Careers
Libraries are repositories of knowledge, information and entertainment. They
contain books, periodicals, micro-films, videos, cassettes and records for
education, research, reference and pleasure. Those who systematically
catalogue, store and display these items are librarians, and their role as
custodians of learning and culture can be equated to that of teachers and educationists.
Although India with its low literacy rate does not accord much recognition
to this profession, it is among the top ten most coveted professions in
developed countries. However, with the current thrust on universal education,a
revamp of school and university syllabi, the development of automation and
computing, and a generally more information conscious society, there is an
acknowledged need for facilities and personnel for information storage and
management.
There are different kinds of libraries depending on the purpose and
readership. Public libraries are set up to serve a general range of services
for the public. These could include a mobile lending library and smaller
area branches.
Academic libraries cater to students and staff of universities, colleges, school
and polytechnics, and are often open for use by other academicians or
research scholars.
This is the largest area of recruitment for those trained in library science.
Moreover, librarians in academic libraries are, in financial terms, on par with
teachers.
There are also specialist libraries attached to research and academic
institutions which cater to a specific readership for subjects such as medicine,
engineering, art,music, or types of books such as Braille or collections
for children.
Industrial and trade organisations also require pertinent information from
time to time, and keep books and information specific to their areas of operation.
Many newspaper, magazine and news agency organisations maintain a library
for their own reference use, as well as an indexed record of their printed stories
and articles.
Foreign missions have their own information centres and libraries to
promote understanding of their country's culture.
Private collections of an individual, family or organisation also very often require
the services of a librarian.
Finally there are archives,normally set up by government organisations, which
contain public records and documents of historical importance.
WORK
A librarian's work would involve acquiring, organising and making available information
contained in a library to its readers. While librarians at different levels handle a
variety of tasks covered within these broad areas, a librarian would need to be
trained in skills that relate to all these areas of work. Those who handle duties
related to acquiring materials for the library would need to be able to select
and purchase materials within a given budget, and would need to be in touch
with the latest developments in various subjects to be able to maintain a
balanced collection. Organising information in a library involves classifying,
cataloguing, recording and storing books and materials in a manner so as
to make it easily accessible to readers and users.
A librarian also disseminates information by answering queries, issuing and
receiving books as well as planning and organising activities to encourage
use of the library, like sending out a newsletter informing readers of the latest
acquisitions, or inviting an author to read his/her book or sign autographs.
Recruitment to jobs in government and university libraries is conducted through
the University Grants Commission and terms of work and remuneration are
also offered as per UGC rules. However there are any number of private
libraries attached to schools, colleges, and autonomous institutions that offer
challenging work and good prospects for the future.
In fact with the information boom and with access to information spelling power,
qualified librarians can diversify to several new growth areas like database
management, systems analysis especially relating to computer work, as
also documentation work, desktop printing and publishing, bibliography work
and organisation and management of information units.
ENTRY
Qualified librarians can enter the profession at any level though much depends
on the qualifications acquired. With a diploma or certificate in Library science
one can join a library as a library clerk or attendant, where the work would
involve shelving books, handling subscriptions, location of missing books, shelf
arrangements and so on.
Those with a Bachelor's degree in library science receive and issue books and
could be responsible for accessing information and handling computer data.
To be a junior librarian one would need to have a Master's degree while an
Assistant or Deputy Librarian posts require an M.Phil. or PhD in the subject.
However, there are no hard and fast demarcations in these career levels as
small libraries could have individuals handling several duties simultaneously.
Eligibility:
A Bachelor's degree in Library Science is offered as a one year course
after graduation in any subject. A Diploma or Certificate course requires
10+2 in any subject with a duration that can vary according to the programme
and the institution conducting it.
Post graduate courses in Library Science are offered to candidates who are
graduates. A Master's degree is also a one year programme after a Bachelors
in Library Science.
Institutions:
There are several universities, colleges and polytechnics that offer graduate
and post-graduate degree courses, diplomas and certificates in library or
information science. It is also possible to study for this course through
distance learning or correspondence courses. Some of the institutes are
listed below :
- Bombay University, Bombay.
- Calcutta University, Calcutta.
- Madras University, Chennai.
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.
- Medical Library Association of India (MLAI), AIIMS, New Delhi offers a
JOB PROSPECTS
The job prospects that are open to librarians are in the following fields :
- Public / Government libraries.
- Academic libraries (in schools, colleges, universities and other
3. Specialist academies attached to research and academic institutions.
4. News agencies and organisations.
5. Foreign embassies.
6. Private organisations.
