11-12-2012, 04:29 PM
Best Practices in Libraries: A Case Study of NMIT Library, Bangalore
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Abstract:
This paper throws a light on the importance of best practices for the Library professionals to improve their skills and provide effective services to the users, so that all the resources in the library are used to the maximum extent. In the era of ICT, various ways and means are discussed to orient the users to bring awareness about the e-resources, so that whatever amount is invested on them has to be utilized by the users.
Introduction:
Best practices are the best ways to perform a process, a function, or an activity that leads to a Superior performance. These pertain to the processes, practices, and systems identified in public and private organizations that perform exceptionally well and are widely recognized as improving organization’s performance and efficiency. Successfully identifying and applying best practices can reduce costs and improve quality. Best Practices are the means by which leading organizations in any field have achieved top performance, and they serve as goals for the other organizations striving for excellence.
Australian Best Practice Demonstration Program defines best practice as, “the pursuit of world class performance. It is the way in which the most successful organizations manage and organize their operations. It is a moving target. As the leading organizations continue to improve the ‘best practice’, goalposts are constantly moving. The concept of continuous improvement is integral to the achievement of best practice” (1)
“Best Practice is a management idea which asserts that there is a technique, method, process, activity, incentive or reward that is more effective at delivering a particular outcome than any other technique, method, process, etc. The idea is that with proper processes, checks, and testing, a desired outcome can be delivered with fewer problems and unforeseen complications. Best practices can also be defined as the most efficient (least amount of effort) and effective (best results) way of accomplishing a task, based on repeatable procedures that have proved themselves over time for large number of people.” (2)
What is a Best Practice?
“A practice qualifies to be a Best practice status if it resulted in high value impact on any aspect of educational activity in an institution”. A best practice is a value added standard practice. However, a best practice may depend on viewer’s perspective, time and context. A best practice may be innovative and be a philosophy, policy, strategy, program, process or practice that solves a problem or creates new opportunities and positively impacts on organizations.”
ODLIS (Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science) describes best practices as follows:
“In the application of theory to real-life situations, procedures that, when properly, applied consistently yield superior results and are therefore used as reference points, in evaluation of the effectiveness of alternative methods of accomplishing the same task. Best practices are identified by examining empirical evidence of success.”
Objectives:
1. It reflects the values, mission and the goals of the institution.
2. It accommodates myriad new information and learning technologies and the way information is accessed and used.
3. It is the only centralized location where new and emerging technologies can be combined with traditional knowledge resources.
4. As an extension of class room, it embodies new pedagogies including collaborative and interactive learning.
5. Offers user-focused, service-rich environment supporting contemporary social and educational patterns of learning, teaching, and research.
6. Offers an ambiance that is extremely conducive for assimilation and creation of new knowledge. where as the Internet has tended to isolate people, the Library as a physical space, has done just the opposite.
7. Enables acquiring lifelong information gathering skills so that they can acquire, access, evaluate, and use the information whenever they need even after completion of their formal education.
Collection Development:
Collection development and Library services are the priority tasks for librarians.
The qualitative Library services provided only when qualitative collection is available in the Library.
The term Collection Development is defined by many but ALA(1995)defined a very suitable definition“ A term which encompasses a number of activities related to the development of the Library collection, including the determination and coordination of selection policy, assessment of potential user needs and, collection use studies, collection evaluation, identification of collection needs, selection of materials, planning for resource sharing, collection maintenance and weeding.”
Selection:
The Library maintains a list of approved vendors for supply of books along with a list of publishers whose titles can be supplied by them. The suggestions received are sorted according to the urgency. Depending upon the publisher of the book and the performance of the vendor to supply, the order is placed.
Usually, books list required by the concerned Department will be sent to the Library through prior approval of the Principal. In case faculty member suggests the availability of the some books with a particular vendor, order for those books is placed with the same vendor so as to procure the suggested titles at the earliest. However, the suggested vendor needs to supply books as per the Library’s terms and conditions.
Library prefers to subscribe to journals, e-resources and databases directly from publishers, database producers and/or their preferred/authorized dealers. However, Library also subscribes to journals from approved vendors.
Budget:
Every year a lump sum amount budget will be allotted for the Library. Same has been allocated for all the Departments depending on the strength of students and requirement. Budget allotment will be done department-wise, considering number of the faculty members, students and courses offered by a department. Finally, at the year end, the Library prepares annual statement of expenditure among all departments reflecting the amount spent and the balance available.
Collection Management
Access:
The Library provides open access to its collection Library collection can be accessed through OPAC. The concerned staff has been given the responsibility of maintaining specific section of the Library. Professional staff undertakes shelf rectification at regular intervals to ensure that the entire collection is properly and regularly shelved, Library stacks are neatly maintained and users get the desired documents without wasting time.
Shelf Management:
Books are classified as per Dewey Decimal Classification 21st Ed. and arranged on shelf accordingly. Each rack has displayed its contents as well as each shelf with its Subject headings. It is user friendly as every user can search his required book/information on his/her own.
Current journals are displayed broad subject-wise, while bound journals are arranged in alphabetical order. List of current journals are available on the Library web site.
Stock Verification:
The Library conducts stock verification every year. The books found in damaged and mutilated condition or found missing are written off as per rules. Although, Library does not have a defined policy for weeding out of old, unused and outdated material, it however, attempts to segregate and arrange in a compact collection area.
User Services:
Library is decorated with famous Quotes as well as Photos of well-known Philosophers, Educationists and Scientists. It will attract the users and give a good ambience to library.