CBSE students may soon get to go to their school libraries not just during the designated hour, but also to understand the workings of classification, cataloguing, library-related technologies and library automation software, among other aspects.
CBSE’s recently-introduced elective — library and information sciences — for classes XI and XII is an attempt to make library sciences relevant to today’s generation. And, in the first few days, it seems to have got city principals interested.
According to a recent CBSE circular, the elective aims to develop basic understanding, theory and practical knowledge, and skill to pursue the subject for higher education and basic skills to work as a library semi-professional.
A. Amudavalli, professor and head, library and information sciences, University of Madras, says it is a viable and necessary career option.
She says since it is an elective, it cannot be equivalent to a diploma, but it is a good move by the Board. “There is definitely more demand than there are people in this field,” she says. “Library science has changed drastically and, today, we work in a hybrid environment. Not only is there a demand for librarians, they are also well-paid,” she says, adding students of her department were placed well now.
The Board has suggested it can be offered as one of the four elective subjects or an additional elective subject from the next academic year.
K. Mohana, principal, Modern Senior Secondary School, while calling the elective ‘essential,’ says a meeting will be held with parents to gauge interest and decide accordingly.
At Maharishi Vidya Mandir too, senior principal S. Namasivayam says they will discuss it with students and take stock of the situation. “We already have qualified persons to handle the subject,” he says. But, a lot depends on students’ interest, principals say.
