CHAPTER!

IN T R O D U C TIO N

Libraries have a very basic role to play in selection, collection,

organization and dissemination of information about various
programmes and other developmental plans and serve their
nations providing the constant flow of information to those who
need it. Libraries in fact are the indispensable institution for
educational and cultural development of all kinds. They support
the scientific and technological research and provide essential
information, necessary to satisfy the needs of the government,
R85D, commerce, industry and the society in general.

In the context of the growth and development of the nations, the

organization that is leading for the promotion and support of
modern international librarianship and in all respects a major
force is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). It was established in 1946. The UNESCO
has been striving its best to improve the educational standards
and sustain cultural heritage of various countries through
libraries. It, therefore, developed the pilot Library Projects in
selected areas to demonstrate eagerness in satisfying the hunger
for knowledge of the people of the concerned areas. It went a step
further and convened regional seminars to discuss libraiy
problems and to develop a common pattern for library development
in those regions. It also set up national documentation centers in
some countries to give specialized library services in the field of
natural sciences and also in technologies. India has got the
unique distinction and opportunity of having been selected for all
these library projects by UNESCO. Indeed India is the first country
in Asia to establish the pilot library project and the national
documentation center through the financial and technical
assistance of UNESCO.

Delhi Public Library (DPL) was established in 1951 as a public

library pilot project, to provide public library services for the people
of Delhi. It served as a model for all public library development in
India and in all other countries where similar development of
public libraries was envisaged. Today, it operates on a vast scale,
as a Metropolitan Public Library with the network of branches,
sub-branches, mobile libraries, prison and hospital services. It has
organized the collection to satisfy the needs of the multilingual
community. The DPL project has provided a service which meets a
very large pent-up demand for reading, and caters to a very deeply
felt need of the people.

Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) now

changed to NISCAIR is recognized as one of the premier national
documentation centers in the Country. This is the second project
sponsored by UNESCO. The pattern of UNESCO assistance has
been in the form of a provision of experts, fellowships and
equipments for the centre. Since its inception its growth and
development is multidimensional. It had introduced several
technical services and its library is known as National Science
Library. Its services are utilized throughout the country by the
community of scientists, researchers and subject specialists.
UNESCO being the specialized agency of United Nations is
responsible for promotion of education, science, communication
and culture as well in promoting the library and information
science, scientific documentation in its member countries
throughout the world. It contributes through implementation of
the various policy formation in development work, grants, training
programmes, seminars, pilot projects, growth and development of
library and information services. This has benefited the catalyst
action, technical assistance, field mission experts standardization,
training, promoting computer application and establishment of
regional projects. Therefore, role of UNESCO in the growth and
development of libraries, information services, and documentation
and archives services in developing countries has been quite
extensive. India, being one of the founder number of UNESCO
and belonging to the category of developing countries has been a
beneficiary from UNESCO not only in the field of education,
culture, science, communication but also in the field of library
science, librarianship and documentation activities. The details of
success achieved in the development of library and documentation
services in India vis-a-vis the role of UNESCO is the theme of this
thesis.

During the past decades UNESCO has built up an extensive record

of specialized programme activities in public library service,
librarianship and allied fields, showing success in some areas and
slow progress in others. These records are to be assembled,
explored and examined and to be assessed in terms of its historical
significance. Apart from some topical articles and a few sketchy
overviews, the subject of UNESCO’s contribution to the library
service and librarianship has not been dealt with and it is still
most prominent aspect of the organizations spectrum of activities.
In order to partially remedy this situation, this study has been
undertaken.
1.1 O bjectives o f th e S tudy

The following are the major objectives of the presented study.

1. To examine the active support of UNESCO in the context of
reorganization the library services in India. Keeping in view the
changing policies and programmes of UNESCO in the promotion
of library and information services in the developing countries.
2. To evaluate the impact of UNESCO’s assistance in library
development in India.
3. To evaluate book promotion programme of UNESCO and
digitization of print publications, manuscripts and also out of
print publications.
4. To review the work of field mission experts assigned to this
country as agents of library education and scientific
documentation by UNESCO.
5. To evaluate the UNESCO contribution in developing the public
library system of the country.
6. To asses the involvement of UNESCO in the fields other than
the S85T documentation in India.
7. To evaluate the role of UNESCO in growth and development
of libraries aind documentation centers in a developing
country like India.
8. To know the results of the already sponsored programmes
and to review them in the light of the emerging technologies.

1.2 Scope o f th e S tudy

The scope of the study is confined to India only and the period
covered is up to 2005 since its independence. The main purpose of
this study is to examine as to how and to what extent UNESCO
has influenced and helped India in the development of libraries
and documentation centers.
1.3 Relevance o f th e Study

Study of this kind goes a long way in giving new directions and
new dimension to the field of activity. The relevance of the study
has been examined in relation to the global developments in the
field of library information science, more so the effect on
information technology and library automation.

1.4 Uniqueness o f th e Study

Evaluative study has not yet been made with regard to UNESCO’s
contribution to India in the context of present day requirements of
the Sub-Continent, more so in the changed technological scenario
in telecommunication through satellites, electronic mail and
networking. The study is not only descriptive but also analytical
and critical in some cases of what has been done and what more
can be drawn from the lessons learnt, for future planning and
development. The uniqueness of the study lies in its objectives,
scope and findings of research. In addition, the outcome of this
study will enable the planners to prepare the appropriate strategy
for projecting the library and information centres suitably in the
information society.

1.5 Hypothesis
1. The contribution of UNESCO in the establishment of library and
information infrastructure in India has more in the initial
Phase of the development of the country after independence
2. The involvement of UNESCO in the over all development of
library and information services in the country could not be
sustained due to the shifting in the priorities of the nation.
3. UNESCO initiative for development of Library and information
science education and training institution in India, particularly
with the application of IT is not adequate as is apparent in the
ease of other developing and under developing countries in the
world.
4. UNESCO took major initiative in eradication of adult illiteracy
by making available the reading materials in Indian languages.

1.6 M ethodology

The role of UNESCO in the development of library and information

services in India since its establishment in 1946, has been of
paramount significance in establishing and improving the library
activities in India. The assistance provided by UNESCO in the
promotion of library activities and services has been primarily in
the form of financial assistance, manpower development through
study-cum-training programme in developing countries of the
World, library science education and training, bibliographical
activities, establishment of public library at Delhi as a Pilot project
are the areas where India has reaped large scale benefit. It is
appear that Changing emphasis on various fields of activities has
in a way restricted the continuation and enhancement of UNESCO
help to India in the library and information services. The impact of
initial assistance support provided by UNESCO is not seriously
analyses and published so far both in the form of comprehensive
document explaining some sporadic using here and there. There is
a visible paucity of literature on this aspect. It is thus necessary to
make a comprehensive study and research on this area so that
the actual situation can be gauged. The present study is outcome
of this effort.

The research design for the study includes the planning and
implementation of the plan of action with the formulation of a
hypothesis for the purpose and listing it. The plan included the
survey of the available literature both in the form of periodical
articles, monographs, books and other documents generated as
reports and studies by UNESCO. Since the depository libraries of
the Indian National Commission (INC), UNESCO mission did not
keep the grey literature brought out by UNESCO from time to time,
the reliance was primarily on the literature available in published
journal and books in most cases. The implementation of the
research proposal was done by preparing for a comprehensive
bibliography of all the documents followed by the consultation of
the documents as are available in different libraries in Delhi and
other University and research libraries in India.

The methodology adopted for the study is primarily historical

method of research. Wherever necessaiy important
personality/senior professionals connected with UNESCO activities
and also knowledge on this object were interviewed during the
course of the study. However, no structured questionnaire was
designed for the purpose. The important and knowledgeable
persons contacted for the study include Mr. Prem Kripal, former
secretary, Ministry of Educational and Culture, Government of
India and Chairman, General conference of UNESCO who was
associated with UNESCO for more than 20 years. Prof. D.R.Kalia,
the first Director, of Delhi public Library, 1951 and later adviser to

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the Government of India on library matters who were consulted
profusely. Prof. D.R.Kalia had a rich and varied experience in
serving as Librarian, National Library of India, Central Secretariat
library, New Delhi and also as UNESCO consultant on library
matters to various countries like IRAQ, IRAN and Africa. Prof. A
Neelameghan, former Programmer Director of PGI and Chairman
UNISIST, Shri S. Parthasarathy former Scientist in-Charge,
INSDOC, and an expert in the field of scientific and technical
documentation and Prof. Jogesh Atal, former consultant in the
Social Science Division of UNESCO were also interviewed for the
purpose of this study.

The literature were studied thoroughly the analysis of which have

been provided in various sections of the thesis. Similarly the views
expressed by the experts on the subject and connected with
UNESCO’s programme and planning have been incorporated in the
thesis. Thus the methodology adopted uses historical method and
oral history where ever possible. The statistical data available for
different types of libraries have been presented in tabular form and
diagramatically presentations with a view to observe arrive at the
trends of development in the library and information services and
library science education and training in India.

1.7 D ocum entary Sources

To establish basic facts and events and to justify the formulated

objectives, search for the documentary sources from all the
libraries and information centers connected with UNESCO have
been made. In fact, original UNESCO documents were being the
primary sources for this study. Among the official records, the
proceedings of the sessions of the General Conference, the reports
of the UNESCO Director General, the programme and the budget
for the years covered and the records of the meetings of the
Executive Board and its Committees provided the basic
information from which a sequence of events and a time frame for
organizational developments has been examined.

1.8 L ist o f Libraries and D ocum entation C enters

All UNESCO depository libraries. University libraries, CSL, ISI,

UNO, UNDP, CSO, National Library (Kolkata), DPL, Connemara
Public Library, Chennai, Central Library BHU, Tagore Library,
University of Lucknow, Mysore University Library, University of
Bombay Library, SNDT Women’s University Library, Mumbai,
Jayakar Library, University of Pune, Hans Mehta Library, M. S.
University Baroda, University of Calcutta Library, Jadavpur
University Library, Central Library, The University of Burdwan,
Punjab University library Chandigarh and others were consulted
for reviewing the literature. The UNESCO’s library. Archives and
documentations (D IT/IR ), UNESCO Headquarter, Paris, University
of London library, London, BLISS, (library Association), London
and Regional Office of Science and Technology for South and
Central Asia, New Delhi has been very much helpful in obtaining
the relevant data for the purpose of the study.

1.9 Discussion and In te rv ie w

To get first hand knowledge of both the existing and expected

information on infrastructures, interview and discussions with the
past and present Directors of the Public Library Pilot projects as
well as documentation centers such as INSDOC (Delhi), and other
former Heads of Projects, UNESCO field mission experts and the
selected community of users have been thoroughly conducted. This
could help in strategic planning and designing the practically
feasible and possible suggestions.

1.1 0 Survey and Analysis

In addition to the above-mentioned methods and approaches,

considerable amount of efforts were made to collect the relevant
data. Suitable statistical and computational methods and
techniques have been applied to analyze the data. Apart from this
the print sources highlighting the activities and programmes of
UNESCO was referred to a considerable extent to prepare this
thesis. It is hoped that the observations and the planned
conclusion will be ably reflecting the existing state of the art of
UNESCO sponsored programmes with reference to Indian Library
development and also to gives the direction to reorganize,
restructure and reorient the future programmes.

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