Librarians
will continue to exist for thousands of years
INTERVIEW OF RAJASHEKHAR DEVARAI BY LILIANA MOLDOVAN (Romanian
Librarian). Full Text Original at :
http://www.asiiromani.com/exclusiv/22343-librarians-will-continue-to-exist-for-thousands-of-years.html
1. In the beginning of this
interview I would like to find more about your experience as a librarian. When did you start this wish of yours to
graduate a library school start and when did you decide to work in this field?
I had developed a special liking for Sociology and Kannada (my mother tongue) since my Pre
University Education. While I was doing my graduation (BA : Sociology as major
subject and Psychology and Kannada as Minor subjects) I almost decided to
pursue my MA In Sociology. By the time I passed my BA my ideas changed may be
due to peer pressure …. and job market. Getting a post of Librarian was more a
quick possibility than to get a job of a Sociology Teacher. So I went for doing
my B.L.I.Sc (Bachelor of Library and Information Science) in the year 1980. But
once I finished my B.L.I.Sc I found Librarianship to be limited in scope and
again went in for my Masters in Sociology(MA). So completed my Masters (MA) in
Sociology, completed one year of Post Graduate Diploma in Planning (Urban and
Regional Planning). I could not bear heavy expenses / fee etc of my Planning
Course. I had to leave the course in between half way. It is here that I
decided to become a Librarian. I joined my first job as full time Librarian in
a School (Government of India) in the year 1983.
2. Have you followed a mentor
in your professional evolution : from assistant librarian, Librarian, chief and
Senior Librarian?
No not really. I did my one month internship at our University Library
(Karnatak University Dharwad). Of course all my LIS teachers were my
mentors as and when I contacted them and
as and when I met them. I became an
independent and full time Librarian in my first posting itself. After
working for three years in the school library, I joined Directorate of Oilseeds
Research (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Government of India) as
Assistant Librarian. Here I worked under mentorship. I worked under my boss
whose designation was Documentation cum Information Officer. This period of
seven years helped me to learn from my boss and learnt to work in a team. After
this period under mentorship, I went on to join National Institute of Fashion
Technology (Government of India) as a full time independent Head Librarian. I
worked for about 12 years here. I was instrumental in establishing the library
and its services. The Library titled as Resource Centre had three divisions viz
: Library, Materials and Audio Visual Wings. Later I worked as Librarian and
Documentationalist at Akruti Citygold Institute, as Chief Librarian at Asian
School of Business Management. I worked for one year till November 2013 at
National Institute of Fashion Technology, Mumbai as its Head Resource Centre.
With effect from 1984 till now I focused on reading and writing and
publishing. I published 15 + articles / papers in books and journals. My
prominent specializations are Librarianship as a profession and Sociology of
professions. In the year 1998 I was officially sponsored to participate in
International Conference hosted by International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions at Amsterdam (Netherlands). As a part of the trip
I also had an opportunity to visit / participate in Fashion Fairs / exhibitions
at London.
3. Can you tell us something
about Indian Library System. What place
(role) have the public libraries in this system?
India being a large country territorially and by population is
naturally one of the worlds largest learning communities. As a result there are
lakhs of educational and cultural organizations far and wide with which
libraries are bound to be associated. Indian Library system stands out to be
unique due to the contribution of Dr.S.R.Ranganathan in terms of Library theory,
standards and philosophy (Colon Classification, Classified Catalogue Code).
India I am sure is a land boosting off of its large number of Librarians,
Library Schools and Researchers. Indian Public Library System is large, far and
wide and culturally rich in its history and diversity. Library Legislation is
yet to happen in many of Indian States. Efforts are on in that direction. Much
depends on the policy of Union Government with regard to budget allocations.
National Knowledge Commission has envisioned a grand plan for Library
development in the country. As on date most of the public libraries are sick
due to paucity of funds.
4. What image has the profession
of librarianship in the contemporary Indian Society?
The image of the Librarianship Profession does not seem to be different
from that of a global level. Librarianship and Librarians are yet to make their
mark every where in the world with regard to their image and status. Same is
the case with India and Indian Librarianship. Good news is most of the states
accord the status of a professor to University Librarians in all states.
Academic Status of Librarians seems to be quite ahead of other countries … even
compared to many developed countries. Librarian is a known entity in academic
and scholarly circles in colleges and universities. This is not enough a development as for as
enhancement in the status of Librarianship is concerned. Common man in India is
yet to know about the librarian and his role in Society. This visibility of
librarian as a professional depends on the development of libraries in SCHOOLS
and public libraries at large in nook and corners of the country.
5. How do you think how will
evolve this profession in the future? (How do you think about the evolution of
this profession in the future?
Undoubtedly the future of Librarianship globally as a profession is
very bright in view of importance being accorded to information and knowledge
in all countries and cultures. Librarianship is undergoing a sky change due to
un imaginable and new developments with regard to reading, books and journals.
Now this is a boom time for e-books and e-reading. Many around globe are
apprehensive about the danger of closure of librarians and there by the
redundancy of librarians. My personal opinion is that Librarians will continue
to exist for thousands of years to follow but in different ways and formats. To
be indispensible Librarians need to upgrade themselves more with e-environment
and internet world. Librarianship as Profession is still in the making. Before
achieving the coveted full status it is again and again at cross roads. I am
sure it takes a relevant shape, form and status to serve society more
meaningfully and usefully.
6. What impact has the
Internet and the use of new information technologies in this respect? How can the Internet work in maximizing the
services of the Public Library ?
Librarianship for now and in future will be heavily wedded to
Information technologies and Internet for good of itself and the society it
serves. Future Libraries may not be identifiable as they are today due to
physical books and buildings. Today’s libraries are slowly and steadily
migrating themselves to computer systems and gadgets. These Libraries on
gadgets infact may be much much bigger in size. As I understand public
libraries in developed countries are doing well with regard to adoption of IT.
Sooner or later IT will sweep over all libraries all over the world and bring a
sea change on the way people read and
collect information. It will be true of public libraries as well. Future of
Librarians and libraries depends on how well they reach the last person of the
society and how fast. And that day is not far.
7. Can we speak about a “war”
between traditional ways of reading and the new forms of storage and
dissemination of information and books?
It is not a WAR as such between traditional books, journals, magazines
and modern e-books, e-journals and e-magazines and their reading as for their
hard and soft status are concerned. It is not a WAR. Rather the whole world is
colluding to democratize information and knowledge. No one can stop this trend,
not the people, not the governments and librarians not at all. This should be
taken as a good news by every one including Librarians. So far Librarians were
issuing books to their readers and now they will be issuing small libraries in
the form of laptops and ipads and tablets. Wonderful indeed!
8. What do you know about the
Romanian Libraries?
I hardly know any thing about Romanian Librarians and Libraries. I
liked the vision statement of THE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LIBRARIANS AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN ROMANIA – ANBPR
which runs like this : “ANBPR believes that redesigning the role of public
libraries in Romania as an essential institution that will radically diminish
the number of Romanians currently digitally excluded through: enhancement of
librarians digital skills; signing Cooperation Protocols with public
administration; involving libraries in e-Inclusion activities at European
level: e-Skills Week, Get online!” (http://www.anbpr.org.ro/index.php/contact ). Based on this I can say that Romanian
Librarians well ahead with regard to professionalization and professionalism.
9. What projects you want to
accomplish in the field of sociology of reading and library management?
I am pained to put on record on the questionable status of Sociology of
Reading and Librarianship. Unfortunately Librarians and Library educators are
yet to realize the importance of disciplines like Sociology, Anthropology and
Psychology. These contents have to be incorporated in the curricula of LIS
world over. We cannot do away from such wonderful content for the betterment of
the profession and people (readers) in general. Librarians need to be well
grounded and groomed in these disciplines. Subject experts from these
disciplines should be invited to enrich the knowledge and understanding of
Library Science students and Library Educators. Librarians I wish to engage
themselves more in Research with regard to Sociology of Reading and Library
Management.
10. What means the success of
a contemporary library manager?
Successful contemporary Library is he who : 1. is knowledgeable, expert and continues to
upgrade his knowledge of the discipline and its latest developments, 2. Is
service oriented, 3. Strives to be indispensible, 4. Is a member of a
professional body / association, 5.Strives to maintain his professional
discipline and status, 6. Is available round the clock, 7. Is capable,
independent and autonomous, 8. Continues to command love and respect from his
clients / readers and patrons, 9. Will have a say in all matters of societal
development and welfare. 10. Continues to evolve and adopt to changing needs
and circumstance and remains relevant and useful through out.
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Liliana Moldovan (Interviewer). published in
https://www.facebook.com/lilisormoldovan
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Liliana Moldovan (Interviewer). published in https://www.facebook.com/lilisormoldovan
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