7 National Library Policy

Dr P S G Kumar

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Need for a National Information Policy

The awareness of the value of information in socioeconomic development has been maturing over the last few years. The last decade has been particularly noteworthy for the enlightened approach of the Government to develop an infrastructure of information to support all nation building activities. It is now appropriate to think in terms of a national information policy. Many of the countries, both developed and developing, are now in the information policy-making stage. In fact, information policy-making has become an important activity in documentation and information management in many countries.

1.2 Lack of Policy in the Past

For the most part, information agencies have not developed or used policies. They are guided by rules of thumb or were following trial and error method. Scientific management brought in the concept of polices, planning, implementation, evaluation, etc.

1.3 Basic Policy Questions

Polices can be formulated at different levels, say, at local, regional, state, national and international. At the local level, different institutions may have different policies. Thus, the policies of different institutions may differ. However, there will be some basic policy question’s in general which even evolved separately may come out to be common.

1.4 Policy Statement

Policy statements provide the basis for orderly, smooth and thoughtful change. They further assist and enable longer range management planning. There can be policies to cover every decision or to meet every contingency.

The following basic premises are likely to be useful:

Programmes and activities must operate within one framework and be directed towards a common set of objectives.
The establishment of performance goals and the determination of priorities is contingent upon a clear understanding of general polices.
Consistency and efficiency of operations are ultimately dependent upon the existence of a sound body of policies.
Clear policy statement reinforces and protects the information service in matters where its position is questioned or challenged.

1.5 Value of Polices

Polices are of value in a number of ways. To name a few:

(i) They standardize activities.

(ii) Facilitate decision making.

(iii) Minimize confusion.

(iv) Coordinate activities of various units, and

(v) Conserve time in training personnel.

1.6 Policy Questions for Information Organizations

Information organizations must address themselves to the following basic policy questions:

1. What is the major role of the information service?

2. What are the components of the information system? And how are they related?

3. What information services are provided? And how?

4. What are the different categories of users served?

5. Which levels of services are to be provided?

6. What role is to be played by the information Unit in relation to the services available from outside agencies?

7. What are the roles, responsibilities and relationship of the users vis-a-vis the information services, administration and staff?

8. What are the lines of authority and process of decision making?

i) Issues for a Policy Statement

As mentioned earlier, policy statements are to be formulated at the international level, regional, state, national and international level. Whatever may be the level at which the policy has to be formulated, it should comprehend a set of basic issues. Some of these are illustrated below:

ii) Infrastructure Development

1. Identification of the objective and thrust areas of the institution,

2. Requirement of users.

3. Existing infrastructure and new infrastructure to be developed.

4. Manpower, material and monetary requirements.

iii) Information Services Development

5. Increased control of locally generated information.

6. Access to databases and databanks.

7. Information dissemination methods.

8. Information analysis and consolidation.

9. User studies and identification of user needs.

iv) Utilization of New Technologies

10. Improving access to new technologies.

11. Guidance for utilization of the new technologies.

12. New services with new technology.

13. Sharing of resources and services.

v) Manpower Development

14. Increasing training of manpower.

15. Initiation into new technological developments.

16. Organizing continuing education Programmes.

17. Training in user training.

18. Training of trainers.

vi) Other General Recommendations

19. Guidelines for policy formulation.

20. Study and evaluation of systems and services.

21. Reviewing of the policy and its effectiveness.

22. Preparation of policy manual.

23. Cooperation and coordination with organizations at different levels and in different fields.

2. NATIONAL INFORMATION POLICY

It has increasingly been realized that information is vital for national development as like energy and manpower. Most of the nations started evolving national policies for information generation, organization and dissemination. Inspite of restrictions trans-border data flow has become imperative and common.

By and large nations have realized that the progress of a nation depends upon the information it generates, disseminate to the users, and put it to work. Lack of information is going to adversely effect the development. Secondly the cost of information is directly related to its use or application. Generation of new information needs lot of inputs by way of research, gathering, processing and storage. Information dissemination is governed by the factor of recovery of investments in research, gathering, processing and storage costs. The cost of information makes it imperative to share the information in a planned manner and coordination of information activities within a nation.

The evolution of public policy, however, has not kept pace with the vast technological change. Setting public policy in this area poses daunting challenge, even for information professionals. There currently exist a vast number of laws, regulations, directives, statements, policies and judicial interpretations concerning information. Given this complexity, how does an information professional balance all the competing needs? How can we organize our thinking about information policy?

In almost all countries national governments are the major investors and disseminators of information. As such, each country should evolve a national policy of its own taking into consideration the developments at national and international level.

2.1 Guidelines for the National Information Policy

A national information policy should comprehend the following:

1. Identification of the information needs of different socio-professional groups.

2. Establish priorities in regard to these needs.

3. Visualize a ‘National Information System’ with various sub-systems, sectorel system, etc.

4. Services to be offered and methods to provide the services.

5. Keep a watch on the capacity of the national information infrastructure (manpower, material, money, etc.)

6. Decide the measures needed to enable the national information system to perform its role and ensure compatibility among the various information systems in the country.

7. Decide as to how the national information system should be further developed.

8. Development and improvement of primary publications and ensure generally of the availability of information and data.

9. Strengthening the collections and improve the accessibility.

10. Policy regarding access to foreign collections of documents and databases.

11. Development of translation services, databases, networks, preservation, dissemination and conservation of documents.

12. Bibliographical control of documents generated in the country.

13. Coordination between various information units and subsystems.

14. Establishment of standards for information processing and communication of information.

15. Manpower planning.

16. Financing of information systems and pricing of the services.

17. Enacting appropriate legislation for regulation of information activities.

18. Promotion of user education and services.

19. Encouragement of education and research in library and information science.

20. Cooperation with other national and international organizations and institutions.

3. NATIONAL POLICY INITIATIVE IN INDIA

3.1 Chottopadhyaya Committee (1985)

The Department of Culture, Government of India set-up a Committee on National Policy on Library and Information Systems on 7 October 1985 under the Chairmanship of Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyaya, Chairman RRRLF. During the period between December 1985 and February 1986, the Committee toured different parts of the country and discussed with cross sections of the people. Suggestions were also received from several individuals and institutions. An interim report was submitted in March and the final Report on 30 May 1986.

3.1.1 Salient Features of the Report

1. The most important task before the Government is to establish, maintain and strengthen the free public libraries in the country and enable them to work as a system.

2. The main thrust in this area should go to the rural public library. A village or a village cluster with an adequate population should have a community library which will also serve as an information centre. Resources of different agencies engaged in the work of public health, adult education, local self-government and such others may be pooled to build up this composite centre.

3. An important link should be established between the community library of the village and the village primary school. If the school does not have a library of its own, the community library should provide the children with an adequate book-corner.

4. The community library should also importantly cater for adult education and make adequate audiovisual aids available to attract the illiterate villagers.

5. The district library should serve as an apex library for each district with public libraries at city, town and village levels constituting important components in the district library system. In addition to the usual services to be rendered by it, it should also provide for learning facilities and recreation for the handicapped, wherever possible, district libraries and comparable city public libraries should provide literature in Braille. The district library and branch libraries serve within its area wherever it is necessary and feasible. Special services should be rendered to hospitals, prisons and the infirm in their homes.

6. Libraries for special groups should be built in areas of tribal concentration or of minority communities to develop their distinctive cultures. Government will provide all encouragement for such communities to develop their own libraries through voluntary effort.

7. Each public library should have a section for children and, in addition, separate libraries for children with attractive books and audio-visual supporting material should be established wherever possible.

8. The district library will take the leadership in establishing linkages between all other public libraries of the district and work towards resource-sharing within the area.

9. The key role of public libraries as chief sustaining agencies of distance education should be recognized and they should be adequately equipped with the relevant resources for this purpose.

10.All the libraries within a state should form part of a network extending from the community library of the village through intermediary levels to the district and to the State Central Library. This state network should eventually be connected with the national level network.

11. The role of the State Central Library is crucial in networking and the establishment of uniform library procedures within the State. The State Central Library or Directorate of Public Libraries has to perform as the coordinating agency for public libraries in the state.

12. To bring about the development of the public libraries in a state it is vital that each state enacts its own library legislation. The Central Government should revise the Model Public Library Bill, which it has already prepared, in the light of experience gained in recent years and urge upon the states the importance of enacting such legislation. Finances for library development should be funded by each state either from its general revenue or from local taxation.

13. The Central Government should assist the state in the development of public libraries in a larger way than it has done so far. The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation as the national agency for coordinating and assisting the development of public libraries be suitably strengthened enabling it to discharge its responsibilities effectively.

3.2 Empowered Committee

The Department of Culture, GOI appointed an Empowered Committee in November 1986 again under the Chairmanship of Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyaya to lay down the programme of action for the implementation of the recommendations made in the policy statement. The Empowered Committee submitted its Report in April 1988.

3.3 Working Group

On examination of the Empowered Committee’s decisions, the Department of Culture felt that certain decision would be difficult to implement in the form envisaged by the Empowered Committee. It was accordingly decided to constitute a Working Group to go through carefully each decision of the Empowered Committee and indicate how best to implement them. This Working Group was chaired by Ms. Komal Anand (Jt. Secretary to the Govt., of the Department of Culture). The President, ILA was a Member of the Group.

The Working Group discussed the whole matter in four sittings between July-September 1992 and submitted its suggestions in December 1992. These have since been accepted by the Government for implementation.

Salient features of the Empowered Committee Report as accepted by the Working Group are given below:

1. Declaring Director, National Library as the Head of the Central Reference Library.

2. Initiating action for creation of National Commission on Library, Documentation and Informatics within the Government set-up.

3. Establish, maintain and strengthen public libraries in the Country and enable them to work as a system.

4. Making rural library service available in each village under the “Minimum Needs Programme” by 2001

A.D. By Central and State Government agencies.

5. Every rural public library shall have a children’s section.

6. Community Centre Libraries should have AV material and equipment. Such libraries should have an important role in Adult Education Programme.

7. District Libraries should provide more facilities for the handicapped and under-privileged classes.

8. Public libraries should act as chief sustaining agencies for distance education and should be adequately equipped.

9. State Central Library should play an important role in networking, establishment of uniform library procedures and standards within the state.

10. RRRLF may establish 100 model rural libraries in collaboration with state agencies.

11. The Central Government may revise Model Public Library Bill in the light of the experience gained in the recent years.

12.The Central Government in collaboration with State Governments may establish at least one multilingual library in each state.

13. Every school and college must have a library and a qualified librarian.

14. Association of Indian Universities may take up a project evolving academic library norms on priority basis.

15. To begin with, a few select University Library Science Departments may be provided with adequate resources as part of manpower development programme.

16. The National Library, INSDOC, DST, and ICSSR may take suitable steps to create national databases.

17. There should be National Library System (NLS) consisting of the National Library, National Depository Libraries in Delhi, Bombay and Madras, National subject libraries and other libraries of national importance.

18. There is a strong need of having a national R and D Centre of Library and Information Science. National Commission on Libraries once established may consider this proposal.

19. A national ‘Grid’ of public libraries be developed linking village community centre library with national grid.

20. The Department of Culture may take suitable steps in preparing the Draft Bill on National Commission on Libraries (NCL) giving the detailed provision under powers and function of the NCL, Bodies of NCL; Finances of NCL, etc.

21. Department of Culture has been requested to constitute a “Library Unit” which will be entrusted with the implementation of Empowered Committee’s decisions.

Most of the recommendations of the Empowered Committee are of general nature. It seems no action has been initiated either in creating the envisaged “Library Unit” or in the establishment of NCL.

The Department of Culture was vested with the responsibility of preparing the Draft Bill on NCL. The Department of Culture should appoint a ‘Committee of Experts’ to draft the Bill.

The proposed NCL should have more of ex-officio members rather than ad-hoc nominations. Professional associations and senior professionals should have place in the NCL. In fact, the Department of Culture should appoint yet another committee to draft a National Library Plan giving long-term and short-term programmes, spelling out details of a ‘National Library System’ networking; norms for cooperation and coordination of services, etc.

3.4 Intellectual Property in relation to National Policy

Ownership of information, or intellectual property, is an increasingly important aspect of information policy. The government has a substantial interest in protecting free expression by guaranteeing that citizens can use ideas for their own benefit and benefit of others. At the same time, government has an interest in guaranteeing the people’s welfare by encouraging intellectual advancement that benefits society. In a capitalistic economy, this advancement is accomplished by allowing the ownership of expression. Limiting access to information by providing for ownership fulfils this public policy need.

All three components of intellectual property law combine to comprise a fairly strong system of protection. However, electronic information poses a significant challenge to the current law. Software programs fall in between copyright and patent protection. They are expressions of ideas, and yet hold great utility. Legislators have not yet been able to revise current law to adequately protect such intellectual property. The courts have had a difficult time sorting out the issues of ownership given the inadequate laws. This situation has left software producers in a difficult position. With the rapid change in technology, this type of intellectual property tends to have a short life span. Many software producers are moving towards trade secret law to ensure protection of their electronic intellectual property, which appears to afford them better protection in the short term.

4. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

4.1 Recent Scenario

In recent years, there has been a growing concern for ‘easy access’ and ‘proper organization’ of information for national development. In India, economic planning has necessitated the creation of a Development Information System (DIS), which largely functions within the periphery of Statistical Information System (SIS). The government functions within a cluster of Formal organization known as departments and ministries. They generate all manners of information as byproducts of administrative/regulatory or developmental processes. A proper mechanism for organization, storage and dissemination of such information is necessary for an ‘open’ democracy. Fifth Pay Commission report says “In the context of government functioning in the present era of economic liberalization openness means giving everyone the right to have access to information about the various decisions taken by government and the reasoning behind them.” Another significant factor in this realm is the creation of an information infrastructure in the country, which can facilitate free flow of information. This, in turn, can pave the way for better administration, Business negotiations and decision making at all levels.

4.1.1 Five Point Agenda of the Prime Minister

Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime Minister of India addressing the delegates attending ASSOCHAM Summit on “India in the knowledge millennium” in 2001 suggested a five point agenda for leveraging of existing competencies in information technology, telecom, Bio-technology, drug design, financial services enterprise wide management to make India a knowledge super power.

The Five Point Agenda Points to the following:

· Education for developing a learning society.

· Global networking.

· Vibrant Government-Industry-Academia interaction in policy-making and implementation.

· Leveraging of existing competencies in IT, Telecom, Bio-technology, Drug Design, Financial Services, and Enterprise wide Management.

· Economic and business strategic alliances built on capabilities and opportunities.

4.2 National Knowledge Commission

The Knowledge Commission is an idea that Sam Pitroda had mooted in the National Advisory Council.

The Pitroda’s draft for discussion, presented to the Prime Minister in December 2004, does not, however, seem path-finding. It rattles off India’s knowledge heritage in “temple architecture, concept of zero, yoga and Ayurveda”, while saying the “knowledge paradigm of the future will require integration of access for public benefits, concepts at universities, creations in labs, applications by industry and services by government”.

4.2.1 The Commission

Mr. Sam Pitroda is the Chairman of this commission. Pushpa Bhargava is the Vice-chairman. Members include Infosys, Nanda Nilekani, former Delhi University vice-chancellor Deepak Nayyar, former chairman of Hindustan Lever Ltd Ashok Ganguly, sociologist Andre Beteitte, economist Jayati Ghosh and political philosopher Pratap Bhanu Mehta-will be paid for their work.

Bhargava says there would be no duplication with existing committees such as the Central Advisory Board of Education Sub-Committee on Higher Education headed by scientific adviser C.N.R. Rao on creating two new national institutes of science even though many of the terms of reference are similar: promote creation of knowledge in science and technology labs and manage institutions engaged in intellectual property rights.

4.2.2 Working Group on Libraries

The Commission took it as one of its first initiatives to review library services, and to examine the present standards of public, private, institutional and specialized libraries and other information centres and resources, in order to formulate and create mechanisms and institutions that will serve the people. The Commission therefore set up a Working Group on Libraries to initiate objective review of current services and standards and to recommend the changes India needs. An honest review of how libraries now function has highlighted the need for changes in the mindsets of those who own, manage and operate libraries, starting with their perceptions of their responsibilities. The commission’s first recommendations on libraries were forwarded to the Prime Minister in December 2006.

The development of libraries and their accessibility to those in search of knowledge also implies the translation of books and information into all major languages in use in India and their appropriate conversion into user-friendly versions for the varied ages, interests, needs and knowledge levels of present and potential clients of library and information services. The Commission’s integrated approach to its mandate is already reflected in its initiation of working groups and consultative enquiry on language, translation, literacy, open education and information and knowledge networking – all of which can connect to the gateways that the opening up of libraries can yield. The Commission has already submitted recommendations on language and translation, to enrich and enhance the availability of knowledge.

Beginning its work in April 2006, the Working Group undertook an information search, review and examination of library standards, services and potential, through a range of consultations, visits and correspondence. It enlisted the attention of several experts, and set-up four special-focus committees.

The Group submitted its first proposals for action to the Commission on 28th August 2006, and the Commission has recommended key actions to the Prime Minister. Highlighted in the Commission’s 2006 Report to the Nation, these are presented in detail below:

Recommendations

In order to reach the goal of creating a knowledge society, the majority of the people of India must be helped to overcome ‘information poverty’. The knowledge deprived have to be given access to relevant and timely information and knowledge to address the roles they should play in the developmental process. It is critical that the Library and Information Services sector is given the necessary fillip to ensure that people from all walks of life and all parts of India have easy access to knowledge relevant to their needs and aspirations.

In this new situation, libraries in India need to make a paradigm shift from their present strategy of collection or acquisition of knowledge to a strategy of knowledge access. Libraries and librarians have to recognize their functions and their critical role in creating a knowledge society. The library and information sector is committed to support the creation of a knowledge society by providing equitable, high quality, cost-effective access to information and knowledge resources and services to meet the informational, educational, recreational and cultural needs of the community through a range of national, institutional and public libraries. Keeping in mind the fact that the stakeholders of all the focus areas of the NKC mandate will need well-organized and systematic library and information services to support all their activities, it was felt that the existing institutions and services are ready for significant change. The Commission has therefore made the following recommendations to ensure sustained attention to development of libraries:

Set up a National Commission on Libraries: There is need of a permanent, independent and financially autonomous statutory body to address all the library-related concerns and measures that require attention, if the information and learning needs of the citizens of India are to be met. To launch the process in a mission mode, the Central Government should set up a National Mission on Libraries immediately, for a period of three years. This Mission should subsequently be converted into a permanent National Commission. (Annexure 1 provides details on the roles recommended for the proposed National Mission on Libraries.)
Prepare a National Census of all Libraries: A national census of all libraries should be prepared by undertaking a nation-wide survey. Collection of census data on libraries would provide baseline data for planning. The Task Force that has been set up by the Department of Culture for this purpose should be given financial and administrative support to implement this activity and complete the survey on a priority basis (within one year). Survey of user needs and reading habits should be periodic at the national level as a part of the National Sample Survey.
Revamp Library and Information Science Education, Training and Research Facilities: The proposed Mission on Libraries must assess as soon as possible the manpower requirements of the country in the area of Library and Information Science management, and take necessary steps to meet the country’s requirement through Library and Information Science education and training. To keep the sector abreast of latest developments, necessary encouragement should be given to research after evaluating the research status in this field. Establishing a well equipped institute for advanced training and research in library and information science and services would provide the necessary impetus to this task.
Re-assess Staffing of Libraries: In the changed context, it is necessary to assess the manpower requirements for different types of libraries and departments of library and information science, keeping in mind job descriptions, qualifications, designations, pay scales, career advancement, and service conditions.
Set up a Central Library Fund: A specified percentage of the Central and State education budgets must be earmarked for libraries. In addition, a Central Library Fund should be instituted for upgrading existing libraries over a period of three to five years. Initial funding from the government sector may be Rs. 1,000 crores, which may be matched by the private sector through corporate philanthropy. This fund should be administered by the National Mission on Libraries.
Modernize Library management: Libraries should be so organized and the staff so trained that they become relevant to user communities (including special groups) in every respect. Also, to optimize resources, efforts should be made to synergize the strengths of different types of libraries through innovative collaboration. A proposed outline for this modernization includes a model Library Charter, a list of services to be performed by libraries, and proposals for a library network and a National Repository for Bibliographic Records.
Encourage Greater Community Participation in Library Management: It is necessary to involve different stakeholders and user groups in the managerial decision-making process of libraries. Public libraries must be run by local self-government through committees representing users of the library. These committees should ensure local community involvement and should be autonomous enough to take independent decisions to conduct cultural and educational community based programmes. Libraries should integrate with all other knowledge-based activities in a local area to develop a community-based information system. In rural areas, the responsibility for village libraries and community knowledge centres must lie with the Panchayats. These should be set up in school premises or close to them.
Promote Information Communication Technology (ICT) Applications in all Libraries: The catalogues of all libraries should be put on local, state and national websites, with necessary linkages. This will enable networking of different types of libraries and setting up of a National Repository of Bibliographic Records and centralized collaborative virtual enquiry handling system using the latest ICT. To enable equitable and universal access to knowledge resources, libraries should be encouraged to create more digital resources by digitizing relevant reading material in different languages; this can be shared at all level. Peer-reviewed research papers resulting from publicly funded research should also be made available through open access channels, subject to copyright regulations. The use of open standards and free and open-source software is recommended for this.
Facilitate Donation and Maintenance of Private Collection: There are numerous rich, private and personal collections in India which need to be identified, documented and preserved for posterity. While there is a need to create a decentralized model for identification of personal collection, it is also necessary to sensitize organizations to receive and preserve donations of personal collections through a simplified process. The proposed National Mission may set up a Committee on Private and personal Collections under the chairpersonship of an eminent scholar. (Annexure 5 provides details of terms of reference of the Committee). Since special facilities for maintaining private or personal collection are not easily available, it is suggested that ten Regional Centres with specific mandates be set up in different parts of the country for this purpose.
Encourage Public – Private Partnership in Development of Library and Information Services: Philanthropic organizations, industrial houses and other private agencies should be encouraged through fiscal incentives to support existing libraries or set up new libraries. Also, the ingenuity of civil society can be utilized for preparing necessary infrastructure to meet the special ICT needs of libraries and information services.

4.3 National Mission on Libraries

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India has set-up the National Mission on Libraries on 5 April 2012. The high level Committee with Prof. Deepak Pental as Chairman is composed of:

(i) Shri B. S. Baswan, Member

(ii) Dr. Sanjiv Misra, Member

(iii) Dr. H.K. Kaul, Member

(iv) Prof. A.R.D. Prasad, Member

(v) Prof. Subbiah Arunachalam, Member

(vi) Mrs. Sudha Murty, Member

(vii) One of the Trustees of Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Member

(viii) Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Min. of HRD, Member (Ex-Officio)

(ix) Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Member – Convener

4.3.1 The Terms of Reference

The following are the terms of reference for the proposed National Mission on Libraries:

a) Advising the Government of India on all library and information sector matters of national importance.

b) Preparing long-term plan and strategies for development of the library sector, including conceptualization and approval of projects and preparation of a “National Policy on Library and Information Systems for India”.

c) Interacting with State Governments on all library matters, especially on public library matters.

d) Setting standards, including quality standards, for library collections, services, technical work and infrastructure, and devising in-built mechanisms to ensure compliance for all types of libraries.

e) Encouraging and promoting partnership with corporate sector, philanthropic organizations, as well as bilateral and international agencies in the development of the library and information sector.

f) Reviewing and assessing current status of library and information service education and in-service training facilities, and working with agencies such as the UGC and universities to address the identified issues.

g) Coordinating with stakeholder Ministries such as the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Information Technology, Department of Panchayati Raj etc., to ensure effective implementation of the NKC recommendations and management of the post-implementation scenario.

h) Coordination with other national stakeholders of the library and information sector, such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) and so on, to ensure effective implementation of the recommendations and management of the post-implementation scenario.

i) Collaborating with counterpart agencies in other countries to explore areas for cooperation which will lead to strengthening of India’s library and information sector.

j) Securing public support through advocacy and media by providing evidence of delivery, usage, outcomes and impact.

k) Helping State Governments (that do not yet have library legislation) in formulating State Library Acts.

4.3.2 Co-opt Experts

The Mission would be free to co-opt experts to associate with it in the management of its tasks.

4.3.3 Tenure of the Mission

The tenure of the National Mission on Libraries will be three years.

4.3.4 Method of Operation

The Mission will address its Terms of Reference through Working Groups to be constituted for the purpose of formulating elaborate plans of action.

4.3.5 Management Support

Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture will be the nodal agency for the National Mission on Libraries for administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting purposes.

5. SUMMARY

Need for National Information policy was being felt for quite some time in India. Needless to emphasize that lack of information adversely effects development programmes in any field. Libraries are no exception. Setting-up of a Committee on National Information Policy on Library and information Systems on 7th October 1985 under the Chairmanship of Prof. D P Chattopadhyaya, the then Chairman of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, by the Department of Culture, Government of India has been an epoch making event in the world of Library and Information Science in India. The recommendations of this Committee have resulted in the formation of National Knowledge Commission, Working Group on Libraries, National Mission on Libraries, etc.

REFERENCES

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