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Library as a Learning Resource Center: NAAC Peer Team Members’ Expectations

Library as a Learning Resource Center: NAAC Peer Team Members’ Expectations. Dr. S. Seetharama. Thornburg’s observations (1997).

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Library as a Learning Resource Center: NAAC Peer Team Members’ Expectations

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  1. Library as a Learning Resource Center: NAAC Peer Team Members’ Expectations Dr. S. Seetharama

  2. Thornburg’s observations (1997) • The digital divide is real, and the financial have-nots are also the information have-nots. Hence, it is essential that access to powerful information technologies is provided in every classroom, library, and other places where people from all backgrounds are likely to meet. • Information, worldwide, is doubling every two years and much of the information one has to-day is useless and, even worse, inaccurate. This makes the challenge harder … as to how does one find information they need which is accurate and relevant. • Collapse of the information float, as the time lag between discovery and application is rapidly shrinking.

  3. Thornburg’s observations (1997) ctd…. • The communications revolution has shrunk the world to our desktops. • Computers continue to increase in power while dropping in cost. • The web has taken the world by storm and its impact on education is likely to be profound as it is being used in novel ways to allow students access to the latest breakthroughs in scientific discovery i.e., the web has democratized the publishing of information in ways unanticipated even a few years ago.

  4. CHANGING LEARNING SITUATION TRENDS Twigg and Miloff (1998) • Student intake in Library Schools is still growing. • Different types of students are asking for education - - women, older students, ethnic minorities, etc., there by, a need to accommodate different learning styles, customization and alternative learning routes. • Increasingly, work and study are combined leading to a need for more flexible learning arrangements - - like distance education.

  5. CHANGING LEARNING SITUATION TRENDS ctd.. • Trend towards lifelong learning leading to an emphasis on “learning to learn”. • Education is under constant budget pressure necessitating a more efficient and effective education. • Teaching staff are exhibiting job-hopping behavior. • Many drop-outs in the current education system.

  6. Global Learning Infrastructure • Student–centered. • Interactive and Dynamic. • Enabling students to determine their own learning routes. • Enabling team approach on real world problems. • Emphasizing competencies like information literacy to support lifelong learning.

  7. Framework for Evaluation of Libraries • Recognition of the value of information by the society. • Availability of Resources of Different kinds in sufficient quantities. • Accessibility of information, particularly, the intellectual organization / representation of information. • Utilization of information and the requirements for increase in utilization.

  8. Generic Types of Measures for Evaluation • Input Cost Measures • Output Measures • Effectiveness Measures • Domain Measures

  9. Input Cost Measures

  10. Assessment and Accreditation : Steps • Tentative evaluation of the peer team based on the Self-Study Report which is a criterion-wise analysis of the institution concerned. It involves the identification of strengths, areas of concern and evidences to be sought during the Peer Team visit. • Peer Team Visit to the institution concerned to observe, interact and discuss with the Management, Faculty and Students so as to arrive at a final assessment / evaluation, followed by preparation and discussion of report with the Management concerned.

  11. Peer Team Expectations • The attitude, support and commitment of the Management towards the library. • The availability of resources, and infrastructure (including ICT infrastructure) • The accessibility of information resources, particularly the processes involved, site location, etc. • The utilization of the resources and the services by the user community.

  12. Recognition • What is the overall policy of the institution about the library? Does it follow the norms prescribed by UGC, AICTE, etc? • Does the library have a separate premises of its own? • Is the funding adequate for the functioning of the library? 1. funds from State, Central.UGC,etc? 2. library budget separate or is it a part of the general budget ? 3. Who prepares the library budget

  13. Recognition ctd… • Is there a Library Advisory Committee and what is its role? • What is the Management’s attitude in regard to computerization & Internet facilities? • Is there Uninterrupted Power Supply System and / or generator facility extended to the library? • What are the measures for overall maintenance and cleanliness of the library? • What is the attitude and support in regard to Users’ Needs Assessment, User orientation / Information Literacy Programmes?

  14. Recognition ctd… • Does the institution have a separate website / webpage/ Does the library have a separate website /webpage or is it a part of the organization's Website / Website /Webpage? • Are users library / information-conscious? • What are the future plans & programmes of the library?

  15. AVAILABILITY COLLECTION • Is there a Collection Development Policy Statement? If yes, • Is the policy in consonance with the norms prescribed by UGC / AICTE /state & other governing bodies as regards the size of the collection? • What is the type of information sources - - print, non-print, electronic/digital, primary, secondary & tertiary - to be developed? • Does the library have a weeding policy, stock-verification policy, policy in relation to loss of books?

  16. AVAILABILITY • Does the library have a Book Bank facility? • Are there special collections? • How many books are purchased per student / faculty? • What are the strengths & weaknesses of the existing collection? (SWOT Analysis) • Is the library a member of any resource-sharing programme / network?

  17. INFRASTRUCTURE • LibraryBuilding /Space • Is the library housed in a separate building with separate functional space (UGC Norm) for all sections of the library? • Does the library have proper furniture for performance of the various functions? Is the furniture adequate, comfortable and aesthetic to look? • Are there cubicles for scholars / teachers? • Is the building environment-friendly? • Are water & toilet facilities provided?

  18. INFRASTRUCTURE ctd… ICT INFRASTRUCTURE 1.Is the library computerized / automated? 2 How many computers are available for use in the library? Is the number adequate? 3 Does the library have a network facility? Is it a part of the institutional network? 4 Is there Internet facility for students, faculty, & researchers? Give details. 5How does the library maintain its infrastructure, including ICT infrastructure?

  19. INFRASTRUCTURE ctd… • MANPOWER • What type of manpower - - professional, semi-professional, non-professional - - is available in the library? • Is the manpower adequate as per UGC / AICTE norms which are based on workload? • What are the academic, professional & special qualification, if any, of each staff as well as their experience? • Is the salary offered commensurate with the level of manpower & activities performed? • Is there a manpower policy covering selection, recruitment, placement, remuneration, performance appraisal, promotion, attendance at seminars & Continuing Education Programmes?

  20. ACCESSIBILITY • How many days in a week is the library kept open? What about on national & other holidays? • What are the opening & closing hours of the library? Does the library open before institution’s opening time & close after closing time? • If the library is computerised, is the library accessible for 24 hours, 7 days in a week? • Is the library open access or closed access? • Is the collection classified & catalogued so as to provide maximum access? • What quality measures are applied to operational functions & services. For example, accuracy of classification / cataloguing, relevance of search outputs as well as recall & precision, timeliness, availability in relation to number of hours of service per day /week, specified loan period of materials, etc.

  21. ACCESSIBILITY ctd… • Where is the library located - - accessible distant-wise, time-wise? • What are the library & information services provided by the library/ Career / Employment Information Services, etc ? • Are there OPAC / Indexing services, internet & digital library services, UGC Infonet –based services? • Is the library a member of library networks & consortia (UGC Infonet, AICTE Indest) • Does the library provide information support services like translation & reprographic services? • Does the library create databases / repositories? • Does the library conduct Information Literacy Programmes?

  22. UTILISATION : EXTENT OF USE • Does the library compile use statistics? • What is the average number of books issued / returned in a day? • Number of reference queries received, answered, and unanswered? • Number of services delivered per user per month? • Number of users who visit, documents consulted per month? • Number of log-ins into e-library services, if any? • Compiling & displaying of student /teacher attendance statistics? • Is feedback collected in relation to services delivered? • Is there a complaints / suggestion box?

  23. Vision of Librarian Should emphasize on the service ideal of providing quality services to support teaching, research & public services activities, to enable our users to become self-sufficient, to make the library both a place & gateway for information by our commitment to the user community of shared sources & equitable access

  24. Vision of Librarian ctd… We can also consider the following in the development of an inspiring vision: • Our vision should include great designs of library / information spaces & which require creation of spaces that are nurturing, reassuring, practical, effectual, comfortable, and restful • Growth that would improve information access to our users, as it would facilitate utilization of information sources (Sounds familiar, II & III Laws revisited) • Globalisation a reality. Let us design library services for global utilisation • “Information Access for Connectivity” • Deliver more information to more users & help them in the art of managing & using it better with IT as the enabling power. • To build quality libraries which provide value-based & value-added library & information services & products

  25. Mission of Library/ Librarian • For widening access via off-site terminals to electronic services • Supported by self-teaching tutorials & online helpdesks • Enhance information seeking skills of users • Facilitate research effectiveness of post-graduate students & academic staff

  26. Plan/ Program of action (Strategies) • Change our(librarian) mindset from working in a traditional library(building) environment to a hypertext, networked, digital environment i.e. shift from document management perspective to an information management perspective. • Reinvent the role of librarians from collectors to integrators of information to researchers, faculty, students, creating a new role adjacent to the existing role, but not losing traditional skills • Focus on Information & Knowledge and not its containers! • Recognise that shelf-life of any qualification is about 5 years & adopt life-long learning, & thereby facilitating continued professional development.

  27. Plan/ Program of action (Strategies) ctd… • Formulate a comprehensive & cohesive library policy based on the realities of IT • Provide efficient & effective services by • Firstly, System Analyzing the library activities • Adopting measures for library automation to begin with, & then to provide IT-based / Digital services • A concentrated intellectual commitment on the part of the librarian & to seek also management’s commitment for the cause of the library • Addressing the practical aspect of extending protection of user confidentiality & privacy • Content regulation using new technologies like hypertext, html in addition to traditional techniques

  28. Plan/ Program of action (Strategies) ctd… • Overcome financial shortages by locating sources of increased funding as well as adopting methods of financial resource generation • Conduct user surveys to identify needs in the new environment, modify current services, & conduct information literacy programmes • Finally, the librarian should adopt different roles at different times. He should be : A Gateway to the future & the past: Teacher & enabler: Knowledge manager /worker: Individual information consultant, etc

  29. Conclusion “Librarians need to find ways to respond effectively & innovatively to the different landscape in meeting user expectations”

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