Introduction:-
There has been enormous growth in education and higher education around the globe. Every country worth its name has developed a system of education and infrastructure to educate its people, and India is no exception. There has been a fast growth in institution of higher education since the dawn of twentieth century and more particularly, after India attained independence in 1947. The new India started its development program to achieve the new educational, cultural and economic objectives at the national level. Such developments at these institutions contributed to the development of more libraries, which in turn had to accept new responsibilities to meet society’s changing needs and demands. Libraries are recognized to play an important role in education, scientific research and social-economic development of a country. This envisages the need for professionally qualified personnel to manage and run the libraries and information centers effectively and efficiently. In order to feed the growing number of libraries, more trained library professionals were needed. For this purpose, library science departments started springing up, and library science developed into a distinct field of specialization with its own normative principles, theories, techniques, and practices that were deemed sufficient to meet the growing dimensions of library services. Handling of recorded knowledge in modern libraries has given birth to the functional aspects of collecting, organizing and promoting the use of reading materials relevant to the users through information transfer activities. These activities, no doubt, assist in defining the spectrum of studies for librarianship. The basic tenet of LIS education is to provide balanced training, integrating theory with practical exercises, and to cover all aspects of professional work with equal emphasis embracing new frontier of librarianship. LIS education aims at providing trained manpower to manage different types of libraries, information and documentation centers which, over a period of time have undergone changes in terms of needs, functions, types and range of services offered as well as tools and techniques being used when offering the services. Research in library and information science in India is not deep rooted. In the beginning it was in the form of a trail and error method. It was Padamashee S R Ranganathan (1889-1972) who lifted librarianship to the level of a science with the formulation of laws of library science, and establishment library schools and research centers. He even graded them as normative principles, fundamental laws, canons, principles and postulates. Ranganathan cut new grounds and blazed new trails in library and information science initially by solo research. This is evidence from the published literature that Ranganathan era’s is characterized by a period of intellectual contribution to the library and information science, particularly library classification. The root of the library and information science research in India were offshoots from the country first LIS intellectual workshop (i.e., Department of Library and Information Science, University of Delhi) instituted by the Dr SR Ranganathan a doyen of library science profession in India in 1946. And the first research fruit in the library and information science in the country even in the commonwealth countries was awarded by the University of Delhi in 1957 to the DB Krishna Rao for his thesis ‘Facet Analysis and Depth Classification of Agriculture’ under the supervision of Dr. SR Ranganathan.
Historical Development
The modern period in the history of education for librarianship began in the mid-1800s as librarians around the world recognized that systematic education and training were required so that order could be brought to the collections that had been growing in all libraries. The need for professionally qualified personnel to manage and run these libraries effectively and efficiently was duly recognized during the first half of the present and consequently, the library education programme had been started at several places much before Independence. The history of the education of library science in India may be traced far back as the year of 1911 with the starting of a short term training programme in library science in the Baroda State, under the patronage of Maharaj Sayajirao Gaekwar of Baaroda, who, impressed by the splendid work done by public libraries in the West, secured the services of an American librarian Mr. W. A. Borden as Director of the State Library Department. Mr. Bordon had been a pupil of Mr. Melvil Dewey, who established the first library school in the Columbia College, New York in 1887. In 1915, another student of Dewey, Mr. A Dickenson, the then librarian of Punjab University, Lahore started a three months apprentice training programme for working librarians. Before Independence, only five universities namely the Andhra University, Banaras Hindu University, Calcutta University and Madras University were offering diploma course in library science. Library education was given a new status and design by Professor S. R. Ranganathan in 1920, when the first systematic programme in library education was started under the auspices of the Madras Library Association in collaboration with the Madras University. This library school was subsequently taken over by the Madras University in 1931 and in 1937 the course was converted into Postgraduate (PG) Diploma in Library Science. This was the first diploma programme in Library Science in India. University of Delhi was the first university to establish a full-fledged Department of Library Science just before independence in 1946, and started admitting students to the PG Diploma in 1947. In 1951, the diploma was changed to Master in Library Science (M.Lib.Sc). Later, between 1956 to 1959, six new LIS departments were established at Aligarh Muslim University, M.S.University of Baroda, Nagpur University, Osmania University, Pune University and Vikram University. Since 1960s, the number of LIS departments has continued to increase. After Independence the stimulus for the growth and development of libraries and library science education has come from the progress in and extension of education, scientific research and programmes of socio-economic development which started in 1951 with the commencement of the First Five-Year Plan. As a result of these developments, Library and Information Science today is a well-recognized discipline of study and research at the post-graduate level in more than hundred universities in the country. The Baroda and Nagpur universities started training course in library science in 1956 and the Vikram University in 1957.
Present Status of LIS Education in India
Since its inception decades ago, LIS education has grown and developed into a full-fledged multi-disciplinary subject. LIS courses at bachelors, masters and research level are being imparted by different institutions – university departments, colleges, library associations and specialized institutions. There are now 96 universities in India imparting Library and Information Science education as independent departments in different levels. Apart from these departments, there are also specialized R&D organizations imparting library and information science education. Worth mentioning is the two years Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (ADIS) imparted by Documentation Research & Training Institute (DRTC), Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore (Karnataka) and National Institute of Science Communication And Information Resources (NISCAIR) formerly INSDOC, New Delhi which is equivalent to Mater degree of Library & Information Science (LIS). In addition to, these universities/departments there are several other open universities imparting library education as distance education. The professional associations such as Delhi Library Association (DLA) and the polytechnic institutions throughout the country are also imparting LIS education as lower level such as Certificate/Diploma in Library & Information Science. With the realization of the importance of higher education and research, research in Library education is not lagging behind like other disciplines. The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) are promoting research in library and information science by awarding scholarships to doctoral students.
Objectives of Library and Information Science Education
The goal of library and information science education is the preparation of personnel for the task of successful performance at different levels of competence in different types of libraries with an insight into the role of these libraries in a fast changing society. It should impart a thorough grounding in the intellectual foundations of the profession and competence in the technical and technological skills required for their day-to-day practice in different positions. In other words, education for library and information science should be both knowledge and theory oriented task or practice oriented. The two aspects of theory and practice should blend harmoniously in a sound programme of library and information science education because on this will depend the effectiveness and success of the programme. In achieving this objective the methods of teaching and evaluation employed are as important as the quality of the faculty. The main objectives of LIS profession are to: provide training for building up leadership qualities among the LIS profession; develop knowledge on the latest techniques of information storage, transfer and retrieval; help to acquire necessary skills in handling, accessing and application of electronic resources, tools and media; and help to know the latest developments in the Information Technology (IT) To sum up, the basic aims of library and information science education may be as follows
- To develop necessary technical skills;
- To develop administrative skills;
- To develop service orientation;
- To develop thorough knowledge of various sources of information, necessary to give the traditional and modern library services;
- To develop professional awareness.
Levels of Education Out of the 96 university departments, 56 departments conduct the one-year Bachelors degree and one year Masters degree in Library and Information Science at the postgraduate level. Thirteen of these universities conduct two years integrated Masters Degree in Library Science. These programme further leads to M.Phil. and Ph.D. levels. The levels of LIS education in India are discussed as follows:
Certificate/Diploma in Library Science (C/D.Lib. Sc.)
Many polytechnic colleges, schools and Library Associations impart the low level of library science courses in India having duration of six months to one year. The basic qualification for these courses is 10+2. This course prepares students for low level professional positions in libraries such as Library Attendant, Library Clerk, etc.
Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS)
This is a one-year post graduate degree course. The basic eligibility is a three years degree from any discipline. This course prepares students for junior professional positions.
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)
Master of Library and Information Science is imparted as a one-year post graduate degree course in some universities while in some, it is conducted as a two years integrated course. Many universities which offered one year BLISc and MLISc courses are now switching to two years integrated MLIS course in the line of other maters degree courses. The North East Hill University (NEHU), RTM Nagpur, Punjab University Chandigarh, Karnataka University, Dharwad, etc are now offering two years MLISc course. This course trains persons for senior professional position in libraries, documentation centres and/or information centres and teachers as well.
Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (ADIS)
The Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Bangalore (Karnataka) offers two years Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (Now know as Master of Science in Information Science). The National Institute of Science Communication And Information Resources (NISCAIR), New Delhi, formerly INSDOC also impart two years documentation programme i.e., Associateship in Documentation (AID) after graduation. The course offered by the DRTC and NISCAIR have upper age on the courses as offered by the universities departments in terms of ICT syllabus and intake of the enrolments.
Master of Philosophy in Library and Information Science
M.Phil. in Library and Information Science prepares a student for further advanced research in LIS. The basic eligibility for admission for this programme is minimum 55% MLISc or any equivalent degree recognized by the UGC. With candidates having more qualifications are being preferred for superior position, many students are opting for M.Phil. Courses to better equip them for better positions.
Doctor of Philosophy of Library and Information Science
This is an advanced level of research programme being offered after the completion of MLISc or M.Phil. Degree depending on the universities. The general aim of a research degree, whether M.Phil. or Ph.D. is to provide training in doing research as well as to develop in the candidate a critical and analytical process of thinking with the purpose that they would be able to provide leadership in the profession. They would also be able to help librarians and information scientists to develop techniques and skills required to meet their requirements of the fast changing society. They should be able to identify the needs, set objectives, identify and analyze the problems and find appropriate solutions. They would also be in a position to participate in the planning, organization and implementation of programmes at various levels.
Role of University of Delhi in LIS Education
The Department of Library and information Science instituted in 1946 under the Faculty of Arts by the two eminent library science scholars namely Padamashree (late) Dr. S.R. Ranganathan (1892-1972), National Research Professor (1965-1972) in library science and the (late) Prof. S. Das Gupta (1912-1966) the first Delhi University Librarian and Professor Head Department of Library and Information Science, University of Delhi. The Department has credit to become the first LIS Department in country to impart quality LIS education & research through various levels i.e. BLISc (earlier known as D.Lib. Sc and B.Lib. Sc.), M.L.I.Sc (1956), M. Phil (1976), and Ph.D (1957). It was the first LIS School, which constituted at par with the other teaching departments in this University. The 1996-97 year was celebrated as ‘Golden Jubilee Year’ by organizing a national seminar on ‘National Seminar on the Need Based Innovative Programmme for Education and Training of LIS Personnel’ which was attended more than 160 participants of Delhi and adjoining states since than such activities are the common in the Department. The Department has also been recognized as an Associated Project of UNESCO. It is housed in the Tutorial Building, Second Floor, adjacent to the University Central Library. The root of the library and information science (LIS) research in India has been sprouted /offshoots from the country first LIS Department .The Department during the past 64 years of its existence has played a significant role in the LIS research and education in the country. Already about 3256 students have taken their Library Science degree from this Department. Out of whom about 2069 students obtained Postgraduate Diploma in Library Science/ Bachelor’s degree in Library Science; 1000 Master’s degree in Library Science / Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science; 90 M. Phil. Degree and 50 Ph.D degrees in Library and Information Science. Old students are occupying senior professional positions not only in India but also outside the country.
Outline the Courses and Programmes
The department has many credits in the context of LIS education and research in India. From the above section we can understand that it is the first Department of the country to initiate/start first formal education and research in LIS almost at all the levels in the country. To pace with the development and new trends, to meet the supply and demand of the LIS professionals the Department regularly revised and updated their syllabi. The first revision was took place in 1970 with the introduction of a paper namely computer application in libraries (for the first time in country) and many optional papers at Master’s level to accommodate the more specialized papers in the various sub-fields of LIS. The revised syllabi has a beautiful provision or flexibility to the faculty to include new emerged concepts in their concerned subject in order to make the syllabi more updated. The second revision was took place in 2004, after a long gap almost 32 years. The syllabi-2004 also incorporate all significant contents as proposed in the ‘UGC model curriculum, Library and Information Science’ recommended by the UGC for implementation in all LIS schools in India. Very recently the Department for the third time thoroughly re-revised and re-restructured the syllabi of BLIS and MLIS, which can be considered one of the best syllabi in the country. The brief outline of revised syllabi for BLIS and MLIS (2009) are as:
Bachelor of Library & Information Science (BLIS)
Fist Semester
B -101 Library, Information and Society
B- 102 Library Classification (Theory)
B- 103 Library Classification (Practical)
B- 104 Basics of Information Technology in LIS (Theory)
B- 105 Basics of Information Technology in LIS (Practical)
B- 106 Project Work in LIS: (a) Literature Survey (b) Field Survey
Second Semester
B- 107 Management of Library and Information Centres
B- 108 Information Sources and Services
B- 109 Library Cataloguing (Theory)
B- 110 Library Cataloguing (Practical)
B- 111 Internship Programme (a) Report on Training Activities (b) Viva-Voce (Based on Internship Training)
Mater of Library & Information Science (MLIS)
First Semester
M - 101Information Systems and Programmes
M -102 Advanced Knowledge Organisations: Classification (Practical)
M -103 Advanced Knowledge Organisation: Cataloguing (Practical)
M -104 Information & Communication Technology Applications in LIS (Theory)
M -105 Research Methodology
M-106 Marketing of Library and Information Products and Services
Second Semester
M-107 Information & Communication Technology Applications in LIS (Practical)
M -108 Information Storage and Retrieval System
M -109 Information Literacy Applications in LIS
M-110. Elective Papers
M-110 (a) Public Library and Information System
M-110(b) Academic Library and Information System
M-110(c) Research and Technical Library and Information System
M-110(d) Health Science Library and Information System
M-110(e) Agricultural Sciences Library Information System
M-110(f) Engineering and Technological Library and Information System
M 111. Elective Interdisciplinary Papers
M-111 (a) Print and Electronic Sources and Literature in Humanities
M-111 (b) Print and Electronic Sources and Literature in Natural Sciences
M-111 (c) Print and Electronic Sources and Literature in Social Science
M-112 Project Work: (a) Project Report (b) Viva-Voce
Job Opportunities and Places
The position of libraries globally at par with the temples in the Hindu home families, means libraries are found almost in all institutions or organizations irrespective their nature and types. In modern times the libraries became the integral part of their originations or institutions. To run the temples and other ritual entities we need the priest or pujari similarly to run the libraries we need the library professionals to serve the various kinds of users. The organizations such as DRDO, CSIR, ISRO, NAL, HAL, ICAR, ICMR, BARC, AICTE, etc need the highly qualified LIS professionals to manage their information centers. Due the advent of ICT and its application in libraries new options and opportunities emerged. The library workers today’s known by the various designations form traditional such as (Librarian, Reference Librarian, Documentation Officer, and Information Officer) to Information Scientists, Technical Officer, Scientific Officer, Knowledge Manager, Resource Manager, Chief Knowledge Officer, etc. In nutshell, in the LIS profession there are abundant job opportunities.
Written By Dr. Kunwar P Singh
Sr. Asst. Prof. & Principal Investigator
Department of Library and Information Sceince,
University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007 (INDIA)
