very much familiar with library cooperation. The basic purpose of library cooperation was to pool the resources of a group of libraries and use them to their optimum level for the mutual benefit of all the participating (members) institutions. In fact, library cooperation did manifest itself in different forms such as cooperative acquisition, centralised , cataloguing and inter-library loan. All these were aimed at avoiding duplication of efforts on the part of libraries and using the available resources optimally. Especially, interlibrary loan did enhance the ability to, obtain needed materials from other libraries. Thus, library cooperation facilitated access to knowledge within, between and among the libraries. Resource sharing,: in fact, extends the scope of 'library cooperation to include certain reciprocity and partnership in which each participant has something useful to contribute as well as to receive from others. There is a willingness and also the capability to make it available when required. Efforts were made during the 1950's and 1960's to formalise the concept of resource sharing largely because of inadequate library budgets and the sudden spurt in the cost of books and subscription of periodicals. 13.2.1 Definition Allen Kent provides descriptions to some of the concepts associated with resource sharing in the following terms:

Resource sharing in libraries is defined as a mode of operation whereby functions are, shared in common by a number of libraries in its most positive effects: Resource sharing entails reciprocity, employing partnership in which each member has something useful to contribute to others and in which every member is willing and able to make available when needed. The term 'Resource' is used to designate any or all of the materials, functions, services and the expertise of the professional and non-professional staff. Resource implies a thing, a person or an action to which one turns for aid and help in time of need.

Secondly; the term ‘Sharing’ implies aportioning, allotting or contributing something that is owned to benefit others: It implies partnership for mutual benefit. Library Resources encompass print and non-print materials as well as human resources that are eligible to be shared in ways that enhance the quality of service. With the elaborate explanation as provided by Allen Kent, it must be easy for: any one to understand the meaning as well as the significance of the concept of "Resource Sharing": Obviously, it does not mean that individual identity of participating libraries would be affected in any way. In fact, the gains of resource sharing are to be achieved without in any way adversely affecting the objectives or interests of the participating libraries. However, there might be situations that may call for minor adjustments with regard to methods of operation.

Page 219: Library Society

Resource Sharing and

42

User Studies

• •

13.2.2 Objectives of Resource Sharing The objectives of resource sharing are very idealistic. They are aimed at providing convenient access to information to library users irrespective of the location of the resources. In other words, libraries go beyond their own resources to satisfy the user requirements. This is achieved by sharing the resources of other libraries. The main reasons for this activity are

reduction in all round cost; avoidance of unnecessary duplication of information resources and their processing and maintenance costs; provision of greater access to information resources to a wider category of users; and development of specialised areas of collection building, each library concentrating on areas of its own concern.

The basic activity of resource sharing is aimed at maximising the availabitily of library materials and services at the minimal expense. The emphasis is on provision of access to information sources rather than possession and ownership of such resources, although ownership is, not completely excluded. The basic assumption is that no library can possess all the world's literature and, hence, has to depend on other libraries for serving all the needs ' of its clientele.

13.3 REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ORGANISATION OF RESOURCE SHARING

One of the significant aspects that needs attention is that each participating library should have a clear cut policy as regards the type of resources it would be in a position to share' with other member libraries. In other words, the library will necessarily have some books and journals which are very much used by its own clientele and cannot be lent out of the premises: Such documents do not fall under the purview of resources sharing. Therefore, for effective resource sharing among libraries, it is important to reach an agreement on some of the under mentioned issues: 13.3.1 Agreements On.

type of material to be shared; • •

• •

• •

acquisition policies both to ensure consistent development of holdings and also to avoid duplication when this is considered to be non-productive by the member libraries; loan periods, renewal procedures, payment for materials lost during transactions, etc.; production of tools such as union catalogues with uniformity and standardisation for bibliographic control; cooperative cataloguing or shared cataloguing; maintenance of up-to-date catalogues, etc.

In addition to the aspects mentioned above; it is necessary that there should be : positive procedures for delivering materials and their timely return; bibliographic access to local holdings and on order and in-process records of the participant libraries; establishment of facilities for storing little used or discarded materials, their maintenance and use as and when required.

Once material of interest has been' located elsewhere, it becomes necessary to determine whether it is indeed available, or is in use by others. Resource sharing requires access to circulation information to avoid disappointment and to accelerate the process of locating the required material in another library. Once this is done, the next step entails transfer of the physical material to the point of need. Resource sharing, therefore, involves establishing positive procedures for delivering materials, and for ensuring their return in a timely manner.

Page 220: Library Society

Resource Sharing – Concept, If resource sharing is to be successful and effective, all procedures must occur with sufficient speed so that the client has the desired material in hand before the need for it is evaporated. Technology may become useful tool in this regard:

43

Need Form and SelectedCase Studies

13.3.2 Basic Records

Record keeping is important in resource sharing systems as it is in individual libraries.. Sharing of materials entails sharing in a formal and consistent manner, the records with out which the system cannot operate.

First is the acquisitions policy, which must be reduced to writing in as much detail as possible. This is necessary in order that other members in the system can make effective predictions of whether other libraries will or will not acquire a given item. The experience in the preparation of parameters for approval programmes may serve as a workable model in this regard.

Convenient access in real time, to on-order/in-process records of resource sharing partners and to union catalogues of their holdings can help in the application of policy to individual selection decisions.

Once a positive acquisition decision has been made, the local on-order and in-process files must be accessible to others who may be making an: acquisition decision to purchase the same materials. The same goes for access to holdings as represented by the catalogues of the member libraries.It is useful to consider the feasibility of establishing a union catalogue for the member libraries and of keeping it up to date.The union catalogues whether individual or union must contain indications of library location of items and also information on any restrictions on use.

The client who has located material of interest to him must know whether it is available or it is circulating., In the latter case, the expected time of availability must be known so that a decision can be reached as to whether the delay is acceptable or whether the holdings of the other library should be availed: In other words, the basic circulation files, therefore, need to be made accessible.

Once the loan transaction has been completed, it is necessary to establish files, and also procedures for recall of materials. If protocols are established for fines or other punitive methods for late return, or non-return, then appropriate files and procedures must be established. The files and procedures discussed above' provide the opportunity for analysis of usage and for making decisions on retirement of materials to a common storage facility. If such a facility is developed, appropriate files and procedures must also be developed.

13.3.3 Technology

Since there is need to share data about acquisitions, holdings, inter library loan requests, and completed transactions - and to share this data over distances - the technology of computers and telecommunications becomes dominant in the design and operation of -' resource sharing systems. The primary records containing such data can be recorded in machine-readable form to permit cost-effective transactions to be concluded; to permit ready analysis; and to support, with consistent and up-to-date data, decision processes that must -, be made in different geographic locations.

There is a whole spectrum of computers, which can be considered for resource sharing systems. Small and inexpensive computers (microcomputers) to more expensive large scale "computer facilities are available for this purpose, Libraries participating in resource sharing systems may wish to utilise any of these to support local automation requirements. Careful analysis is needed to ensure that equipment choices for local requirements and/or to support consortium, are compatible.

If a network of participating libraries is envisaged, the process would be enhanced by telecommunications networks. In such situations, libraries must recognise both the potential and problems that result due to adoption of technology. Successful cooperation is closely related to adherence of standards. Standardisation is a must in an electronic environment:

Page 221: Library Society

Resource Sharing and Self Check Exercises

44

User Studies

1) What is the philosophy behind the concepts of resource sharing in Libraries?

2) List out the objectives of resource sharing

3) What are the basic requirements of resource sharing

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below. ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………

13.4 REALISING THE GOLS Of RESOURCE SHARING. It is, now known to' every librarian that self-sufficiency is unattainable for any library, and there is a consequent demand for the development of realistic, practicable, acceptable goals' which are in accordance with the current environment. At any given budget level, the library must assign resources to each of three areas:

a) acquisition of materials

b) the bibliographic apparatus to permit accessing the local holdings

c) the apparatus to access the holdings of "other participating libraries:

The basic question is how much funds for each. The main problem to be addressed is that of predicting need, or rather forecasting need, if there are persisting trends whose direction could be envisaged. It is observed from literature that more than 50% of materials purchased for libraries are not used. Also, 10% of books acquired represent that these were not circulated even once in last 7 years; but a small portion of any collection is in such heavy demand, that these titles are unavailable when wanted. These data, if confirmed in a local environment; can be extremely important in making purchase and/or resource sharing decisions.

In other words, resource sharing denotes a mode of operation, whereby all or part of library ' functions are shared in common among several libraries: The basic functions may be classified as acquisitions, processing, storage, and delivery of service. There is no single system in which all these functions are shared, although networks which might become "full service" are being planned in some of the systems. The significant aspects of resource sharing till now have been in the areas of processing and delivery of service. There have been important activities in the areas of centralised storage and acquisitions. Many commercial organisations have started offering bibliographic access to journal literature via, national computer-time sharing systems.

It should be mentioned here, that the availability of materials which resource sharing seeks to maximise, implies certain trade-offs of time and accustomed ways of utilising library material. For example, if there is a delay in obtaining a particular item because it is not held

Page 222: Library Society

Resource Sharing – Concept, locally, but the money saved from that non-acquisition could well represent an investment in -access to a larger universe of material than the particular local library can afford. Availability through resource sharing, also implies new ways of evaluating libraries and using the resources of recorded knowledge. The collections of a particular library are not an important criteria to judge the value of a library as much as the access facilities that the library is able to provide for larger quantum of recorded knowledge by virtue of its membership in a resource sharing network: The effectiveness of resource sharing depends on the availability of appropriate communications, technology and delivery systems. The computer has been an extremely effective device for processing and locating materials quickly-and conveniently regardless of distance. The delivery services, till now, have mostly relied on mail service or private delivery systems:

45

Need Form and SelectedCase Studies

If resource sharing systems are to be operated in parallel with, systems- aiming toward self sufficiency, the cost effectiveness may not be possible. On the other hand, if more integrated systems of resource sharing are developed, more benefits; will be realised from such efforts.

13.5 DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA (SOME CASE STUDIES) The need for networking of libraries with the objective of resource sharing was felt in the - 1980s after witnessing a great deal of progress made by the developed countries in this direction. The ‘Working Group.’ of the Planning Commission on libraries and informatics headed by Dr. N. Seshagiri recommended the need for modernisation of library services and inter-linking of library systems during the 7th plan period (1985-1990). In 1985 NISSAT convened a meeting under the-chairmanship of Director-General, CSIR. One of the recommendations of this- meeting was establishment of a Science and Technology library in Calcutta and the promption of automation and networking in the city. CMC Ltd. - was commissioned by NISSAT to prepare the feasibility report on the Calcutta Library ` Network (CALIBNET). The report was completed and published in 1989. In the meanwhile, in January 1988, India International Centre, New Delhi with the support of NISSAT began the work on Delhi Library Network (DELNET) as a project of the Centre. In July 1992; it was registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The recommendations of the Working Group on Modernisation of Library Service and Informatics headed by Dr: Seshagiri, paved the way for the establishment of an Information ' and Library Network (INFLIBNET). The report of INFLIBNET was published in 1989. In 1991, INFLIBNET opened its office at Ahmedabad as soon as funds became available under the Eighth Plan, INFLIBNET began its work. In the meantime proposals were made regarding the establishment of more networks. in cities like Chennai, Pune, Bombay and Bangalore. Therefore, besides CALIBNBT, DELNET and INFLIBNET the library networks started in one form or the other in Bombay, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune and Ahmedabad. ' In the following sections a brief account of CALIBNET; DELNET and INFLIBNET is presented. These form some selected examples of case studies. 13.5.1 CALIBNET CALIBNET was sponsored by NISSAT which initiated the action for the preparation of a : feasibility report by CMC.According to the feasibility report, CALIBNET 'was to be network of 40 libraries. If was to be developed in two phases: NISSAT provided funds for the development of software package (MAITRAYEE) based on INGRESS 502 for CALIBNET. The package was developed by CMC Ltd: Details regarding the total quantity of machine-readable data produced by different participating libraries using MAITRAYEE package of software are not readily available. It is understood that CALIBNET is providing access to INTERNET and is offering CD-ROM database searching facility. Whether CALIBNET has started the creation of a union catalogue far the books available in the participating libraries is not known. It appears that CALIBNET has not vet developed itself into a resource sharing network of

Page 223: Library Society

Resource Sharing and

46

User Studies

libraries in Calcutta as was envisaged. A full picture of CALIBNET and the value-added products it has developed so far to aid the resource sharing activity by libraries in Calcutta has yet to emerge. Only then; its achievements can be evaluated critically in the real sense. 13.5.2 DELNET DELNET was originally started as a project of India International Centre (IIC) New Delhi, with the financial support from NISSAT. The financial support continued for the period 1988 to 1992. It became a registered society in March 1992. Some of the salient features of the network are: 1) It has 67 institutional libraries as its members (the membership is on the

increase from year to year). 2) In order to promote resource sharing among member libraries DELNET has,

so far, created the following: a) Union catalogue of books available in the member libraries in

computer-readable form (1068 lakh records). b) Union list of periodicals (116 libraries)

i) Union list of scientific and technical periodicals.(?, 811 records); ii) Union list of social science periodicals (696 records); iii) Union list of periodicals inhumanities (1178 records).

c) Specialists database (1,200 specialists I d) Database of articles (50,000 records) e) Union catalogue of periodicals (2391 records) f) Database of language publications (sample database).

3) DELSIS, the networking software based on BASIS plus which can accommodate and retrieve millions of bibliographic and full text records was developed by DELNET itself.

4) INTERNET access and E-mail facilities are provided for its members and access to INTERNET is available at DELNET headquarters: Also, DELNET has created a Home Page on WWW. It can be accessed on INTERNET at the following address: HYPERLINK http://WWW.nic http://WWW.nic in/delnet;

5) It is claimed by DELNET that it has saved nearly Rs.l crore on the part of participating libraries through rationalisation of foreign periodicals in the field of physical sciences, medical sciences and agricultural sciences.

6) DELNET has been arranging training programmes for the staff members of the participating libraries and providing them an exposure to the application of modern technology.

It may stated that DELNET has made a break through in resource sharing activities and has thus become the first operational library network in India. It is on the path of enlarging its activities and is contemplating to develop an on-line database of `Books in Print: New Titles', with the cooperation of some renowned publishers. 13.5.3 INFLIBNET The INFLIBNET programme was conceptualised by the then Chairman of UGC Prof. Yash Pal. It was his belief that a library and information network of the magnitude of INFLIBNET is very essential for the country in the present context of computer and communications technologies making a great impact on the provision of library and information services in the developed world: The entire programme envisaged for INFLIBNET has been described and discussed along with operational details in the document "Development of an Information and Network - Report of the Inter-Agency Working Group UGC, 1988". Objectives The objectives of the creation of INFLIBNET as recommended were :

to evolve a national network, interconnecting various libraries and information centres in the country and to improve the capability in information handling and service;

Page 224: Library Society

Resource Sharing – Concept,

47

Need Form and SelectedCase Studies

• •

• •

• • • •

to provide access to document collection of libraries by creating on-line union catalogue of monographs, serials, and non-book materials; to provide improved access to bibliographic numerical and factural databases with particular emphasis on those databases created indigenously by the Sectoral Information Centres of NISSAT and UGC Information centres; to establish gatways for on-line accessing of information; to provide document delivery service by enriching information sources of libraries having rich collection in specific areas; to optimise information resource utilisation through resource sharing; to implement computerisation of operations and services in libraries and information centres following uniform standards; to facilitate scientific communication among scientists, technologists, researchers, social scientists; academies, faculties and students through electronic mail, bulletin board; file transfer, computer/audio/video conferencing, etc.; to enable users disbursed all over the country to have access to information regarding books, monographs, serials, and non-book materials by locating the sources where available, and to obtain them through the facilities of new technologies and union catalogue of documents; to encourage cooperation among libraries; documentation centres, information-centres in the country; so that the resources can be pooled for the benefit of weaker resource centres by the stronger ones; to develop suitable professional manpower of appropriate quality to establish and manage and sustain the INFLIBNET and; to evolve standards and uniform guidelines in techniques, methods, procedures, hardware and software, and services and so on, and promote adoption in actual practice by all libraries in order to facilitate exchange of resources towards optimisation.

INFLIBNET Services INFLIBNET is planned and designed as a multiple function/service network. It is expected to provide the following services:

Catalogue based service Database services Document supply service Collection development (helping different participants in acquisition, and procurement) Communication based services

Catalogue Based Services Catalogue services comprise of shared cataloguing of monographs, serials and non-book materials, compilation of union catalogue of books, serials and non-book materials provision of on-line access for shared cataloguing and location identification, assisting in catalogue production in card, book, magnetic tape/floppy, etc. Data Base Services These include searching of databases for current as well as retrospective services, provision, of computer-based SDI and provision of non-bibliographic informtion such as on-going and completed projects, institutions and specialist by compiling; maintaining and searching such non-bibliographic databases. Document supply services include inter-library loan service and document delivery service through fax/non-fax etc. Collection development service is basically intended to help the member libraries in selection, acquisition and procurement aspects. Communication Based Services These are of different types such as:

Page 225: Library Society

Resource Sharing and Referral services

48

User Studies

Electronic-mail service

Bulletin Board - view/update bulletin board

Academic communication through electronic mail, file transfer, computer/audio/ video

INFLIBNET is conceived as a cooperative venture and its resources strength is expected to depend on its participating members and their resources. It is expected that 200 university libraries, 400 special libraries of the R&D organisations and 500 college libraries would from the membership of this network.

INFLIBNET intends to provide access to the vast information resources available in the country. The access to information is intended to be provided to all those who might need it. This could become possible only when modern technologies are utilised for the purpose. Hence, the working group report emphasised the use of computers, communications and document delivery technology for data capture, data preparation, information processing and its transfer and delivery:

Due to non-availability of funds, the INFLIBNET is not fully operational but it has been registered as a project under IUCCA and its head office is located at Ahmedabad. The present services are limited to training of manpower, preparation of guidelines for data capturing, encouraging library automation activities, developments of suitable software and_ implementing at some libraries. It is involved in the organization of seminars and conferences relating to application of information technology. It must be mentioned here that the progress is rather slow. Although automation process was started by funding 54 university libraries, only 17 libraries could only acquire hardware till now! No achievements could be made in the resource sharing among university libraries during the period f991-1996, while the Working Group report envisaged it to be completed by 1994, and end users were supposed to be served by collecting documents from 400 nodes in the country and were likely to get offered' modern services: Even the other targets set by the Working Group could not be achieved. The Review Committee report of 1996 mentions the following as achievements of INFLIBNET: :

a) Compilation of a union catalogue (machine-readable) with SOOO records,

b) Databases of theses/dissertations (65,000 records).

c) Serials database which contains about 30,000 records.

It has been stated that the quality of databases prepared falls short of the general standards and needs improvement. The work on the development of standard software is still going on and it appears that the existing human resources are' too inadequate to handle the -gigantic task of INFLIBNET programme.

INFLIBNET Review Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. S.Venkateswaran submitted its report in' September, 1996 and inter-alia recommended a revised set of objectives for INFLIBNET: It also emphasised adequate representation of library experts in the Management Board and Council. It remains to be seen how soon UGC accepts INFLIBNET Review Committee recommendations and what follow up action it would take to translate these recommendations into an action plan.

It must be mentioned here that the other library networks such as MALIBNET, BONET etc have not made much progress. It might take a long time for all these networks to become functional and service oriented in the real sense.

Self Check Exercise 4) Mention some of the existing national and local library networks

programmes in India.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below. ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 226: Library Society

Resource Sharing – Concept, ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………………...……………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………

49

Need Form and SelectedCase Studies

13.6 SUMMARY In this Unit, an attempt has been made to explain to you the concept of `Resource Sharing', its need and how it `should be organised. It has been emphasised that resource sharing opens up a wide range of resources for use by large number of scholars/users.

The organisation of resource sharing involves a lot of effort on the part of participating institutions before it is implemented. For instance, several basic agreements need to be ' developed before a proper and functional resource sharing system is evolved. Some of these agreements have been discussed and described in the text of this Unit.

Resource sharing activity calls for maintenance of basic records for its successful operation. Use of computers, it has been emphasised would facilitate this work. The concept of networking and the use of telecommunications networks for enhancing resource sharing activities have been considered. The developments taking place in India in resource sharing activity and the creation of different computer-based resource sharing networks in the country have been briefly described. CALIBNET, DELNET AND INFLIBNET have been discussed as some examples of resource 'sharing networks developed in India. -

It is hoped that information furnished in this Unit would be helpful to the participants of BLIS programme, to understand the concept of resource sharing and its organisation.

13.7 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES 1) The philosophy behind the concept of resource sharing in libraries is "access"

to information resources available in the libraries. It is also based on the concept of "equivalence" which means libraries should not only receive but should also give.

2) The objectives of resource sharing are to:

provide access to information resources irrespective of geographical location;

reduce all round cost;

avoid duplication of many, manpower and material; satisfy wider variety of users;

develop specialised area of collection building.

3) Resource sharing requires to reach an agreement on: a) type of material to share, b) acquisition policy, e) circulation policy, d) production of union catalogue with uniformity and standardisation for bibliographic control, and e) co-operative cataloguing and maintenance of up-to-date catalogues etc.

4) The existing national Library Network Programme is named as INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network) at Ahmedabad, besides there are some local library networks such as Delhi Library Network (DELNET), Calcutta Library Network (CALIBNET) etc.

13.8 KEY WORDS

Automation: The organisation of machine handling of routines or operations, requiring minimal human intervention.

Page 227: Library Society

50

Resource Sharing and User Studies

Document Delivery Service:

The process of supplying the relevant documents on a specific topic to the user.

Electronic Mail: The transfer of messages, memoronda, letters, reports, etc. between individuals or organisations by the use of Videotex, online, online networks.

Gateway: A system which permits users of one computer system to access another computer.

Inter- Library Loan (ILL):

A library activity which lends on loan documents required by other library users.

Network: A system of physically separate computers with telecommunication links allowing the resources of each participating machine to be showed by each of the other members. If such a network is used for sharing library esources it is known as Library Resource Sharing Network.

OPAC: On line Public Access Catalogue (an automated catalogue system stored in machine-readable from and accessed online by the library clientele via a VDU employing a User-friendly software.

Resource Sharing: A sort of agreement amongst participating libraries wherein each participant is willing to spare its resources with other members and in turn it is privileged to share the resources of other participant members as and when the need arises.

13.9 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING INFLIBNET Review Committee Report (1996). New Delhi: UGC.

Kaul, H.K. (1996). DELNET: The first operational library network in India. New Delhi: DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 16(2), pp. 23-34.

Kaul, H.K. (1992). Library Networks: An Indian Experience. New Delhi: Virgo.

Kent, A. and Galvin, T.(1979). The Structure and Governance of Library Networks. New York: Marcel Dekker.

Kent, A. and Galvin, T. (1977), Library Resource Sharing. New York: Dekker.

Kumar, Pramod and Arora, O.P. (1996). Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Programme: New Delhi: DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 16(Z), pp. 11-22.

Mitra, A.C: (1996). Calibnet on Stream. New Delhi: DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 16(2), pp.35-45.

Molhott, P. (1989). The Influence of Technology on Library Networking. Special Libraries, 80(8), pp.82-89. New York: SLA.

Murthy, S.S. (1996). Library Networks in India: An Overview. New Delhi: DESIDOC Bulletin of Information Technology, 16(2), p.5.

University Grants Commission (1988). Development of an Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Report of the Inter-Agency Working Group. New Delhi:UGC.

Page 228: Library Society

Role of Libraries and Information Centres in Modern

Society

UNIT 1 ROLE OF LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION CENTRES IN MODERN SOCIETY

Structure 1.0 Objectives 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Needs of Modern Society 1.3 Institutions Founded by Society 1.4 Library and Education

1.4.1 Formal Education 1.4.2 Non-Formal Education 1.4.3 Education of Illiterates 1.4.4 Education of Working Groups 1.4.5 Education of Physically Handicapped

1.5 Library in Research 1.6 Library in Cultural Activities 1.7 Library in Disseminating Information 1.8 Library in Religious and Spiritual Institutions 1.9 Library in Recreation and Leisure 1.10 Library and the Changing Society

1.10.1 Dimensions of Change 1.10.2 Expanding Role of the Library

1.11 Summary 1.12 Answers to Self Check Exercises 1.13 Key Words 1.14 References and Further Reading

1.0 OBJECTIVS This Unit gives an overview of the role of the library in education, research and development, cultural activities and such others fields. After reading this Unit, you will be able to: •

explain the need for and role of libraries to meet the different requirements of persons in society;

become aware of the expanding dimensions of libraries and emerging new information institutions in a changing society; and get acquainted with the services of the library to a variety of information needs of users in different contexts in an information society.

1.1 INTRODUCTION In modem societies, every human activity is organised through institutions. Every major social task, whether economic performance or health care, education or research, business or industry is institutionalised. The protection of the 5

Page 229: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

6

their Role in Society

environment or defence is today invariably entrusted to institutions and organisations. Libraries and other similar types of institutions are those that collect, stock, process, organise, disseminate and distribute information/knowledge recorded in documents. Since knowledge and information are so vital for all round human development, libraries and other institutions that handle and manage knowledge and information are indeed invaluable. In this Unit, you are introduced to the important role that libraries play in the educational process of formal and non-formal learning, in research and development, in cultural activities, in spiritual and ideological realms, in recreation and entertainment, etc. With spectacular advances in information technologies and increasing categories of users and their information needs in different situations, modern society is heading towards an information society in which the central instrument of change, force and direction of change are knowledge and information. All these ideas are discussed at some length in this Unit. Assimilation of these ideas is essential for you to get a full appreciation of the role of libraries. This will enable you to develop a proper insight into professional practice and performance. In the succeeding sections of this Unit, we shall discuss how the library plays its role.

1.2 NEEDS OF MODERN SOCIETY

As members of the modern society, we are all aware of its varied needs. Education is perhaps the most important among them, for it helps to mould a well informed, knowledgeable and responsible citizen who alone will be able to contribute to progress and advancement. Then there is the goal of the economic well being of society. Activities towards this end have to be sustained by technological developments brought about by research and the enormous amount of information it makes available to us. But `man does not live "by bread alone". There are deeper and finer instincts in the human being such as the spiritual and ideological instincts, cultural and aesthetic instincts and others which refine life and elevate it to a higher plane. A person also needs recreation during his/her leisure time, and unless there are facilities for constructive and competitive activities, his/her attention is likely to be diverted to negative and destructive avenues. The aim should be the development of a society that is able to lead a cultured, prosperous and fu)d life, laying emphasis on certain basic values in life and adhering to them. It is the collective responsibility of members of society to make suitable arrangements for this purpose.

1.3 INSTITUTIONS FOUNDED BY SOCIETY

It is for the purpose of discharging this important responsibility that society has, over a long period of its existence, founded various institutions. Educational institutions like schools, colleges and universities, research institutions, cultural institutions, institutions of fine arts and recreation, business and industrial establishments and a host of others are some examples of such social institutions. The library is also one such institution. But, unlike the other institutions each of which concentrates on one or a few of the needs of society, the library is able to serve almost all its needs. If you are a student of a school, your primary task is the acquisition of knowledge prescribed for that level. And this will be mainly through oral communication from the teacher supplemented by the reading of a few prescribed text books. But in the library you are exposed to books on a variety of themes - books that will give you knowledge, bring to surface your

Page 230: Library Society

latent aesthetic talents, stimulate your intellect, inculcate values and learning skills in you, provide you with recreation and so on. Therefore, of all the institutions founded by society, it is the library and its modern cognates that are the most potent in meeting the multifarious needs of different users of modern society.

7

Role of Libraries and Information Centres in Modern

Society

Self Check Exercise

1) List the types of institutions founded by society to meet many of its activities.

Note: i) Write your answer in the given space below ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

1.4 LIBRARY AND EDUCATION

Briefly speaking education aims at (i) the imparting of knowledge and skills; (ii) the inculcation of values; and (iii) the imparting of vocational skills.

There is both formal and non-formal education. Formal education is the one that an individual attains by enrolling himself in an educational institution like a school or a college or a university and through constant teacher-student contacts. In non-formal education there is no such institutional base for education; you educate yourself through courses offered by distance education mode, with the help of either other methods of learning or through self study.

1.4.1 Formal Education

Every institution of formal education, be it a school, a college or a university, should have a library attached to it. It should have a collection of books relevant to its courses of study. Students should be encouraged to read books and imbibe the knowledge contained in them. At the earlier stages of education like the school this should be done to supplement classroom teaching. At later stages, particularly in colleges and universities, the focal point of learning should gradually shift from the classroom to the library. It is through the extensive reading of a variety of books bearing on a subject that a student will be able to acquire in-depth knowledge of the subject. By being able to analyse and compare different viewpoints as expounded in different books, a student will be able to develop his capacity for analytical and critical thinking. This will enable him to formulate independent viewpoints and opinions. The role of the library in fostering the intellectual development of students cannot be over-emphasised.

Apart from school, college and university libraries, the public libraries too have a responsibility to support formal education. For this purpose, the public library must stock books and other material of an academic nature suitable for students and teachers of educational institutions in its area and make the books, etc., available to them. It must be remembered in this context that a public library

Page 231: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

8

their Role in Society

should serve everyone in its community and it should not ignore the requirements of teachers and students who form part of the community.

1.4.2 Non-Formal Education

In non-formal education where the help of the teacher is minimal, it is the library that is the main resource. Students here have, by and large, to acquire knowledge through self-study. Libraries of formal educational institutions as well as public libraries have a significant role to play in this respect: The former should throw open their facilities to students of non-formal education in such a manner that the interests of their primary clientele are not adversely affected. Universities, as the bodies that lay down academic standards and conduct examinations in the field of higher education; have a special responsibility in this regard. They should try to make their library services reach as wide a clientele as possible including students of non-formal education. One way to make this possible is to establish branch libraries of the main university library at different places within its jurisdiction and making them accessible to the entire academic community in the area including students of non-formal education.

But the main responsibility of supporting non-formal education rests with the public library system. Everyone should have access as a matter of right to the public library. A public library should try to discharge this responsibility by acquiring books and journals suited to the needs of the students of non-formal education in its area. The development of a sound public library system is an essential pre-requisite for the successful implementation of all non-formal educational programmes.

If the library needs of the students of non-formal education are not met by academic and public libraries, the result would be that the students would take to cheap guide books. The inevitable consequence of this substitute will be a steep fall in the standards of education.

Self Check Exercise

2) Describe in five lines the role of the library in non-formal education. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below. ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

1.4.3 Education of Illiterates

If one is an illiterate person, do you think that he/she is unable to get the benefits of education? Not at all. Literacy is only a means of education, not education -itself. It is, no doubt, the most important means, and not having it is a serious handicap. But we have today many other effective means that modern technology has brought into existence. The audio-visual media, especially the video tape, have made it possible for education to be brought to your doorstep. It is a special responsibility of the public library to work for the education of the illiterate

Page 232: Library Society

people in its community through. such media: It should also organise learning clubs and other programmes of oral communication for educating its illiterate clientele.

9

Role of Libraries and Information Centres in Modern

Society

In India where illiteracy is as high as 47.79 % (according to the 1991 census), this responsibility assumes great importance and vast dimensions. The public library's important role in this regard and the need to prepare it adequately to discharge its role should never be lost sight of.

1.4.4 Education of Working Groups

The library has an educational role in another sense also. It should stock books relevant to the needs of people engaged in different vocations in its area. By reading such books they will become better informed and educated in their areas of work and will be able to increase their work efficiency. This will lead to greater productivity. The public library has to play a contributory role here also.

1.4.5 Education of Physically Handicapped

The establishment of educational institutions for physically handicapped persons is a special and mandatory responsibility of society and the government. Appropriate learning and teaching materials are acquired by these types of institutions, such as books and other types of learning kits for the blind, in addition to other physical facilities. Libraries attached to these institutions have the responsibility of stocking these types of library material and help these unfortunate persons use them and thus get them educated and rehabilitated in society.

1.5 LIBRARY IN RESEARCH

Supporting research is yet another important role of the library. Access to existing knowledge and information is essential for research. The knowledge that is newly created is primarily communicated through journals, research reports and other similar publications: Every library attached to an institution engaged in research should have a strong collection of such publications to support research programmes. The libraries attached to universities, research organisations and research and development wings of industrial establishments play the key role in this respect. However, no library is without a research function in some form. Even public libraries have a research role especially in the social sciences and humanities.

1.6 LIBRARY IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

The first cultural role of the library is that it preserves the cultural heritage of the human race as represented by the books and other documents it holds. It has also a cultural role in two other senses. It should make available books which would bring to expression the creative talent- of individuals and develop their faculties for aesthetic appreciation. It should also organise cultural programmes like music concerts, dances, dramas, painting competitions for children, exhibition of paintings, etc. and thus enrich the cultural life of the community. These programmes primarily fall in the domain of public libraries.

Page 233: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

10

their Role in Society

1.7 LIBRARY IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION

Libraries, through their books, are actually repositories of information and knowledge. Information is indispensable for any human activity aiming at social progress. The researcher, the teacher, the student, the administrator, the industrial and business manager, the artisan, the entrepreneur, the farmer, the worker in the factory and the field, all need information to equip, themselves better for the fruitful pursuit of their respective vocations. The basic information role of the library is to collect material containing information through appropriate methods. It is primarily in this sense that a library is described as an information centre. But a library also has an information role in the sense of providing information relating to the socio-economic needs of the people. A library can stock career information books and help those who are on - the look out for a career in a particular field. Similarly, well-produced "how-to-do-it" type of books would be helpful in providing guidance to youngsters wanting to start some enterprise. In short, a library should be so equipped and organised that it will be able to serve its community with all types of information that may be in actual or potential demand.

1.8 LIBRARY IN RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL INSTITUTIONS

Books can be broadly divided into three categories - books of information, books of recreation and books of inspiration. Spiritual and religious books, books that propound ideological themes and other books of permanent value which may be described as classics are books of inspiration. They meet the spiritual, religious and ideological needs of their readers. Every library should have a representative collection of books of this type to inspire people to high ideals in life and inculcate values in them.

1.9 LIBRARY IN RECREATION AND LEISURE

The healthy use of leisure is a matter of great importance in community life so that leisure time is not devoted to negative and destructive activities. The library should cater to the recreational needs of its users by stocking books suited for the purpose. Novels and other forms of literature, works of art, books of travels, biographies, popular magazines, etc., are primarily books of recreation and they should have a place in every library. Besides, libraries, especially public libraries, should organise programmes of healthy recreation and entertainment like the performing arts, musical concerts, etc.,

Self Check Exercises 3) Explain briefly the responsibilities of different types of libraries to cater to

the research needs of the community. 4) Describe briefly how public libraries organise dissemination services on current affairs. Note : i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 234: Library Society

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

11

Role of Libraries and Information Centres in Modern

Society

1.10 LIBRARY AND THE CHANGING SOCIETY

In the preceding sections, we have studied the conventional role of the library in education, research, culture, religion, spiritual pursuits, etc. In this section, we shall study the expanding dimensions of libraries due to unprecedented transformation of the society. Several factors axe responsible for these changes. Consequently libraries also are undergoing a very drastic transformation in all aspects of their growth.

1.10.1 Dimensions of Change

The changes that are occurring in different facets of human life in modern society can be seen in the following aspects:

Pressures exerted by the population explosion, particularly in India, produce societal pressures through increasing urbanization, mobility of population, group dynamics, etc.

Socio-economic changes affect occupational patterns, incomes, prices, value, inflation, growth dynamics, and economic developments at the macro and micro levels. Political changes affect political structures and systems, political parties, their growths, the activities of members of parliament and state assemblies, power structures, etc. Educational changes affect learning and teaching processes at all levels of education, learning and teaching materials, educational technologies, etc. Research and development in the scientific and technological fields, the social sciences, and the humanities, lead to the creation of new knowledge, innovation, diffusion, dissemination, distribution and use, etc. Industry and business are affected by changes in production and distribution, technology transfer, assessment and application, marketing and sales, etc. In trade and commerce, import and export, international trade and commerce, multinational trade impact, etc., are affected. Government and administration are affected through changes in planning, policy-making, governance, execution and management, etc. Cultural changes take place in the fine arts and music, in the show business, in films, satellite TV, etc.

The above facets of contemporary human life are merely to i1lttStrate some of the more conspicuous factors that have brought about rapid changes in society.

The information and knowledge aspects that permeate the entire fabric of contemporary life can be broadly grouped under three categories as given below:

Page 235: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

12

their Role in Society

Literature-oriented Management Current affairs

Learning and teaching Research and development Publications-research

Monograph

Periodicals

High productivity Strategic planning Operation and control

Decision-making

News analysis, comments on current events, activities and personalities relating to everyone of the facets mentioned above.

Technical reports Feedback and evaluation Performance rating

TV, broadcasting, video, etc

Theses and dissertations

Scholarship

Innovation and invention

Others

Inputs to everyone of the activities, programmes, projects, etc., have to be made from all the above three broad categories, and have to be properly blended, amalgamated and integrated to meet specific requirements of use. Information technology indeed is applied to all processes, individually and collectively, to the three groups, to create a specific information database for storage and retrieval.

It is in this perspective that the entire field of information has to be viewed and understood. In each of the above categories of information, we are able to discern an information flow pattern, commencing from generation of information to processing, dissemination, storage, retrieval and utility of information. New institutional mechanisms are being set up with the introduction of structural innovation, application of information technologies, development of new methodologies and techniques for creating model innovative systems and services. All these aspects of the design and development of information systems and programmes are based on demand, need, use and utility. In fact, users' demand for information forms the fulcrum of the present day information system.

1.10.2 Expanding Role of the Library

All these factors have radically changed the conventional functions of the library. The new demands of users have to be met by several activities based upon documentation, information analysis, consolidation and repackaging, computer based information systems, etc. that have sprung up in the last 30 years. Many of these developments have also provided new opportunities for commercialisation of information products and services, thus paving the way for an information industry which is growing and flourishing steadily. These rapidly changing roles of the library have made an eminent information scientist to remark that "in a metaphorical sense, we are moving from a Ptolemaic world with the library at the centre to a Copernican one with information at the centre and the library as one of its planets" (Robert S. Taylor). (Ptolemy, the Greek mathematician, propound the theory that the earth was the fixed centre of the universe with the heavenly bodies moving around it. Copernicus, the Polish astronomer, changed this concept

Page 236: Library Society

saying that the earth is only one of the planets that circles the sun in the solar system).

13

Role of Libraries and Information Centres in Modern

Society The above statement vividly brings out the changing dimensions of knowledge

and information and the institutional mechanism to handle them. Now, information is at the centre, while earlier the library was at the centre.

Although the library essentially handles information and knowledge, the institutional mechanism to meet the demands of users in an information society has expanded by properly organising and operating many of the modern information systems and services.

Self Check Exercise

5) Discuss the name of information in the changing context.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………

1.11 SUMMARY

Modern society has various needs such as education, research, cultural advancement, information, spiritual and ideological pursuits, pastime and recreation. Society has founded various institutions to serve these needs. Among them the library occupies a prominent place: While other institutions are designed to meet one or a few of the needs, the library is able to meet all of them in equal measure. It plays an important role in supporting the educational and research activities of society, promoting culture, disseminating information, catering to the spiritual and ideological instincts in man and building up a value system for him and providing recreation.

All human activities at all times have relied heavily on knowledge and information. But it is only in the last half of this century that information and knowledge have taken, the centre of the stage, making them the most important resources for development. It is lanelv information technology which has made information storage and processing, access and liability possible irrespective of distances and location by moving them with speed and accuracy. Information and knowledge have occupied the status of basic resources, and modern society, therefore, is termed as an information society.

The institutional mechanism to meet a variety of knowledge and information needs has drastically changed. The library has become one of several institutions that serve knowledge and information.

Page 237: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

14

their Role in Society

1.12 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) The institutions founded by society for different activities are given in the following table:

Activities Institutions

1) Education Schools, colleges, university professional organisations

2) Economic well-being Financial institutions, industrial undertakings of different kinds, goods distributing agencies, etc.

3) Technological development Research establishments, industrial establishments, etc

4) Spiritual pursuits Philosophical and religious institutions

5) Cultural activities Arts and crafts centres, theatre, music academies, etc.

6) Leisure activities Libraries, entertainment centres

7) Recreational activities Cinema halls, television centres, sports and games associations etc.

2) Non-formal education is a process of self-learning. Self-instructional materials, both paper-print and audio-visual learning kits, are necessary for this process of learning. These materials are collected in libraries, providing facilities for study in the premises of the library or making them available for home study on loan. Libraries of distance education centres have, therefore, to organise these, services, particularly in smaller towns and in rural areas. This responsibility of libraries is crucial to non-formal learning.

3) Research is conducted in universities, research institutions and in industrial establishments:

The function of libraries attached to these institutions is to build the necessary document collections, provide facilities for accessing this collection in addition to obtaining information on research materials on the subject of research and obtaining hard copies of required documents and such others.

Therefore libraries are indispensable supporting institutions for research and development.

Public libraries also stock appropriate research material and service them for supporting research.

4) Public libraries collect newspapers and general/popular periodicals for the use of the public to keep themselves aware of current affairs. Debates and meetings on current issues of public concern are organised by public libraries in which the public participate. Book clubs, exhibitions and special fairs are organised periodically to highlight reading materials on

Page 238: Library Society

15

Role of Libraries and Information Centres in Modern

Society

public affairs. Thus, public libraries disseminate information on current affairs.

5) The changing contexts of information are caused by:

i) Demand for information by different groups involved in education and learning, research and development, industrial and economic development, social welfare programmes and many others.

ii) Advances in computer and communication techniques have made information/knowledge accessible and available, enhancing the use of them for all developmental purpose.

iii) Increasing attention is given to creation of new knowledge and information, which form the central force for development and hence call for proper care, harnessing and management.

1.13 KEY WORDS

Disseminating : Collecting, organising and packaging information : making them available to people. Information Society : A society in which the central instruments of and direction are information and knowledge. Non-formal Education : A system of education wherein; the students have

t acquire knowledge through self-study and Repositories : Places where things are stored.

Vocational Skills : Skills pertaining to an occupation.

Working Groups : Persons engaged in different vocations, professions occupations.

1.14 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Isaac, K.A-(1987). Libraries and Librarianship : A Basic Introduction, S. Vishwanthan Printers and Publishers Pvt. Ltd., Madras (pp. l-35).

Khanna, J.K. (1987). Library and Society; Research Publications: Kurukshetra: (pp.7-79).

McGarry, K.J. (1981). Changing Context of Information: An Introductory Analysis, Clive Bingley: London (Chapter 5).

Rath, P.K. and Rath, M.M. (1992). Sociology of Librarianship. Delhi, Pratiksha Prakashan.

Page 239: Library Society

Development of Libraries and their Role in Society

UNIT 2 LAWS OF LIBRARY SCIENCE Structure

2.0 Objectives 2.1 Introduction 2.2 First Law “Books are for Use”

2.2.1 Implications of the First Law 2.3 Second Law “Every Reader His/Her Book” 2.3.1 Implications of the Second Law 2.3.2 Resource Sharing 2.4 Third Law “Every Book Its Reader”

2.4.1 Implications - Open Access 2.4.2 Implications - Services 2.4.3 Implications - The Library Catalogue

2.5 Fourth Law “Save the Time of the Reader” 2.5.1 Implications - Open Access 2.5.2 Implications - Classification and Cataloguing 2.5.3 Implications - Charging System

2.6 Fifth Law "Library is a Growing Organism" 2.6.1 Implications - Book Stock 2.6.2 Implications - Readers 2.6.3 Implications - Staff 2.6.4 Implications - Classification and the Catalogue 2.6.5 Implications - Modernisation 2.6.6 Implications - Provision for the Future 2.6.7 Implications - Weeding out of Books

2.7 A Wider Interpretation of the Five Laws 2.8 Summary 2.9 Answers to Self Check Exercises 2.10 Key Words 2.11 References and Further Reading

2.0 OBJECTIVES

Ranganathan's Five Laws of Library Science are a set of norms, precepts and guides to good practices in librarianship. These laws are also valid guides to practices in the wider area of documentation and information systems and services. After reading-this Unit, you will be able to:

explain your activity in library, documentation and information work and services in tune with these guiding principles governed by the Five Laws; and

• make use of the Five Laws as a set of logical principles to initiate any new activity in library, documentation, information work and services. 14

Page 240: Library Society

15

Laws of Library Science

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The Five Laws of Library Science were enunciated in 1928 by the late Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, the Librarian of the University of Madras. Their first formal exposition occurred at the Provincial Educational Conference; held at Chidambaram in December that year. Dr. Ranganathan, after, his education in librariainship in the University of London, School of Librarianship in 1924 and his observation of the working of several libraries in England, had been struggling to discover whether the principles and practices that he observed could be generalised and reduced to certain cardinal principle-s. In other words, he was in search of some principles which could tell us what should be done: in the library field to make library organisation; management and operation efficient and universalise its services. These basic principles may also contain, in a

latent form, many other practices not known now and which may surface later. The outcome of this line of thinking of 'Ranganathan was the formal enunciation of the Five Laws of Library Science. These laws are:

Books are for use • • • • •

• • • • •

Every reader his/her book Every book its reader Save the time of the reader The library is a growing organism

Every activity relating to library services has a rationale in one or another of these laws or in all of them collectively. Also, we can examine whether there is anything left undone in a library out of those covered by the laws. The laws, therefore, constitute the philosophical basis for all library work, programs, activities and services. It is significant to note that these laws are valid and could be seen as governing every activity concerning modem information systems and services. When Ranganathan used the expressions "books" and "readers", he naturally meant that books stand for knowledge and information and readers stand for users of library and information services. In modern studies on knowledge and information and all other related expressions, it must bb remembered that the carriers and channels of information and knowledge have changed from print to other forms, but all the services are revolving round information and users. The dimensions of services now have expanded widely in scope but the basic philosophy of the service remains very much unchanged. Therefore, these five laws can be restated to suit modern developments in information and library systems to suit the changed contexts. The restated laws are:

Documents/information are for use Every user his/her document/ information Every document/information its user Save the time of the user Documentation/information system is a growing organism

In this Unit, we shall deal with the implications of the Five Laws in conventional libarianship as well as their relevance in the context of modern documentation and information systems and services.

Page 241: Library Society

Development of Libraries and 2.2 FIRST LAW “BOOKS ARE FOR USE”

16

their Role in Society

You may think that the law "Books are for use" is an obvious and self-evident statement. But it is not. This will become evident if we examine the history of the use of books in libraries. The earlier accent was on the preservation of books rather than on their use. It was the common practice in the medieval monastic libraries in Europe to have books chained to the shelves so that they could be preserved and not get lost in the process of being used. This was only a normal urge at a time when books were difficult to produce. This habit somehow continued even after the invention of printing which facilitated the easy production of several copies of each book. Although isolated examples of reluctance to permit the unrestricted use of books can be occasionally seen even today, the general position is that books are available for use without any let or hindrance. All policies relating to a library should be helpful in promoting the objective of books being put to the maximum use. Let us now examine the implications of this law in library work.

2.2.1 Implications of the First Law

a) Location

The first law has several messages for library work. If you are choosing a library building, you have to keep the message of this law in mind. The message is that it should be located at a central place where it is convenient to reach. It will be a discouragement to people to use books if they have to walk a long distance to reach them. At the same time the location should be as free from noise and other disturbances as possible so that serious study is possible. The location of a public library should be in as quiet a central area as possible. A school library should be located at a prominent place in the school where the students will take easy notice of it, so too a college library. The description of a university library as the heart of the university should be reflected in its geographical location also. The point to be kept in view is the easy accessibility of the library to its users.

b) Library Hours

Another implication of this law is that the library hours should be convenient to users. Many libraries in our country do not pay heed to this message. School libraries, college libraries and public libraries are particularly careless in this matter, for many of them are kept open when their clientele are engaged otherwise and are not able to visit the library.

c) Library Building and Furniture

The first law demands that proper attention should be paid to the planning and designing of the library building and to the various items of furniture provided in the building. The building should be functional and at the same time aesthetic. The furniture should also be functional and attractive'. If the racks on which the books are kept are too high and the books on the top shelves cannot be easily reached, the use of books becomes difficult. The furniture used in children's libraries should be specially designed for children keeping in view the goal of the promotion of the use of books. The furniture should be attractive and comfortable so that users will feet tempted to frequent the library.

Page 242: Library Society

d) Staff

17

Laws of Library Science

The first law, for its fulfilment, calls for certain qualifications and qualities for the library staff. .They should possess the qualifications that would enable them to organise the library efficiently and provide satisfactory services. This would ensure the proper use of books. But more important than formal qualifications are perhaps the personal qualities of the library staff. They should be courteous, cheerful and helpful. "Service with a smile" should be the motto. The staff should always remember that everything that they do in the library is a means towards an end and the end is service to readers. If a potential library user encounters an unhelpful attitude on-the part of any member of the staff, he is sure to turn away permanently from the library. The result is that the cause of the First Law is not served. The credibility of the staff, in respect of their knowledge, ability and personal attitude 'to readers; is a crucial factor in the promotion of the use of books.

Self Check Exercise

1) State briefly the implications of the First Law with reference to library staff.

Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below. ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2.3 SECOND LAW “EVERY READER HIS/HER BOOK”

Every reader his/her book is the Second Law of library science. A variant of this law is, "Books for All". This law stands for the mandatory provision of library service to each according to his need. Every reader of a library should have the books he wants. It advocates the universalisation and democratisation of library service. In the earlier days only a privileged few belonging to the aristocracy and the upper classes of society were given access to libraries and books. The masses were kept out. But with the advent of democracy, which ensured participation of every citizen in governance, the position drastically changed. Democracy, for its sustenance and survival, needs an educated, knowledgeable and responsible citizenry. So, education and the acquisition of knowledge, through whatever institution possible, became a basic right of all citizens without any distinction whatsoever. Hence the law, “Every Reader His/ Her Book’ or ‘Books are for all.’

2.3.1 Implications of the Second Law The second law imposes certain obligations on the state, the library authority of the state, the library staff and the reader.

a) Obligation of the State It is an obligation of the state to develop and maintain a library system that is capable of providing adequate library service to all the people, This is preferably

Page 243: Library Society

Development of Libraries and done through legislation which should make provision for the financial support of the library system and the coordination of the activities of its different units. A goal should be set for the type of library system and services best suited for a society and the legislation should be so framed that it would serve as an effective means for achieving the goal. Finance is always a bottleneck for library development and the aim should be to derive the maximum output in the form of library services with the available limited financial input.

18

their Role in Society

The library system envisaged here through legislation is a public library system which is available for use by all. But a public library system by itself will not be able to make available to every reader the books that he wants. In fact as far as students, teachers and researchers are concerned, its role in fulfilling the Second Law would be marginal. Therefore, the state has also the responsibility of establishing other types of libraries like school libraries, college libraries, university libraries and special libraries.

b) Obligation of the Library Authority

As far as the library authority is concerned, its obligations necessitated by the Second Law are mostly in respect of a) choice of books, and b) choice of staff.

i) Choice of Books No library has ever enough funds to buy all the books that it needs. Hence, the need for selection arises. This has to be done judiciously so that the available funds are utilised for the purchase of the most relevant and wanted books. The library should leave nothing undone to ascertain the book requirements of its clientele and accordingly formulate the selection and acquisition policy. In fact, systematic user surveys are conducted by modern libraries to ascertain the book requirements of their clientele in order to frame their policy of selection and acquisition. The methods and techniques of user studies are discussed in detail in Unit 12 of this course. It is enough at this point to know that user studies are important to determine user requirements for books so as to build up a suitable collection in a library. To buy a book that has no suitable or potential demand, in preference to a book that is in demand, is a violation of the Second Law. .

ii) Choice of Staff

The Second Law, like the First Law, has implications for staff: An adequate and competent team of staff is essential to conform to the Second Law and provide every reader his book. A reader should be able to exploit the entire resources of a library, which are relevant to his needs and in this exercise he has to be actively helped by the staff. In the absence of such help the chances are that he will not be able to locate a good number of books that he wants. Frequently a library finds itself in such a predicament, where users are not served for want of adequate and competent staff. The Second Law dictates that this should not happen and that the library authority should not grudge making provision for the required staff which would eliminate such situations.

c) Obligations of the Staff But, it is not enough if the library authority just makes adequate and competent staff available: They have to be constantly conscious of the second law in their work and conduct and be guided by its message.

The Second Law emphasises the need for a reference service by the staff. Here they have to make an effort to understand their readers and their book

Page 244: Library Society

requirements and help them get the books which they want. There may be several books of interest to a reader in the library, but the user may not be aware of some of them. So book service should not be limited to making available only the books demanded by readers: The Second Law demands that the user be served with comprehensive information of materials of his interest. Reference service is an effective means of ensuring that the reader gains access to all the books of possible interest to him held by the library.

19

Laws of Library Science

Sometimes the material and matter of interest to a reader may be contained in a chapter or in a few pages of a book. He may not consider the book as of interest to him and may not look it up in the normal course. Therefore, there is every chance of the reader missing such matter. To avoid such a situation, the library -catalogue should have profuse subject analytical or cross reference entries which would draw the attention of readers to the relevant contents of books in which they are interested.

The word "book" in `every reader his/her book' also refers to micro-documents like articles in periodicals. In the present context of the massive production of literature in each branch of knowledge and its wide scattering in different sources, searching the relevant literature has become a difficult and complex task. The Second Law demands of the staff give active help to readers to locate and use such literature with the help of tools like bibliographies, indexing and abstracting services, etc.

d) Obligations of the Reader

The reader also has certain responsibilities cast on him by the second law. It particularly wants him to observe the library rules in respect of loan and use of books. If a reader retains a book beyond the period of loan, he is depriving other readers who may want to use the book. There are readers who misplace books with a view to monopolise their use, tear off pages from books and even steal books. The result is a gross violation of the Second Law. The readers should be made conscious of the consequences of such acts through a programme of instruction in library use or user education as it is now commonly referred to. The Second Law strongly advocates user education programmes in libraries.

2.3.2 Resource Sharing

Even with the best of efforts it will not be possible to make a library self-sufficient. There would hardly be any library that is a capable of ensuring every reader his book. Even the most resourceful libraries of the world like the Library of Congress in Washington and the Lenin State Library in Moscow would be deficient in this respect. This points to the need for resource sharing among libraries. The resources of one library should be available to the other libraries brought into the resource sharing network. This can be practised at local, state, regional, national and international levels. Efforts are already on for promoting such resource sharing and other cooperative programmes under the auspices of national and international agencies. This is an important step in the direction of satisfying the Second Law. Self Check Exercise 2) Answer briefly how the Second Law provides guidelines for book

selection in a library. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

Page 245: Library Society

Development of Libraries and ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

20

their Role in Society

2.4 THIRD LAW “EVERY BOOK ITS READER”

The Third Law of library science is "Every Book its Reader". As in the First Law, the approach here is from the angle of the book. Every book in a library should have a chance of finding its appropriate reader and of being used by him. Investment in unused books is a dead investment and a waste. This situation should be avoided.

2.4.1 Implications - Open Access

The most effective way of satisfying the third law is to introduce an arrangement in which the books have a chance of catching the attention of readers. In the open access system this is possible. In this system, books are arranged in shelves in the classified order and readers have freedom of access to them. In the course of the readers' browsing through the shelves, they may come across books of interest to them the existence of which they may not be aware of. The chances of readers noticing the books and reading them are enhanced by the open access system. The third law, therefore, definitely advocates open access.

To make the open access system work in full conformity with the third law, the staff and readers of the library have certain responsibilities and obligations vested in them. The classified arrangement of books, i.e., the arrangement of books in the order of their relationship with particular subject should be constantly maintained. This means that shelf rectification, i.e., restoring the misplaced books to their correct place, should be done by the staff on a regular basis. They should also provide shelf guides, bay guides, etc., which would guide the readers to their appropriate regions and shelves in the stack room.

Readers also should conduct themselves with a sense of responsibility. They should not try to shelve the books once taken out because in that process they are likely to misplace the books. They should resist the temptation to misplace books deliberately, mutilate or steal books or indulge in other unsocial activities.

Open access, if practised in a balanced and orderly manner so that its advantages outweigh the disadvantages, contributes to the fulfilment of the third law. '

The advantages of open access to library shelves provide an opportunity to users to get access to other books in the library kept along with the particular book in which the user may be interested. In this process of browsing, he gets, not only more information about books in his field of interest, but also in related fields. The opportunity of browsing is not available to a user in a closed access library.

The disadvantages of open access are that books get quite often mi5placed on shelves by readers. This may deny other users the benefit of browsing. Unsocial activities, such as tearing pages from books, stealing or deliberate hiding of books

Page 246: Library Society

may cause problems. Although this unsocial behaviour of some users can be controlled, it cannot be totally eliminated. However, the advantages of open access, viz., meeting a primary objective of library service, outweigh the disadvantages

21

Laws of Library Science

2.4.2 Implications - Services

a) Lists of New Additions

A list of books newly added to the library should be regularly compiled and distributed. This will be helpful in bringing such books to the notice of their potential users.

b) Display of New Books

The newly added books should be displayed prominently in the library so that they catch the attention of readers and are read by those who are interested in them.

c) Book Exhibition

Periodical exhibitions of books, which have a bearing on topical themes also, enhance the chances of books finding their readers.

Even with the best attention paid to book selection, there are bound to be books remaining unused in a library. This may be partly due to the fact that the books do not come to the notice of readers. So an occasional exhibition of such unused books might prove useful in their catching the attention of readers and in getting used.

2.4.3 Implications-The Library Catalogue

Like the second law, the third law also demands a well designed catalogue, meeting all the approaches of readers through added entries and by reference service.

Self Check Exercise

3) State briefly how open access facilitates better use of the library. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 247: Library Society

Development of Libraries and 2.5 FOURTH LAW “SAVE THE TIME OF THE READER”

22

their Role in Society

Readers coming to the library are busy people and they should not be made to wait longer than necessary to get their needs met. They should get an exact and fast service from the library. If they develop a sense of waste of time in the library, they are likely to avoid coming to the library. In many individuals, intellectual interest may exist only momentarily and, unless it is satisfied at the moment of its existence, it may vanish. Hence, the importance of the law “save the time of the reader”. The implications of the fourth law are as follows:

2.5.1 Implications -Open Access

Like the third law, the fourth law advocates open access. In libraries where the closed system is practised, readers do not have access to books directly. They have to stand outside the stackroom and requisition the books they want. The procedure is that they prepare a list of the books they want after consulting the catalogue, and hand over the list to a member of the staff. He may bring some of the books asked for and report the non-availability of others. It may so happen that the reader, on actually seeing the books, may discover that none of them meets his needs. He will have to prepare another list and again wait. This trial and error process may have to be repeated several times and yet his needs may not be fully met. A lot of time is spent in these processes.

There is both objective time and subjective time which are wasted. Objective time is the time actually spent. Subjective time is the time that we feel we have spent. We may have waited for a bus only for ten minutes, but we may feel that we have waited for thirty minutes. That is subjective time. In the closed system, both subjective and objective time are involved. But in the open access system, the reader is engaged in handling and perusing the books himself and he is not conscious of the passage of time. So a lot of his subjective time is saved. If the books are properly arranged and there is no misplacement of books, his objective time is also saved. So, open access is an effective means of satisfying the fourth law.

2.5.2 Implications - Classification and Cataloguing

Proper classification which would bring together books on a specific subject and also related subjects, a catalogue designed to meet the various approaches of readers, a reference service and stack room guides are all basic tools for securing fulfilment of this law. Adoption of an acquisition system that would ensure the speedy procurement of books and periodicals is also necessitated by this law.

2.5.3 Implications - Charging System

An important library operation which was not mentioned in the context of the earlier laws, but which has great relevance for this law, is the loan of books, i.e., the charging system. The earlier practice in libraries was to enter all books lent out in a register and their return to be, recorded in the same register. There are some libraries still following this system. Needless to say, this is a time consuming process and shows that the library is not paying due respect to the fourth law. It is as a result of efforts to simplify this process and to reduce the time involved in the operation that modern issue systems - like the ticket system, photo charging system and computerised charging system have been evolved. In these modern systems there is substantial reduction of time in the issue and return processes which the fourth law strongly advocates.

Page 248: Library Society

Self Check Exercise

23

Laws of Library Science

4) What are the operational methods employed by libraries to save the time of readers?

Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below. ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2.6 FIFTH LAW “LIBRARY IS A GROWING ORGANISM”

The fifth law states “Library is a growing organism”. Note that the word used is “organism” and not “organisation”. This is significant, for it underlines the characteristics of the library as a living institutional organism.

In a living organism, the growth is of two kinds; viz., child growth and adult growth. Child growth is chiefly characterised by growth in physical dimensions and it is fast and visible. But in the case of adults, the growth is mainly in the nature of replacement of cells. It is a kind of internal qualitative change and growth that may not be visible:

If is important that we do not conceive of the library as a static entity, but as a dynamic growing entity. This has to be kept in view and its implications properly grasped and provided for from

the time of the starting of a library so that its growth is not withheld due to lack of forethought and planning.

The basic components of a library are (i) the book stock, (ii) the staff, (iii) the readers, and (iv) the physical infrastructure, i.e., the building, furniture and equipment. When we say that a library grows, what we mean is that each of these components grows.

2.6.1 Implications - Book Stock

Let us first examine the implications of the growth of book collection. In the initial stages, the growth of the book stock including periodicals would be fast. This has its impact on the sizes of the stack room, the catalogue cabinet and the catalogue room and the number of racks for accommodating books. All these will necessarily have to grow in number and/or in physical dimensions. Also, as the book stock grows and the newly added books are interpolated in the classified arrangement, there will be constant movement of books on the shelves. This would necessitate relabelling of shelves periodically. The stack room guides also will need to be periodically replaced by new ones to indicate the correct position of the changed arrangement of books.

2.6.2 Implications - Readers.

Page 249: Library Society

Development of Libraries and The readers of the library are also bound to grow especially in a library that functions in keeping with the spirit of the first law of library science. This means that more space will be required.

24

their Role in Society

2.6.3 Implications - Staff

Corresponding to the increase in book collection and the number of readers, new services will have to be introduced. Depending on the nature and interests of readers, the services will also have to be diversified. The reference service will have to be intensified. New information services backed by modern technology will have to be introduced. There will be a quantitative increase in administrative work and services and a qualitative diversification of services. These would necessitate an increase of staff at different levels both in the quantitative and qualitative sense.

2.6.4 Implications - Classification and the Catalogue

One important implication of the increasing intake of books on a variety of new subjects is that the classification scheme adopted should be hospitable to the subjects: It should not be that subjects of different degrees of depth should share the same class number. If they do, retrieval of books on the same subject would become difficult. The growth factor of a library also points to the need for a catalogue, like the card catalogue, which would permit the interpolation of entries.

2.6.5 Implications - Modernisation

Libraries, especially the large ones, which grow fast in their size and services may have to think of computerisation of the various house-keeping jobs like the acquisition, circulation, cataloguing, etc., of books libraries.

2.6.6 Implications - Provision for- the Future

Another important message of the physical growth of the library is that while planning and designing a library building there should be provision for the expansion of the building both horizontally and vertically. The need for more space often arises much sooner than anticipated and the lack of provision for expansion would block its development.

2.6.7 Implications - Weeding out of Books

Reference was made earlier to the development of a library, similar to that of an adult. This development should include weeding out of obsolete and unwanted books and adding new ones which are relevant and useful. Some librarians hold the view that after a stage of development, the number of books weeded out will equal the number of books added. This view gives rise to the concept of a self-renewing library. Although this may not be entirely true, there is no doubt that the rate of growth would come down after a certain stage when the weeding out of books becomes a regular feature.

Weeding out need not necessarily mean the discarding of books. It only means the removal of the books from a library where their relevance has ceased in order to make room for current and relevant books. Such books may be stored where they are available for occasional use. Different libraries in one area can store such books at a central place. This can be one of the areas of cooperation among libraries.

Page 250: Library Society

25

Laws of Library Science

2.7 A WIDER INTERPRETATION OF FIVE LAWS

Ranganathan's five laws are so fundamental and farsighted that they are much valid and relevant in providing the right direction and an objective base to the changing dimensions of libraries. As noted in Unit 1 of this course under section 1.10 Library and the Changing Society, a sea-change is taking place in all aspects of human society. While knowledge and information have always been primarily instrumental in promoting material progress at every stage of human society in the last fifty years that there has been amazing and spectacular developments in the access and availability of information and knowledge. The chief driving force of this development is Information Technology. Knowledge and information can be accessed today instantaneously, irrespective of its location and made available on a computer screen, downloaded and stored for future use. The bulk, volume and variety in which information and knowledge are disseminated do not pose any problem of access and availability. However, the fundamental problem of use and service to users have remained the same.

The parameters alone have changed. It is, therefore, understandable that the five laws of Ranganathan, restated substituting books with information and library with information systems, eminently fit in the new context of the changing society. The restated five laws are:

Documents/information are for use • • • • •

Every user his/her document/information Every document/information its user Save the time of the user The documentation/information system is a growing organism

The first law “Documents/information are for use” comprehends a. whole range of the information transfer process, stemming from the recognition that information is a basic input that transforms a non-resource into a resource. Being itself such an important resource, information has to be harnessed, exploited and utilised in order to derive full benefit out of it. In other words, the vital role of information in all national development is perceived in this law.

The second law “Every user his/her document/information” suggests that the information needs of users should be oriented to their exact needs. In addition, information supply should not discriminate among users. Their personal bias and world view of documentalists or information scientists should not come in the way of service. The second law points to a definite goal of organising information systems and services, viz., optimum recall and precision in the provision of information. It stresses that the users are at the centre in the design and operation of information systems.

The third law "Every document/information its user" conveys that information created or generated should be focussed on users. The familiar phrase "right information to the right user" is in fact recapitulated here. Every link in the information transfer chain, i.e., from the stage of generation to the final stage of use and utilisation, should, be attended to. Tae implication is that marketing and use of information are activities in tune with professional service.

The fourth law "Save the time of the user" and its corollary "save the time of the information professional", brings out the imperativeness to develop mechanisms

Page 251: Library Society

Development of Libraries and for an information service that ensure maximum speed and effectiveness. In this context, modem information technology helps to cut down delay and ensures efficiency and effectiveness.

26

their Role in Society

The fifth law "The documentation/information system is a growing organism-, prescribes a systems-approach in developing information institutions with a self-adapting mechanism for meeting the dynamic needs of users of information.

The five laws would serve very well in the self-driving multi-directional growth of information and have far-reaching dimensions. The organic growth of the multi-directional universe of information and the integration of information sources, must result in a matching growth of information institutions. The following schematic diagram represents these ideas in a graphic form:

Self Check Exercise 5) Explain briefly the implications of the five laws in the wider context of

documentation and information work. Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 252: Library Society

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

27

Laws of Library Science

2.8 SUMMARY

The five laws of library science are the mainsprings from which all library activities emerge. They constitute the basic philosophy of library science and of librarianship. They help us to find a rationale for everything that we do or should do in a library. They keep us constantly alert to the new methods and practices that we should introduce in order that the library may serve its community better. Collectively and severally they constitute a yardstick for testing the validity of everything done in relation to a library. Their potentiality for innovativeness in library and information service is infinite. The five laws have been reinterpreted in the changing context of information. The implications of each law clearly indicate their validity and usefulness in the expanding role of information in national development. The five laws fit into the modern framework of an information society.

2.9 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) If books are for use, the staff that serve readers must have the abilities to organise their collection efficiently. The first requirement for the staff is that they should have the knowledge of the collection available in the library. They should know how to use the various tools in the library to provide access to documents stocked in the library and even outside the library. The more knowledgeable the library staff is about subjects, the better would be the service. Besides these skills and knowledge the library staff should be courteous, cheerful and helpful. Users rate a library on the basis of the way the library staff shows keenness to assist them. The credibility of the staff, both in respect of their knowledge and their personal attitude to readers, is a general factor in the promotion of the use of books.

2) "Books for All" irrespective of the type of readers is the message of the second law of library science. Users' information requirements are the prime consideration for building a collection in any type of library. Users' need can be assessed in every type of library by systematic methods of survey of users, of their responsibilities and duties in- the given context and the subjects they are specialised in. These will .determine the user requirements and book selection policy should therefore be determined on the basis of the findings of the survey. Resource sharing is one of the methods adopted by libraries to provide the service of material not available in a particular library.

3) Allowing readers to browse a collection through an open access system has a definite purpose. This method fulfils the message of the five laws. This system facilitates better use of books because it gives freedom to readers to choose what they are interested in. Their actual and potential needs are satisfied by the browsing process. Display of books according to their subject affiliation enhances the readers' chances of getting at their particular item. It saves the time of the reader to get the appropriate documents. The advantages of the open access system outweigh its disadvantages.

Page 253: Library Society

28

Development of Libraries and their Role in Society

4) Time is a precious commodity. The library has several operational devices to save this precious commodity of readers. The organisation of the collection according to an acceptable standard system of classification, the provision of a good catalogue, the display of books, a reference service by the staff, and library guides are some of the operational devices employed by libraries to cut delays. These methods and techniques are constantly reviewed and improved to offer a high quality of services. Modernisation through library automation is the most modern method of serving readers with the least amount of delay.

5) “Organism” is a biological term, which means a form of life composed of mutually dependent parts that maintain various vital processes. It connotes a system having properties and functions determined by the character of the whole as well as of the parts. As long as life exists in this system, it continues to grow, not necessarily in physical dimension but in alignment and realignment with its components. A library never ceases to grow. Its growth is determined by the stock it builds, the readers it serves, the new techniques and technologies in operating its services and the changing demands of the environment.

2.10 KEY WORDS

Books : A packaged carrier of information and knowledge

Growing Organism : A biological phenomenon indicating growth, not necessarily indicated externally.

Information : A recorded message, irrespective of physical form or content.

Information Society

: A society in which the central instrument of change, force and direction is information and knowledge.

Knowledge :Organised information irrespective of the form physical

Reader/ User A person using the resources of a library; a customer of information and information institutions

2.11 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Khanna, J.K. (1987). 'Library and Society, Kurukshetra: Research Publications (p.178-211).

Rajagopalan, T.S. (ed.) (1986). Ranganathan's Philosophy: Assessment, Impact and Relevance, Delhi: Vikas Publishing House (p i-95)

Ranganathan, S.R. (1988). Five Laws of Library Science, Delhi: UBS Publishers Distributors.

Rath, P.K. and Rath, M.M. (1992) Sociology of Librarianship. Delhi, Pratibha Prakashan.

Page 254: Library Society

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

UNIT 3 DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARIES IN UK AND USA

Structure 3.0 Objectives 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Libraries in UK before 1850

3.2.1 Monastic Libraries 3.2.2 Subscription and Circulating 3.3.3 Mechanics Institutes

3.3 Library Legislation 3.3.1 The 1850 Act 3.3.2 Subsequent Amendments

3.4 Library Surveys and Reports 3.4.1 Donations to Public Libraries 3.4.2 Adams Report 3.4.3 Penny Rate Abolished 3.4.4 Mitchell and Kenyon Reports 3.4.5 McColvin Report 3.4.6 Roberts Report 3.4.7 The 1964 Act

3.5 The British Library Act 3.6 Kinds of Libraries, Growth and Future Trends 3.7 Development of Libraries in USA

3.7.1 Colonial Period 3.7.2 Social Libraries 3.7.3 Mercantile Libraries 3.7.4 School District-Public Libraries

3.8 Library Legislation 3.9 Philanthropy and Library Movement 3.10 Library of Congress 3.11 Kinds of Libraries, Growth and Future Trends 3.12 Role of Professional Associations 3.13 Summary 3.14 Answers to. Self Check Exercises 3.15 Key Words 3.16 References and Further Reading

3.0 OBJECTIVES

The study of libraries in the UK and the USA is very significant as these countries are trendsetters and serve as world models in the development of libraries. They also are innovators in developing library techniques, technologies and services. This Unit gives a bird's eye view of the development of libraries in these countries.

After reading this Unit, you will be able to:

get a historical perspective of library development in the UK and the USA with highlights of some important landmarks;

• comprehend the role of government in library development, particularly with reference to legislation for public library services; 27

Page 255: Library Society

Development of Libraries and appreciate the contributions of library associations in professional activities; and

28

their Role in Society

• observe developmental trends in, library and information systems and services with the increasing application of information technology -and possibilities of future systems.

3.1 INTRODUCTION

We will be discussing in this Unit the development of libraries in two advanced countries of the world, the UK and the USA. These two had recognised the importance and value of libraries as early as the 18th century. This Unit includes:

a) a sketch of the state of libraries in the UK before 1850. b) the role of religion in the establishment of libraries. c) a short description of commercial and subscription libraries in the UK and

the USA.

The industrial revolution in England gave a big boost to the library movement, as skilled workers were required in the country's workforce. Many establishments needed adequate workers. This led to a thirst for knowledge which in turn led to the establishment of libraries all over the UK, particularly in industrial areas. The spread of education among middle class people necessitated the establishment of libraries in several sectors. In addition to these factors, there were dedicated persons who worked selflessly for the establishment of libraries. Philanthropists came forward with necessary funds.

The major credit for the establishment of public libraries has to go to the central, state or local" governments. In both the countries legislation was passed to help the local administration establish libraries. Particularly, it allowed the local administration to collect taxes for the continuance and maintenance of libraries.

Apart from the development of public libraries in these countries, academic, special and other types of libraries have also grown remarkably. In recent decades, information technology has enabled libraries and information centres to provide rapid access to information irrespective of their location. Information technology has expanded resource utilisation. We shall try to understand the current trends in the development of these libraries as well as the future possibilities and prospects of libraries playing their part effectively, not only in their conventional roles but also in facing new challenges by exploiting their strengths to their fullest potential.

3.2 LIBRARIES IN UK BEFORE 1850

From the middle ages to the 18th century, religion was the dominating force in Europe. This led to the establishment of monasteries. In the monasteries, reading and writing were the main occupations of the clergy. This necessitated the establishment of libraries in monasteries. In England, in addition to monasteries, a few societies were established for the promotion of Christian knowledge and for the propagation of the Gospel. Similar educational agencies came into being for the dissemination of knowledge among the poorer classes of people.The immediate result of this was the establishment of Sunday Schools. In these schools, the subjects taught were not entirely religious. Evening lectures on a

Page 256: Library Society

variety of subjects became common. This gave impetus to the publication of several journals on a variety of subjects.

29

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

The thirst for knowledge was capitalised on by several commercial bodies who started circulation libraries. Throughout England in the 18th century, several subscription libraries sprang up. For the propagation of scientific knowledge "mechanics institutes" were established. Each institute had a reading room which in course of time became part of a public library.

3.2.1 Monastic Libraries

Religion played a major role in the transformation of the political and social life of Europe. The church had played the dominant role in the Europe during the middle and later centuries. The spread of Christianity brought with it a class of spiritual people who established monasteries: Monastic .life demanded the reading of scriptures and the copying of manuscripts. This led to the establishment of monastic libraries. Some of the early monasteries in England were established at Canterbury, Wearmouth and York.

Closely related to monastic libraries were cathedral and parish libraries. Parish clergy had great difficulty in obtaining books. Cathedral libraries were situated at distant places and their services were restricted to a few hours in a week. Meanwhile, almost all the monastic libraries in England had been closed down at the time of Henry VIII: For these reasons several parish libraries were established. One person who was closely associated with the establishment of parish libraries was Dr. Thomas Bray (1656-1730). Parish libraries survived for sometime with help of private benefactors.

The ravages of war and natural calamities destroyed several cathedral libraries. Two well-known libraries; St. Paul and Lincoln, were destroyed by fire. The cathedral libraries had done a great service to the society and were the only libraries which could preserve some ancient documents.

However, all the libraries mentioned above cannot be classified as public libraries. They were meant for the bodies of religious worshipers though the public were allowed to use them on some conditions. The majority of these libraries did not last long, the main reason being that they were usually funded by individuals and no funds were forthcoming for their continuity.

3.2.2 Subscription and Circulating Libraries

Before the end of the 17th century, there came about a marked change in British society: Education was advancing by 1700 A.D. There were more than 500 grammar schools and 460 charity schools. Newspapers started appearing and circulation increased rapidly when government censorship was removed in 1694. Another feature was that the coffee houses, where the intelligentia used to meet and discuss things, became important centres for the dissemination of news. In London; public lectures on science made a modest beginning by the end of the 17th century.

These developments tended to encourage the growth of the reading habit. There was also a shift from religious subjects to secular subjects. Some of the magazines and dailies like the Tatler, the Spectator, and the Gentleman's

Page 257: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

30

their Role in Society

Magazine appeared in the first decade of the 18th century. In the words of Samuel Johnson, England had become "a nation of readers". There. was a demand for reading material from the middle class, which paved the way for the establishment of private or commercial subscription libraries.

Subscription libraries can be categorised under three classes: (1) private subscription library, (2) book clubs, and (3) commercial circulating libraries.

Private Subscription Libraries

The establishment of subscription libraries was not uniform. In some cases a few friends and relatives joined together and contributed books or cash to establish a library: In a few other cases, participating members contributed a fixed amount to buy books. A few of these were also called gentlemen's societies and they usually used to meet in coffee houses. Gentlemen's subscription libraries sometimes arose on a common pattern. Membership ranged from a dozen to a few hundred. The value of a share (like the present day entry fee) was usually a guinea and the annual subscription varied from six, to ten shillings.

The stock of books in these libraries was very small by modern standards. The biggest subscription library in 1801 at Liverpool had 8,000 volumes. Libraries were accommodated in make shift premises, very often over a bookshop. A few libraries were located in rented buildings. There were a few lucky ones - the, Bristol, Birmingham and Liverpool libraries - which had their own buildings.

The control of the library used to be in the hands of a committee of the proprietors.The committee was responsible for the subscription of books, managing the premises and supervising the work of the librarian. The rules were very strict. Fines for keeping books beyond stipulated dates were heavy.

The London library was founded in the year 1841 by the efforts of Thomas Carlyle who was not exactly on the pattern of other proprietary libraries. It had a wide membership ' including members from up country. This library has survived and at present it has a stock exceeding 7,00,000 volumes, one of the richest with extensive loan collection.

Book Clubs

In the second half of the 18th century, another form of subscription library called "book clubs" or "reading society" came into being. Book clubs differed from subscription libraries in, three respects: (i) The membership of book clubs was small, usually not more than a dozen or two, (ii) No attempts were made to build a permanent collection. Books were sold or divided among the members when they had served their turn, (iii) The clubs served as a social and literary group. They used to hold monthly meetings to decide on new purchases or to share the books. No doubt there were several variations. Each book club had its own way of functioning. They were also called by different names such as book society, reading society or literary society.

Page 258: Library Society

31

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

Book clubs had a major advantage over other types of libraries. They were very economical since they did not employ a salaried librarian or have rented premises. They were used to be housed in an inn or coffee house or in the house of a member. Such an arrangement suited small towns and villages well. The working class group which could not afford the outlay required for a permanent library were benefited the most.

Commercial Circulating Libraries

Parallel with the growth of subscription libraries and book clubs developed commercial subscription libraries. They were better known as circulation libraries and were run by booksellers with the profit motive. The first known circulating library was established in. Edinburgh in 1725 by a well-known bookseller, Allan Ramsay. Bath and Briston had their circulating libraries by 1728. London's first circulating library was in existence by 1740 and within a decade, the number increased to six: After 1750 it got a momentum and circulating libraries became very popular: By the close of the 18th century there were more than one thousand circulating libraries throughout the country. Circulating libraries became popular as readers were attracted to fiction and circulating libraries had a good collection: Some of these libraries were also attached to departmental stores. Two well known circulating libraries were owned by W.H. Smith & Son and Boots. Boots Booklovers library had branches throughout the country.

3.2.3 Mechanics Institutes

The Industrial Revolution in England created a middle class engaged mainly in industries. Persons employed in industries were called mechanics. These mechanics formed their own groups for various reasons and they were called "mechanics institutes". These institutes have played a major role in the education of the masses.

It was at this time that one Mr. George Birbeck, who was teaching at the Andersonian Institute at Glasgow, felt the need to educate mechanics. In 1800, he set up a "mechanics class". Here, he lectured on subjects closely associated with their technical skills. Within four years, as many as 700 members were attending these classes. In 1823, the members formed a body called Glasgow Mechanics Institute.

From 1823 onwards a rapid expansion took place and by 1863 there were nearly a thousand institutes in active operation throughout the country. The conditions in individual institutes varied; in some, the library would be the main feature and in others lectures might be the chief concern. The major collections of books were mainly scientific. The libraries attached to these institutes later formed a nucleus of public library stock in their respective places.

Self Check Exercise

1) State how subscription and circulating libraries were developed in the UK..

Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below, ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

Page 259: Library Society

Development of Libraries and ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

32

their Role in Society

3.3 LIBRARY LEGISLATION

August 14, 1850 is a red letter day in the annals of British library development. On this day the British library legislation became a reality. The enactment of legislation was not because of any demand from the public or from the library profession. The credit goes to nearly half a dozen personalities. Of these three persons were active and strived hard to put public library development on the statute book. They were William Ewart and Joseph Brotherton, both members of Parliament, and Edward Edwards, an assistant in the British Museum. The two members of Parliament persuaded the House of Commons to enact the legislation and Edward Edwards supplied the requisite data.

3.3.1 The 1850 Act

William Ewart, a Liverpool man by birth and a Scot by descent, had served as a member of Parliament for more than forty years. First he represented Liverpool (1830-37) and then Dumfries (1841-68). He was an active member of the House of Commons and had been responsible for many social reforms. He took upon himself the need for library legislation to establish public libraries throughout England. He was ably assisted by another parliamentarian, Joseph Brotherton. In 1849, Ewart succeeded in persuading Parliament to constitute a Select Committee, with Ewart as Chairman, for the enactment of library legislation. During this period Edward Edwards had written a paper entitled "A statistical view of the principal public libraries in Europe and the United States". Edwards was called to the Select Committee to give evidence about the state of public libraries abroad and in his own country.

Ewart was given leave to introduce his Public Libraries Bill in February 1850 and it received the royal assent on August 14, 1850. The Act empowered municipal authorities with a population of 10,000 or more to adopt the Act. To adopt the Act, a two-thirds majority of the votes cast was necessary and if it failed, no poll could be held for two years.

The Act provided to levy a rate of half a penny in the pound on the rateable value of the property assessed. Spending was restricted to building, fuel, lighting, fixture, furniture and the salaries of the staff. Money could not be spent on purchase of books. Books or cash were supposed to be donated by the benefactors.

In the first two years after the 1850 Act, Norwhich, Winchester, Bolton, Ipswich, Manchester and Oxford municipal councils adopted the Act. By 1854, three more boroughs, Blackburn, Sheffield and Cambridge had followed suit. The Act was extended to Scotland and Ireland in 1853.

Page 260: Library Society

3.3.2 Subsequent Amendments

33

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

The Act of 1850 was in no way a success . It only established a principle. In practice it was very unsatisfactory because of the severe restrictions it imposed (a) on the kinds of authorities that might adopt the Act; (b) on the amount of money that could be spent; (c) on the ways in which that money could be spent; and (d) on the methods to be used for its adoption.

In 1850, Edward Edwards had taken over as the Librarian of Manchester Public Library. He persuaded Ewart to amend the Act so as to remove some of the major obstacles in the Act. In 1855, an amended Act was passed. The main features of this Act were (1) It raised the rate limitation to one penny. (2) Purchase of books and newspapers was allowed. (3) Power to establish a library was extended to any parish with a population of 5,000 or more. In his tenure as an MP, Ewart was able to bring in another amendment in 1866. This amendment removed the population limit altogether. It prescribed a simple majority, instead of the two-thirds majority for the purpose of adoption.

After 1866, there were a number of minor amendments in 1871, 1877,1884,1887,1889 and 1891. In 1892, all the Acts so far passed were repealed and one consolidated Act was enforced. In spite of these numerous Acts, only about 780 out of over 1000 boroughs and urban districts had adopted the Act by 1900. One landmark of this period was the formation of a Library Association in 1877.

Self Check Exercise 2) State the major features of the Public Libraries Act, 1850: Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3.4 LIBRARY SURVEYS AND REPORTS

In spite of library legislation it cannot be, stated that the library movement was an immediate success. The general public were content with subscription libraries. There was opposition to additional taxation. Financial constraints hindered every activity of libraries.

3.4.1 Donations to Public Libraries

It was about this time that a great boon to public libraries was bestowed through the benevolence of Andrew Carnegie. Andrew Carnegie, born in Scotland and settled in the USA amassed great wealth as an industrialist. He gave huge donations for various social causes. One of them was libraries. Carnegie grants for libraries were restricted to library buildings. During the period 1900-1912 alone Garnegie donated nearly two million pounds. Many smaller grants were

Page 261: Library Society

Development of Libraries and given in the later part of the 19th century. Books were supposed to be donated by the local community.

34

their Role in Society

There were several other donations to public libraries: Substantial grants were donated by Passmore Edwards (1823-1911). The result of these donations was a spurt in the adoption of library legislation. During a short span of ten years 1900-1909, 208 authorities adopted the Public Libraries Act. In a short period, 366 library buildings spread over 292 library authorities sprang up. In 1913, Carnegie created the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust. Though indirectly the Carnegie funds encouraged authorities to establish libraries, their growth was tardy. There were no funds for books. Library staff was underpaid and made to work long hours.

3.4.2 Adams Report

The huge donations, instead of accelerating the library movement, created several problems. The trustees of the Carnegie Trust wanted to survey the working of the public library system and Dr.W.G.S. Adams was called upon to submit a report. The report appeared in 1915. It is interesting to read the critical opinion of Dr. Adams: “Libraries have, in a number of cases, been provided, involving a scale of expenditure on upkeep which left insufficient means for the main purpose and object of the library.... Buildings in several instances costing £10,000 or even larger sums have been erected, the upkeep of which absorbed the greater part of the income from the ld rate; leaving a mere pittance and in some cases not even that, for the purchase of books. In certain instances, where there had previously been a library on smaller premises, the gift of the larger building has ultimately involved a reduction in the expenditure on books. In many cases there is not an adequate income to provide a librarian worthy of the building and competent to create the true library.”

3.4.3 Penny Rate Abolished

The Adams Report had its effect. It paved the way for new legislation. In the meantime, several library authorities and the Library Association were working to amend the previous Public Libraries Act, 1919. This Act repealed the penny rate limitation and county councils were authorised to adopt the Act for areas not already served. The Act was rapidly adopted by many county councils and by 1927, 96% of the population was covered by the new Public Libraries Act.

3.4.4 Mitchell and Kenyon Reports

The Carnegie Trust in the year 1924 appointed its secretary, Lieut-Colonel J.M. Mitchell, to report on the working of public libraries. This was designed as a sequel to the Adams report. It covered the whole of the United Kingdom: Its main focus was on the development of the new county service and the problems of library coordination. The statistical data provided in this report gave a valuable insight into the -working of county libraries.

The Board of Education, in 1924, appointed Sir Frederic Kenyon "to enquire into the adequacy of the library provision already made under the Public Libraries Act and the means of extending and completing such provision throughout England and Wales". The Report submitted in 1927 was popularly known as the Kenyon Report. The Report noted that 96:3 per cent of the population of England and

Page 262: Library Society

Wales were covered by the library authorities. It gave details about the per head expenditure, circulation figures, nature of demand for books, wasteful expenditure on reading rooms serving mainly newspapers and magazines and many other interesting details: The report only helped to know the status of the library service but did not result in any further amendment to the Public Libraries Act.

35

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

3.4.5 McColvin Report

From the 1920s to the 1970s there were several surveys and reports on the working of public libraries in Britain. The first survey was undertaken by the Library Association in 1936: This was financed by the Rockfeller Foundation. For the purpose of the survey, the country was divided into 12 geographical areas. Each area was entrusted to an expert to submit his report. Unfortunately, the time limit fixed to submit the report was only one month. There were divergent reports from each area. The political situation and the outbreak of the war hindered all development activities.

In the year 1941, the Library Association commissioned its honorary secretary, Lionel R. McColvin, City Librarian of Westminster, to undertake a survey of the conditions then prevailing and the future needs of the public library service. The Carnegie Trust met the cost of the investigation. By the spring of 1942, McColvin completed his survey and presented the report.

The McColvin Report gave a deplorable picture of the state of public libraries and recommended sweeping changes. His major recommendations were:

a) Establishment of a central authority for the promotion and maintenance of nation-wide library service.

b) The department would examine the proposals for buildings and loans, formulate standards concerning supply of books, and fix the qualifications and salaries of staff,

c) The grants allocated to libraries would be the same as in the case of higher education.

The McColvin Report gave a fully worked out scheme for state assistance to, and state inspection of, the library service: '

3.4.6 Roberts Report

In England and Wales the question of library areas was reopened and in 1957, the Minister of Education appointed a committee under the chairmanship of Dr: S.C. Roberts to consider the structure of public library service, and to advise what changes, if any, should be made in the administrative arrangement in relation to public and other libraries. The report submitted in 1959 included the following recommendations:

1) Counties, county boroughs, metropolitan boroughs and the city of London should continue to be library authorities. '

2) Parishes should cease to be library authorities, 3) Other existing library authorities should be entitled to apply for a

continuance of powers, subject to a minimum annual expenditure on

Page 263: Library Society

Development of Libraries and books of £5000 or 2 shilling per head of population whichever was the greater.

36

their Role in Society

4) Non-county boroughs and urban districts not at present library authorities should be eligible to apply for recognition subject to the same criterion of expenditure and subject also to a minimum population of 50,000.

The Report also made recommendations for the improvement of staffing and for a statutory system of inter-library cooperation. The most important proposal was that the Minister of Education should be given general responsibility of overseeing the public library service.

3.4.7 The 1964 Act

The Minister of Education, after consulting the local authorities, accepted most of the Roberts Committee recommendations. He also set up two working parties of libraries and other local authority representatives to examine the technical implications of (a) the basic requirements for an efficient public library service and (b) the recommendations concerning inter-library cooperation.

The two working parties were headed by H.T, Bourdillon and E.B.H. Baker. The reports of these two committees along with the recommendations of the Roberts Report, resulted in the enactment of the Public Libraries and Museum Act' 1964. It placed upon the Secretary of State for Education and Science, the duty to superintend and promote the improvement of the public library service.

Self Check Exercise 3) State some of the reports on the public library set up in the UK Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.

ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3.5 THE SRITISH LIBRARY ACT

The University Grants Commission appointed a committee under Thomas Parry to go into the working of university libraries in Britain. The British Government took note of the Parry ' Committee Report published in 1967. The report drew the attention of the Government to the absence of a true apex to the library system in the country and recommended the establishment of a British National Library

The Secretary of State for Education and Science set up a new committee to examine the functions and organisation of the British Museum Library, the National Lending Library for Science and Technology and the Science Museum Library. The chairman of the committee was Dr. F.S. Dainton who was entrusted with the job of considering the feasibility of a unified framework of the different constituents of the National Library then existing. The committee recommended the establishment of a National Libraries Authority. The committee further said

Page 264: Library Society

that this authority should have control on the two reference units, namely, the British Museum Library and the National Reference Library of Science and Invention, and the two lending libraries, namely, the National Lending Library for Science and Technology and the National Central Library.

37

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

The Government accepted the recommendations in principle and took steps to bring new legislation. It distinguished three main fields of activity, namely the reference service, the lending service and the bibliographic service. The name chosen for the new national organisation was the British Library. The British Library Act, 1972, was passed and came into operation on July 1; 1973. The structure of the British Library is discussed in Unit 5.

3.6 KINDS OF LIBRARIES, GROWTH AND FUTURE TRENDS

Libraries and information centres have developed and grown in different dimensions in the UK. The British Library (BL), as stated earlier was formed in 1973, following the recommendations of the Dainton Report and the passing of the British Library Act 1972, amalgamating the former British Museum Library, the National Central Library and the National Lending Library for Science and Technology and the British National Bibliography. BL now offers library services in the humanities and social sciences, science, technology and industry, national bibliographic services, including the Blaise on-line services, and the undertaking of R & D activities through its specialised divisions operating at different points.

A complete library edifice has been created and is in operation in the UK, constituting the British Library, and the National libraries of Scotland and Wales; the public library system; academic libraries to include research, university, college, polytechnic libraries and others of teaching and learning institutions; special libraries, comprising business, industrial, and other types of libraries, serving special categories of users and collections.

Besides the facilities for access through public access catalogues and stocks available for use through resource sharing library networks, access to computerised databases through on-line facilities for global resources, supported by document delivery services for obtaining hard copies, etc. provide a complete library and bibliographic services. -

Some of the notable aspects of library development which also indicate future trends are broadly stated below:

The funds available for library development are gradually getting reduced in real terms, the trend having commenced about 20 years ago and is likely to be more pronounced in the years to come. Management of information is likely to be a key concern in most organisations and it has already begun to give a new shape to structural reorganisation. The strategy of most libraries would emphasise access to information over holdings, and budgetary constraints would shift to allow money to move from the purchase of books to the purchase of information. Local libraries may become a switching centre rather than a resource, and a provider of documentation services and offer training.

Page 265: Library Society

Development of Libraries and End users will themselves become more active in database searching and other activities such as direct document ordering and receipt, operating through their personal workstations.

38

their Role in Society

Networks will develop rapidly, as well as campus-wide systems in higher education. Private sector equivalents will grow and meet consumer resistance to the pricing for information. The national library system will find it progressively harder to maintain service because of falling support and funding, and will be obliged to seek full cost recovery for services provided; Academic libraries are changing with the far-reaching changes in the educational process. Education is swiftly moving from liberal education to skill centered information and practical technique learning and applying the facilities of modern information technology to the entire process of teaching and learning. The concept of flexible learning is catching up fast in polytechnics and professional colleges which emphasise resource-based learning rather than classroom teaching. Distance learning with packages of course materials, educational technology in terms of audio and video cassettes, educational telecasts, teleconferencing etc., have strengthened self learning. Virtually every academic library will have an operational online public access catalogue with continuous expansion of access facilities. Public libraries will increasingly offer community information services which may take different forms: Users with special needs, for example people with disabilities, people in institutions, housebound persons, adults in basic education, elderly people, visually handicapped, hearing impaired persons, services to a multi-cultural society - there are some of the different forms of new community based services. The basic provision of some kind will continue to be free, but the inevitable growth in the cost of materials and services will compel libraries and information centres to charge for value-added services..

Needless to mention, these changes are brought about by a variety of changing contexts. Social 'trends due to various factors such as demographic patterns, information technology with all its tools and techniques and their application to information provision, users' demand for information of bewildering varieties, new institutional mechanisms to cope up with all these changes and a host of other related factors are likely to change existing systems and services, perhaps unrecognisably, in the 21st century.

Self Check Exercise

4) Mention the different kinds of libraries in the UK that constitute a total library structure.

5) Mention briefly the major current trends in library and information systems and services in the UK and the future possibilities.

Note: i) Write your answers in the space given belc3 - ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

Page 266: Library Society

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

...

39

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

3.7 DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARIES IN USA

Development of libraries in the USA is of recent origin. Early migrants to America were more concerned with settling down and making a living. They were more anxious to build a house in the wilderness and to find an avocation. In spite of the hazardous life of the early migrants, they had not forgotten their religious heritage. The clergy had carried the Bible and the physician his books, but by and large the early collection was mainly religious. Then some private libraries with a very modest collection came into being. In these small collections we see the beginning of library history in the United States of America.

3.7.1 Colonial Period

Some of the early settlers in America brought with them their private collections of books. Libraries in the colonial period were mainly private libraries. Some of the well-known private libraries belonged to (1) William Brewster of Plymouth Colony, (2) John Winthrop, Governor of Connecticut, (3) Col. William Byrd of Westover, Virginia, and (4) James Logan of Philadelphia. Their collections were between 3,000 to 4,000 volumes.

The credit for establishing what may be called the first public library went to Boston. In 1653, Robert Keayne, a Boston merchant, bequeathed in his will an amount of £ 300 for setting up a room in the Town House to establish a library for public use. His wish was fulfilled and a library was set up in the Town House. It survived for nearly a century until it was consumed by a major fire in 1749.

It was Thomas Bray, an Anglican clergyman who created literary centres for the colonists. He set up more than 70 libraries during the period 1695-1704. His major activity was in Maryland but his ambition was to establish one large library in each colony. Bray was assisted in his work by two groups, the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The collections in these libraries were mainly theological, as these books were meant for the clergy. Strictly the Bray libraries were not public libraries though a few were so designated.

3.7.2 Social Libraries

You have read earlier in this unit that in England book clubs and subscription libraries were popular. On a similar pattern libraries were also established in the USA. They were designated as social libraries. Benjamin Franklin was a pioneer in starting social libraries. He floated a company in 1793 called the Library Company of Philadelphia and requested interested persons to become members. The initial subscription was 40 shillings and an annual fee of 10 shillings. Franklin's library was often referred to as the mother of the social library in America.

Page 267: Library Society

Development of Libraries and Subscription libraries of varying sizes began to proliferate throughout the USA. "Three other well known subscription libraries were (1) the Redwood Library of Newport, (2) the New York Society Library of New York city and (3) the Charleston Library Society of Charleston. Social libraries were very popular during the period 1790-1815 and thereafter there was a gradual decline due to the rise of public libraries supported by the state. One major feature of the subscription libraries was the nature of the library collections These collections were quite different, with less emphasis upon religion and more upon secular matters, like history, biography, travel, literature, grammar, agriculture, arithmetic and natural science. As in England, there were also several commercial libraries whose motto was to make a profit.

40

their Role in Society

3.7.3 Mercantile Libraries

America was changing from an agricultural to an industrial country. With the advance of trade and commerce, a new class of the mercantile community sprang up. Another segment of society consisted of industrial workers due to the setting up of various types of industries. Business firms and industries sponsored "mercantile" libraries to foster educational and recreational reading among their employees. These libraries were also known as “mechanics” libraries or “apprentices” libraries. These libraries were closely related to the education movement in the first half of the 19th century.

3.7.4 School District-Public Libraries

Before the advent of free public libraries, a novel idea was mooted by the Governor of New York, Dewitt Clinton. He recommended to the state legislature the formation of school district libraries. The idea was to house these libraries in the existing schools and open them to the public without any charge. In 1835, the New York legislature passed a law to levy a tax of $ 20.00 to start a library and $ 10.00 in subsequent years to provide for its growth. The state legislature made available a sum of $ 55,000 a year for the purchase of books. The school district was expected to raise an amount of money equal to that received from the state exchequer.

The novel idea of opening school district-public libraries found favour with many states and by 1876 as many as twenty-one states had followed suit.

Self Check Exercise

6) State the different types of libraries that were established- in the USA during the early yeas.

Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below. ii) Check your answer with the answer given at the end of this unit.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Page 268: Library Society

41

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

3.8 LIBRARY LEGISLATION

The credit for establishing a free public library in the modern sense of public libraries goes to Peterborough in New Hampshire. In 1823, the Peterborough Municipal Council made a provision in its budget to set up a free public library. Legislative measures in the USA can be traced back to 1848. The Boston Public Library was established by an Act passed by the General Court of Massachusetts in 1848. In the very next year, New Hampshire legally authorised the cities and towns under its control to establish libraries and also made provision to levy a separate tax for funding the libraries.

Today every state of the USA has a public library Act. The Act provides the legal basis for the establishment and administration of public libraries and for the tax provision. However, the Acts differ from state to state. Some Acts are comprehensive and cover all types of libraries, like city, town, village, district, regional or school district libraries. In a few states, there may be a separate law for each type of library. However, all Acts have one provision in common, that is, the use of the library should be free to the inhabitants of the municipalities concerned. Another redeeming feature of the majority of the Acts is that the proceeds from the library tax should be kept in a separate fund called the library fund and cannot be intermingled with other funds of the tax collecting authority.

Federal legislation in the USA evolved very slowly. It was only in 1956 that the first general library law was enacted at the national level. This was the Library Services Act in which a national commitment to the support of libraries in the overall educational programme was made. The Act was applicable to rural areas but in 1964 it was amended to include urban areas also and the Act was renamed the Library Services and Construction Act. This Act appropriated funds for library services and for inter-library cooperation.

3.9 PHILANTHROPY AND LIBRARY MOVEMENT

One factor that contributed greatly to the library movement in the USA was benavolent contributions by individuals or trusts. Philanthropy played a great part in the later half of the 19th century. The New York Public Library was a creation of philanthropy. John Jacob Astor, a businessman, bequeathed $4,00,000 in his will to establish a reference library in New York city in 1848. Astor entrusted one Joseph Green Cogswell to buy books. The Astor Library opened in 1854 with 90,000 volumes. Cogswell became its first director.

Another reference library was opened in New York in 1870. This was done by James Lenox who had collected nearly 20,000 volumes covering subjects like Amercian literature, folklore, history, works of Milton, Shakespeare, Bunyan and several other classics. In 1800, former Governor of New York State, Samuel J. Tilden left an estate worth $ 50,00,000 for the creation of a free public library. However, his will went into litigation and a compromise with his relatives was made and the library secured only half of the amount. In 1895, the three trusts stated above merged and the New York Public Library came into being. It is a private library but the services are free.

There are several other examples of endowments for the establishment of free public libraries in the latter half of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.

Page 269: Library Society

Development of Libraries and The Enoch Pratt Library (1884) at Baltimore, the Newberry Library at Chicago (1887), the John Crerar Library, also at Chicago, (1894), the Henry E. Huntington Library at San Marino (1919), and the Pierpont Morgan Library at New York are some examples of libraries set up by donations.

42

their Role in Society

The greatest single benefactor to the public library cause was Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919). His donations were mainly meant for the construction of library buildings. Funds for books and maintenance had to come from the community. In the USA alone, 1681 public library buildings were constructed through Carnegie's endowments. By 1920, the Carnegie Trust had donated more than $ 500,00,000 for the construction of library buildings. There were only seven municipality-supported libraries in the 16 larger cities of the USA in 1890. This situation markedly changed after Carnegie's donations. In the last decade of the 19th century, libraries started spreading throughout the length and breadth of the USA.

3.10 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

One library that has given the lead is the Library of Congress. A detailed study of the Library of Congress is given under Unit 5 of this course.

3.11 KINDS OF LIBRARIES, GROWTH AND FUTURE TRENDS

The USA is a land of libraries. The following table gives an idea of the types and number of libraries in the country and related data:

Libraries in the United States (1989)

No. No. Collection Annual Expenditure Dollars

Prof. Staff

National 3 29, 277, 384

Academic 4,607 633, 848, 000 2, 461, 988, 000 21,919

Public 9,068 600, 000, 000 3, 700, 000, 000 35,000

School 102,538 923,025,222 633,301,000 68,391

Special 11,146

National Libraries

The United States sponsors many governmental libraries, but three qualify as national libraries because of the constituencies they serve. The largest is the Library of Congress(LC) which has been an outstanding international trend-setter in most of the world's library developments.

What started in the first decade of this century as a service to distribute catalogue cards grew to the printing of the National Union Catalog in the fourth decade and eventually led to Machine Readable Cataloging (MARC) tapes in the sixth decade. LC has played a very important role in other national library activities to include a number of projects, to find better techniques and methods of library and information services, not only in the USA but also internationally.

Page 270: Library Society

The two other national libraries are the National Library of Medicine (NML) and the National Agricultural Library (NAL). NML emerged in the 1950s directly from its predecessor, the Army Medical Library. It serves practising medical professionals and medical science researchers, not only in the USA but throughout the world through its Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (MEDLARS) and MEDLINE services. Medlars is a sophisticated computerised

43

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

storage and retrieval system that grew from Index Medicus, NML's paper-based index to current literature. The holdings of NML are nearing a million.

NAL grew out of the Department of Agriculture Library; It has also led to the development of computerised storage and retrieval of information on agriculture and allied subjects.

There are also other federal government agencies whose libraries serve different information needs of their parent organisations.

Academic Libraries

Academic libraries, as in the UK, include school, college, university and research libraries. They have developed individual growth patterns. The Harvard University Library represents the largest of the privately supported institutions, whose collections and inter-institutional responsibilities have grown in geometric progression. Notable among the other university libraries are Berekely, Stanford, Columbia, Chicago, Princeton and Yale. A number of others have also contributed very greatly to resource development and a host of library and information services.

A distinguishing feature of academic libraries in the USA is the development of school libraries and media centres. More than 75,000 libraries and media centres are now in public and private elementary and secondarily schools. The infusion of federal support, coupled with standards developed by professional associations, have allowed libraries and media centres to improve traditional services in reading, reference, and teaching and to augment their role in supplying schools with additional instructional support. In many cases they are also participating actively in computer literacy programmes in US elementary and secondary schools.

Special Libraries

Special libraries, generally, exist to serve specific clientele. They are not designed to meet the information needs of the general public. Naturally, their collections are much smaller. Staffed with specially trained professionals, they offer need based services to specialists. The special libraries of AT&T's Bell Laboratories, International Business Machines (IBM), and Westinghouse Electric Corporation are a few examples of the big industrial and business establishments' libraries. Newspapers, adverstising agencies and other agencies have special libraries. There are also libraries attached to learned societies, hospitals, banks, legal institutions, publishing houses, scientific institutions, etc., each is meant to serve its respective clientele's information needs.

Page 271: Library Society

Development of Libraries and

44

their Role in Society

Growth and Future Trends

Many of the trends mentioned with reference to the UK also apply to libraries in the USA, with variations depending on indigenous requirements. There are, however, very distinct-trends in the USA that may have a far reaching impact on the entire library and information scenario not only in that country but globally.

One such development is the INTERNET. Arising out of this is the Network of Computers and Communications which is likely to be the characteristic infrastructure of the post-modern world. The first part is composed of the network's links. The second will consist of the sensors and monitors that connect the network to the world. The third part will comprise databases including encyclopedic information, musical and theatrical performances and records of all kinds. Finally, there will be information processors for the purpose of keeping the network itself in order to provide expert services of particular kinds. The information links are like the nerves that pervade and help to animate the human organism. The sensors and monitors are analogous to the human senses that put us in touch with the world. Databases correspond to the memory; the information processors perform the function of human reasoning and comprehension. Once the post-modern infrastructure is reasonably integrated it will greatly exceed human intelligence in reach, acuity, capacity and precision.

Although these statements appear to be a forecast rather than a definite possibility at present, special studies have been conducted to assess the impact of Internet on all the three major kinds of libraries, namely, academic, public and special libraries. Here, we are just bringing to your attention the publication of the book entitled Libraries and the Internet/NREM: Perspectives, Issues, and Challenges.

Another significant effort to deal with the increasing role of information in its widest dimension is mentioned here to highlight current and future trends. A National Information Infrastructure (NII) which is also called the Information Super highway, is envisaged with various possibilities of information use. The components of this Information Superhighway are:

People to create, publish, organize, preserve, manage, and use information; to develop applications and services; to design and implement policies and standards; and to educate and train individuals for all aspects of NII

The information content in all formats and media, including text, still and moving images, numeric files, sound recordings, archival records, museum collections and other evidence of all kinds.

Hardware and other physical components, including computers, monitors, input devices, printers, telephone, fax machines, compact disks, video and audio media, cameras, televisions, cable and other wires, switches, satellites, microwave nets, optical fibre transmission lines and other devices yet to be invented.

Software and news groups such as file transfer protocol, gophers, USENET news, Wide 'Area Information Servers (WAIS), the World-Wide Web (WWW), with mosaic and Hypertext Language (HTML), and many others to be developed.

Page 272: Library Society

45

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

• Standards, codes, regulations, and other policies to facilitate, interconnect, provide interoperability, ensure privacy, protect security, provide for appropriate compensation to owners of intellectual property, protect the integrity of data, promote ethical practice, and ensure true universal access and service.

In building up the proposed infrastructure, principles, goals, strategies, and mechanisms have been evolved. An Information Infrastructure Task Force (IITF) has been charged with articulating and implementing the administration's NII vision, working with the private sector to develop comprehensive telecommunications and information policies.

Self Check Exercises

7} How were school libraries developing in the USA? 8) What are the future trends which promise a possible radical change from

the present library and information set up? Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below;

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3.12 ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

In the development of libraries in the UK and the USA, the part played by professional associations is exceptional and remarkable. In the UK, the British Library Association, (LAUK) was established in 1877 and the Association for Information Management (ASLIB) came up in 1926 (known formally as the Association of Special Libraries and Information Bureaux):

They have been spearheading and directing library and information activities with dedication and devotion. In the USA, the American Library Association (ALA, 1876), the Special Library Association (SLA, 1909) and the American Society for Information Science (ASIS, 1937) have been working with zeal and tirelessly for the promotion and development of libraries and information services.

These professional bodies have endeavoured to promote library and information services in their countries, and strive to protect the interests of professionals, developed professional practices through standards, guidelines, codes, manuals and other types of publications, published journals to reflect professional developments, conducted professional courses and training programmes to enable skill development, established national and international contacts to be in tune with international thinking and practices and done similar other things. We are merely mentioning this here in order to briefly state the important role played by these professional bodies. They are dealt with in detail in another unit.

Page 273: Library Society

Development of Libraries and Self Check Exercise

46

their Role in Society

9) How do professional associations contribute to the growth and

development of libraries in the UK and the USA? Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below; ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

.......................................................................................................................

3.13 SUMMARY

This unit traces the development of libraries and information centres in the UK and the USA. The efforts made to develop public libraries in the UK are briefly narrated, highlighting important landmarks. All these culminated in the establishment of a Public Library System, supported by library legislation at different periods. Similarly in the USA, the development of public libraries has been with the support of philanthropists and library legislation. Besides public library development which has taken deep roots in these countries with excellent professional services, other libraries such as academic libraries and special libraries have developed. Different kinds of libraries and information centres have grown gradually with information needs. Although the academic libraries of universities have a longer history, dating back to the period of the growth of universities, their growth has been due to various factors such as increasing students admitted to different courses, specialisation, and others. A number of new factors contributed a great number of changes to social, political and economic developments, which demanded innovative thinking and new solutions. Some of the more important factors are information technology, user needs, demographic changes needing different types of information, and the volume and variety of information disseminated and published. All these aspects have been dealt with in this unit in the appropriate sections.

3.14 ANSWER TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) Before the end of the 17th century there was a marked increase in reading habits. This was due to the spread of education. More than 5,000 grammar schools and 460 charity schools had been established before the end of 1700 AD. The intelligentsia met in coffee houses where they discussed various issues and these coffee houses became centres for the dissemination of news. Magazines like the Tatler, the Spectator and the Gentleman's Magazine appeared in the first decade of the 18th century. These factors were responsible for the spread of subscription and circulating libraries.

2) The Public Library Act of 1850 empowered municipal authorities with a population of 10,000 and above to adopt the Act. However, a two-third majority of votes cast was necessary for the adoption, and in case the motion was not carried, another poll could not be held for two more years. The Act provided to levy half a penny in the pound on the rateable value of the

Page 274: Library Society

47

Development of Libraries in UK and USA

• • •

property. Spending was restricted to building, fuel, lighting, fixtures, furniture and the salaries of the staff.

3) Some of the committees that were appointed to look into the working of the public libraries in England were (1) Adams Report (2) Mitchell Report (3) Kenyon Report (4) McColvin Report (5) Robert Report.

4) The total library structure of the UK comprises:

The British Library, and the National Libraries of Scotland and Wales The public library system Academic libraries which include research, university, college, polytechnic libraries and others of teaching and learning institutions. Special libraries, comprising business, industrial, and other types of libraries, serving special categories of users.

5) The current trends are a funds crunch, dwindling gradually for all kinds of libraries, the impact of technology in all library activities, demographic patterns, structural reorganisation of libraries and such others.

Future possibilities include pricing for library and information services as a norm, rapid changes in conventional library and information systems, changing staff patterns, increasing application of IT with greater thrust on information provision, etc.

6) In the beginning, American libraries were mainly privately owned. Subscription libraries and commercial libraries came into being during the period 1790-1815. They were called "social libraries". -School-district public libraries were of a slightly later origin. Mercantile libraries on the pattern of Mechanics Institute of England were another popular type of library that existed before the advancement of free public libraries.

7) A distinguishing feature of academic libraries in the USA is the development of school libraries and media centres. More than 75,000 libraries and media centres are now in public and private elementary and secondary schools. The infusion of federal support, coupled with standards developed by professional associations, have allowed libraries and media centres to improve traditional services in reading, reference, and teaching and to augment their role in supplying schools with additional instructional support. In many cases they are also participating actively in computer literary programmes in US elementary and secondary schools.

8) Internet/the National Research and Education Network (NREN) and the Federal Government vision of creating an Information Superhighway are the notable efforts to face the challenges of the future.

9) These professional bodies have endeavoured to promote library and information services in their countries, striven to protect the interests of professionals, developed professional practices through standards, guidelines, codes, manuals a;-.d other types of publications, published journals to reflect professional developments conducted professional courses and training programmes to enable skill development, established national and interna-

Page 275: Library Society

48

Development of Libraries and their Role in Society

tional contacts to be in tune with international thinking and practices and done similar other things.

3.15 KEYWORDS

Database Information stored on computer files, and accessible via a remote terminal and telecommunications link.

Documentation The study of the acquisition, handling and communication of information, particularly relating to scientific reports, semi-published material, t ti ti t

Information Superhighway

: Collection of electronic networks which provide access to many databases, brought about by the convergence of hardware, software and networking technologies

Intellectual Property : Author's right to claim ownership of a created work.

Network : A system of physically separate computers with telecommunication links, allowing the resources of each participating machine to be shared by each of

Teleconferencing : A special counselling session/meeting/ conference/ discussion organised with the help of advanced media technology whereby participant of distant regions can interact with each other from one or more regions instantively

3.16 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Kelley, Thomas (1966). Early Public Libraries. London: The Library Association.

Kelly, Thomas (1997). A History of Public Libraries in Great Britain (1845-1975). London: The Library Association.

Kent, Allen (et al.) (1978). Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. New York: Dekkar. V.24, p.267-331.

Bearman T. C. (1995). National Information Infrastructure. In: The Bowker Amwal and Library and Book Trade Almanac. pp 65-69.

British Librarianship and Information Work (1986-1990) (1992), edited by David W. Bromley and Angela M Allott. V.2 London: Library Association Publishing:

Information UK 2000 (1990), edited by John Martyn, Peter Vickers, Mary Feeney. London: Bowker-Saur.

MCClure C. R. Moen W. E. Eyan J: Libraries and thelnternet/NREM: Perspectives, Issues and Challaenges. Westport, Mecklermedia:

World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science. (ed:3).(1993) Chicago: ALA.