LIS Education in India: Is it Fostering Leadership?

Abstract

LIS professionals today are not only required to be good information managers but also good team leaders, decision makers, motivators, collaborators and promoters of LIS. This study is an attempt to find out whether the LIS programs offered by central universities of India have curriculum to develop these leadership competencies in students. The study shows that the library management is an integral part of the curriculum. Information literacy has also been introduced in the syllabus. Field training is addressed through internship and education tours to some extent. But communication skills, personality development and skills for social interaction and responsiveness need to be addressed. LIS educators have opined that incorporating communication skills, personality development, field training, information literacy, interdisciplinary course, induction program, mentor-mentee programs and student society can enhance leadership in students. It is also suggested that international standard should be followed in the development of curriculum. Involvement of librarians will help develop curriculum in accordance to demand and bring field experience to classroom. Also, student exchange program, international internships and collaborative research needs to be promoted.