Best Practices in a Modern Library and Information Center - The Case of Central Library, IIT Bombay

Abstract

The papers defines the concept and describes the strategy for application of best practices in an organization. It discusses importance of introducing best practices in a modern library and information centre (LIC) to enable it to improve its processes and activities, optimize resource utilization, and deliver high quality, value added services to its users. It reviews the attempts made by IFLA, ALA, ACRL, Australian Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs, and NAAC in India to develop best practices / guidelines for different types of libraries and /or for specific services. The paper has suggested / listed the characteristics of the best LIC. It presents the case study of the Central Library of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to illustrate that adoption of well defined, transparent, user-focused, and technology-oriented processes and practices with a flexibility to change and improve can lead the LIC to be the best. The practices followed by the Central Library, IIT Bombay have been discussed under : (a) Resource development and management, (b) User services, (c) ICT-enabled services, (d) Users empowerment, Information literacy and library marketing, (e) Other activities. It concludes that the best practices is not a one time solution, but a continuous process. The sense of curiosity, willingness to change and learn from experience of others, and pursuit for superior performance can lead the librarians and libraries to Best Practices.