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.