Library Building, Furniture s and Manpower Resources in academic Libraries of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah Vs. Five Laws of Library Science

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1 Library Building, Furniture s and Manpower Resources in academic Libraries of and Ras Al Khaimah Vs. Five Laws of Library Science Dr. M P Sampath Kumar Deputy Chief Librarian, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE sampth@rakmhsu.ac.ae Dr. Suresh Jange University Deputy Librarian Virtual Learning Resource Centre & Digital Library Gulbarga University Gulbarga, Karnataka - India Abstract Although there has been a tremendous change in the library activities and services over a period of time due to impact of information technology, but Dr S.R. Ranganathan s Five Laws of Library Science have still relevance in the modern era. This study conducted an online survey covering 3 libraries in () and Ras Al Khaimah (8) to examine the implications, impact and relevance of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan s Five Laws of Library Science in relation to the Academic Libraries of and Ras Al Khaimah. This study evaluated the various indicators of five laws of library sciences with respect to Location of Library, Working hours of library & during Friday and general holidays, Interior design of the reading room, Library staff s qualification, strength and scope for Professional Development and also Awareness of Library Staff towards Collections and Technical Procedures of Library in the academic libraries of and Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). Keywords: Library Building, Accessibility, Interior Design, Library Staff, Five Laws of Library Science, Introduction The five laws have many implications on libraries, collection development, organization, library services, library staff, automation, consortia, web-based services, digitization, stock verification, user education and sensitization 63 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

2 programs, users and every concept concerned with libraries. Thus five laws help in evaluating the performance of library and information services and great potentiality to bring reforms in the running of libraries. Under these circumstances, efforts will be made to study how far these five laws of library science are met by the academic libraries in and Ras Al Khaimah. This study becomes more relevant in the present virtual environment to understand the performance of libraries. This has been substantiated by McMenemy (7) discussing the relevance of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan s teachings for librarians in the st century and said that `we owe as much of a debt to Ranganathan today as we did when he first published his five laws in the 9s and his laws remain relevant in numerous areas of modern library and information practice, and will continue to be reinterpreted by the profession for a long time to come. Hence the study would be a guideline for the administrators, policy makers and librarians to understand the pros and cons of the existing library system to improve further for better visibility of librarianship to serve the users with rich information at the right time and at the right place. Objectives of the Study The objectives of the study are to determine the relevance of five laws of library science enunciated by Dr S.R. Ranganathan, father of library science in India with respect to provisions made for library building and furniture s and library staff of the academic libraries in and Ras Al Khaimah of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Research Methods Online survey has been adopted using web tools to collect and analyze the data and infer from the results pertaining the data gathered through questionnaire from 3 academic libraries of 8 institutions from Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and institutions from () and they are Table.3.: Institutions of Higher Learning in () 6 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

3 No. Name of the Institution Manipal University, 6 Year of URL Establishment SP Jain College, 3 BITS Pilani, Middlesex University, HCT Men s College, 6 Heriot Watt University, 7 Murdoch University, 8 University of Wollongong, 9 Canadian University of, Institute of Management Technology, Al Ghurair University, Hamdan etqm University, 3 American University of the Emirates, Emirates Academy, Emirates Aviation College, 6 Biotechnology University College, 7 Medical College, 8 Strathclyde ( Women's College), 9 British University in, 99 e.com International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

4 University of, American College of American University (RAK) Table.3.: Institutions of Higher Learning inras Al Khaimah No. Name of the Institution Year of Establishment RoyalCollege of Applied Science and Technology, RAK URL WesternInternationalCollege (University of Bolton & UAECampus LondonUniversity), RAK 3 AmericanUniversity of RAK, RAK HCTRAKMensCollege, RAK Institute of Applied Technology, RAK 6 HCTRAKWomensCollege, RAK RAK Medical and HealthSciencesUniversity, RAK IttihadUniversity, RAK Results and Discussion Data collected from the higher educational institutions in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) and on different aspects of the libraries has been analyzed and observations are discussed and interpreted in the light of stated objectives. Library Building and Furniture s 66 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

5 Location of Library has a strong bearing on users visit and use of library resources and has a direct impact on First Law of Library Science. Table : Location of Library S. No. Description RAK Total Beyond the zone of accessibility Center of teaching institution 7 (3.33) 3 Too distant Minutes walks from department Total 8 Pearson Chi-Square Value.33 Degrees of freedom 3 Asymp. Sig. (-sided).8 (66.67) (73.33) 7 (9.) 3 (.) 3 () 9 percent of libraries are located at center of teaching institution and percent of librarians indicated minutes walk from the department to the location of library. Hence the first law of library science which enunciates that libraries should be located in a central and easy accessible locations has been satisfied by the all the libraries irrespective of emirates i.e. Ras Al Khaimah and. Pearson Chi-Square test has been calculated to validate the null hypotheses of the study and to ensure whether the libraries of Ras Al Khaimah and that of libraries in have any 67 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

6 bearing on each other with respect to various dimensions of the requirement of five laws of library science. The calculated chi value is less than the table value. This means the null hypothesis is accepted indicating the fact that location of library has no bearing on emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and. Table : Working hours of library S. No. Working hours of library RAK Total 7-3am to.3pm 8.am to.pm 3 9.am to 9.pm.am to 8.pm Total 8 Pearson Chi-Square Value.77 Degrees of freedom 3 Asymp. Sig. (-sided).8 9 (3.) 7 (3.33) (73.33) 3 (3.3) 9 (3.) 3 () It is observed that 3.3 percent of the libraries in Ras Al Khaimah and work for hours (7-3 am to.3 pm) and hours (. am to 8. pm) respectively. Nearly half of the libraries working hours are hours i.e. from 8. am to. pm and 3 percent work between 9 am to 9 pm ( hours) every day. Thus majority of the libraries working hours in Ras Al Khaimah and is about hours and more (86.67%) and first law is met by percent of the libraries. 68 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

7 It is found that chi value is much less than the table value, to support acceptance of null hypothesis. Hence, it can be analyzed that theemirates of Ras Al Khaimah and have no bearing on working hours of the library. First law of library science advocates that the libraries should also work on Friday and general holidays. But as found in Table 3, only one third of libraries are kept opened during Friday and general holidays and the rest remain closed on Friday and general holidays (66.67%). Table 3: Opening of Library during Friday and general holidays S. No. Description RAK Total Total Open on Friday and general holidays Closed on Friday and general holidays (3.33) (.) (73.33) (33.33) (66.67) 3 () Among them, 37.% (3 out of 8) of libraries in Ras Al Khaimah and 3.8% (7 out of ) in remains open on Friday and general holidays. Thus, only one third of libraries satisfy the first of law science in libraries of Ras Al Khaimah and.. Table : Interior design of the reading room S. No. Description RAK Total Beautiful 7 painting (3.33) Hanging on walls Pictures 7 9 (36.67) 69 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

8 Notice-board (3.33) (3.) 6 (3.33) (7.) First and second laws of library science demands that beautiful paintings have to be drawn, pictures and photographs have to be hung and walls should be nicely colored. It is found that seventy percent of libraries have notice boards, hanging walls (36.7%) and pictures (3%). It should be observed that all the libraries in Ras Al Khaimah and are air conditioned and as such the interior design by itself will be taken care by the existence of conditioning of libraries, which is not much found in the libraries of India. Thus the first and second laws are satisfied as a default. Table : Internal Equipment s in the Library S. No. Description RAK Total Book shelves 8 3 (73.33) () Book display cases 6 6 (.) (3.33) (73.33) 3 Circulation counter 8 3 (73.33) () Pamphlet boxes 3 3 (.) (33.33) (3.33) Cupboards for posters 3 8 (.) (36.67) 6 Exhibits 9 3 (3.) (3.33) 7 Pictures, Films etc 8 9 (3.) The first law of library science demands better internal furniture s for proper use of library resources and this is mainly met byboth the academic libraries of Ras Al Khaimah and. Book shelves and circulation counter is available in all the libraries and 73.3 percent have book display cases. Less than half of the 7 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

9 libraries have pamplet boxes (3.3%) and exhibits (3.3%) and Cupboards for posters (36.7%) (Table )... Library staff Higher education policies in the institutions of higher learning in Ras Al Khaimah and have their own policy to ensure effective functioning of an institution along with their affiliation and accreditation cell Table 6: Heading the Library S. No. Description RAK Total Full time professional 8 3 librarian (73.33) () Part-time librarian 3 Teacher-in-charge Clerk-in-charge Table 6 shows that all the libraries under study have full time professional librarian. Thus, first, fourth and fifth law of library science which demands for full time librarian has been met by the libraries in Ras Al Khaimah and. Table 7: Qualification of Librarian/ Head of the Library S. No. Description RAK Total CLISc., DLISc., 3 MLISc., M. Phil., Ph.D., 6 (.) 3 8 (6.) 3 7 (3.33) (8.) 7 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

10 First, fourth and fifth laws of library science calls for appointing Library and Information Science professionals possessing required qualification with necessary skills. As per the results of Table.9, it is found that majority of Librarian/ Head of the Librarian s qualification is Master Degree in Library and information science (8%).However, only one fourth of librarians in Ras Al Khaimah possess M.Phil and 3.6 percent of librarians in and only one and four librarians have acquired PhD in Ras Al Khaimah and respectively. Most of the Universities in Ras Al Khaimah and are following western countries pattern, where Maters Degree (Post Graduation) is the qualification in library and information science is preferred for the post of librarian and only in Indian Management based universities in Ras Al Khaimah and, desired for Ph.D holder. Hence the percentage of library professionals possessing PhD in the subject is found to be very less. Table 8: Strength of Library staff S. No. Description RAK Total 7 One Professional (3.33) (.) Two Professionals 3 Three Professionals Four Professionals Five Professionals 6 More Than Six Professionals Total 8 (66.67) Strength of Semi-Professionals Staff One Semi-Professional 3 7 (3.33) 8 (93.33) 7 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

11 Two Semi- Professionals Total (.) (3.33) 7 7 (3.33) (33.33) 8 (73.33) 3 () The first law, fourth and fifth law calls for adequate staff to manage library. Majority of libraries do not comply with the implications as far as strength of professional, semi-professional and supporting staff are concerned. Only one professional staff strength is available in thirty percent of the libraries and two numbers in 3.3 percent of libraries. In 6.7 percent of libraries, twosemiprofessional staff are available in the libraries of Ras Al Khaimah and. Table 9: Strength of Supporting Staff S. No. Description RAK Total One Supporting Staff 6 (.) Two Supporting Staff 7 (3.33) (.) (73.33) 3 Three Supporting Staff Four Supporting Staff Total 8 (73.33) 3 () It is observed from Table 9 that in addition to the results of Tables 8, majority of the libraries in Ras Al Khaimah and have only two supporting staff (73.3%, n=) and one supporting staff in six libraries (%). As the first law, fourth and fifth law calls for adequate staff to manage library and the results found that majority of the libraries do not comply with the implications as far as strength of professional, semi-professional and supporting 73 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

12 staff are concerned. The First law and fourth law of library science calls for providing in-service training and continuous education to the library staff and table presents status of Professional Development of Library staff in Ras Al Khaimah and Table : Professional Development of Library staff S. Description RAK Total No. 6 Continuing education (.) (3.33) Providing technical training 6 (36.67) (3.33) Providing reference 6 3 services (36.67) (3.33) Up-to-date knowledge (3.33) (3.33) Attending conference, 6 9 seminar, workshop (.) (63.33) (83.33) 6 Annual increment 7 Regular promotion (.) (6.67) 6 (.) Results found that more than half of the library staffs have been facilitated for continuation education and technical training (3.33%). Attending conference, seminar and workshop is provisioned in three fourth of librarians in Ras Al Khaimah and percent in. However, regular promotional facility for librarians in Ras Al Khaimah is very less (.%) and so also in libraries (.7%). Thus, the results of the study do not comply in toto with the implications of the first and fourth law of library science. 7 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

13 Table : Awareness of Library Staff towards Collections and Technical Procedures of Library S. No. Library Staff Aware of RAK Total Published bibliography Reference books 3 Whole collection Technical procedure College curriculum 6 Rare books 7 Current issues of periodicals (6.) 7 (87.) 7 (87.) (.) 6 (7.) (.) 6 (7.) (63.6) (9.9) 8 (8.8) 7 (77.3) 6 (7.7) 9 (.9) (63.6) 9 (63.33) 7 (9.) (83.33) (7.) (73.33) (33.33) (66.67) The extent of awareness of library staff towards technical collections and procedures of libraries is presented in Table.6. 9% of college librarians are aware of reference books, 66.67% of library staff is aware of current issue of periodicals, 73.33% of library staff is aware of college curriculum, 7% are aware of technical procedures, 83.33% of library staff is aware of whole collections and % of library staff are aware of published bibliography. However, the extent of awareness among library staff towards rare books is found at 33.33%. The first and fourth law demands for awareness of library staff towards technical collections and procedures of libraries to render better services to the users and is met in and out of college libraries especially reference collections and technical procedures. 7 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

14 Table : Pay Scale of Library Head S. No. Description RAK Total Government 9 (3.) Management 7 (7.) 3 Consolidation Total 8 3 (73.33) () The first and fifth law of library science demands for better Pay scales and the library staff working in Ras Al Khaimah and. In seventy percent of libraries, management provides pay scales to the library staff and only 3 percent of libraries are paid by government sector. In terms of Indian rupee, the pay scales drawn by librarians in Ras Al Khaimah and are quite high and thus the pay scales are quite fair and are satisfied by first and fifth law of library science irrespective of government or management sector Conclusion The results computed from the academic libraries of Ras Al Khaimah and institutions of higher learning are quite encouraging particularly on the implications of five laws of library science on the facets i.e. library building and furniture s and to some extent for, library staff. But there is always scope for improvement for betterment of librarianship.inspite of Gorman (99) new five laws of library science, but the founding pillar laid down by father of library science in India is still serves as constitution for libraries to serve the users. References 76 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6

15 Gorman, M. (99). Five new laws of librarianship, American Libraries, 6(8): McMenemy David (7). Ranganathan s relevance in the st century, Library Review, 6(): 97-. Ranganathan, S.R. (93). The Five Laws of Library Science, Madras: Library Association. Follow us on: IRJLIS, Facebook, Twitter 77 International Research: Journal of Library & Information Science Vol.6 No., Dec., 6