Preparing library and information professionals for the 21st century: Issues and challenges for library and information science educators in India

Abstract

Professional developments and initiatives both at international and national level have necessitated library and information professionals in general and library and information educators in particular to prepare themselves and meet the challenges of changing information scenario. Emergence, growth and popularity of knowledge society, digital libraries, library networks and consortia, content development in electronic environment, web based learning, knowledge commission and knowledge centers of which some of the new initiatives have been undertaken by Government of India have compelled to revamp and reorient library and information science education offered by schools of library and information studies in India. The paper discusses the present scenario of library and information science education in India, recent trends and developments in the library and information profession and more specifically the role of library and information science educators to address these issues and meet the challenges in the new millennium.