|
Contents
- Job profile
- Library Administration and Management
- Acquisition
- Services to Library Users
- Hierarchy
- Essential Attributes
- Job Avenues
- Undergraduate programs
- Postgraduate programs
- Vocational courses
- Training for in-service personnel
- Courses Available In Kerala
- List of Universities Offering Library Science
- Courses Available In Kerala
With the onslaught of information technology, libraries are making a rapid transition from card catalogues and P-slips to the Internet and electronic information on CD-ROMs. With the emergence of new electronic media to prepare and present library material, libraries are increasingly becoming information centers, combining traditional printed material with more sophisticated and enduring equipment like CD-ROMs, online public access, Internet services and the like. As the traditional face of libraries change, the role of the librarian and support staff follow suit, making the profession more challenging than ever before.
Job profile
The image of a librarian sitting at a desk, issuing and receiving books all day is a stereotypical idea that has stuck, But this is far removed from the true picture. Though librarians do spend a large part of their time disseminating information, this is certainly not their only job. In addition to providing vital services to the use, librarians perform a number of technical and administrative functions. Primarily, the tasks of the library staff include the following:
Library Administration and Management
This covers the following areas of work:
- Library housekeeping system
- CD-ROM networks
- Access to books
- Pricing
Acquisition
This covers the following areas of work:
- Collection and development
- Multilingual access
- Censorship
Services to Library Users
This covers the following areas of work:
- User guide and queries
- Reference and information services
- Current awareness
- Library use studies
- Interlibrary loan facility
In addition to the above, library staff may also be involved in
- Administrative functions
- Financial management
- Coordinating and planning activities such as poetry reading sessions
- Bringing out newsletters for users
- Reviewing books
- Visiting books stores regularly
Hierarchy
Traditionally, libraries explored librarians and assistants (and, rarely, information managers). The hierarchy in the traditional library set up was rather clear:
- Chief Librarian
- Deputy Librarian
- Library Assistant
- Information Analyst
- Information Manager
- Trainee
This scenario is fast changing. Librarians and assistants are. no longer the only personnel involved in managing and running the library. Library support staffs are increasingly becoming indispensable to the smooth functioning of libraries around the world. These Para professionals specialize in areas such as media, information sciences, and information technology and computer applications. Some of the job tides one can expect to find in modem libraries are:
- Library administrator
- Library media specialist
- Library technical information specialist
- Library technical assistant
- Library material conservation technician
- Library technician
- Computer specialist
Essential Attributes
Those aspiring to work in libraries must possess the following personal attributes:
- Someone who enjoys books
- Interested in a variety of subjects
- Excellent memory
- Polite and friendly
- Must be patient enough to handle people of different temperaments
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Job Avenues
Librarians and support staff are employed in a variety of libraries and archival units in india and abroad. These include:
- Government and national libraries
- Public libraries
- Online libraries/Archival services
- Academic libraries
- University and college libraries
- School libraries
- Libraries attached to cultural organizations
- Libraries attached to embassies
- Newspapers and news agencies
- Industrial and commercial libraries
- Corporate libraries
- Museums and galleries
- Photo and film libraries
- Archives
- Private collections
- Libraries on special subjects
- Information and documentation services
Undergraduate programs
Degree, diploma, vocational and specialized courses are available in library and information sciences. Undergraduate degree courses in library science and related disciplines include:
- Bachelor's Degree in Library Science (B.Lib)
- Bachelor's Degree in Library and Information Services
- Bachelor's Degree in Library and Manuscriptology
- Bachelor's Degree in Library and Documentation
The duration of the above-mentioned courses is one year. Only graduates (from any discipline) are admitted. Subjects covered include cataloguing, bibliography, documentation, research methodology, information storage and retrieval, manuscriptology, preservation and conservation, information systems and computer applications
Postgraduate programs
Postgraduate degree courses in library and related sciences include
- Master's Degree in Library Science (M.Lib)
- Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sciences
- Master's Degree in Library and Documentation
- M.Phil and Ph.D. in Library science
Only graduates with B.Lib are admitted to the Master's degree programs. The Masters
courses are a yearlong. The eligibility for M.Phil and Ph.D. programs is M.Lib.
Areas of specialization available at the PG level are
- Archives management
- Library planning
- Special library services
- Management of information services
- Translation
- Reprography
- Technical writing
- Information technology
- Maintenance and preservation of collections
- Networked Collection
- Circulation studies
- Electronic solution to documentation
Vocational courses
Vocational courses in library science are offered to non-graduates also. These include
- Vocational Training Course in Library Science
Eligibility: Pass in Std – X
- Training Program
- Eligibility: Pass in Std - :x
Training for in-service personnel
Specialized Courses - meant for librarians and other in-service personnel - are also available. These include:
- Diploma in Medical Librarianship (by correspondence)
- Fresher and Advanced Courses in Library and Information Sciences
- Post graduate Diploma in Library Science
- Computer Applications in Library Science
- Training Program for In-service Librarians
Courses Available In Kerala
Librarians and information managers may branch off into the following areas of work
- Teaching
- Public relations
- Research and documentation
- Database management
- Archival management
- Information management
- Printing and publishing
- Editorial work
- Book-selling
List of Universities Offering Library Science
The following universities offer degree programs in library sciences:
- University of Delhi New Delhi 110 007
- University of Bombay M.G Road, Fort, Mumbai 400032
- SNDT Women's University 1 Nathibai Thackersey Road, Mumbai 400020
- Jadavpur University P.G Jadavpur University, Calcutta 70p 032
- University of Madras Chepauk Campus, Chennai 600 005
- Madurai Kamaraj University Madurai 625,021, Tamil Nadu
- Annamalai University Annamalai Nagar 608002, Tamil Nadu
- University of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram 695 034
- Benaras Hindu University Varnasi 221 005
- M S University of Baroda Vadodara 390 002
- M.G University PD Hills, Kottayam
Courses Available In Kerala
- School of communication and information science, StJosephs college, Mannanam- 586 561
- Department of library and information science, University of Kerala, Library Buildings, TVM-695 034
- School of communication and information science, StJosephs college, Mannanam- 586 561
- Department of library and information science, Calicut university campus, Tenhippalam, Malappuram DT
- Faroke College, faroke college P.O, Calicut
- SB College, Changanassery, Kottayam
- School of Library Science, MG University, Kottayam
|
