Birth of the device-age librarian
Armed
with a handheld device, Mohammed Salim scans the book rack to record books
available in his library. The young librarian feeds the details about new
members in the computer and issues an RFID (radio frequency identification)
card. Students pick books of their choice by making an entry in the electronic
self-service kiosks using the card without any intervention of the librarian.
Digital technology has transformed the
traditional librarian into a tech-savvy professional handling a range of
machines, replying to queries through emails, apart from his daily chores.
Several private educational institutions and corporate offices have modernised
their libraries to give the reader a new experience. At the touch of a button,
readers visiting these libraries can check the availability of their preferred
titles through online public access catalogue. They need to just swipe the book
to borrow it.
Mohammed Salim, an alumni of the University
of Madras and employed in a college in Malappuram
in Kerala,
says new libraries use sensors to prevent book thefts. At the same time, he
says the automated system has reduced the interface between the users and
librarian.
Former
librarians argue that dialogue between users and librarians is essential. Former
director of the American
Library in Chennai M K Jagadish said librarians in the bygone years knew
the "highways and byways" of all the subjects. "Libraries have
the advantage of authentic information.An interaction with the librarian would
help you get the right book that has the information you are looking for,"
he said.
Browsing through the pages his 36-year career as a librarian, he recollects the fond memories of dealing with a variety of queries. "The circulation librarian, who sits at the desk lending books, is the first contact point for the users. Some librarians were extremely sharp in getting the right book even as the user will approach them with vague information about the book," he said.
Regards
Pralhad Jadhav
Senior Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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