Karnatak University, Dharwad (University of Potential Excellence) runs its Library with 3 Full time library officers.

[Shweta Patil]

Dear All,

The Karnatak University, Dharwad, which has secured the University of Potential Excellence (UPE) tag from UGC; runs its Library (S S Basavanal Library) with only 3 Full time library officers.

1- Librarian & 2 - Assistant Librarian, that to since from last 7-8 Years & do you know number of vacant Assistant Librarian posts are 26.

Out of 2 Assistant Librarian one is In charge of University Website, so actually Library runs by only 2 Library Officers.

Karnatak University Library was established in 1950, building has a carpet area of 4030 sq. mtrs. It accommodates about 4 lakhs books in its four stack rooms and around 300 students at a time to read in the reading halls of the library. Adding to these 3 Library Officers Library has 10+ Library Trainees & other semi-professionals.

I wonder how can an "University of Potential Excellence" Library works with mere these many numbers of Librarians, don't you think its failure of system & Librarian, who has not convinced University Authorities for number of staff required to run the Library.

Do you think these 3 professionals can fully justify the user’s needs?

How UGC can provide “University of Potential Excellence” tag to such University, where they are not supported fully for their Information needs?

Being fellow professionals what role we can play in such cases…?

Please comment...

[Dr. N K Pachauri]

This is the situation in all over India.................nothing new  

[Shweta Patil]

Dear CHANDRASHEKHAR MALAV Sir,

I work in Private Library.

Before I answer your other question, pls let me know,

Why I should not write about this issue?

If not, then who should write?

FYI, I was user of this particular Library, putting my dissatisfaction on this platform.

[Dr. N K Pachauri]

Shweta ji you are 100% right,  these type of issues should be raise over this platform at National Level ........

[Shweta Patil]

Welcome Sir,

Hope you support & put on if any such universities exists in your area.

Regards

[Abilash Achuthan]

Yes the situations in all the states are the same...

The Flaw in NML’s decision is that they think of “DEVELOPMENT” only in terms of number of libraries Information Communication Technology applications, and enhance the professional competence of library personnel working……     

So what about manpower?

Will the 5000 libraries provide the data of manpower shortage in libraries?

After the survey will they release the data?

Will they come with SWOT analysis?

Man Money Material Management, In which order they achieve the services to public?

Upgradation of libraries providing services to the public under the National Mission on Libraries

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Ministry of Culture's proposal of the scheme for upgradation of libraries providing services to the public under the National Mission on Libraries (NML).

The scheme would benefit students, researchers, scientists, children, artists, differently abled persons, the general public, neo and non-literates and would entail an expenditure of Rs.400 crore during the 12th Plan period.

The scheme envisages creating a National Virtual Library of India for facilitating a comprehensive database on digital resources on information about India and on information generated in India. This would be facilitated in an open access environment.

The scheme would develop six libraries under Ministry of Culture, 35 state Central Libraries and 35 District Libraries, with particular emphasis on economically backward districts, as model libraries. In addition, 629 district libraries across the States would be provided network connectivity.

The scheme intends to prepare a baseline data of libraries in India through a quantitative and qualitative survey of 5000 libraries to collect detailed information on quality characteristics and performance indicators in terms of their traditional role as readership promoters. It would also be assessed whether these libraries meet the requirement of their users in the electronic/internet era. 

  

The scheme also proposes to enhance the professional competence of library personnel.

For setting up of the NML model libraries, existing libraries would be identified in consultation with State governments, to improve infrastructure and upgrade technology used by them. Efforts would be made to locate them along with educational institutions.

Library professionals working in public and other libraries would be given need based training to improve their managerial skill and competence to utilize Information Communication Technology applications.    

While the survey of libraries would be completed within one year, the other objectives of the scheme would be achieved by the end of the 12th Plan period.

Background:

In pursuance of National Knowledge Commission recommendation for setting up a National Mission on Libraries to revamp the Library and Information Service Sector, the Ministry of Culture had set up a high level committee as the National Mission on Libraries.

 

Source: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=100900