1. Defining a Profession
A profession is a specialized occupation or vocation that requires intensive education and training in a specific field of knowledge, with the primary intention of applying that knowledge to serve humanity. Historically, there were only three classical professions: Divinity, Medicine, and Law. However, with technological and social advancements, other disciplines, including librarianship, have risen to the status of a profession.
A profession is distinct from an occupation or a vocation:
- Occupation: This is the most generic term, referring to one's source of livelihood or an activity in which one engages.
- Vocation: This implies an occupation that demands practical skills, often acquired through on-the-job training rather than intellectual training. It involves a routine activity with few or no specialized skills.
- Profession: A profession is a calling based on a specialized body of theoretical knowledge that is both scientific and scholarly. This theoretical foundation empowers a professional to understand the reasons behind their practical actions and to adapt to changing circumstances, unlike a vocation which may rely on technical skill alone. It is primarily service-based, not just job-based.
2. Characteristics of a Profession
For an occupation to be considered a profession, it must possess several key attributes. Various authorities have identified the following essential characteristics:
- A Systematic Body of Knowledge: A profession is founded on a specialized body of theoretical knowledge that is scholarly and scientific. This knowledge is acquired through long and intensive academic preparation, not just practice alone. In librarianship, this includes principles of classification, cataloguing, information retrieval, and management.
- Intensive Preparation and Training: Professionals acquire their skills through intellectual training at a higher education level, which enables them to apply their theoretical knowledge effectively.
- A Service Orientation: The prime purpose of a profession is to render a public service, placing the interests of the client and the public above personal gains. Dr. S.R. Ranganathan described librarianship as a "noble and service oriented profession" where the librarian derives joy from helping readers find the right information.
- Professional Associations: A profession must be organized through formal associations at national and state levels. These bodies bind members together, set standards, provide a forum for exchanging ideas, and work for the betterment of the profession.
- A Code of Ethics: A profession has a formal code of ethics that regulates the relationships of professionals with their clients, colleagues, and society. This code guides professional conduct and ensures selfless, objective service.
- Community Sanction and Authority: The community grants the profession authority and recognizes its expertise, often conferring powers such as accreditation and the formulation of performance standards. This authority comes from the professional's extensive education and competence.
- Standardized Terminology and Practices: A profession develops and uses standardized terminology and practices to ensure consistency and facilitate communication. Ranganathan's work in developing terminology and standardizing practices was crucial for the library profession in India.
3. The Evolution of the LIS Profession
The Library and Information Science (LIS) profession has evolved through three distinct stages, transforming from a scholarly activity to a recognized profession.
3.1 Scholarly Period (before the mid-19th century)
In ancient times, libraries were managed by scholars and were primarily focused on the collection and preservation of prized books. Access was limited to a privileged few. In India, great universities like Nalanda and Taxila, as well as Buddhist "Viharas," housed significant libraries managed by scholars. During the Mughal period, emperors like Akbar established libraries and appointed learned individuals like the poet Amir Khusru as librarians, marking the emergence of librarianship as a formal occupation.
3.2 Vocational Period (c. 1850–1950)
The 19th century, driven by the Industrial Revolution and the concept of "Education for all," revolutionized the library, transforming it into a democratic public institution. This led to the development of librarianship as a new vocation, centered on the "art of book selection, classification, cataloguing, and reference service". The first formal training for librarianship in India was initiated in 1911 by W.A. Borden in Baroda, under the patronage of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad.
3.3 Professional Period (post-1950)
Over time, the application of the scientific method to library work gave librarianship the full status of a profession. It developed a unique body of knowledge, with established laws, principles, and techniques for processing information and serving users. In India, the profession secured its status largely due to the monumental contributions of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, who provided a scientific foundation with his Five Laws, developed theories for knowledge organization (Colon Classification), and was a driving force behind establishing key institutions and educational programs.
4. Transformation of the Librarian's Role
The role of the LIS professional has undergone a profound transformation, shifting from a passive guardian of books to a dynamic manager of information.
- From Custodian to Librarian: The initial role was that of a custodian, whose primary duty was to preserve and protect the collection. With the invention of printing and the increasing emphasis on use, the role shifted to that of a librarian, who managed the collection and facilitated the diffusion of knowledge by lending books.
- From Librarian to Information Specialist: The "information explosion" following World War II created a need for specialized services to help users navigate the massive amount of literature. This led to the emergence of the Documentation Officer and later the Information Officer/Scientist, who proactively provided specific, analyzed, and synthesized information to meet user demands. The profession shifted from material handling to information handling.
- The Digital Librarian: The advent of the internet and digital technologies has created a new identity for the LIS professional as a Digital Librarian. The modern professional manages digital collections, provides network-based services, develops digital libraries, and acts as a gateway to global information, connecting users to resources far beyond the library's physical walls.
5. Categories of LIS Professionals
The LIS profession encompasses a wide range of specialized roles, reflecting its complex and multifaceted body of knowledge. These professionals are trained in universities and associations and are paid for the jobs they perform. Categories include:
- Library Administrator/Manager: Responsible for the overall planning, organization, and management of the library.
- Classifier: Analyzes the subject of a document and assigns a class number from a classification scheme.
- Cataloguer: Prepares bibliographic records (catalogue entries) for documents according to a specific code.
- Reference Librarian: Assists users directly in finding information and using library resources.
- Classificationist: A specialist who designs and builds classification schemes.
- Indexer: Compiles indexes by analyzing document content and assigning subject terms.
- Content Developer: Designs, creates, and deploys content for websites and other digital platforms.
6. The Debate: Is Librarianship a Profession?
While librarianship is widely accepted as a profession today, its status has been debated.
- Arguments Against: Some social scientists have argued that librarianship is not a full profession because its services are not seen as indispensable in the same way as a doctor's, and it lacks strong community sanction and authority over its clients.
- Arguments For: The overwhelming consensus is that librarianship is a profession because it meets all the core criteria. It is identified with knowledge, is service-oriented, has professional associations, provides training in university-affiliated schools, and has a code of ethics. The development of a unique body of scientific knowledge and standardized practices, especially through the work of pioneers like Ranganathan, firmly establishes its professional status.