NACLIN-2011
16th November 2011
Prof. Pravakar Rath
Head, Department of Library and Information Science
Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004
E-mail; dlis_mzu@rediffmail.com
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Knowledge or brain power is more
powerful than economic and military
power,
ICT- Major driving force behind,
Libraries as gateways to knowledge,
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Automation,
Networking and Consortia,
Digital Library,
Content development,
Preservation and Management of
Digital Resources,
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E-learning,
Open Access and Open source,
Information Literacy,
Knowledge Management
Institutional/Knowledge Repository,
Library Professionals to
Information/Knowledge Professionals
 Traditional Library to Digital Library
 Library Cooperation to Resource Sharing
Networks/Consortia
 Collection Development to Content
Development
 Conventional Learning to E-Learning
 Educational Literacy to Information Literacy
 Information Society to Knowledge Society
 National Knowledge Commission- “Libraries
as Gateways to Knowledge”
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Libraries Today-Open Source, Open Access and Open
Libraries,
Information Resources-Collection and Organisation
responding to users’ needs,
Connection-Providing access whether local or remote
on the web,
Learner-focused-Responding to the information needs
of the users,
Networked-Linked to global resources and working with
partners,
Accessible-Easy to use, offering help and support,
Dynamic-A Catalyst , inspiring and encouraging
enjoyment and discovery,
Current –Reflecting today’s communities in providing
latest information.
National Knowledge Commission (2007)
while recommending the role of libraries
as “gateways to knowledge” emphasized
the skills required to fulfill the changing
role of libraries as follows.
 Library and information handling skills
 Service orientation
 ICT knowledge skills
 Communication and training skills
 Marketing and presentation skills
 Understanding of cultural diversity
 Knowledge mapping skills.
Technological Skills
 Working with sophisticated Technologies
(Hardware and Software),
 Design and Development of new
electronic services,
 Content Management (Content Creation,
Content Delivery, Content Processing),
 Website and Intranet Management,
 Metadata Standards, Mark up
Languages, Imaging Technologies, OCR,
 Information Literacy,
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Management Skills
Preservation of print and e-resources,
Leadership-innovative ideas and vision,
Time Management,
Crisis Management,
Marketing of Library and Information
Services,
Customer oriented/ Value Added
Services,
Communication Skills
The ability to exchange feelings, ideas and
information with others in appropriate
manner. Communication consists of the two
key aspects of oral and written skills. Oral
communication involves using the human
voice to effectively articulate a message to an
intended audience. Written communication
involves using text or graphics to effectively
transmit a message to an intended audience.
Capacity building through skills and competencies of
library and information professionals is a major
challenge. The library and information professionals
have to recognize and understand the broad context of
the information environment, demonstrated by the
ability to:
 understand and interpret the contexts in which
information is originated, stored, organised, retrieved,
disseminated and used;
 comprehend the
legal and policy issues that are
associated with,
 visualise future directions and prepare a roadmap to
provide the most effective and efficient library and
information services to the users in the 21st century.
(i) Information seeking
 understand and investigate how information is
effectively sought and utilised;
 identify and investigate information needs and
information seeking behaviour of the users
community.
(ii) Information Infrastructure
 understand the importance of information
architecture to determine the structure, design
and flows of information;
 forecast, plan, facilitate and evaluate appropriate
resource management to library and information
services.
(iii) Information Organisation
 enable information access and use through
systematic and user-centred description,
categorisation, storage, preservation and
retrieval.
(iv) Information Access
 provide and promote free and equitable
access to information and client services;
 facilitate the acquisition, licensing or
creation of information in a range of media
and formats.
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(v) Information services, sources and products
design and deliver customised information services and
products;
assess the value and effectiveness of library and
information facilities, products and services;
market library and information services;
identify and evaluate information services, sources and
products to determine their relevance to the
information needs of users;
use research skills to provide appropriate information
to clients.
(vi) Information literacy
 understand the need to develop information skills of
the user community;
 facilitate the development of information literacy and
the ability to critically evaluate information.
Ethical, Legal and Social Responsibility
Ethical and legal considerations arise in the
storage, processing, retrieval and use of
information and information systems.
Further ethical and social responsibility
relate to an awareness of the need for and
commitment to the maintenance of high
professional standards and social justice.
Critical Thinking
The ability to reach conclusions through
reflection and evaluation by applying
independent thought and informed the
judgement.
Problem-solving Skills
The ability to find effective solutions to
problems through creative reasoning.
Ability to build partnerships and alliances
(Public Private Partnership)
Ability to develop knowledge infrastructure and
knowledge resources with funding support and
collaboration with outside organisations.
Effective team relationship skills
Team work is the ability to work effective with
others in a group with the view to achieve the
defined goals. The team leader makes a
productive contribution to the collaborative
efforts of the group by providing guidance to
ensure desired goals are met.
Self management skills
Self management is the willingness and
ability to develop a matured and balance
understanding of self .
Commitment to life-long learning
The ability to learn how to learn in all facets
of life ( professional , personal and
educational)
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Knowledge Resource- Principle strategic resource
of a nation,
Developing Knowledge Infrastructure,
Knowledge Professional- Need for multi-skills to
meet the demand of the job market,
Digital Library- Access adoption of formats and
standards, content creation and management,
copyright and IPR are the constant challenges
for library and information professionals,
Schools of Library and Information Studies to
Revamp the Education and Training and
Emphasis on Practical Application of ICT,
Skills and competencies to be compatible with
changing national and global job market.
Thank You All