Friday, August 15, 2014

“Are Librarians in Indian Educational Institutions Unsung Heroes” - Professor M.S.Rao





“Librarians have always been among the most thoughtful and helpful people. They are teachers without a classroom.”–Willard Scott


The educational institutions maintain libraries to encourage students to read books, and also to attract new students as good libraries are indication of good educational institutions. When new students intend to join prestigious educational institutions they look at the libraries and see the quality of books they keep. If good quality of books are maintained, the libraries are considered to be good. It results in elevating the ranking and the image of the educational institutions. However, most Indian educational institutions don’t give major importance to librarians who play a crucial role to disseminate knowledge from the educators to the students by displaying the right books. Most institutions don’t realize the contribution made by librarians. It is very sad to note that they are hardly compensated monetarily. 

The role of educators is to create and share knowledge with students, and the role of students is to acquire knowledge and apply it in their real lives to grow as healthy and successful citizens. The librarians are the link between the educators and the students. They order right book titles and display magazine and journals that are useful to the students. They also keep the important updates on the college notice boards regularly to inspire students. In fact, they add an immense value to educational institutions.

I have been going to libraries since childhood.  I am mostly self-taught as I didn’t have the privilege of pursing my regular education in educational institutions from graduation onwards. I earned my higher qualifications through both private and correspondence courses as I am a lifelong learner since childhood.  Finally, I earned my PhD in Soft Skills in 2011. I learned mostly by referring books in libraries, and now I learn online from search engines for the last ten years. I have come in contact with several librarians in various educational institutions in India who are very passionate to disseminate knowledge created by the educators, and to serve the students. Unfortunately, they remain as unsung heroes in Indian educational institutions as it is mostly the educators who earn name and get respect from students. Charles Medawar rightly remarked, “Librarians are almost always very helpful and often almost absurdly knowledgeable. Their skills are probably very underestimated and largely underemployed.” Hence, all stakeholders including educators, students, management must take notice of the contribution made by librarians who mostly remain as unsung heroes, and compensate them monetarily.

I have authored 30 leadership books including two award-winning books ‘21 Success Sutras for Leaders’ URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI (It has been ranked as one of the Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year – 2013 by San Diego University, America) and ‘Success Tools for CEO Coaches’ URL: http://www.amazon.in/SUCCESS-COAHES-LEARNER-LEADER-LADDER/dp/9351102491 (It is the Community Award Winner for 2014 by Small Business Trends, USA URL: http://bookawards.smallbiztrends.com/management-2014/success-tools-for-ceo-coaches-8/ ) I find librarians taking lots of interest to keep my books in their libraries.

It is time all stakeholders must appreciate the importance of librarians and respect their contribution to educational institutions.  On the eve of India’s Independence Day, I dedicate this article to librarians for linking the educators with the students; disseminating knowledge with students, and for serving students with passion. Jai Hind!


“Librarians are tour-guides for all of knowledge.” –Patrick Ness

 




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Professor M.S.Rao, India
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India
Listed in Marquis Who's Who in the World in 2013
21 Success Sutras for Leaders: Top 10 Leadership Books of the Year (San Diego University) Amazon URL: http://www.amazon.com/21-Success-Sutras-Leaders-ebook/dp/B00AK98ELI





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2 comments:

  1. Really heart touching article for librarians n library lovers

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  2. Dear Prof. Rao
    thank you for writing a thought provoking and apt writing on Librarians, motivation for me to join the Librarianship profession is the Librarians whom I met during my student days

    ReplyDelete