CHAPTER-VI FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Transcription

1 CHAPTER-VI FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEACHER EDUCATION (NCTE) The National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) is the apex body for regulating teacher education programmes in India. It came into existence in 1973 as an advisory body to the Centre and State Governments on all matters relating to teacher education. The National Policy on Education (NPE), (1986) laid considerable emphasis on teacher education and recommended to give statuary status to NCTE as first step for overhauling the system of teacher education. The policy prescribed that The National Council of Teacher Education will be provided the necessary resources and capability to accredit institutions of teacher education and provide guidance regarding curricula and methods. In 1993, the proposal got approval of government through the Act of Parliament and it was on 17 th August, 1995 that NCTE came into existence as a statuary body in pursuance of the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 (No. 73 of 1993). The objective of NCTE (2010) is, to achieve planned and coordinated development of the teacher education system throughout the country, the regulation and proper maintenance of Norms and Standards in the teacher education system and for matters connected therewith. The area of operation of NCTE is very vast, including the research and training of personnel for teaching at different levels of 310

2 education. By formulating and implementing norms and standards, it has to ensure the provision and maintenance of required facilities to supplement the quality education of future teachers. But, NCTE has not paid desired attention towards the libraries of colleges of education. Its norms and standards about libraries are not detailed, though these have been revised from time to time. For a college offering B.Ed. course (with an intake of 100) the librarian is placed as technical support staff. Moreover, in revised norms NCTE (2009) has prescribed the qualification of librarians as Bachelor s Degree in Library and Information Science (with fifty five percent marks. NCTE is facing criticism for multiplying the number of colleges of education in the country without establishing quality control. Commenting on the status of corruption in NCTE for granting recognition to colleges, Chauhan (2008) writes that Now, the stage has reached that teachers of small degree colleges with a few years of experience of teaching B.Ed. (and not even a day s interaction with M.Ed. students) are repeatedly sent by the NCTE for conducting inspections because they are convenient and cooperative Sometimes, members of the inspection team do not even formally visit the institution and write the inspection report inside the airconditioned lobbies of the starred hotels hired in advance by the hosts to ensure their comfortable and luxurious stay. There is a strong need to stop such malpractices to make certain the implementation of norms and standards for maintaining the quality of education. 311

3 The present study has been conducted to ascertain the use of libraries of 19 colleges of education in Punjab. It is based on the responses received from 1228 students of B.Ed. and M.Ed. courses of colleges under study respectively. Questionnaires were also got filled from 61 permanent teachers of 18 colleges of education, as the principal of Khalsa College of Education, Mukatsar had not allowed the researcher to conduct survey of teachers. Data was collected from students and teachers during January to March Information was also collected from library staff to know about the organization, administration, resources and services of libraries, before conducting survey of users. The analysis and discussion of responses received from library staff brought forward that organization and administration of libraries was far from satisfactory. Libraries lacked basic infrastructure and adequate personnel to serve the users. Reponses of the students and teachers revealed that they were using respective libraries frequently to meet their academic information needs. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY The status of hypotheses tested against findings is discussed here. 1. Data has partially supported first hypothesis, majority of the users are not aware about the services provided by libraries. Survey revealed that circulation was the only service with which all the users were familiar. About 61.69% B.Ed. students, 90.28% 312

4 M.Ed. students and 91.80% teachers were familiar with reference service. Similarly, majority of the users comprising 54.67% B.Ed. students, 62.50% M.Ed. students and 63.93% teachers were aware about the newspaper clipping service provided in their libraries. Nearly 60.30% M.Ed. students and 82.76% teachers of colleges having photocopy service in libraries were also aware about this service. On the other hand, only 41.67% of B.Ed. students were familiar with photocopy service of their libraries. About 5.44% B.Ed. students, 14.59% M.Ed. students and 24.60% teachers were aware about referral service. Only one student of a B.Ed. and 06.94% teachers were familiar with current awareness service. About one fourth of B.Ed. students, 29.87% M.Ed. students and 31.14% teachers were aware about reservation of books service. It leads to this conclusion that majority of the users were aware about basic services of libraries like circulation and reference, but only a few users were familiar with other services like referral, current awareness service, inter library loan and reservation of books. Thus, the hypothesis has been partially proved. 2. With regard to second hypothesis, majority of the users use textbooks and circulation service only. It has been found that 82.82% B.Ed. students were using textbooks, 65.66% used general books on respective subjects and 31.68% used reference collection in addition to other documents. About 89.59% M.Ed. students used textbooks, 75.70% and 59.02% 313

5 used general books on subjects and reference books respectively. Majority of the teachers i.e % were using general books on respective subjects and reference books, while 68.86% used textbooks. Therefore, first half of the hypothesis stands partially proved, as only teachers use general books more than text books. All the users were using circulation service. Thus, second half of the hypothesis stands proved. 3. Third hypothesis, majority of the users use libraries for preparing assignments/notes has been partially supported by data. The survey revealed that the different users, i. e. B.Ed., M.Ed. students and teachers used the libraries according to their needs. It has been found that 64.36% students of B.Ed. course used libraries to complete assignments, 57.43% to prepare for examination and 49.96% to prepare notes (see table 14.1). On the other hand 80.56% of M.Ed. students were using libraries for research work, 66.67% to complete assignments and 60.41% used libraries to prepare for examination (see table 22.1). Nearly 80.32% teachers were using libraries for updating themselves, 62.30% to prepare lectures, 60.66% for reference and 57.38% used libraries for own research. Hence only majority of B.Ed. students use libraries for preparing assignments and notes. So, the hypothesis is partially proved. 314

6 4. Data has supported the fourth hypothesis, computers are used mainly for house keeping operations. Out of a total 19 libraries, 08 were using computers for automation of operations. In majority of the libraries automation was restricted to maintaining databases of collection. Two libraries were not even using any library automation software. In these, databases of books and periodicals were being prepared in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Access. Only one library was using computer for circulation in addition to maintaining databases of collection. Thus, hypothesis stands proved. 5. As per fifth hypothesis majority of users are not satisfied with their respective libraries. With regard to users overall satisfaction with the resources and services of their libraries, it has been found that majority of the B.Ed. students and teachers forming 56.50% and 67.21% respectively were satisfied. On the other hand, 52.78% M.Ed. students were partially satisfied. About 43.75% M.Ed. students were satisfied with the resources and services of their libraries. Based on the average response of users it is concluded that majority of the users were satisfied with their respective libraries. Therefore, data has not supported the fifth hypothesis. 6. Sixth hypothesis, working hours has impact on use of libraries has been supported by data. 315

7 It has been found that out of the total respondents 49.81% students of B.Ed., 47.91% of M.Ed. and 59.01% teachers were visiting libraries 2-3 times a week. The library of University College of Education (UCE) was being kept open for more hours than other libraries and 53.33% of its B.Ed. students and 50% M.Ed. students were visiting library daily. Inspite of the frequent visits to libraries majority of the B.Ed. students spent up to an hour and M.Ed. students and teachers spent 1-2 hours only per week in libraries on an average. Timings of majority of libraries coincided with class hours, leaving users with a short duration of time to use libraries. Very few users visited libraries for browsing due to lack of time. About 29.91% B.Ed. students, 16.67% M.Ed. students and 03.27% teachers rated library hours as not convenient to use libraries. This shows that there is a direct relation between the opening hours and use of libraries. Thus, hypothesis stands proved. 7. Data supported seventh hypothesis, staff attitude towards users influence library use. Survey brought forward that except one student, all the respondents under study were using libraries. Nearly 90.12% students of B.Ed. course, 88.89% of M.Ed. course and all the teachers were taking help of library staff to use libraries. About 67.96% of the B.Ed. students and 71.52% of the M.Ed. were satisfied with the attitude of library staff. Nearly 86.89% teachers were also satisfied 316

8 with the helpfulness of library staff. Helpful attitude of the library staff also encouraged users to visit libraries frequently. Therefore, hypothesis stands proved. 8. With regard to eighth hypothesis, staff is inadequate in number to provide library services. It has been found that libraries of 06 colleges including 04 Govt. Aided Colleges of Education (GACE), a govt. college and University College of Education (UCE) did not have permanent librarians. Out of total 19 libraries, 06 did not have sanctioned posts of restorers and 08 did not have sanctioned posts of library attendants. Librarians were overburdened with the semi-professional and non-professional jobs too. The NCTE (2007) requires a college to have a full time librarian, but it has not provided any norms about semi-professional and non professional staff for libraries. Moreover, w.e.f the Director Education Department Punjab (2005) had imposed ban on making appointments against vacant grant-in-aid posts. This situation has led to inadequate staff in libraries. So, the hypothesis is proved. 9. Ninth hypothesis, lack of finances is major reason for inadequate library services has been supported by data. Survey revealed that none of the libraries except UCE library had provision for budget. The UCE had an annual budget of Rs to purchase reading material for library, which was not sufficient to meet the NCTE (2007) norms for annual addition of books 317

9 and subscription of journals. Libraries of Govt. Colleges of Education (GCE) and GACE depended upon UGC grants. Four librarians expressed paucity of funds to purchase reading material. A librarian went on to say that they did not have funds even to purchase catalogue cabinet and cards. Library of DM College of Education, Moga had a computer but, it was kept aside without putting to use due to lack of funds to purchase software, as reported by librarian of that college. Hence inadequacy of finances is a major reason for inadequate library services. Therefore, hypothesis has been proved. The other major findings of the study based on responses received from library staff, students and teachers are presented here. These findings have been compared with the norms and standards prescribed by NCTE (2007 & 2009). A. ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARIES Library Personnel The NCTE (2007) required each college to have a full time librarian. It has been found that out of a total 19 colleges, 18 had sanctioned posts of librarians while, UCE had a post of an assistant librarian as library incharge which was lying vacant since the establishment of college in Out of 18 colleges having sanctioned posts of librarians, 05 did not have regular librarians. Two colleges appointed Library and Information 318

10 Science (LIS) professionals on adhoc basis, while remaining 03 were being managed by restorers. This shows that libraries of 06 colleges, including UCE, a govt. college of education and 04 GACE did not meet the NCTE (2007) norms regarding full time librarians. Seven (46.67%), out of 15 librarians serving libraries had master s degree in LIS and one possessed Ph.D. degree. Other seven librarians had bachelor s degree in LIS, but all of them were appointed more than 20 years ago. Out of the 07 librarians having master s degrees in LIS, 03 had qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) for Lectureship while a librarian qualified State Eligibility Test (SET) for Lectureship. NCTE (2009) has revised the norms regarding qualification of librarians. These are now only bachelors degree in LIS with a minimum of 55% marks, whereas previously they were as prescribed by State Government/UT Administration concerned. The qualifications laid down by State Govt. were as prescribed by University Grants Commission. But the present NCTE (2009) qualifications are only B.Lib.Sc. Hence, this leads to the deprivation of librarians with ultimate loss to libraries because of lack of professional expertise. The NCTE is quiet about provision of semi-professional and non-professional staff in libraries. Libraries of all 03 GCE had sanctioned posts of library restorers and attendants, but many 319

11 GACE did not. It has been found that one third of the restorers and two third of the library attendants serving libraries did not have any degree, diploma or certificate in LIS. To conclude, no uniformity was found in the staffing pattern of libraries. Lack of adequate staff influenced the organization and administration of libraries. Moreover, the NCTE (2007 & 2009) has not provided detailed norms regarding library staff. Library Committees Barring one, all libraries had library committees, generally having principal as chairperson and librarian as secretary. In 02 libraries, librarians were heading committees as chairpersons. In majority of the colleges, library committees were advisory in nature, as reported by librarians. These were serving as executive bodies in one third of the colleges where posts of librarians were vacant. Discussion with library staff revealed that functioning of the library committees was restricted to acquisition and writing off missing books rather than the overall development of libraries. In a govt. aided college, library committee was even named as book purchase committee. A librarian went on to say that the committee was constituted merely for the sake of formality. Student s involvement in library committees was not given significance, as only one college had students representatives as members of the committee. 320

12 Collection Development By and large libraries did not have any collection development policy. Document selection was performed by teachers, principals, library committees and librarians individually or collectively. Teachers and principals occupied the leading role in document selection, whereas librarians had a little say in selection of subject related reading material. Teachers suggestions, publisher s catalogue and students suggestion were the main sources of document selection, whereas book reviews and other bibliographical tools were given little importance. It has been found that teachers and principals dominated in the selection of subject books as well as reference and general collection. Document Collection Collection size of libraries varied considerably. Libraries of GCE had more volumes than libraries of GACE and UCE. Availability of financial support influenced the collection size of libraries. Earlier, GCE received recurring grants from both the UGC and State Govt. while, GACE received grants for libraries only from UGC. The NCTE (2007 & 2009) requires each college to have a minimum of 1000 titles and 3000 books for B.Ed. course and minimum 2000 titles for M.Ed course, in library. The UCE library had less than 5000 volumes though the college was offering both B.Ed. and M.Ed. courses. 321

13 Non-book material was almost absent in libraries. A few libraries had CD s that came free with books, though the NCTE (2007 & 2009) prescribed for libraries to have electronic publications in collection. None of the libraries was subscribing to online journals. Many libraries did not meet the NCTE (2007) norms regarding annual addition of books and minimum number of journals on subscription. NCTE (2009) prescribed for colleges offering M.Ed. course to have subscription to minimum five professional research journals of which at least one shall be an international publication. The NCTE has provided only quantitative measures about collection, no norms and standards have been laid down to ensure the quality of collection. Library Building Only one library had an independent building used exclusively for library purpose, while all others constituted parts of college premises. Library of GHG Khalsa College, Gurusar Sadhar was sharing building with canteen on its ground floor, causing disturbance to users. Majority of the libraries were striving for space to arrange collection and to provide seating arrangement for users. Only 05 libraries had separate reading rooms, while in remaining libraries chairs were arranged with in the stack area. 322

14 Eight libraries did not meet the NCTE (2007) norms for seating arrangement i. e. for at least 25% of B.Ed. students and for 10 students of M.Ed. course. In the revised norms, the NCTE (2009) provided that there shall be a library-cum-reading room with seating capacity for at least fifty percent students, for B.Ed. course. Sources of Finance Except UCE, none of the colleges had provision for library budget. The availability of funds to purchase reading material varied considerably. Library fee, library development fund and amalgamated fund constituted the regular sources of finance. In addition, the University Grants Commission (UGC) grants have a significant role to play in the development of libraries. None of the libraries received grants from the state govt. during to purchase reading material. The NCTE (2007 & 2009) remained silent about the financial provision for libraries. Technical Processing Survey revealed the lack of standardization for technical processing of collection in the libraries of colleges of education under study. In a govt. aided college established since 1942, collection had not been yet classified. Almirah numbers were written on catalogue cards instead of call numbers to retrieve documents. In 07 libraries, collection was partially classified. 323

15 Eleven libraries had partially catalogued collection, not providing access points for all documents in possession. Dewey Decimal Classification scheme has been found more user friendly as all libraries were using it to classify collection. The UCE was earlier using Colon Classification scheme, but later on it also switched over to DDC. Eleven libraries were following Anglo American Cataloguing Rules-II, whereas 08 were using Anglo American Cataloguing Rules-I. Majority of the libraries prepared only two entries for each document in collection. Stock Verification Library staff of all colleges, except UCE, reported of undertaking stock verification regularly. Eleven libraries were doing it once in two years, whereas 07 undertook the operation each year. Study revealed that two libraries did not have any policy for writing off missing books. It depended upon the discretion of library committees. Circulation No uniformity was found between circulation conditions of libraries. Eight libraries gave privilege to the teachers to borrow as many books as desired for unlimited period. In 11 libraries, B.Ed. students were entitled to borrow 1-3 books and in 12 libraries M.Ed. students were entitled to take 4-6 books at a time. Surprisingly, 02 libraries, including a govt. college library and a govt. aided college library were using demand box for lending 324

16 books to B.Ed. students. In these libraries, books were not being issued at the time when demanded but on the next day. Similarly, a college library was using slip system for lending books, keeping users away from the shelves. A govt. college library was charging overdue fine from Rs. 10 per book per day, which was discouraging students to borrow books from library as they were reluctant to pay heavy fine in case they could not return borrowed books by due date. User Services Opening hours of majority of libraries coincided with class hours. It has been found that majority of the libraries were being opened for 6-7 hours a day. Working hours of libraries was an influencing factor on the use of resources and services. In addition to circulation, reference service was the only service provided by all the libraries. Eleven librarians admitted of providing Current Awareness Service (CAS) and 08 were rendering photocopy service. A few libraries responded of participating in resource sharing programmes with libraries of other colleges run by same management. In majority of the libraries, there was absence of use of the Internet based tools and services. There seemed to be a lack of initiative on part of library staff to provide information in anticipation of demand. Six libraries had closed access and 08 had partially open access to collection. Inadequate staff and fear of theft were the hindrances in following open access. 325

17 Use of Computers and the Internet Libraries of colleges under study have been far from the concepts of digital and virtual libraries. Total 10 libraries had computers and 08 were using these to automate operations. Out of remaining 02 libraries, a library had 02 computers to provide the Internet service, while in another library computer was kept aside in a corner without any use as the library did not have library automation software. Six libraries were providing the Internet service which included online searching only. NCTE Notification (2009) has prescribed for all the applicant institutions to launch their own website with hyperlink to NCTE and corresponding Regional Office website providing details of the laboratory and library along with the other information about institution, its location, name of the course applied for with intake, availability of physical infrastructure such as land, building, office, classrooms, etc. It will bring transparency in the practices of colleges. Attempts to Promote Use of Libraries Discussion with users was the most useful method to ascertain information needs of users to promote use of libraries. Six libraries were maintaining suggestion boxes to know the opinion of users to improve library services. Two librarians reported about conducting user surveys to ascertain the information needs of respective users and took necessary action wherever applicable. 326

18 B. USER S OPINIONS (INCLUDING B.ED., M.ED. STUDENTS AND TEACHERS) The following opinions are based on the data collected from 1228 B.Ed. and M.Ed. students and 61 teachers with the help of Questionnaire-II and Questionnaire-III. It has been found that users were visiting libraries frequently. Majority of them visited 2-3 times a week. About 20.39% students of B.Ed., 47.91% of M.Ed. and 27.87% teachers were visiting libraries daily. Only one student of B.Ed. responded that she never visited her college library. Study brought forward that students were often using libraries to fulfill their academic information needs. About 64.36% B.Ed. students visited libraries to complete assignments and 57.43% to prepare for examination. Nearly 80.56% students of M.Ed. course and 80.32% teachers were using libraries for research work and to update themselves respectively. Only a few users visited libraries for browsing. About 15.89% students of B.Ed., 18.75% of M.Ed. and 26.22% teachers were also visiting libraries to read their personal books in addition to other purposes. Survey revealed the unsatisfactory picture of use of libraries at school and under-graduation level as 32.60% students of B.Ed. and 29.17% of M.Ed. had not used any other library before joining the colleges of education. 327

19 It has been found that majority of them used libraries at graduation level and very few used at school level. Teachers played a leading role to inform students about recent arrivals in libraries as 63.80% students of B.Ed. and 68.06% of M.Ed. got information about recent acquisitions from teachers. About 47.54% teachers came to know about recent arrivals from information given by libraries. Responses of the students revealed that libraries were not making sufficient efforts to keep them abreast with recent acquisitions. It has been found that textbooks were used by students more often than other types of collection. Fiction and general collection was used by a very negligible number of users. Use of journals was far from satisfactory. These were often used by teachers doing research work and by M.Ed. students for dissertation purpose. Study brought forward that more than three fourth of B.Ed. students and 84.02% of M.Ed. students used libraries throughout the academic session, while, 90.17% teachers used libraries throughout the year. A few students of B.Ed. course used libraries at the end of academic session when examinations were about to commence. Short duration of the courses, assignments, etc. were the main factors making users to use libraries throughout the academic session. 328

20 More than 50% B.Ed. students and 19.44% M.Ed. students were not aware about the existence of catalogue in libraries. Even 08.20% teachers also did not know about its availability in libraries. This depicts that either the users were not given orientation or it was not provided in an effective manner to them. Study brought to notice that more than one fifth of the students familiar with presence of catalogue in libraries were not using it to locate documents. Nearly 03.57% teachers were also not using catalogue to find books from libraries. Responses revealed that users found it easy to ask library staff to locate documents than consulting catalogue. With regard to satisfaction with documents used from libraries, majority of the users using textbooks, reference books, general books on respective subjects, magazines, and newspapers were satisfied, whereas 52% M.Ed. students using journals were partially satisfied and 12% were not satisfied. All the teachers were using English medium collection, while 29.50% were using Punjabi medium and 16.40% were using Hindi medium books also. Nearly 50.50% B.Ed. students and 79.17% M.Ed. students were using English medium books followed by the use of Punjabi medium. Non- availability of the required information in Punjabi and Hindi medium also forced students to opt for English medium. 329

21 About 90.12% B.Ed. students, 88.89% M.Ed. students and all the teachers were taking help of library staff to use libraries. Students were often taking help of library staff to locate textbooks. Majority of the users expressed satisfaction with the attitude of library staff. Orientation was not given in a deliberate way as only 42.62% teachers, 57.63% M.Ed. students and a little more than 50% B.Ed. students admitted that they were given orientation to use libraries. No uniformity was found in the responses of users about the period when they were given orientation, person who gave orientation and methods of providing it. Circulation was the only service with which all the users were familiar. About 61.69% students of B.Ed., 90.28% of M.Ed. and 91.80% teachers were aware about reference service of libraries. Nearly 54.67% students of B.Ed., 62.50% of M.Ed. and 63.93% teachers were familiar with newspaper clipping service. On the other hand very few users were aware about the referral service, inter library loan service and CAS of libraries. All the users were using circulation service. Majority of the users familiar with reference and newspaper clipping service were also using these. A few users used referral and inter library loan service. Majority of the users were satisfied with services they used from libraries. 330

22 With regard to the opening hours of libraries, 61.59% students of B.Ed., 63.89% of M.Ed. and 47.54% teachers rated these convenient to use libraries. It was rather surprising to know that while 08 libraries where B.Ed. course is being offered were using computers for house keeping operations, only 53.84% of their respondents were aware of the use of computers in libraries. Only a few users were using the computerized services of libraries to search the catalogue to find the bibliographical details of a book. It has been found that out of the users of 06 libraries providing the Internet service, only 18.96% B.Ed. students and 16% M.Ed. students and 25% teachers were familiar with its availability. Study brought forward that majority of the users were satisfied with lighting, cooling, seating arrangement, comfort of study area and control over noise level. On the other hand less than one fourth of the students were satisfied with drinking water and toilet facilities. Nearly 56.50% students of B.Ed. and 67.21% teachers were satisfied with the overall resources and services of libraries, while, 52.78% of M.Ed. students were partially satisfied. Partial satisfaction of M.Ed. students with the resources of libraries to 331

23 meet research information needs influenced their overall satisfaction with libraries. Users complained about inadequate collection, staff, medium of collections, timings of libraries, services and physical facilities. They suggested for regularly updating the collection to meet their information needs. CONCLUSION To conclude, NCTE is the top most organization regulating teacher education in the country. It formulates norms and standards for colleges of education and ensures their implementation. But, NCTE norms and standards about libraries of these colleges are not exhaustive. Financial provision for libraries and mention of library staff other than librarian has not found space in the NCTE norms and standards. The present study reveals that whatever norms and standards were provided, libraries of colleges of education under study were not meeting them completely. After the survey also, researcher had visited many of these libraries and observed that their situation had not improved much. Study brought forward that students were visiting libraries frequently to meet their information needs for academic purpose. Teachers were often visiting libraries to update themselves with the developments in their field. A few users visited libraries for recreation. It has been found that 32.60% students of B.Ed. and 29.17% of M.Ed. had not used any other library before joining B.Ed. course. This 332

24 reveals that approximately more than one fourth of the students experienced the use of libraries for the first time at B.Ed. course level. Teachers played a leading role to inform students about recent arrivals in libraries. Short duration of courses and competition in the field put pressure on students to often use textbooks and general books in respective subjects. Journals were not used to the desired extent as only 10.24% students of B.Ed., 52.09% of M.Ed. and 65.58% teachers were using these. It was satisfactory to find that majority of the students used libraries throughout the academic session and teachers used libraries throughout the year. The short duration of time spent by users in libraries per week leads to the generalization that majority of them were visiting for circulation only. Opening hours of majority of libraries coincided with class hours leaving users with a short time to use libraries. Majority of the M.Ed. students and teachers opted to use the Internet in case they did not get needed information from libraries. Medium of collection had a pivotal role as majority of the users were using English medium. The collection development useful for research needs special emphasis as a considerable number of M.Ed. students and teachers pursuing research were partially satisfied with the resources of libraries to meet their research information needs. Lack of awareness among users about library services was found. In addition to circulation, reference service was the second major service used by majority of the users. Arrangement of collection 333

25 was an important factor having impact on use of libraries. In the library of a govt. aided college, books were arranged on shelves touching the ceiling, leaving no scope for users to browse. Majority of the users were satisfied with the services they used from libraries. Libraries of colleges of education were far behind in application of ICTs. A lack of awareness among users about implementation of computers and availability of the Internet service was observed. Users satisfaction with individual resources and services is an important factor influencing users overall satisfaction with libraries. It had been found that M.Ed. students partial satisfaction with the resources of libraries to meet research information needs influenced their overall satisfaction with libraries. A need was felt to create awareness among users about importance of libraries in education and society and they should be familiarized with the resources and services of libraries. There is a strong need to implement ICTs in libraries to keep pace with the changing information environment to exploit its benefits. The NCTE notification for applicant institutions to launch their own website providing details of the laboratory and library along with the other information about institutions is a good initiative to provide visibility to the college libraries and their resources and services. It will promote resource sharing and will open avenues for digital reference service also. 334

26 Recommendations On the basis of findings of the study following recommendations have been made to improve the functioning of libraries. Library Building A library should be located in a modular and functional building sufficient to accommodate the anticipated information sources and users, with the possibilities of expansion. The NCTE (2007 & 2009) norms about libraries are not detailed. It requires colleges to have library-cum-reading room, which is not sufficient in itself. A proper separate reading room free from any disturbance is the foremost requisite for a library. In addition to infrastructural facilities, libraries should have learning environment to promote reading and learning interests among users. Library Staff In some libraries posts of librarians were lying vacant having its impact on the organization and services of libraries. In fact, in 2005 the state government imposed a ban on the appointment of staff against govt. aided posts in grant-in-aid colleges. Keeping in view the role of education in the development of society, the state govt. should lift ban on the appointment of staff. The Working Group on Libraries (WGL) of National Knowledge Commission (2007) recommended that all libraries in 335

27 the country must have Trained and adequate staff-motivated, courteous and helpful. Minimum qualification for librarian should be master s degree in Library and Information Science with National Eligibility Test for Lectureship (NET) or Ph.D. to provide parity with teaching staff. Librarians should be computer literates to utilize the ICT s. Librarian should be included in academic staff instead of technical support staff. Authorities need to adopt a visionary approach towards libraries. During the visit to a govt. college, it was found that previous principal assigned the job of a gardener to an educated library attendant and replaced him with an illiterate peon to provide library services. There is a strong need for librarians to be given due place and status in academic society. The principals should extend cooperation and support to strengthen these knowledge centres for developing future generations of teachers. It was found that the attitude of library staff was different for B.Ed. and M.Ed. students. Staff should be sympathetic towards the needs of B.Ed. students also so as to promote use of libraries. The role of librarians has drastically changed from merely caretaker of books to the interpreters of knowledge. To meet the challenges of present and future, they must be acquainted with 336

28 the emerging new technologies. The library staff should have positive attitude towards changing environment and must keep themselves updated with the latest developments in profession by reading and increasing their knowledge base, attending refreshers courses, seminars, workshops, etc. In other words the mantra should be Continuous Professional Development. Librarians have to prove their worth for colleges through information literacy skills. They should be pleased to hear queries from users and prepared to provide information in anticipation of demand also. A lot can be done within the given framework with positive mindset. The NCTE should break out its silence on the provision of semiprofessional and non-professional staff and must lay down detailed guidelines for library staff. Librarians should move from rigidity towards flexibility. Survey revealed that in many libraries B.Ed. students were not allowed to even browse books from shelves, while a few libraries had fixed days for circulation for different sections of classes. Users complained that they were given services at the convenience of library staff. Helping attitude of the librarians and user friendly environment in libraries are the pre-requisite to enhance the use of libraries. Libraries need to be promoted as learning space than merely repositories of books. 337

29 Collection Development Proper collection development policy keeping in mind the peculiar problems of libraries should be chalked out and be adopted for strengthening their holdings. To build up basic collection for libraries, the NCTE must provide a list of standard books, journals, databases and other reading material in the subject of education and its acquisition should be made obligatory to get recognition for colleges. Such a list should be updated regularly and accessible from the web site of NCTE. In addition to print format, NCTE must encourage the use of digital information sources. The university librarian or his/ her nominee should be member of the inspection teams constituted to report for recognition of colleges under the jurisdictions of concerned universities. Balanced and dynamic collection development requires a high degree of co-operation between librarians and subject specialists. Librarians should inform teachers about recent publications by circulating publisher catalogues subject bibliographies, books reviews and other authentic sources of information. The Internet is a useful tool to know about the recent publications as publishers are making available their catalogues online. Librarian should be fully trusted for developing reference and general collection. The sound collection development policy balancing between the print and 338

30 e-sources is the pre-requisite for meeting information needs of users. Financial Provision for Libraries The NCTE has not laid down norms and standards regarding financial provision for libraries. Being apex body for regulating colleges of education in the country, the NCTE should formulate certain norms about budgetary provision for libraries to ensure their regular and balanced development. Per capita method or proportionate method may be adopted for calculation of library budget for colleges of education. The WGL (2007) made recommendations on financial provision for academic library collections that At least 6-10% of the total institutional budget should be utilized for collection development on a recurring basis. Administration and Organization Libraries should have library committees to play active role in the overall development of libraries. Librarians should serve as secretaries of committees to ensure their smooth functioning. It will also build the morale of librarians. With regard to diversification in the practices in classification and cataloguing of resources, it is suggested that colleges should follow uniform standardized practices in creation and maintenance of bibliographical records of their holdings. It would 339

31 be helpful in better sharing of resources. In addition, the organization of collection should be user friendly. User Services In majority of the colleges, opening hours of libraries almost coincided with class timings, leaving students with little time to use libraries. Keeping in mind the problem of users it is suggested to open libraries from 8 a. m. to 5 p.m. Reading rooms of libraries could be opened for late night for hostlers. There is a need to provide orientation to users in an effective method to make them familiar with resources and services of libraries. The users should be given training in information literacy. Librarians should clearly define and market the significance of library services in academic environment. It has been found that circulation and reference services were more prominent among users. During interaction with librarians it came to notice that many of them were not familiar with the concepts like CAS, SDI and Referral Service. The library staff needs to think out of the box. In addition to basic services, libraries should popularize advanced library services including IT based and strive to their maximum utilization. Librarians should create awareness among users about open sources of information to exploit the benefits of ICT s. 340

32 Use of ICTs Libraries should be provided state-of-the-art infrastructure to support course material to supplement the courses of education. Study revealed the lack of proper infrastructure at libraries, especially IT based. If teachers and future teachers are deprived of getting library resources and services, this will lead to the decline in the quality of education. The NCTE must make efforts to develop consortia in the field of education like others in the subject of Engineering and Agriculture i. e. Indian National Digital Library in Engineering Sciences and Technology (INDEST) consortium and Consortium of e-resources in Agriculture (CERA). It will enable the colleges of education to access information from wide range of sources at an affordable cost. The WGL (2007) included the developing electronic network-based services as one of the expectation from all types of libraries. User Survey Regular user surveys should be conducted to ascertain the information needs of users, information use pattern, use of the resources and services of libraries and users satisfaction with these. It will facilitate librarians to identify the gaps and enable them to strengthen the resources and services where needed. In its recommendations, the WGL (2007) provided that A survey of 341

33 user needs and reading habits should be conducted at the national level as part of the National Sample Survey. School Library Services as Subject Colleges falling under the jurisdictions of the Panjab University, Chandigarh has school library services as an optional subject. It will be of great help to create awareness among future teachers about significance of libraries. Other universities should also adopt such measures and School Library Services should be introduced as a compulsory subject. Suggestions for Further Research User studies are of immense value for improving existing library services and planning new libraries services. These provide empirical evidences about how successfully libraries and information centres are meeting the information needs of their users. Such studies should be conducted in all types of libraries regularly. Following may be the other areas of further research Research is needed to develop a model for developing consortium of electronic resources in education for the optimum utilization of resources. As the colleges of education have started using computers in libraries, in near future research will need to be conducted to ascertain the impact of ICTs on use of libraries. 342

34 With the Internet being used in more and more libraries, there is need to study potential for the use of Information Literacy in these colleges. Research needs to be conducted to find the influence of use of libraries on the academic achievements of colleges. 343

35 REFERENCES Chauhan, C.P.S. (2008), Teacher Education and NCTE: Fencing Eats the Crops, University News, Vol. 46, No. 23, P. 7. Director Education Department (Punjab) (2005). Memo No. 3/ Grant-11(5). India, Ministry of Human Resource Development (1986), National Policy on Education, Department of Education, New Delhi, (As modified in 1992) 1998, PP Available from ( ). National Council for Teacher Education (2007), NCTE Norms and Standards. Available from N%20&%20S/Norms_English_2007.pdf. ( ). National Council for Teacher Education (2009), NCTE Norms and Standards. Available from NORMS/NormsE-2009.pdf ( ). National Council for Teacher Education (2009). Notification, No. F.51.-1/2009-NCTE (N&S). Available from ( ). National Council for Teacher Education (2010). Available from ( ). National Knowledge Commission (2007), Report of the Working Group on Libraries, P. 3. Available from knowledgecommission.gov.in/downloads/ documents/wg_lib.pdf ( ). National Knowledge Commission (2007), Report of the Working Group on Libraries, P. 4. Available from knowledgecommission.gov.in/downloads/ documents/wg_lib.pdf ( ). National Knowledge Commission (2007), Report of the Working Group on Libraries, P. 15. Available from knowledgecommission.gov.in/downloads/ documents/wg_lib.pdf ( ). 344