Chapter-2 AimSy Objectives. Methodology

Transcription

1 Chapter-2 AimSy Objectives Methodology

2 CHAPTER-2 AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY 0 Introduction The various types of libraries such as national, public, academic and special are not just a mere tale of overnight. These all have had a long journey of years and yeeurs, since writing began to fulfill the certain requirements of the developing societies in which these libraries existed,* The society in every stages of their development had different concepts but their lure of seeking information is said to have remained similar. The certain people left behind their many interesting information for their future generation to know how their ancestors were. This gave the concept of development of the libraries according to the relevant aspects i,e. religious, philosophical, educational Jind governmental records such as policies and measures. However, it is not necessary that all certain developed societies had well remarkable libraries but it is important to look at the condition in which they foster library growth. The libraries require a combination of factors to grow for example social, political and economic condition of the societies. When there are political uncertainties in a society, their academic atmosphere remains disturbed and people hardly get any interest in organizing such activities which pave the way for academic thinking. The stable society participates in the cultural activities which emphasize the need of the libraries. The urban population usually emphasises for the scientific discovery and technological advancement which encourage the use and growth of libraries. The economic prosperity and surplus resources are more important which providefinancialassistance for the growth and development of libraries.^

3 2.1 Need for Study A library is not a building stacked with books, it is a repository and source of information and idea, a place for learning and enquiry, and for the generation of thought and the creation of new knowledge. Public libraries in particular have the potential to bridge the gap between the information poor and the information rich by ensuring that people from all sectors and settings of society and the economy across India have easy access to knowledge to seek.^ All libraries have met four basic objectives of library and information services on site: lending materials, providing reading facilities, providing assistance for reference, and providing Internet access. These all should be available free of charge. Appropriate steps must be taken by all institutions and organizations that run their own libraries to ensure that they meet these four objectives.'* The general objectives are true in case of the National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna such as conservation of knowledge and ideas, teaching. Research & Development, publication, extension and service and interpretation. The library system in the country reflects this image of diverse activities at different levels. This National Library plays the role of the depository and repository of India's cultural heritage as well as the main bibliographic centre within the orbit of this system. The Khuda Bakhsh Library has emerged as an outstanding research library embracing a large number of rare manuscripts, some of them richly illuminated viz. "Tarik-e- Khandan-e-Timuriya", the only copy in the world, contains 132 beautiful paintings by the famous court artists of Akbar, the Great and a writing of Jehangir. Government of India in 1968 appointed a committee to "Review the working of the National Library, Calcutta and suggested measures for its efficient functioning and further development." The Review Committee submitted its report in The recommendations of the Committee were jzl

4 accepted by the Government of India. After due incorporation of the suggestions made by the Indian Library Association and others, the Government of India passed the National Library Act of India in 1976.^ The Khuda Bakhsh Library Act was established by Khan Bahadur Khuda Bakhsh ( ) in Patna. It was managed by a committee which urged the Government of India to take over this library. Government of India passed Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library Act on 26* December Government of India declared this library as an 'institution of national importance.'^ In addition to the importance laid down by various commission and committees, there are various factors which make the library a complex organization. Some of them are; the size of the library, nature of collection, and the users, the needs of users, and above all the services provided to fulfill the objectives of the National Library and the Khuda Bakhsh library system. These problems are increasing because of literature or information explosion, cost of documents and services and developments in information technology. The present 'Age' is witnessing an explosion of literature and consequently of knowledge because research output in all fields of knowledge especially in the field of Science and Technology has considerably increased. This results into publication of various types and forms of documents i.e. books, journals, reports pamphlets, reprints, specifications, etc. 'It is estimated that in the field of Science and Engineering alone, there is annual output of 1,50,000 books,2,00,000 reports and patent literature and 3,00,000 articles are published in various journals and conference proceedings all over the globe'.^ The explosion of literature has created problems of both libraries and readers. The libraries, due to limited resources, are not able to acquire, process, disseminate and serve all the published literature and reader is not able to read and assimilate the published literature in one's own fields in its Q?

5 activity due to lack of time to see these enormous amount of literature in chosen field. He therefore, needs specialized library services for this purpose. The nature of research is that it is becoming not only specific and specialization is on increase but it is also now interdisciplinary and thus cutting across the boundaries of other disciplines. This calls for library services of a completely different range and type. Various studies have indicated that the cost of documents has been escalating every year and the book budgets have not increased proportionately. In fact the book budgets have been shrinking and no library can afford to acquire the most relevant literature required by the users of the library. The Library has to resort to innovation and research for optimal utilization of document resources by providing new library services and making them more efficient and effective. This constraint of decreasing effective book budgets gets further aggravated by increasing wages and inadequacy of man power required to meet the situation. The Library services in this changing environment have to be developed and improved. The foregoing reasons indicate that the library on the one hand is supposed to discharge the responsibilities contained in the objectives of education and on the other hand various factors inhibit the library system to fulfill them. The need for development of library services in such changing situation has increased considerably. The Library has to make these services more effective and efficient and use of modem information technology seems essential. The study of services is also needed because library has limited resources and unlimited requirements. Thus the review of library services with a view to study the present situation and suggest changes and developments in the both of the National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna are needed.this study has, therefore, been undertaken and only two libraries are being studied. Hence, the needs for

6 this study "Study of the National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna". 2.2 Objectives of the Study (i) To study the present position of National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna; (ii) To study and compare the growth, development and use of National Library and Khuda Bakhsh Library; (iii) To identify the problems in growth, development and use of these two libraries; (iv) To study the services provided by the National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna; (v) To identify the factors which affect the services of National Library, Kolkata and Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna; (vi) To identify the areas of cooperation between the National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna,and; (vii) To suggest measure to make library services more effective and efficient. 2.3 Scope of the Study The present study has been taken up to look into the available resources of the library and the extent of their use by different kinds of users. The scope of the study is limited to the two libraries in India i.e. the National Library, Kolkata and the BQiuda Bakhsh Library, Patna. Users groups in these libraries have been divided into six categories. These are members of the teaching and non-teaching staff, research scholars, postgraduate students, undergraduates and others. The 'others' categories includes businessman, advocates, social workers, authors etc. S

7 2.4 Utility of Study Utility reveals the type of services being provided by the library and types of services which would be needed by the users in view of changing information needs and developments in the information technology and form of document collection in the future. It is expected that the results of this study would be known to the user groups and it will then create awareness amongst them. The users would become aware as to what could be expected from the library in terms of library services because this study would reveal the potentials of the library. The utility of this study is also to provide guide line to the library authorities and planners. This study will reveal user's information needs in an environment of financial constraint. This will help in formulating guidelines so that maximum requirements of the readers are fulfilled by using modem information technology without loss of reader's time. The study would be the opinion of the users with regard to library services, problems faced by them in getting documents, and the apathy of the staff towards them. The willing, dedicated and dutiful library staff would find solutions and offer better services. The reasons for not providing services could be historical and unawareness of the staff members such reasons. The past and the present situations of the two libraries revealed by them would help in understanding the problems better and thus help in providing solutions. The present study is also useful because research scholars would become interested to do further research work not only on these libraries but also on other libraries. 2.5 Hypotheses of the Study Hypothesis plays a crucial role in research. It is considered as 'Turning Point' for research scholars. It is also known as supposed solution of the problem. According to Oxford English Dictionary^ the Hypothesis can lo^

8 be defined as "A proposition or principles put forth or stated merely as a basis for reasoning or argument, or as a premise from which to draw a conclusion; a supposition."c.r.kothari' defined hypothesis as "A proposition or a set of propositions set forth as an explanation for the occurrence of some specified group of phenomena either asserted merely as a provisional conjecture to guide some investigation or occupied as highly probable in the light of established facts." On the basis of scope and objectives of the study and after reviewing the literature, following hypothesis have been framed for the study. 1. Scientific guidelines/policies may help in rational growth and development of libraries. 2. Need based collection of the library may fiilfill information requirements of the society in a better way. 3. Adequate financial resources help in providing better services. 4. Adequate infrastructural facilities of the library may support better usages of resources. 5. Both the libraries have been provided modem library services to the user using library software. 6. Better services of the libraries may contribute in scientific growth and development, and; 7. Well qualified and experienced professionals may provide better services in the libraries. The above hypotheses were also tested through raising questionnaire, interview, and observation and it was found that the aspects which were included in the hypotheses have sound relation directly or indirectly to achieve objectives of the study.

9 2.6 Research Methodology The term methodology, in a broad sense, refers to the process, principles and procedures by which one approaches the problem and seeks answers. There are various methods available for research i.e. historical method, case study method, experimental method and survey method. This is study primarily based upon survey method. Survey method is used to study growth, development and use of the libraries such as National Library, Kolkata and Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna Sample and Size of the Population The population of this study consists of various categories of users such as students (PG, UG and PC), research scholars, faculty members and others. Due to large number of users of these libraries, the National Library and the Khuda Bakhsh Library. of the total population has been taken into account. The sample was selected randomly. table: The size of population sample and response is given in the following Table 2.1 Sample size and response in the National Library & Khuda Bakhsh Library s. No Name of the Libraries Population Size of Sample Response and percentage 1 Users C/l 3 C/3 u O C/3 u 3 on S b o C/l T3 3 C/3 S b u O National Library % 27 5% % % 2 Khuda Bakhsh Library % % 18 5% % J5

10 1.6.1 Data Collection Techniques Large numbers of data collection techniques are available such as questionnaire, schedule, interview, observation etc. The questionnaire, interview and observation techniques have been used for the data collection Questionnaire Technique In these methods, information is obtained with the help of a questionnaire. Questionnaire consists of a number of questions in a definite order on a form or set of forms. The questionnaire is sent to the persons concerned with a request to answer the questions and return the questionnaire. So, in order to obtain the first hand information fi-om the National Library and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, questionnaire technique was adopted. Before finalizing the format of the questionnaire, a Pilot Study was also conducted in which two libraries were requested to fill up the questionnaire on the spot. The queries and other ambiguities had been modified. One questionnaire was designed for the users of both libraries. The questionnaire framed for libraries users consisted of a number of questions in a definite order on a form. The proforma of questionnaire has been given in the appendix-1. Administered the Questionnaire (A) National Library, Kolkata: The questionnaires were distributed in the month of July-August 2006 and collected during the same period. These questionnaires were distributed to the members of students in the National Library, Kolkata and research scholars, faculty members and other members personally as well as with the help of few responsible students and who distributed and helped in the collection of the questionnaires. (B) Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna: The questionnaires were distributed during the month of July 2006.These questionnaires were distributed among ~ ^

11 the students in Khuda Bakhsh Library. While questionnaire were also distributed to research scholars, faculty members and other members who had come from various colleges and universities in India as well as abroad with the help of responsible students and staff. These questionnaires were collected in the end of July Interview Technique The interview method of collecting data involves presentation of oral, verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral verbal responses. This method can be used through personal interviews and if possible, through telephonic interviews. This technique is used to collect valid and reliable data. Interview in both structured and unstructured form was conducted with the students, faculty members, research scholars, other members and the directors of the National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna, on various aspects of the growth, development and use of the library. Thus, interview technique helped to understand the problems and find out the possible solutions of the same to achieve objectives of the study Observation Technique C.R.Kothari mentions about the observation method, "The information is sought by way of investigator's own direct observation without asking from the respondent.""* It is good technique to collect data. When the researcher visited the National Library, Kolkata and the Khuda Bakhsh Library, Patna, he observed that there is a wide gap of information provided by the students, research scholars, faculty members and other users in terms of availabilities of infrastructure facilities and application of Information Technology. This technique helped the researcher to make the study more scientific. J4^

12 *^ Aafil&i/ Schedule Method The Schedules have also been used to collect the data from National Library and Khuda Bakhsh Library. The schedules covered various aspects such as- collection, physical facilities, budget, professional development, library services and problems faced by the library and future programmes of the respective libraries. Such type of information was collected from the Principal Library and Information Officers (PLIO), Library and Information Officers (LIO), Deputy Librarian, Assistant Library and Informatign Officers (ALIO), Library & Information Assistants (LIA), and Section In charges of the Library Measurement Scale While analyzing the data on collection services etc. the rating has been measured on 5 points scale as excellent, very good, good, average, and below average. The following scale has been used for the purpose: Table 2.2 Measurement scale used for rating S.No Level of Rating Below average Average Good Very Good Excellent ' ^ Percentage of users Sources of Data The data for the study has been collected from primary sources of information i.e. journals, pamphlets, prospectus, patents, standards, reports and opinion of the respondents. However, secondary sources such as 25, 3

13 textbooks, indexing/abstracting periodicals, yearbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, tables etc. were also consulted as per need Analysis and Interpretation of Data To give form and meaning to the statistical data by interpretations and by conclusions, the collected data from the National Library and the Khuda Bakhsh Library were organized, consolidated, tabulated, compared, analyzed and interpreted in the light of objectives set forth in the present study. The analysis of data collected have been presented with the help of tables, figures, pie-diagram, bar-diagram, and graph by using simple statistical techniques etc., and in the light of above data, findings and conclusion have been arrived at Standard used for Bibliographical References It has been taken strictly to follow the rules and practices of the Indian Standard for Bibliographical References (IS: ) for each entry of bibliography. Thus it gives uniformity for the bibliography. The Classified Catalogue Code (CCC) or Dr. S.R.Ranganathan has been followed to choice and rendering of authors and headings. Specimen Entry 1. MAJUMDAR (H K).Growth of library. Indian Librarian. 13; 1958; MANDAL (M) and PANDA (K C).State of collection development in five major national libraries of the world: a comparative study. Library Progress (International).25(2); 2005; RANGANATHAN (S R). Reference service and bibliography. V 1; Madras Library Association, Madras. P MOGHE (V S). Public libraries of Indore Souvenir. 27* - 30^^ Dec; ILA n^ All India Library Conference, University of Indore, Indore. P 67.

14 REFERENCES 1. GATES (JK).Introduction to librarianship McGrow-Hill, New York. P CHERNIK (Barbara E). Introduction to library services Libraries Unlimited, Englewood. P INDIA, NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE (Commission) (2007) (Chairman: Sam Pitroda). Libraries: gateways to knowledge, a roadmap for revitalization National Knowledge Commission, New Delhi. P 5. C_Library.pdf 4. Ibid.PlS. 5. DASGUPTA (Kalpana).National library programmes, problems and prospects. In JAIN (MK) and others, Eds.50 year's library and information services in India Shipra Publications, Delhi. P /Z>/V/ P AGGARWAL (SN), Ed Perspective of Library and Information Science.VI; Print House, Lucknow. P SIMPSON (JA) and WEINER (ESC). Eds. Oxford English Dictionary.V7; 1989.Clarendon Press, Oxford. P KOTHARI (CR). Research methodology: methods and techniques Wishwa Prakashan, New Delhi. P Ibid \E)