Challenges and Concerns for Library and Information Science (LIS) Education in India and South Asia

Overview & Synopsis

This paper presents some of the challenges and concerns for library and information science (LIS) education in India. In order to provide context for these challenges, the paper begins with a brief overview of higher education in India in general and then discusses the beginning of LIS education. It briefly summarizes LIS education in South Asia to provide additional context. The paper discusses concerning issues, including curriculum, accreditation, program delivery through distance education, and research in LIS. The paper goes on to highlight some of the challenges that LIS educators face in India. It concludes with suggestions about how some of these challenges might be addressed including implementation of the Recommendations of National Knowledge Commission. The need for a Model Curriculum in order for LIS to fill the gap between needs of the users and skills of library professionals is also discussed.