LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE RESEARCH NEW PARADIGM

AND TRENDS

Dr.K.Murugan1 Dr.S. Ravi2 Dr.S. Surianarayanan3

Abstract

This paper focused a study on the role of the staff and researcher in the process of
the library is changing from the traditional to hybrid library. The emerging technology is
coming the digital era, the change of library and information science syllabus, research
activities are new paradigm and trends. Today teaching and learning environment
requires that a whole new set of emerging technologies like digital library, Information
and Communication Technology, Web.2.0 and other related to research in the field of
LIS Research.

Keywords

Academic Library, Library and Information Science and Information and

Communication Technology

Introduction

Library science (or Library and Information science) is an interdisciplinary field

that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information
technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization,
preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the political economy of
information. The first school for library science was founded by Melvil Dewey at
Columbia University in 1887.

Academic courses in library science typically include collection management,

information systems and technology, research methods, cataloging and classification,
preservation, reference, statistics and management. Library science is constantly
evolving, incorporating new topics like database management, information architecture
and knowledge management, among others.
1
Librarian, Universal College of Engineering and Technology, Vallioor – 627 117.
2
Professor and Head, DDE, LIS Wing, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar.
3
Librarian (SG), Sri Paramakalyani College, Alwarkurichi.

1
Academic Library

An academic library is an essential part of an educational institutions, school, college

or University; a business or special library is dispensable in government department and
large business or special library is indispensable in government department and large
business and industrial organization.
Programme of the Study

A programme of study in library and Information science should provide trained

personnel capable of managing information available in various sources and disseminate
the same to its users. Programmes in LIS can be grouped into
The following three kinds:
1. Degree courses requiring one or two years of full time study
2. Research and doctoral programme; and
3. Continuing education programmes
Library and Information Science
Like most of higher education, LIS programmes are doing more with less.
Despite the stagnation of full time faculty size and the reduction of number of schools in
USA, innovative delisten methods and adjunct faculty enable programmes to meet
society’s need for librarians and information specialist each year, says Daltymple,
Director of ALA’s office for a Accreditation.
For most of the LIS schools all over the world, information systems are at the
heart of the programme and libraries are but one these systems. The mission of the school
is to apply the rich traditions of the library profession to the larger, fundamental role of
information in society.
Subjects like information system management
 Human computer Interactions
 Digital Libraries
 Digital resources for teaching and learning
 Visual communications
 Structured information
 Electronic Commerce is including in the curriculum, along with
librarianship, archival and record management.

2
 The courses the practical experiences that are woven into the curriculum and new
emphasis on preparing graduates to work in a great variety of information agencies and
setting are both encouraging and ground breaking. The ultimate success of the
programmes will be judged by the case with which the graduates are assimilated into in
formations related positions into a variety of organizations.
Library research is defined as the process of looking for information to solve a

problem. It may be for academic purposes or for one's own purposes. The purpose of this

research is about discovering new ideas, actively thinking and working with them.

Research in Librarianship

Research in librarianship briefly means the collection and analysis of original

data on a problem of librarianship, done within the library schools according to scientific
and scholarly standards. Research in this connection broadly includes investigations

 Studies
 Surveys
 Academic work at the doctoral, post doctoral and research staff
level and in-house or action research by practicing librarians;
information professionals and document lists.
Need

The need for research in librarianship steps mainly from three regions.
1. The educational function of advanced study in librarianship
2. Involves the critical function, critical approach to librarianship.
3. Symbolic function for the growing professionalisms in library profession

Present status of Library Information Science Education

3
 Since its inception decades ago, LIS education has grown and developed into a full-
fledged multi-disciplinary subject. LIS courses at bachelors, masters and research level
are being imparted by different institutions – university departments, colleges, library
associations and specialized institutions. There are now 96 universities in India imparting
Library and Information Science education as independent departments in different
levels. Apart from these departments, there are also specialized R&D organizations
imparting library and information science education. Worth mentioning is the two years
Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (ADIS) imparted by
Documentation Research & Training Institute (DRTC), Indian Statistical Institute,
Bangalore (Karnataka) and National Institute of Science Communication And
Information Resources (NISCAIR) formerly INSDOC, New Delhi which is equivalent to
Mater degree of Library & Information Science (LIS). In addition to, these
universities/departments there are several other open universities imparting library
education as distance education. The professional associations such as Delhi Library
Association (DLA) and the polytechnic institutions throughout the country are also
imparting LIS education as lower level such as Certificate/Diploma in Library &
Information Science.
With the realization of the importance of higher education and research, research
in Library education is not lagging behind like other disciplines. The University Grants
Commission (UGC) and the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) are
promoting research in library and information science by awarding scholarships to
doctoral students.

Objectives of Library and Information Science Education

The goal of library and information science education is the preparation of

personnel for the task of successful performance at different levels of competence in
different types of libraries with an insight into the role of these libraries in a fast changing
society. It should impart a thorough grounding in the intellectual foundations of the
profession and competence in the technical and technological skills required for their
day-to-day practice in different positions. In other words, education for library and
information science should be both knowledge and theory oriented task or practice

4
oriented. The two aspects of theory and practice should blend harmoniously in a sound
programme of library and information science education because on this will depend the
effectiveness and success of the programme. In achieving this objective the methods of
teaching and evaluation employed are as important as the quality of the faculty.
The main objectives of LIS profession are to: provide training for building up
leadership qualities among the LIS profession; develop knowledge on the latest
techniques of information storage, transfer and retrieval; help to acquire necessary skills
in handling, accessing and application of electronic resources, tools and media; and help
to know the latest developments in the Information Technology (IT)
To sum up, the basic aims of library and information science education may be as follows
Level of Education
 To develop necessary technical Skills;

 To develop administrative skills;

 To develop through knowledge of various source of information, necessary to

give

 traditional and modern library services;

 To develop professional awareness

Out of the 96 university departments, 56 departments conduct the one-year

Bachelors degree and one year Masters Degree in Library and Information Science at the
postgraduate level. Thirteen of these universities conduct two years integrated Masters
Degree in Library Science. These programme further leads to M.Phil. and Ph.D. levels.
The levels of LIS education in India are discussed as follows:

Certificate/Diploma in Library Science (C/D.Lib. Sc.)

Many polytechnic colleges, schools and Library Associations impart the low level of
library science courses in India having duration of six months to one year. The basic
qualification for these courses is 10+2. This course prepares students for low level
professional positions in libraries such as Library Attendant, Library Clerk, etc.

5
Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS)

This is a one-year post graduate degree course. The basic eligibility is a three
years degree from any discipline. This course prepares students for junior professional
positions.
Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

Master of Library and Information Science is imparted as a one-year post

graduate degree course in some universities while in some, it is conducted as a two years
integrated course. Many universities which offered one year B.LI.Sc and M.LI.Sc courses
are now switching to two years integrated MLIS course in the line of other maters degree
courses. Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Madurai
Kamaraj University, Madurai, The North East Hill University (NEHU), RTM Nagpur,
Punjab University Chandigarh, Karnataka University, Dharwad, etc are now offering two
years MLISc course. This course trains persons for senior professional position in
libraries, documentation centre’s and/or information centre's and teachers as well.
Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (ADIS)

The Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Bangalore

(Karnataka) offers two years Associateship in Documentation and Information Science
(Now know as Master of Science in Information Science). The National Institute of
Science Communication And Information Resources (NISCAIR), New Delhi , formerly
INSDOC also impart two years documentation programme i.e., Associateship in
Documentation (AID) after graduation. The course offered by the DRTC and NISCAIR
have upper age on the courses as offered by the universities departments in terms of ICT
syllabus and intake of the enrolments.

Master of Philosophy in Library and Information Science

M.Phil. in Library and Information Science prepares a student for further

advanced research in LIS. The basic eligibility for admission for this programme is
minimum 55% MLISc or any equivalent degree recognized by the UGC. With candidates

6
having more qualifications are being preferred for superior position, many students are
opting for M.Phil. Courses to better equip them for better positions.
Doctor of Philosophy of Library and Information Science

This is an advanced level of research programme being offered after the

completion of MLISc or M.Phil. Degree depending on the universities. The general aim
of a research degree, whether M.Phil. or Ph.D. is to provide training in doing research as
well as to develop in the candidate a critical and analytical process of thinking with the
purpose that they would be able to provide leadership in the profession. They would also
be able to help librarians and information scientists to develop techniques and skills
required to meet their requirements of the fast changing society. They should be able to
identify the needs, set objectives, identify and analyze the problems and find appropriate
solutions. They would also be in a position to participate in the planning, organization
and implementation of programmes at various levels.

Researcher is used the following research areas are as follows:

Applied Research:
On the techniques of social sciences research especially statistics, the initial research
in librarianship.
Pure (or) Basic Research
Theoretical knowledge and the logical process in the phenomenon
Bibliographical Research
This is closely related to libraries
Team Research
The complexity, diversity, and inter – disciplinary nature of present day
knowledge demands cooperative research by scholars and scientists from various
disciplines.
Other major areas of research are

 Information management and its application areas

 Information user and use studies
 Applications and Implications of ICT

7
  Information policy research including economics of information and
library services
 Quantitative studies like bibilometrics, Infometrics, webometrics /
Scienctometrics
 Digital Libraries
 Information man power doubt
 Academic Libraries have school, college and University Libraries etc.
 Special areas like Research and Development libraries like CSIR,
DRDO etc.
Conclusion
We are entering a new era of Library and Information Science research has had
slow growth in most developing countries. So, changing the library and information
science syllabus and new emerging technology applied in the practically used the
libraries like digital libraries, Information and Communication Technology and emerging
technologies.
References:

1. Browne, M. Disciplinary study in information science. A foundation for the

education of information professionals. (Education for Information vol.4; p305 –
318).
2. Foskett, D.J. Education for Information science: the question of a core curriculum
(Documentalsits – II; 1974.P11- 14).
3. Kiribige, H.M. Theoretical foundation of development information science.
(International Information and library Review. Vol.25; 1993.p1-14).
4. UGC, Curriculum development Committee Report. New Delhi: UGC, 1992, 157p.
5. Vickery, BC and Vickery, Alina. Information Science in theory and practice.
London: Bowkar Sowr, 1987.p361 – 9.
6. Tejomurthy.A. Research in Library and Information Science.