PROFESSIONALISM AMONG LIBRARY PROFESSIONALS IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN

KERALA

Synopsis submitted by

PRASANTH M.

Under the supervision of

Dr. VASUDEVAN T. M.

Associate Professor and HeadDepartment of Library and Information Science

University of Calicut

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCEUNIVERSITY OF CALICUT

2015

1.INTRODUCTION

Professionalism, in a general sense, is a term that simply entails the art of playing expertise in

one’s field – trying to meet the standards demanded by the profession. In the LIS field,

professionalism has to do with the whole gamut of the operations within a library workforce,

essentially, the relationship of the librarians with library management, their clients, colleagues,

team spirit, staff development, the role of the Library Associations, and more. Librarianship is

the application of these work ethics to the realization of the goals of the profession.

Professionalism is “the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or

professional person”(Online merriam-webster dictionary, 2015). Professionalism encompasses a

number of different attributes such as specialized knowledge, competency, honesty and integrity,

accountability, self regulation, image and together, these attributes identify and define a

professional. Professionals are those who are secure in their professionalism. At the beginning

the term 'profession' was associated only to the fields of law and medicne. Now almost every

field uses the term 'professional” in some relationship to its work and having a professional label

brings prestige. Librarianship is a profession devoted to applying theory and technology to the

creation, selection, organisation, management, preservation, dissemination, and utilization of

collections of information in all formats. The library and Information practitioners have been

viewing the subject of 'professionalism in librarianship' in three different angles. A larger section

is of the view that librarianship has survived war, plague, economic depression and varying

social values and conditions. The profession has shown an extraordinary ability to adapt to

changing social and economic conditions and to adapt changing technologies to serve a variety

of people with diverse interests and need.

To some section, librarianship though fulfils the prerequisites of modern profession,

has yet to gain the desired recognition from the society. And, another section has argued that

librarianship has not yet attained the status of profession, though, it is moving towards

professionalism. It is however the fact that the society, particularly in India, has little respect for

Librarianship. Even “the academics in the universities and research institutions think that

librarians earn easy money, and the layman wonder what the librarians do at all, other than

stamping due dates and collecting fines”. Hence it is high time for library professionals to prove

themselves indispensable for their institutions and society and claim professional status. For that

it is high time for introspection to see whether librarians show true professionalism and to check

Glenn S. Mc Guiganthe professionalism exhibited by library professionals. The study aims to

assess the professionalism among library professionals in university libraries in Kerala.

2.PROFESSION

The term 'profession', as it is known, refers to “a group of men pursuing a learned art as a

common calling in the spirit of public survive-no less a public service because it may

incidentally be a means of livelihood”. A profession is “a vocation requiring knowledge of

some domain of learning or science”. According to Merriam Webster online dictionary a

profession is a type of job that requires special education, training, or skill. Some of the essential

elements of a profession are : a systematic theory, a level of authority, community sanction and

approval, a code of ethics, a culture and service orientation. Systematic theory supports the skills

require for the professional work. Skill is achieved through a lengthy process of training.

Preparation for the profession must be an inte Glenn S. McGuiganllectual as well as practical

experience. Authority is derived from extensive education in the professions systematic theory

and based upon superior knowledge which is recognised by his clientele. Community sanction

provides the power to the profession to formulate” standards of performance and establishment

of rules for admission to the profession”. Control over admission into the profession, licensing

procedures and the confidentiality of communications between the professionals and the clients

are some of the examples which have community sanction of approval. Code of ethics regulates

“ the performance of the professionals and their relation among themselves and with users of

their services”. Code restricts individuals to self-discipline. The professional culture is normally

exhibited through forming group association consisting of its values, norms and symbols and

having at its centre the career concept. The service aspects of the professionals covers public

service functions and the usual technical service functions.

3. LIBRARIANSHIP AS A PROFESSION

The emergence of Librarianship as a profession started with the establishment of the American

Library Association in 1876. The imparting of specialized knowledge started with establishment

of the first library school in 1887 by Dr. Melvil Dewey. According to Danton “Librarianship is

that branch of learning which has to do with recognition, collection, organization, preservation

and utilization of graphic & printed material”. When once librarianship is regarded as a

profession and one is aware of its set goals, purposes & aims the responsibility on the part of the

librarian is doubled. He has to acquire the needed specialized knowledge & expert applying

ability for performing the function of an efficient librarian. Librarianship implies the

development of the individual in the profession so that he can fill successfully high position for

which his abilities fit him. A librarian should have the capacity in readily responding to the needs

of the people he serves. A librarian in his complete & modern meaning accepts this challenge &

tries to fulfill these fundamental needs.

Librarianship is a profession as it comprises most of the essential

attributes of a profession. Library and Information Science(LIS) has a solid foundation

consisting of a recognised body of knowledge essential to the well being of society. The body of

knowledge in LIS has been observed in the education programmes of the universities and other

agencies offering courses and degrees in LIS. This knowledge is needed by the society. The

academic services received by the individuals from LIS personnel would be sufficient to

establish society's need for these professionals. The educational process in LIS is also well

established. A sizeable number of government/non-government/autonomous academic

institutions (particularly universities) have been conducting the course at undergraduate, PG and

Ph.D level (both in regular and correspondence system). Besides, a number of short term

courses, refresher courses, orientation programme have been conducted by various

organisations/universities for updating the knowledge as a part of continuing education. Formal

examination after completion the course like other examinations in academic institutions is

compulsory for LIS course. Licensing process does not exist through awarding/issuing

degrees/certificates to the candidates (by the institution concern) after their success in the

examination. The sense of responsibility to society certainly has been observed in the LIS

system.

Another component for a profession is the existence of association. A number of

associations is attached with LIS functions right from local (state) to international level(examples

KLA, IATLIS, IASLIC, IFLA). Ethics of librarianship, an essential element of library

profession, denotes the conduct and behaviour of those who adopt the profession. The

association of the profession normally takes the responsibility for preparation of the 'code of

ethics'. In India, the Indian library Association has a 'code of ethics' which has been prescribed

for the use of practitioners. The Joint Council of Library Associations in India (JOCLAI) had

finalized a draft code of ethics. As most of the attributes of a profession is fulfilled by

Librarianship, it is a profession. By theoretical means most of the attributes of the profession are

fulfilled by librarianship. The important question is that wheather practical aspects of the

profession are practiced by library professionals and wheather professionalism is exhibited by

library professionals.

4.PROFESSIONALISM IN LIBRARIANSHIP

'Profession' is an occupation or vocation requiring advanced study in a specialized

field.”Professionalism in librarianship is a complex of the methods and standards which are

acquired by the study of librarianship at an advanced level as amplified by the practice of those

methods and adherence to those standards”. The professionalism in librarianship lies in the facts

that

The personnel, here,practice the areas of 'knowledge' and 'information' for the benefit of

the people(concerned with 'knowldege and information' by locating, acquiring, storing,

retrieving, disseminating, transmitting, repackaging and making it accessible);

The society needs the 'services' for its socio economic development;

The “community sanction” behind the 'service” has been exhibited through the use of the

'services' by different sections of the commmunity;

The “professional culture” has been practiced through forming 'associations',

participating seminars and conferences ('professional consciousness' and 'professional

maturity' are always being exibited through seminar papers);

The “authority” of the 'services' has been derived/acquired from completing extensive

educational course in the theory and practice (from certificate level to Ph.D.) under the

direct control and supervision of the universities of the country;

The 'authority' on the subject has also been strengthened and updated through

continuation of education, short-term courses, seminar participation and so on;

The 'services' are guided by a 'code of ethics' normally formulated by associations and

'standards & formulas' proposed by various committees set up by the governments;

The 'services' have always been responsive to its internal and external environment, with

the application of latest information technology, networking technology, repackaging etc

taking note of the ever changing needs of the users.

Professionalism should be displayed by a member by

Demanding extensive training and further education more than what are available;

Engaging oneself to 'standardize practices' and coduct 'theoretical analysis of work';

Not entertaining “low standards, bad workmanship and indifferent handling of clientele”;

Establishing “coordination and cooperation among the practicitioners”;

Raising the voice against the attempt of derecognition for the occupation;

Nursing a faith”in the emergence of a new and different discipline with wide

application”.

5.PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

'Code of ethics is considered as important characteristic of the profession. It is said that the code

is the professional's “own criterion toward attaining the goal through clarifying own

responsibility in the society”. The code “is not a mere presentation of moral issues”. It “intends

to develop a professional philosophy for libraries which can be applied to the librarians in

every type of the library, to emphasize the mutual foundation common to all the librarians, and to

assist in making libraries a useful organ in the society. By publication of the code “we are

disclosing to society our common goal, our effort to reach that goal, and our criteria of judgment

and behaviour as members of the library profession” (Lahiri, 1999). The society expect special

responsibility from the professionals. However it is revealed from the study of the subject that

we professionals talk more about the profession and practice little in discharging the

responsibilities. Therefore the Library Associations have prepared code of ethics for library

professionals and it is expected that they should follow these norms and standards given in the

code of ethics. The practice of code of ethics will lead to the profession towards the excellence.

6.PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY

Professional competency in 'Library and Information System has been achieved by the individual

personnel/practitioner with the 'knowledge' of the subject theoretically and 'skill' in application of

the said knowledge in practice.

'Professional Competency' in LIS is concerned with

(a) Knowledge of library philosophy; library history & the socio economic contexts; generated

specialised reference materials; methods of organizing information; human relation; general

bibliography; management theories; computer programming; foreign languages; collection

development; theories and practice; automation theories and practices; policy making services;

cost effectiveness; binding policies; methods and issues; information consolidation techniques;

teaching and research; education curriculum; user's requirement; information-market; latest

development in knowledge; skill & technology; psychology; personal management & training.

(b) Skill of management and supervision; statistical work; computer handling; analytical

techniques; automation activities; online retrieval techniques; counseling; document reproduction

technologies; conservation and preservation; information consolidation; teaching and research.

7.CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

The library and information science (LIS) profession is service-oriented and requires continually

updated knowledge and skills for effective performance. The efficiency of any library or

information centre in meeting the information needs of its clientele, to a large extent, depends on

the caliber of its staff. Library and information knowledge and skills are not acquired once and

for all. They have to be continually updated. This is particularly the case as information

technologies (IT), which are prevalent means of information storage, retrieval and dissemination

at present, are continually undergoing modifications and becoming more sophisticated. Failure to

acquaint oneself with current developments in the field could result in obsolescence for the one

who therefore becomes irrelevant.

In the LIS profession, national and international bodies are arranging continuing

education programmes (CEP) for professional development. The International the following

bodies are contributing to CEPs;

Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

American Library Association (ALA),

Library Association (LA), London

At the national level, the following bodies are contributing to CEPs in India:

Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC),

National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC),

National Medical Library (NML),

All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),

National Information System for Science and Technology (NISSAT).

Some Libraries contributing to CEPs in India;

Indian Institute of Sciences (ISSs)

Indian Institute of Technology (IITs),

Central Universities.

Professional associations contributing to CEPs in India;

Indian Library Association (ILA),

Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC),

Society for Information Systems (SIS)

Some Library schools and training centres contributing to CEPs in India;

Indian National Scientific and Documentation Centre (INSDOC),

Document Research and Training Centre (DRTC).

UGC – academic staff colleges of different universities, INFLIBNET.

Library networks contributing to CEPs in India;

Delhi Library Network (DELNET),

Ahmadabad Information Network (ADINET),

Mysore Library Network (MYLIBNET),

Pune Library Network (PUNENET),

Bombay Library Network (BONET),

Madras Library Network (MALIBNET).

These bodies organise various conferences, seminars, workshops and training programs to cater

the professional development of the library professionals. Apart from these retired people of the

profession serve as consultants. It is important for the library professionals to attend the various

conferences, seminars, workshops and training programs and get updated and polish the skills to

serve the users in a effective manner. Continuing professional education helps the library

professionals to acquire new skills, update knowledge, to get trained in the latest technologies, to

set up new systems in the library and to improve services in the library. This study aims to

explore the continuing professional education opportunities of library professionals and also to

assess how far professionals use these programs and also the motivating and discouraging

factors that effect the utilization of continuing professional education programmes.

8.ADAPTABILITY OF LIBRARY PROFESSIONALS IN THE CHANGING

ENVIRONMENT

During past few decades, the library environment has undergone a drastic evolutionary process

from manual library to computerized library, then to automated and finally to a digital

environment. This is due to the rapid development of Information Communication

Technology(ICT) and its effects on library collection, organization and services. The ICT has

enabled the publishing media to produce more literature in both print and electronic formats in

every field of knowledge leading to information explosion. The advent and rapid use of Internet

and the popularity of Internet-based resources and services has posed another problem for

libraries. Accordingly demands of users have also changed from mere documents to pinpointed

and exhaustive information within a short span of time. Changes in libraries in recent decades

also means that libraries now have to understand and deal with new ways in which their users

interact with library services and resources.

The new library environment of recent age has created new problems and challenges

for library professionals. Some of the major challenges are organization of digital resources,

providing infrastructural facilities to assess e-resources, shortage of library budget to meet

library expenditure, handling new technologies by library professionals, changes in library

collection, adoption ICT for library housekeeping operations, introduction of web based library

services, new mode of procurement of library resources etc. The library professionals should

take these challenges positively and develop necessary skills in them with a service bent of mind.

At the same time, the changes have also created new opportunities for library professionals

where the traditional role of library professionals has changed from mere custodian of library

documents to knowledge manager with diversified knowledge in all fields. Hence it is high time

for library professionals to adapt themselves to the changing environment and make themselves

competent to face the new challenges of modern libraries which are inevitable, to prove

themselves indispensable for their institutions and to avail themselves of opportunities for their

professional and personal growth.

9.REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Review of related literature is very essential for any research. It helps the investigator to get an

idea about various aspects of the topic such as relevance of the study, methodology to be used for

data collection, data analysis etc. The investigator reviewed some related literature on

professionalism. Chinwe Nwogo Ezeani , Helen Nneka Eke and Felicia Ugwu(2015) conducted a

study of Professionalism in library and information science. The study was conducted among

academic librarians in Nigeria. Descriptive survey design was adopted in the study across both

quantitative and qualitative research methods. The study revealed the challenges facing

professionalism and excellence within the LIS field as lack of funding for professional

development, lack of sponsorship to workshops and conferences, lack of uninterruptible internet

facility and a dearth of professional mentors in the South East zone.

Glenn S. McGuigan(2011) examined the Crisis of professionalism in

public services: Addressing challenges to librarianship from a public administration

perspective.The purpose of this paper is to address dimensions of crisis as applied to the

profession of librarianship from a public administration frame of reference. The findings

revealed that to reinforce professionalism, the human element of librarianship must be promoted

through an enhanced emphasis on the educational mission of librarians within the

ethicalframework of the profession. The place for this to occur is within schools of graduate

education and professional associations. A. Anaba Alemna(1995) conducted a study on Library

associations in Africa and the case for professionalism .The study describesthe attempts of

library associations in Africa to meet the criteria for professionalism. It also discusses various

barriers to professionalism and suggests how some of these barriers can be broken down.

Anticipates that IFLA should play an important role in the development of library associations in

Africa.

10.RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY

The library environment irrespective of type and size has changed drastically over the recent

years. These changes in collection, organisation and services have posed new and complicated

challenges for the library professionals. The real battle for professional recognition for librarians

is being waged in the information marketplace. Librarians have never been successful at

communicating to the public what they do or why they consider their duties professional in

nature. The emergence of computers throughout the workplace further clouds the perception of

librarians roles, often resulting in competition with other information professionals within and

outside the organization. The growth of networked information systems and the popularity of

end-user searching threaten to diminish, or even eliminate, the librarians traditional intermediary

role in the information-seeking process. Each Librarian needs to respond personally to claim

their status as professional. Good librarianship is rooted in client-centered services, values and

attitudes. Professionals are those who secure in their professionalism. It is important to check

wheather library professionals are practicing all the attributes of the profession and exhibiting

professionalism which will lead to the excellence of the profession. The study is to assess

professionalism among librarian professionals in university libraries in Kerala. It is important to

know are library professionals true professionals and find out factors that lead to claim the

professional status of librarians in the society. For that it is important to check whether the

library professionals follow the code of ethics, how competent they are and also their continuing

professional development opportunities. This study also assess professional identity and

adaptability of library professionals in the changing environment. The study helps to know how

far professionalism is exhibited by library professionals and to identify different challenges faced

by them and also make them aware of the opportunities to serve the users better. It also helps the

authority to plan the training programs for library professionals and to solve the problems of

library professionals and making them equipped to meet the challenges which in turn helps to

provide better library services to users.

11.STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The problem of the present study is entitled as “PROFESSIONALISM AMONG LIBRARY

PROFESSIONALS IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN KERALA”.

12.DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS

12.1. Professionalism

The combination of qualities and conduct that distinguish a particular profession. A process of

professionalization can be observed in process in many occupations whereby the characteristics

expected of a profession are identified and nutured by practitioners, usually under the guidance

of a society or association. (International Encyclopedia of Information And Library Science,

2003)

12.2.Library Professionals

Library professionals refers to the professionally qualified person possessing minimum

educational qualification as a bachelor degree or equivalent diploma in library and information

science and employed in a library or information centre.

12.3.University Library

A library or group of libraries established, maintained and administered by a university to meet

the needs of its students and members of the academic staff.(The Librarians Glossary of terms

used in librarianship and the book crafts and reference book,1971). In the present study

university library refers to the central and departmental libraries maintained by the universities in

Kerala for their academic community.

12.4. Kerala

The Southern state of India, which is known by the name. The Kerala was formed on 1 st

November 1956 with the integration of the Travancore – Cochin state and Malabar. Its area is

38,863 SqKm and has 31 million populations (Manorama Year Book, 2011).

12.5 University libraries in Kerala

13.OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of this study is to measure professionalism among library professionals in higher

education institutions in Kerala. This study aims to explore the following objectives:

1. To assess work ethics of library professionals in higher education institutions in Kerala

2. To assess the professional competency of library professionals.

3. To assess the professional identity of library professionals.

4. To assess the continuing professional education of library professionals.

5. To assess the adaptability and attitude of library professionals towards the changing

environment.

6. To study the role of professional associations or organization in the development of

professionals.

14.HYPOTHESES

1. Library professionals are up keeping the ethical values of the profession.

2. Library professionals show low competency in meeting the professional challenges.

3. There is a significant difference with the competency level with regard to gender and age.

4. Library professionals are not fully able to utilize the continuing professional education

programmes.

5. There is a significant difference in motivation factors of the continuing professional

education of library professionals among different university libraries in Kerala.

6. Library professionals lacks professional identity.

7. Library professionals shows less adaptability towards the changing environment.

15.METHODOLOGY

The study is focused on how far the library professionals exercises professionalism in university

libraries in Kerala. The research is based on Survey method. The sample of present study

involves library professionals of universities. Stratified random sampling method will be used to

select the sample. Sample of the study include library professionals of University of Kerala,

Mahatma Gandhi University, Kannur University, University of Calicut and Cochin University of

science and Technology. Primary data will be collected from the library professionals of

universities. Questionnaire will be the tool used for data collection. Interview may be used. The

study variables are divided into independent variables and dependent variables

The independent variables of the study are;

Gender

Age

Salary range

Primary functional area

Educational background

Professional experience

The dependent variables of the study are;

Professional ethics

Continuing professional education

Professional competency

Professional identity

Adaptability towards changing environment.

The data collected for the study will be consolidated by using appropriate statistical software like

SPSS. For the general analysis of the data simple percentage method will be used and for the

detailed analysis different statistical techniques like Chi-square, T-test etc will be used.

16.SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study is limited to the library professionals of university libraries in Kerala.

Non-professionals who did not have Library Science degree or diploma are excluded from the

study. The study involves library professionals of universities. The universities selected for this

study are University of Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kannur University, University of

Calicut and Cochin University of science and Technology. Library professionals of the Central

University of Kerala, Deemed Universities and Universities that come under Institutions of

national importance are excluded from the study. Universities are selected with the criteria that

they deal with multidisciplinary subjects.

17.CONCLUSION

Professional responsibilities and liability are not static. These are subject to change, because

'change' always occurs in the environment, when environment is dynamic. It is therefore,

essential for a professional to act as environment demands. A professional should always be

aware of the significance, requirements and responsibilities of the profession and be prepared

for and committed to the fulfillment of the same. This contemplates the whole range of duties,

responsibilities and behavioral requirements, the moral and social as well as legal and pragmatic.

The study of the professional aspects of the practice is just essential to the professional education

of the practitioners. Otherwise pressure from clienteles regarding “more responsibility and higher

standard of ethics and competence from the professionals” could not be met.

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