Introduction

The National Knowledge Commission was set up by the Prime Minister of India to guide and advise for the proper utilization of the vast knowledge base of India towards building an equitable knowledge society.

The main thrust of the NKC are five key areas related to Access, Concepts, Creation, Application and Services in the knowledge sector. NKC is addressing many issues within these parameters to create a long term view to enable our society to evolve into a knowledge based society.

The terms of reference of the NKC are:

• “Build excellence in the educational system to meet the knowledge challenges of the 21st century and increase India’s competitive advantage in fields of knowledge.
• Promote creation of knowledge in Science and Technology laboratories.
• Improve the management of institutions engaged in Intellectual Property Rights.
• Promote knowledge applications in Agriculture and Industry.
• Promote the use of knowledge capabilities in making government an effective, transparent and accountable service provider to the citizen and promote widespread sharing of knowledge to maximize public benefit.”

While working on the various aspects of its mandate, the NKC has felt that “the ability of a nation to use and create knowledge capital determines its capacity to empower and enable its citizens by increasing human capabilities.”

The under mentioned areas have been addressed by the NKC in the past two years and major recommendations have been formulated on:

• Right to education
• Vocational education
• Higher education
• Libraries
• Translation
• Language
• Knowledge Network
• National Science and Social Science Foundation
• E-Governance

NKC and Libraries

Library and Information system and services (LIS) is one of the major issue of concern in the prime focus area of Access to knowledge. The NKC therefore took it up as one of its first initiatives to review the present LIS scenario of India and prepare a roadmap for more relevant and need based Library service. There is a need to formulate and create mechanisms and institutions which will bring about a paradigm shift in the LIS scenario, to bridge the gap between the information poor and the information rich.

The Commission therefore set up a Working Group on Libraries (WGL) comprising senior library professionals, technical experts and bureaucrats. The WGL was to review the existing Library and Information services and recommend the changes which make LIS more relevant and need based. The WGL was expected to highlight the necessary changes as well as recommend the activities which will ensure that Libraries and library professionals of the future will act as the major driving force in bringing about a knowledge economy.

The most important premise is the fact that libraries can no longer be buildings stacked with books. Libraries have to be sources of information and ideas, a place of learning and enquiry mainly to create new knowledge. The most important change from the present state of affairs for future development is to enable the shift from collection orientation to access focused approach. LIS in India must be accessible to those seeking knowledge from every level of society and convert into less officious user friendly institutions to be relevant and useful to the changing demands of the diverse clientele seeking information and knowledge. To deal with the LIS scenario in all its diversity the WGL was set up with the following Terms of Reference:

1. To redefine the objectives of the country’s Library and Information Services sector;
2. To identify constraints, problems and challenges relating to the sector;
3. To recommend changes and reforms to address the problems and challenges to ensure a holistic development of information services in all areas of national activity;
4. To take necessary steps to mobilize and upgrade the existing library and information systems and services, taking advantage of the latest advances in Information Communication Technology (ICT);
5. To explore possibilities for innovation and initiate new programmes relevant to our national needs, especially to bridge the gap between the information rich and the information poor within society;
6. To suggest means of raising standards and promoting excellence in Library and Information Science education including re-orientation and training of working professionals;
7. To assist in setting up facilities to preserve and give access to indigenous knowledge and the nation’s cultural heritage;
8. To set up adequate mechanisms to monitor activities for securing the benefits of acquisition and application of knowledge for the people of India;
9. To examine any other issues that may be relevant in this context.”

The WGL started its work in April 2006 and went through a series of discussions and visits to review the present LIS scene including information search facilities, available standards and the present services to understand the potential need based relevance of LIS. The main goal was to make LIS the most important activity to overcome “Information Poverty.” The WGL felt that the libraries and librarians have to understand their social function of giving access to relevant and timely information to all, to create a knowledge society.

The WGL also kept in mind the fact that all stakeholders of all the focus areas of the NKC will need well developed Libraries and Information services. Therefore, the following recommendations were formulated to address the diverse problems and possibilities of this important sector.

The recommendations of the Working Group on Libraries submitted to the NKC are:

1. Set up a National Commission on Libraries:
2. Prepare a National Census of all Libraries
3. Revamp Library and Information Science education, training and research facilities.
4. Re-assess staffing of libraries.
5. Set up a Central Library Fund.
6. Modernize library management.
7. Encourage greater community participation in library management.
8. Promote Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications in all libraries.
9. Facilitate donation and maintenance of private collections.
10. Encourage public-private partnerships in development of library and information services.

The Rationale for formulating the recommendations

1. Set up a National Commission on Libraries:

Need to set up National Mission/Commission on Libraries

Library and Information Services (LIS) are fundamental to the goals of creating, disseminating, optimally utilizing and preserving knowledge. Turning our unequal society into an egalitarian, progressive knowledge society, cannot be done without revamping the LIS sector.

Libraries exist in broad classification such as: public, academic, research and special, national libraries. Today, however, these different libraries are in different stages of development. This is because the apex bodies governing them are different and there is lack of standardization in the process of growth. There is no common direction or coordination among them. Thus, the LIS sector in India has not developed in a uniform manner and there is need for holistic development.

The present situation calls for a body which will act as an apex/umbrella institution to deal with the entire LIS sector in a more rational manner. This requirement could be met by a National Commission on Libraries, which would streamline and standardize the current scattered process. To expedite this activity in a mission mode a National Mission on Libraries should be set up for the period of three years, to be later converted into a permanent, independent and financially autonomous statutory National Commission on Libraries.

Role of the National Mission on Libraries.

1. “To develop libraries and information services;
2. To advise the government on libraries and the information sector;
3. To set standards for collection, services and technical processing;
4. To encourage public-private participation;
5. To interact with State Governments;
6. To conserve the cultural heritage;
7. To review and assess the education and in-service training needs of the sector;
8. To support R&D and technological development;
9. To ensure access to all publications, including government and institutional public documents;
10. To set up a system for monitoring the working of public libraries.”

2. Prepare a National Census of all Libraries

There is no authentic information about the number of libraries actually functioning in this vast country. All statistical information seem to be estimated on the basis of broad ideas and guesswork. There are institutions operating as libraries without following any benchmark or standard. Therefore, there is a felt need to prepare a national census of libraries through a nationwide survey. Census data of libraries and their present situation will provide primary data for future planning. The WGL also recommended that survey of user needs and reading habits should be periodically conducted through National Sample survey.

3. Revamp Library and Information Science education, training and research facilities.

Library and Information Science education and research has been in existence since pre-independence days. There are approximately 135 universities and institutions of higher learning in this field. But presently most universities and institutions have not kept abreast with the changes in the LIS sector. Also, teaching and research in India need to be of relevance to the future changes envisaged by the NKC and the GOI. Since the manpower requirement has undergone a sea change in recent years, there is an urgent need to revamp the Library and Information Sciences Education, training and research facilities to suit the changing LIS scenario. To keep the sector abreast of latest developments the WGL recommended establishing a well equipped institute for advanced training and research in Library and Information Science and Services. It is envisaged that the Indian Institute of Library and Information Science will offer:

(a) Training programmes in relevant areas including training of trainers.
(b) R&D programmes – identify, sponsor and conduct research in the field of Library and Information Science to keep pace with the exponential rate of change and innovation relating to this discipline.

4. Re-assess staffing of libraries

The manpower requirements for different types of libraries as well as departments of Library and Information Science have to be reassessed to suit the modern requirements. There will have to be significant changes in job descriptions, qualifications, designations, pay scales and service conditions including career advancement to suit the diverse requirements of the changing user needs. The revamping of Library and Information Science education also will have to reflect the manpower requirements in the changing scenario. The staffing pattern of different types of libraries specially in the public library sector has to reflect the new service oriented and need based activities of the libraries.

5. Set up a Central Library Fund

The WGL and the NKC have emphasized the need to set up a central library fund to not only upgrade existing libraries within the specified period of time but to facilitate libraries to overcome the financial stringencies which presently exist. It is with this idea in mind that the WGL also recommended that public-private partnerships should be encouraged in developing library and information services in different parts of India.

6. Modernize library management

Modernization of Library management is not only necessary to make libraries relevant to the modern user but it will also help different types of libraries to collaborate and coordinate with each other, to use their resources optimally. However, modernization of library management does not mean the introduction of IT facilities only. A Library should been modernized as a physical entity to be an inviting place and its services should be remodeled to offer proactive and relevant services to its user community. Therefore the WGL suggested a model library charter which is as follows:

A Library Charter

Individual libraries should be asked to display their objectives in the form of a library charter. This sample charter expresses what a library should pledge to provide.

“The Library Charter

Recognizing that the library’s objectives are to:

• Disseminate knowledge as widely as possible;
• Serve as a major vehicle to facilitate creation of new knowledge;
• Facilitate optimal use of knowledge by all sectors, such as government, industry, rural sector and civil society;
• Ensure that people from all sectors and all parts of the country have easy access to knowledge relevant to their needs, in their own language.

The library undertakes to:

• Serve as the local centre of information and a gateway to national and global knowledge providing fair access to knowledge and information to as many users as possible;
• Offer an inviting and attractive physical space with clean drinking water and toilet facilities;
• Offer proactive services to its user communities;
• Ensure that users are treated with courtesy and respect by library staff;
• Pay attention to the needs of children, women, senior citizens and the physically challenged;
• Optimize its potential to provide access to information and knowledge to all;
• Help users develop information skills to make optimum use of resources;
• Improve its collections and services on a continuing basis in consultation with users;
• To work more effectively and efficiently by undertaking every activity in a professional manner;
• To bridge the gap between the information poor and the information rich.”

7. Encourage greater community participation in library management

To actually fructify the recommendation to modernize library management it is necessary to involve all stakeholders and user groups in the managerial decision making process. Community participation was therefore highlighted as one of the recommendations because unless the civil society has greater involvement in library management none of the libraries specially the public libraries can work in tandem with the local needs.

8. Promote Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications in all libraries

The influence of Information Communication Technology (ICT) has helped to create libraries of a different nature which will enable equitable and universal access to knowledge resources. Therefore, different types of libraries should be networked through relevant ICT applications and should be encouraged to create digitized resources, national repositories of bibliographic records and centralized collaborative virtual enquiry handling systems to reach users at all levels. Therefore the WGL recommended that there should be proper promotion of ICT application in all libraries so that there can be national, state and local websites with necessary linkages.

9. Facilitate donation and maintenance of private collections

Indian subcontinent has had the opportunity of high level scholarship since early years of civilization. However, availability of information sources for academic pursuits was a very personal matter within the hierarchical caste and class based society. India has numerous rich private and personal collections which are part of the rich heritage of the Indian aristocracy and the religious institutions. Therefore, most of these very rich knowledge resources need to be identified, documented and preserved for access. There is a need to identify and preserve these collections through government and private initiatives. The WGL recommended that a committee on private and personal collection may be set up by the National Commission/Mission to facilitate maintenance/preservation of personal and private collections as well as for documenting the same to ensure access to a larger group of users.

10. Encourage public - private partnerships in development of library and information services

Since financial stringency has plagued the LIS facilities over the years, the WGL and NKC felt that philanthropic organizations, industrial houses and private agencies should be encouraged through fiscal incentives to support the development of Library and Information Services in India.

The recommendations of the WGL were submitted to the NKC in August 2006 and were approved for implementation. The chairman of the NKC, Mr. Sam Pitroda, wrote a personal letter to the Prime Minister of India stating the recommendations of the Working Group on Libraries which were accepted in principle.

Outreach programmes of the NKC

Once the recommendations were duly approved by the competent authority the NKC took necessary initiatives to reach stakeholders at different levels. In order to ensure the optimal acceptance and impact of the recommendations formulated by the WGL, to augment Library and Information Services (LIS) in India, an outreach programme had been planned. The outreach programme was to ensure:

1. A wide dissemination of the proposals embodied in the recommendations.
2. Feedback and input on implementation strategies.
3. Involvement of the different stakeholders in the LIS reforms.

The suggested strategies were:

1. “Lectures, focus group discussions, organised in different cities with the support of institutions, local library associations, library science departments, as well as for and senior decision-making officials in government education departments at national, state and district levels.
2. Brainstorming sessions on strategising for change, implications for Library Information Sciences (LIS) education, manpower needs.
3. Discussions and consultations with the NGOs propagating ‘Right to Information Act’ to emphasise the importance of libraries as repositories of information.
4. To identify areas in libraries that require special attention and examine services and activities which libraries can volunteer in a collaborative fashion.
5. A major marketing exercise (e.g., The Centre of the Book, Library of Congress organised school level and children’s activities based on a cartoon character named Capt. Readmore; also a large posters with role models–sportspersons, actors, scientists, industrialists–saying READ.
6. An online survey of readers asking for comments, suggestions, expectations from libraries.
7. Organising information literacy programmes (i.e., basic library skills and computer literacy) for the students, library members and activists.
8. Guidelines and manuals for decision makers to follow in making grants and evaluating libraries, holding workshops within cities/villages for local government officials.
9. Vice Chancellors through AIU meetings or UGC; reaching Colleges and school principals, students, teachers.
10. Consolidating the Library Acts across the country and preparing a standard Model Library Act in collaboration with RRRLF/other agencies.
11. Preparing brochures and handouts as well as putting up information on the NKC Website.”

During the first half of 2007 extensive discussions and personal meetings were held in different parts of India to create awareness among library professionals, users of different levels including very senior academics, decision makers, bureaucrats and members of the civil society, regarding the NKC’s recommendations on libraries. These discussion groups gave opportunity to a diverse group of people to build consensus, provide comments and suggestions for the implementation of the recommendations. The approach of most stakeholders was very positive because the library and information service field has not been given such an opportunity to understand the ground reality for preparing itself to cope with the future changes, in many years. The last time that some initiative to prepare a National Policy on Library and Information services was undertaken by the Department of Culture in the late 1980s. Since two decades have passed and no action has been taken to revitalize the libraries on a National scale, the recommendations of the NKC can be seen as an important roadmap for revitalization of the LIS sector as a whole. Region wise and library sector wise discussions groups and seminars were held under the auspices of the NKC and different important institutions as outreach programmes. Mizoram University in Aizawl, National Library in Kolkata, NASSDOC, NCERT, IIT and the Department of Culture in Delhi were important collaborating institutions.

Large groups were addressed by the Chairman, NKC during important International Conferences such as CALIBER in Chandigarh and ICSD in Bangalore and at a meeting of State level decision makers for Public Library development in New Delhi.

Important suggestions and comments were received from participants of all these programmes. These suggestions may be able to help the National Mission on Libraries to formulate its activities for implementing the recommendations.

Inputs from various discussion forums

1. National Commission/ Mission
(a) The National Commission on libraries should be a permanent, independent and financially autonomous statutory body. The Atomic Energy Commission may be the best model.
(b) The Commission should be flexible enough to fit into specific scenarios in various states.
(c) A proper organisational structure could be prepared for the National Commission/ Mission, e.g., a three tier management system.
(d) The National Commission/ Mission should pick up the threads of various ongoing library initiatives in several parts of the country, to avoid duplication of efforts and wastage of resources and manpower.
(e) There is a need for a holistic roadmap for implementation of the recommendations for different types of libraries. Prioritisation of these recommendations and proper objective-based time bound schedule should be prepared for implementation in a decentralised manner.
( f ) National Commission, in association with the concerned department of library service in each state should explicitly define the functions of libraries at different levels for the state and should actively cooperate with the state towards implementation of those functions. Separate panels/committees at state-level should be created for this
purpose.

2. National Census of Libraries

(a) Libraries across the states should be graded on the basis of infrastructure, collection, services, facilities, staff etc.
(b) It is suggested that a website may be hosted by the NKC, which should have the provision to include/ register libraries with information about the libraries’ activities. The libraries which are thus registered may be then verified by the persons entrusted with responsibility of conducting the census activities state-wise/ districtwise
(c) The Census should be conducted zone-wise according to the nature of a state in terms of population, geography, literacy rate etc
(d) When the National Census of libraries is carried out, the needs of the libraries should also be taken into account

3. LIS Education and Training

(a) UGC should discourage setting up LIS Departments, which do not have minimum faculty/infrastructure.
(b) Indian Institute of Library and Information Science (ILIS) should have regional centres all over India, with special emphasis on the North-east region.
(c) There should be some standardization in quality of training at the LIS Departments. Scope of LIS vis-à-vis other agencies of information services should be properly defined.
(d) There should be an accrediting body for LIS courses which will be able to filter out low standard courses. A special-focus committee should be set up with experts in LIS education, in order to improve quality in LIS education and manpower development.
(e) The functions of the proposed Indian Institute of Library and Information Science could include devising of tools for technical activities of the library such as, national classification system, national catalogue code, guidelines for ICT applications, standards for digitisation etc. These should meet the needs of libraries with collection in vernacular languages.
( f ) Practical training and hands-on experience should be made an integral part of training and research at the ILIS. Such training would also be desirable at the different LIS departments across India.

4. Services

(a) Libraries should be linked and access should be available to everyone. There should also be link-ups with libraries abroad, e.g., IIT can be linked up with MIT and collaborative activities, not just internet facilities should be developed.
(b) Libraries should be open for 24 hours, especially in Institutions and Special libraries. To make all libraries accessible, there should be user manuals and other facilities such as Xerox/ print out etc in different types of libraries
(c) A model of a Community Library and Information Centre (CLIC) was suggested for libraries in rural areas. CLICs should evolve as cultural centres and should ensure greater involvement from the community, especially the young people
(d) Internet should be provided in all libraries with access facilities for all users. Adequate band-width in the Northeastern states may be provided to remove a major hindrance in creating/ disseminating knowledge
(e) The librarian should be a knowledgeable person so that he/ she can answer the queries made by students/ users
( f ) An interoperable federal and decentralized system of LIS will serve the diverse Indian scenario

5. Staffing

(a) Library as a profession should be made financially attractive, so that people join the profession as a matter of choice and not out of other considerations.
(b) There should be separate panels/committees to suggest the staffing patterns for different types of libraries.
(c) Suitable services should be rendered on a partnership basis with different organisations or agencies working at the grassroot level.
(d) There should be systematic documentation of the functions of different categories of libraries by the government. Job description of the library personnel should also be documented and codified.
(e) Functions of different categories of Libraries as well as duties and responsibilities of library staff should be specifically defined. Also, it is necessary to identify specifically and in clear terms the collaborative effort areas.
( f ) A definite staffing pattern for different types of libraries should be laid down with a special focus on National Library should also be laid down.

6. Networking and Digitisation

(a) Networking of public libraries should have three basic components:
(i) Networking of bibliographical data, (ii) Networking of Community Information Services, (iii) Networking of digitized books
(b) There is a need for an open source library management software and information service software which should be able to address the problem of regional languages.
(c) There should be a ‘National Digitisation policy’ which will ensure standardization in the digitization process and for setting up digital libraries. Digitisation activities of important institutions such as IGNCA, National Library, IIS Bangalore etc may be utilized. There should be digital libraries at the National level, e.g., National Manuscript Digital Library.

7. Training

(a) In the emerging knowledge society, the concept of library and information service is required to be changed and the existing library/information professional staff should be given proper training and retraining. There should be continued training programmes for all kinds of library/ information staff to meet the challenges. There could be in the refreshers courses/orientation programmes/long term practical training/short-term training/ intensive training etc. The Training programmes may be introduced to make the existing staff acquainted with the present situation. These trainings should have administrative recognition for promotional avenues and job opportunities etc.
(b) Information literacy programmes should be organised vigorously and effectively.

8. Public Libraries

(a) Public, State, District, School-level libraries should be treated separately as per their needs and resources. Rural libraries have the potential to become local knowledge-centres for villages and thus should be given proper attention.
(b) Public libraries should be accessible to underprivileged sections of the society, so that they can be brought to the main stream. Free membership cards should be issued to poor students.
(c) Purchase of books should not be centralised for public libraries. Rather than dumping unwanted books in the libraries, they should be purchased according to the needs and tastes of the readers. Books should be purchased according to the recommendations made by the committee comprising of local heads of schools/ principles, senior citizens, student representatives, teachers, members of the civil
society; excluding politicians.
(d) The educated unemployed should be encouraged in running and flourishing the public library service.
(e) Public and school libraries as wells as children’s libraries should form essential partners in local, regional and national library and information network.

9. General

(a) ‘Libraries’ should be renamed as ‘knowledge centres’ or ‘community information centres’ or ‘library and knowledge centres’
(a) Schools hardly have proper library facilities. Awareness programmes in Library and Information Science should be organised for principals of the schools and other decision makers.
(c) The Library Associations should be strengthened to perform the task of creating awareness amongst the masses and organizations about the value of information with collaborative and cooperative efforts
(d) An ‘Indian Library Service’ should be created on the lines of ‘Indian Engineering Service’ or ‘Indian Administrative Service’.
(e) Extensive publicity will be required for making the members of the society aware of promoting private participation in implementing the recommendations and for appropriate maintenance of private collection. People should be convinced to have their personal collection items photocopied/ scanned for the regional centers. A
central policy should be laid down for that purpose.
( f ) There should be proper emphasis on knowledge creation so that there is regular uploading of Indian information on the web.
(g) A National Resource Sharing network should be created across libraries. National heritage databases and public databases may be created for general use as well as for access to different specialized subject areas. A national network of public libraries is required for ensuring standardisation of modernisation process for public libraries across the country.

10. Funding

(a) Government should allocate sufficient funds for developments and expansion of public libraries
(b) 100% funds should be provided as a one-time grant from the Centre for modernisation of public libraries. States should subsequently bear the recurring costs of the scheme
(c) University libraries/ Institutional Libraries etc should have their own separate budgets. University Libraries should receive 5-10% grant given to the college/university
(d) Financial rules of the state government should be amended so that it becomes possible for the public libraries and local authorities responsible for conducting library services to take donations. State government should also permit opening of bank accounts in case of government libraries.

A Tribute to Dr S R Ranganathan

The NKC’s initiatives and the recommendations of the Working Group on Libraries are truly a tribute to the person who almost single-handedly brought Libraries and Information services to the forefront of our national activities. His contributions in the field of Classification and Cataloguing are well known. His theories have had great impact on the organization of internet documents. His classification theories have helped evolve web Ontology. His faceted classification system has clearly influenced eXchangeable Faceted Metadata Language (XFML).

However, his most important contribution which encompasses the entire LIS sector is his pioneering effort to prepare the “Library Development Plan-30 years programme for India” which was published more than fifty years ago. It is his vision which first gave India its holistic plan for Library development. His ideas are worthy of focus even after half a century. He had not only given a long term vision in his book but had also prepared legislations to fructify that vision. Today the NKC and its Working group on libraries have tried to make a realistic effort to prepare a road map for development of the Indian Library and Information Service sector. We do hope that the dreams of the Father of Indian Librarianship will be fulfilled over the years to come, through our efforts.

To perpetuate the sweet memory of its Patron, the EC of Delhi Library Association decided to institute a Memorial Lecture Series in the name of Dr S R Ranganathan. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Prof M P Satija (Amritsar). The second lecture was delivered by Dr P S G Kumar (Nagpur). The third one was delivered by Prof B Guha (Delhi) and the fourth lecture was delivered by Dr A Ratnakar (Bangalore).

Smt. Kalpana Dasgupta Chairperson, Working Group on Libraries National Knowledge Commission

Former Librarian of the National Library and Director of the Central Secretariat Library, Smt. Kalpana Dasgupta served as the Chairperson of the Working Group on Libraries of the National Knowledge Commission and was the Advisor to the NKC on Libraries. She has served as the President of the Indian Library Association and has been the Indian representative in the regional standing Committee for Asia and Oceania of the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA). She has over 40 years of working experience in the profession and has served as a member of many high-power Committees for the Government of India.She is presently a member of the Higl Level Committee on the upgradation of Libraries of the Ministry of Culture, the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation and the Panel of Experts of National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR). She has traveled extensively to represent Government of India as well as several institutions in various international seminars and conferences. She also has the distinction of being the first, and only, woman to hold the posts of Librarian, National Library; Director, Central Secretariat Library and President, Indian Library Association.