DrLibSc's Short Notes on "STEERING COMMITTEES AND NATIONAL POLICIES"

STEERING COMMITTEES AND NATIONAL POLICIES

National Policy on Library and Information System (NAPLIS)

Appointed in October 1985 by the Department of Culture (MHRD, Government of India), a high-level committee chaired by Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyaya drafted a national strategy blueprint, formally submitting it on May 31, 1986. Its main aims include:

·         Foster, promote, and sustain information system organization and use across all sectors of national activity.

·         Mobilize, integrate, and upgrade existing library networks, infrastructures, and specialized services.

·         Encourage and initiate advanced development and training programs for library and information science personnel.

·         Establish reliable monitoring mechanisms to ensure rapid, uniform development of facility structures.

·         Encourage individual initiatives for knowledge discovery and dissemination under complete intellectual freedom.

·         Secure for the citizens all public benefits accruing from information application and preserve national cultural heritage.

Library development in India also relies on five other national frameworks: Education Policy, Book Policy (1986), Scientific Policy Resolution (1958), Technology Policy Statement (1983), and Information (Communication) Policy.

Key Committee Scope and Impact

• Library Advisory Committee Report: Formulated recommendations regarding public library system structures, library cooperation, compilation of union catalogues, personnel status/duties, formal training, auxiliary services (book bureaux, library associations, Mitra Mandals), and library finance.

• Secondary Education Commission (Dr. A.L. Mudaliar): Recommended establishing robust school libraries with effective services, cultivating general reading habits in children, and allowing school libraries in smaller regions to dual-function as public libraries.

• University Education Commission (Dr. S. Radhakrishnan): Placed the library at the central node of the academic system, advocating self-study to supplement class instruction, and viewing higher learning as mastering research tools and techniques.

• Education Commission (Dr. D.S. Kothari): Emphasized independent research skills using documents, and provided eleven structural suggestions for improving university and college libraries.

• UGC Library Committee Report: Formulated the primary guidelines for executing university grant-in-aid schemes, mapping out finance models, personnel status/salaries, library staff strength, and academic blueprints.

Academic References & Attributions:
• Source Materials derived from The Complete Reference to Odisha Librarian Recruitment Exams
• Maintained and curated for Library & Information Science Scholars, Professionals, and Academic Researchers.