Assam
College Librarians’ Association
Resolutions adopted at the 13th Biennial
Conference held at Nowgong College, Nagaon (March 17-19, 2013)
Resolution
1
In order to make the college library a
real place for intellectual activities and to do its best in the case of
academic responsibilities, the various issues pertaining to college libraries
be taken up for their implementation in various academic and administrative
forums of the college including in GB Meetings so that the library is able to
play a vital role in teaching and learning process of the college. The college
librarians are to be entrusted fully in successfully performing their
professional responsibilities.
Resolution
2
The meeting resolves to urge upon the
authorities to extend all facilities extended to the faculties to the college
librarians also including granting of different leave facilities for attending
programmes for their academic development and for career advancement scheme.
Resolution
3
College librarian has the responsibility
for managing the college library enabling them for extending services properly
and sufficiently. The college Governing Body is the responsible body in developing
respective colleges both academically and administratively. The meeting
reiterates to place its long standing demand for giving membership in GB to the
College Librarian of the particular college.
Resolution
4
It is worth mentioning that UGC has
recognized college librarians at per college teachers in its pay structure,
qualification, promotion under CAS and other related areas. Unfortunately, in
Assam, in case of implementation of the different Govt. orders, the librarians
are always found to be excluded for which they are facing complicated situation
in getting their benefits such as implementation of revised Pay, senior,
selection and associate Grade pay, PhD incremental benefits and such other
issues; including selection of Principal. The meeting resolved to request
concerned bodies for inclusion of college librarians in various Govt. orders
issued time to time whenever a scheme is circulated or other benefits are
extended for the college teachers
Resolution
5
At present in most colleges of Assam;
only the librarian and a library bearer are manning the college libraries;
though few colleges are having Library Assistant and also Assistant Librarians.
It is very important to have a specific staff pattern in each college with a
minimum of 4 (four) library staff excluding the Librarian; the Asst. Librarian
should be professionally qualified and be placed in state’s specific pay
structure.
Resolution
6
The meeting expresses its satisfaction
for realising the importance of digitization and digital library for the
colleges of Assam by the Govt of Assam as the Govt has declared for
establishing a digital library in each college library. It is urged upon the
Govt to speed up the implementation of the proposal so that each college
library gets a digital library at the earliest. An Expert Committee with LIS
and IT professionals be constituted to develop the plan and guide the concerned
areas in this endeavour.
Resolution
7
The Director of Higher Education, Assam
has suggested for constitution of Library Committee of each college with
Principal and Librarian as the Chairman and Member Secretary respectively;
without mentioning any guidelines on the responsibilities of the committee. The
meeting resolved to request the concerned authorities for constituting the
Library Committee by each college a mandatory mentioning the powers and
functions of the committee.
Resolution
8
It is a matter of great satisfaction
that the Govt. of Assam has extended financial grants of Rs.5 Lacs (during
2008-09) to each college of Assam specifically for the development of college
libraries. The meeting demand for the continuance of such grants every year and
also ensure that the amount of the grants is utilized for the purpose it is
made.
Resolution
9
In service training be imparted to all
the college librarians at a regular basis enabling them to update their
professional skills. The Academic Staff College is requested to conduct such
training programmes for Librarians (Section Grade) with short duration.
Besides, non professionals college library staff training programme be imparted
regularly for their professionals development.
Resolution
10
The meeting proposed to have its
permanent office at Guwahati by purchasing a flat for housing its office. It is
resolved to entrust to the next executive committee, ACLA for evaluating the
scope and to go ahead of the proposal.
Resolution
11
It is resolved to train the library
staff of the colleges to make them able to work in an automated environment.
The INFLIBNET Center be urged upon to extend financial support to the ACLA so
that the ACLA can organize for imparting such training programme in a regular
basis at different locations of the state to be trained.
Resolution
12
An effective plan to be worked out to
cover all librarians qualified with latest UGC norms working in the colleges of
Assam under provincialized scheme become the members of the ACLA.
Resolution
13
It is resolved to elect/ select one
member of ACLA of the area to act as Zonal Coordinator representing one
district or more as per convenience for better coordination of the Association.
He/ She will be the permanent invitee of the Executive Committee of ACLA.
Resolution
14
For better coordination and facilitating
extension of better college library services, the meeting is of the opinion
that some kinds of joint workshops of the college principals and college
librarians will serve the purpose. The
UGC Academic Staff College is urged upon for holding such workshop at certain
interval.
Resolution
15
It is resolved to develop a database of
college libraries of Assam with the scope of updating regularly.
Resolution
16
Presently all the universities of the
state are in a process of restructuring the course curricula of degree level.
The meeting resolved to request the university authorities to give proper
weightage to the library oriented teaching and learning process in the
collegiate education. Some elements of LIS education may be incorporated in the
courses to be taught by the respective college librarians.
(NB: for editing/ inclusion/ exclusion:
Mr. Utpal Sarma, General Secretary, ACLA)
