Librarianship

Anupama Saini | Senior Manager - Library | British Council

What is Librarianship?

You may be curious about a Career in Librarianship. Internet is brimming with pages on How to get into Librarianship, while one should first understand What is a Career in Librarianship. The internet is a great source of information on Librarianship, but it is second best to learning about the same from a real professional.

Senior Manager - Library Anupama Saini invested 3 years & 1 month in Librarianship. According to Senior Manager - Library Anupama Saini, Librarianship is:

Librarianship involves collecting, organizing, preserving and disseminating information to those who need it. Librarians help their constituencies find and make use of information contained in a collection of various kinds, sizes and resources to support individual needs as well as an organization's strategic goals.

How Senior Manager - Library Anupama Saini got into Librarianship?

I graduated in commerce from Delhi University and got placed at EY. I realised my love for books and decided to pursue bachelors & masters in Library Sciences from Delhi University. I also did a diploma in Library Automation & Networking. Soon after that, I got selected at Delhi High Court as an Assistant Librarian and after working there for 1.5 years, I moved to British Council in 2018. I am Senior Manager - Library at British Council.

Senior Manager - Library Anupama Saini's Talk on Librarianship

The Journey of a Librarian: Anupama Saini's Passion for Books and Information Anupama Saini shares a heartfelt journey through her career as a librarian, reflecting on the deep-seated love for books that has shaped her professional life. With a background in Assurance Associates at Ernst & Young, Anupama made a courageous leap into the field of librarianship, where she now leads the British Council Library in Delhi. This article delves into Anupama's insights about librarianship, her educational journey, the skills required, the positives and challenges of the profession, and a glimpse into a typical day in her life. What Is Librarianship? Librarianship is a multifaceted profession focused on managing information resources and assisting users in navigating them. It involves various types of libraries including school libraries, higher education libraries, public libraries, and special libraries, each serving distinct communities and purposes. As a librarian, one plays a crucial role in facilitating access to information, ensuring that data is collected, classified, and retrieved efficiently. Thus, librarians not only manage physical items like books but also cater to the informational needs of diverse users, striving to be the "Google" of their communities. Education Library & Information Science A foundational aspect of librarianship is the study of Library and Information Science (LIS), which equips professionals like Anupama with the skills necessary to understand information needs, sources, and management techniques. The curriculum typically covers the methodologies for collecting, classifying, storing, and retrieving materials essential for library users. It instills crucial knowledge about user behavior, information literacy, and research methodology. Anupama emphasizes that a professional course in LIS is essential for anyone aspiring to be a successful librarian. Information & Communication Technology In today's digital age, competency in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is vital for librarians. With the propelling shift towards digital resources, librarians must be adept in various technologies such as library management software, cloud technologies, and digital formats including e-books and e-journals. As underscored by Anupama, understanding ICT allows librarians to provide information in formats preferred by users, ultimately enhancing access to resources. Management Another critical component of education for librarians is management. Librarians oversee various resources within the library, including personnel, finances, and physical materials. Anupama highlights the importance of budgeting, resource allocation, and training staff. Strong management skills are necessary to lead a library effectively, making it a space that fosters learning and growth. Law Legal knowledge is another area librarians must navigate, particularly concerning intellectual property rights and copyright laws. Anupama points out that understanding these legal frameworks is crucial because librarians interact with various media, and it's essential to ensure compliance with laws guiding the use of these resources. Awareness of national library policies and copyright regulations is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of library operations. Skills Love & Respect for Books The cornerstone of a librarian's skill set is an intrinsic love and respect for books and information resources. Anupama notes that this passion allows librarians to foster a culture of reading and learning among diverse user groups, from children to adults. A librarian's enthusiasm for books can significantly enrich the experiences of library patrons and instill a love for literature in the community. Communication Skills Effective communication is paramount in librarianship, as librarians must interact with a diverse range of users. Anupama emphasizes that understanding and catering to the varied information needs of library patrons hinges on strong communication abilities. Whether delivering information in written or oral formats, librarians play a vital role in bridging the gap between users and the resources they seek. Leadership Skills Anupama points out that leadership skills are essential for managing a library effectively. As leaders, librarians must make quick, informed decisions and guide their teams through challenges. Strong leadership creates an environment conducive to innovation and responsiveness to community needs, which is essential for any successful library. Event Management Skills Event management is another skill that librarians develop through experience. Anupama highlights the importance of hosting workshops, author talks, and community events to keep the library engaging and vibrant. These responsibilities require a good grasp of logistical planning and promotion to ensure each event's success. Continuous Learning Another skill paramount to librarianship is the commitment to continuous learning. Anupama mentions that librarians are expected to remain current with industry trends, new resources, and technological advancements. This dedication ensures that they can effectively cater to the evolving needs of library users and maintain relevance in the profession. Resourcefulness In an era of budget constraints, resourcefulness becomes a prized skill for librarians. Anupama stresses the importance of building partnerships and securing funding to enhance library services. A librarian's ability to think creatively about resource allocation can help drive innovation in their library, even with limited financial support. Ethics & Integrity Maintaining a high standard of ethics and integrity is fundamental for librarians. Anupama believes that ethical librarianship involves prioritizing service and adhering to moral guidelines, particularly when facing pressures that may compromise ethical practices. Upholding these standards fosters trust within the community and supports the integrity of library services. Willingness to serve People A key attribute for success in librarianship is a genuine willingness to serve others. Anupama highlights that librarians work with a wide demographic, and a sincere commitment to addressing their information needs is essential. This service-oriented approach helps create welcoming spaces for all patrons and fosters community engagement. Positives Job Satisfaction One of the most fulfilling aspects of being a librarian, as Anupama shares, is the job satisfaction that stems from transforming lives through access to information. The ability to create a supportive learning environment and witness the growth of individuals in the community brings unmatched fulfillment. Work-Life Balance Anupama finds that librarianship often allows for a healthy work-life balance. The profession provides opportunities for professional development alongside personal growth. This balance empowers librarians to invest time in their interests while fostering a productive career. Opportunity to Learn Librarianship presents an endless avenue for learning. With a wealth of information resources at their fingertips, librarians are constantly engaging with new ideas and innovations. As Anupama notes, this culture of learning extends to training opportunities that contribute to both personal and professional advancement. Exposure Engaging with a diverse community is another positive aspect of librarianship. Anupama discusses how librarians interact with various stakeholders, including authors, publishers, and community members. This exposure not only enhances professional networks but also contributes to personal growth and a broader understanding of societal needs. Challenges Need for Constant Up-gradation One of the notable challenges in librarianship is the imperative to continually upgrade one's skills and knowledge. Anupama highlights the pressure on librarians to stay informed about emerging trends and the latest resources. This constant demand for learning can be daunting, given the rapid pace of change in the information landscape. Social Stereotypes Anupama addresses the social stereotypes that accompany the profession. Despite the varying roles and dynamic nature of libraries, librarians often encounter preconceived notions about their duties and appearances. Overcoming such stereotypes is essential for changing perceptions about the vibrant world of libraries. Chances of Stagnation Another challenge highlighted by Anupama is the potential for professional stagnation. If librarians do not actively pursue development opportunities, they risk falling behind. Staying committed to growth and learning is crucial for making meaningful contributions to the library and the community. A Day Of Librarianship A typical day for Anupama as a senior manager of a library begins around 10 a.m. with a thorough walk-through of the library to ensure everything is in order. She emphasizes the importance of overseeing the library's infrastructure and understanding how her team interacts with library patrons. Her day often includes strategizing around user experience enhancements, financial planning, and engaging with external partners and stakeholders. This multifaceted role not only keeps her involved in the operational aspects of the library but also fosters a robust feedback mechanism with library users, reinforcing the library's commitment to service excellence. In her closing reflections, Anupama expresses her satisfaction in turning her hobby into a fulfilling career. The world of librarianship, while challenging, offers immense rewards in personal and professional growth. By nurturing a deep connection to books and people, librarians play a crucial role in enriching their communities, ensuring that access to information is within everyone's reach. Their impact is profound, and as Anupama's journey shows, it is a field that attracts those who are passionate about making a difference.

Install the LifePage App to:

(for Free) Watch Senior Manager - Library Anupama Saini’s full Librarianship Career Talk

₹ Do a Self Assessment on Librarianship to calculate your Dream Index, which is defined as:

According to Anupama Saini your chances of success in Librarianship is __%

Access your personalized Dream Index Report which will have all your Dream Indices sorted in descending order.

How to get into

Librarianship?

If you are want to get into Librarianship, start by investing in a Career Plan.

The 14 hour process, guided by a LifePage Career Advisor, will help you introspect and check whether your interest in Librarianship is merely an infatuation or is it truly something you wish to do for the rest of your life.

Next, your Career Advisor will help you document how you can get into Librarianship, what education and skills you need to succeed in Librarianship, and what positives and challenges you will face in Librarianship.

Finally, you will get a Career Plan stating which Courses, Certifications, Trainings and other Items you need to do in the next 7 years to become world’s best in Librarianship.

LifePage Career Plan

14 hour personalized guidance program

Your LifePage Career Advisor facilitates your guided introspection so that you systematically explore various Career options to arrive at a well thought out Career choice.

Next: your Advisor helps you figure out how you will get into your chosen Career and how will you develop the skills needed for success in your Chosen Career.

LifePage Plan will not stop at saying "to become an Architect study Architecture". It will guide you on which Certifications, Trainings and Other items you need to do along with your Architecture education to become the world's best Architect.

Links for this Talk

Senior Manager - Library Anupama Saini's LifePage:

[LifePage]
https://www.lifepage.in/page/anupamasaini

LifePage Career Talk on Librarianship

[Career]
https://www.lifepage.in/careers/librarianship

[Full Talk]
https://lifepage.app.link/20190119-0001

[Trailer]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYTPgabbJiY

(Librarianship, Anupama Saini, British Council, Senior Manager, Librarian, Library, Management, Books)

Similar Talks

Library Management

Anita Pandey
Library Assistant | English & Foreign Languages University

[ 13 years & 5 months Experience ]

Library management is a sub-discipline of institutional management that focuses on specific issues faced by libraries and library management professionals. Library management encompasses normal managerial tasks, as well as intellectual freedom and fundraising responsibilities.

"I did my BA and BLiSc from Lucknow University, Uttar Pradesh and after that I did my MLiSc from IGNOU, thereafter I did PGD in Library Automation & Networking from Hyderabad Central University. I am working as a Record incharge at State Government Corporation, Dehradun."

Medical Coding

Anupam Singh
Assistant Manager | nThrive Global Solutions

[ 4 years & 3 months Experience ]

Medical coding is the transformation of healthcare diagnosis, procedures,medical services, and equipment into universal medical alphanumeric codes. The diagnoses and procedure codes are taken from medical record documentation, such as transcription of physician's notes, laboratory and radiologic results, etc.

"After doing my schooling from Delhi Public School Aligarh, I did my B tech from Hindustan College of Science & technology, Mathura. Thereafter, I started working for nThrive Global Solutions as a Medical Coder and gradually was promoted as an Assistant Manager."

Healthcare Management

Divyam Singh
Co-Founder & Co-Director | Mynah

[ 7 years & 11 months Experience ]

Health management is the field relating to leadership, administration and management of public health systems, health care systems, hospitals, and hospital networks.

"After completing my Masters in Public Health from the University of South Florida, I started working at number of different hospitals and clinics as a Healthcare Analyst where I was looking after the management and administration and providing support to doctors and patients."

Science & Innovation

Dr Brij Mohan Sharma
Chief Functionary | SPECS

[ 24 years & 9 months Experience ]

Innovation is the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs.

"I have done B Sc & M Sc from DAV PG College, Dehradun. I have also done M Phil in Environmental Chemistry and MBA in Marketing from Dr VSM Institute of Management, Dehradun. I have worked with Archaeological Survey of India and in the field of pollution. I am a Science Innovator and Science Communicator. I work as Chief Functionary in Society of Pollution and Environmental Conservation Scientists (SPECS)."

Rain Water Management

Mukesh Chandra Sati
Master Trainer | Himalayan Flora Swayatt Sehkarita

[ 8 years & 9 months Experience ]

Rain water management is the technique of preserving the rain water and a method of getting the water back into the ground instead of it flowing away. Using techniques such as digging trenches also known as thankia, making recharge pits between the trenches which are filled up with small stones and creating large ponds right on top of the hill are effective methods. This is usually done above the villages in the forest areas. Once the ponds are full, the water would flow into the trenches and then into the recharge pits therefore stopping the water from flowing away, preventing soil erosion and other such problems. As a result the important trees such as rhododendrons etc started growing better and the natural resource of the village which had dried up is now full again for the village people to use.

"I attained my B Com and M Com followed by a Diploma in Export Management and Yogic Science. Then I started working on Rain Water Management with Himalayan Flora Swayatt Sehkarita and I am also simultaneously pursuing an MA in Sociology."

Healthcare Consulting

Mahima B Grover
Manager | Accenture

[ 3 years & 11 months Experience ]

Healthcare consultants are management analysts employed by the health care industry. They examine the efficiency, profits and structure of the organization and then offer suggestions on methods of improvement. This career requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree, though a master's degree is generally preferred.

"After completing my graduation from Delhi University, I did my MBA from Amity University. I started working with HCL Technology in 2006. I am working as Manager Healthcare Consulting with Accenture since 2013."

Technical Planning

Avinder Pal Singh
Senior Section Engineer | Northern Indian Railways

[ 11 years & 1 month Experience ]

Technical Planning is the purpose of the design and development plan to provide The Government with a description of the product's design(For the advancement in railway technology), chart its development within the context of production and create a development budget that will enable to reach its objectives.

"After doing my schooling from Govt Boys Senior Secondary School, Yamuna Vihar, Delhi, I did my BE in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering. I'm working with Northern Indian Railway as a Senior Section Engineer since 2008."

Sales & Marketing in Pharmaceuticals

Anshul Arora
Director | Nutricare Life Sciences Ltd

[ 12 years Experience ]

Sales includes operations and activities involved in promoting and selling goods or services and Marketing is the process or technique of promoting, selling, and distributing a product or service.Training and development is concerned with organizational activity aimed at bettering the job performance of individuals and groups in organizational settings.

"After completing B Com from Delhi University and MBA from North American University, London, I joined my family business Nutricare Life Sciences Ltd, which deals in the production, sales and marketing of organic medicines for animals. I am the director in the company where I mainly manage the sales and marketing of the company."

Sales & Marketing in Pharmaceuticals

Rajneesh Negi
Marketing Manager | Arosol Pharmaceuticals

[ 12 years & 8 months Experience ]

"Selling" or making sales consists of interpersonal interaction-the one-on-one meetings, telephone calls and networking-that you engage in with prospects and customers. The term "marketing" encompasses programs businesses use to reach and persuade prospects, including advertising, public relations, direct mail and more.

"After completing B Pharma from SBSPGIMS, Dehradun and MBA from IMS, Ghaziabad, I started working in sales and marketing field for various companies. In 2016, I started working for Arosol Pharmaceuticals as a marketing manager and since then I am working there."

Library & Information Science

Dr Shantanu Ganguly
Fellow | TERI

[ 29 years Experience ]

Library Science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the political economy of information.

"I have done B Sc, M Sc, MBA in Marketing Management, B LISc, M LISc, PG Diploma in Computer Applications and a Ph D in Marketing of Special Library Services. I am working in TERI since 1990 as a Fellow in it's library."

IOT Presales

Anchal Bhandari
Presales Specialist | PTC

[ 3 years & 5 months Experience ]

IOT Presales specialist designs, presents, demonstrates the enterprise architecture for their assigned IOT domain(s), and provide technical consulting to medium to large corporate and government organizations. It also requires to understand customer requirements and provide consultation/ design on the architecture and solution.

"After completing my graduation, I started working as a Java developer. Then I switched to the front end angular development and also worked as an angular developer. Currently, I am working as an IOT Presales specialist with PTC and looking after presales of their products."