Library Science in Indian Universities

Abstract

The 1965 report on Library Science in Indian Universities, issued by the University Grants Commission under the chairmanship of S. R. Ranganathan, presents a comprehensive evaluation of the status, structure, and challenges of library science education across Indian universities. Tracing the historical evolution of library training from early initiatives such as the Baroda Library School (1911) to the establishment of diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes, the report highlights significant inconsistencies in curriculum design, admission standards, teaching quality, and institutional recognition. Based on responses from multiple universities, it reveals disparities in staffing patterns, inadequate pedagogical training among faculty, limited departmental autonomy, uneven infrastructure and library resources, and insufficient integration of theory with practical work. The committee identifies deficiencies in student preparedness, overreliance on part-time instructors drawn from university libraries, lack of standardized curricula, and minimal research engagement, all of which undermine the professionalization of librarianship. To address these concerns, the report recommends raising minimum admission qualifications, instituting pre-course apprenticeships, standardizing syllabi, strengthening research support through fellowships, improving physical and academic infrastructure, and enabling departments to focus on advanced professional education rather than certificate-level instruction. It further emphasizes enhancing faculty status, expanding scholarships, and developing job placement mechanisms to better align training with employment opportunities. Overall, the report underscores the pivotal role of a well-trained and academically grounded library workforce in strengthening India’s educational system and calls for systematic reforms to elevate library science to parity with other recognized academic disciplines.