City librarian finds place on Wall of Fame at The Hague

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 27

Amritsar-based Dr Prabhjot Kaur has become the first librarian from the state whose name has been engraved on the Wall of Fame (individual category) by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) located at The Hague, Netherlands.

“It is a dream come true to share the Wall of Fame with renowned world librarians. Till today, only 10 Indian librarians could earn this distinction. I am the only one representing Punjab on the global platform,” she said.

The IFLA invites inspirational ideas, efforts and vision from enthusiastic librarians from across the world for enhancing knowledge of the community and the country. The selected ideas further help create a strong and united library field, powering literate globally, and the creator of the idea earns the distinction.

Dr Prabhjot was recently appointed the chief librarian at Musafir Memorial Central State Library, Patiala, in addition to holding the charge of the Amritsar library.

Having more than two-and-a-half decade of experience in academic and public libraries, Dr Prabhjot had submitted an innovative proposal that how despite administrative and financial constraints, public libraries in Punjab could be utilised to be transformed into a centralised ‘e-information’ spots, which could cater to the public on multiple modes.

“Since digital India is the new slogan, I had submitted a plan that explained how public libraries, besides books and periodicals, could offer e-information services so that a person who drops in could have access to the services of various government departments digitally, such as furnishing civic formalities and paying bills and taxes. Here, the National Informatics Centre (NIC) could provide a web network that connects all government offices with public libraries. This idea was recognised by the IFLA panel,” she said.

About public libraries in Punjab, she said although a draft of the Shabad Parkash Punjab Public Library and Information Services Bill-2011, detailing public library development plan and budget estimates, was prepared, nothing had come out of it till date.

“Unlike Punjab, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Chennai have the library legislature Act. That’s why they know the track to follow the requisite planning and funding. In Punjab, there must be libraries in 14 districts, but due to the lack of planning and vision, these could never prosper,” she said.

Coveted honour

• IFLA invites inspirational ideas, efforts and vision from enthusiastic librarians from across the world for enhancing knowledge of the community and the country
• The selected ideas help create a strong and united library field, powering literate globally, and the creator of the idea earns the distinction
• Having more than two-and-a-half decade of experience, Dr Prabhjot submitted an innovative proposal that how despite administrative and financial constraints, public libraries in Punjab can be utilised to be transformed into a centralised ‘e-information’ spots, catering to the public on multiple modes