Ignoring of Librarians Costs: None of the Indian Institutions in the World University Ranking

[SUNNY JOSEPH]

Dear friends,

It is reported that none of the Indian Universities are placed in the first 300 positions in the world universities ranking. Why? Research output is the major criterion of ranking universities. Indian universities including IIT's and IIM's have low profile in research output.

The major time consuming part in any research is literature search. Libraries/librarians major function is to provide the needed literature to the researchers without delay. CAS and SDI really matters especially in research. How many Indian teachers/scientists/researchers acknowledged the commendable service of librarians in their research? How many Librarians can claim that they have effectively contributed to the researchers? How many researchers can absolutely trust their librarians? Whether any Indian University library has  special library staff exclusively for serving researchers? How many University Libraries conduct information literacy training to researchers?

What is the reality? In  most of the university libraries, the Chief Executive Officer, that is the post of, University Librarians remain vacant for many years. Nobody cares. They will not allow a professor post vacant even for one month. To them, the main job of University Librarian is purchasing books amounting crores of rupees.

Govt. of India have appointed a Committee to study the matter of non appearance of Indian Universities in the world university ranking. Dr. Jagadish Arora, Director INFLIBNET is also a member. At least Dr. Arora can point out the sad state of information system in the country run by librarians who are not recognized in the research process by UGC/Govt/Universities. One thing is certain, unless Govt or UGC or General Public recognise the significant role to be played by Library professionals in research, teaching and learning and treat Librarians equally to teachers or scientists, whatever may be the committees or their strategies, they are bound to fail.

[Digambar Bhaurao Waghmare]

Dear SUNNY JOSEPH 

Thanks for very nice article posted 

Govt. of India or MHRD Ministry should recognize role of Libraries & Librarians in the research as well education system, also every Scientists, Researchers and teachers should recognize the importance of Librarian  

[Eldho Joy E]

Dear Sir

Why does it happen in India alone?There has always been an attempt by the Indian Education system to underplay the role of libraries and librarians whether it is in teaching or industry sector.While there are many significant contributions provided by the librarians(associations) like ALA and OCLC,Indian librarians remain the same.A national level thinking is urgently needed.

Eldho Joy

[DR. ANIL SINGH]

Dear Mr. Sunny,

You have raised very relevant question on this forum. But you can easily understand by reading below mentioned two stories, that, why this is happening in our profession. These stories published on LIS-Forum Digest, Vol 126, Issue 28 and give your comments.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/jnu-library-strives-for-e...

http://beyondheadlines.in/2013/09/unethical-journalism-and-the-dict...

[Madhu Bhatt]

Thanks Joseph for raising this issue, What I feel is, if the librarian has a genuine interest to facilitate the research work of the students/faculty, they will initiate.  The understanding for the library should go beyond issue/return or purchasing the books so as to make them available to the students/faculty. Libraries receive the journals in the library. As a part of current awareness service (to keep the faculty updated with the current development in their own field). Table of content of the journal can be scanned and uploaded or mailed. It only depends as to how the librarian perceive the library as? merely the dumping ground for the books or to faciliate the research work?

 

[kiranjeet Dhaliwal]

yes, very true sir, librarians are not getting the due respect n remuneration which they are eligible for.The Medical library professionals are far behind from academic libraries. The scale of Sr. Lib Asstt in medical libraries is even less than a school librarian.What would you suggest, sir.

[raaga]

Dear sir,

It is the alarming issue really. Now  the government wakes up and forms the committee. When the total higher education system is getting diluted and corrupted, there wont be any use in setting up committees. When University postings are sold, then where is the question for quality and research. When money and influence are in the race, dont ever think about standards and dedicated research and the role of librarians too. Who cares and who needs that? After spoiling the whole system, we will as usual form the committees and will find out the reasons to frame the reports.