Dr. Mayank Trivedi: A Self-Motivated Librarian

 

Dr. Mayank Trivedi is a scholar with expertise in human interaction with online information, economics, and public policy, along with administrative experience in higher education. Dr. Trivedi is presently the University Librarian (Professor Grade) and a Senate Member at Smt. Hansa Mehta Library, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara. He has been actively involved in leveraging e-learning, content creation, open education resources (OER) and online lectures. He is a science graduate with a Diploma in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science, with exposure to a several-advanced training program on the application of IT to Library Management. 

Dr. Trivedi is a recipient of IFLA, SHASTRI Fellowships, ETD (Travel Grants), and a LeAP Awardee-MHRD (2020), The Most Dynamic Librarian Award, and has visited several countries concerning various assignments. 

He is affiliated to various academic committees/bodies/groups. Dr. Trivedi has also acted as an Expert Member/Examiner/Member of the Committee to the various professional bodies and institutions. He is a visiting faculty at various universities in Gujarat province. He has been contributing as an examination setter for MPPSC, GSET, PET, and various other competitive examinations. He is a member of the Editorial/Advisory Board in many National/International journals.

He has been the Conference Director/Member of the organizing committee/Keynote speaker/Chief guest/Resource person in various National and International conferences/ Orientation/Refresher courses. Under his guidance, 11 students have been conferred Ph.D. degrees and 8 research scholars are pursuing a Ph.D. He has guided a number of Students for BLIS, MLIS, MPhil, and PGDCA of various universities. In 22+ years of professional career, he has published 40+ papers, delivered 100+ lectures, authored/edited 5+ important books, and sponsored various causes, and supported a number of organizations associated with the Library and Information Science field. Dr. Trivedi is a very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and energetic librarian who always looks for opportunities to participate in a wide range of services and professional responsibilities in a dynamic environment. 

Interview

Question 1: Tell us a little about yourself. Your background and your education.

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: First, I wish to congratulate you on this innovative work, which not only creates curiosity among young LIS professionals but they can follow the best practices or success stories of the legends.

Coming to my career, I graduated from Gujarat University with Chemistry and thereafter did my MLIS from Saurashtra University and Ph.D. from HemchandracharyaNorth Gujarat University, Patan. I am in this profession not by choice but by chance. But after joining this profession, I am fully dedicated to the profession and achieved the highest position (the only Professors' grade University Librarian) in the State of Gujarat.

Question 2: How long have you worked in the LIS Profession and how did you get your start in it?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: I started my career with R &D Library, Cadila Laboratories Limited, Ahmadabad (Then 3rd largest Pharmaceuticals Company across India) as an Information Scientist. Then I did a Certificate Course in Library Science. After four years of service at Cadila Labs. Ltd., in which I learned a lot of things about Chemical Abstracts, formulation, synthesis, and so on. During this period, I took part twice in B V Patel All India Essay Competition and got the First and Second prizes, respectively.

Then I got a government job at Shri M P Shah Government Medical College, Jamnagar, where I have helped to establish a new Library at Govt Dental College & Hospital, Jamnagar. I had learned many things like searching Index Medicus, preparing MD/MS dissertations, etc. The most important thing is the accuracy, as Health care professionals are having very little time to come to the library and to read as they have to perform a multi-type of duties. So, they should be provided accurate information that too on time. I have completed my MLIS during this period and got a rank in the University too.

Question 3: You are working as the University Librarian (Professor Grade) and a Senate Member at Smt. Hansa Mehta Library, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU), Vadodara. since 2010. What changes you have brought to the library since your inception?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda is a unique residential University having 45000+ students on campus and the only grant-in-aid University in the State imparting education in English medium. Smt. Hansa MehtaLibrary of the University is the second-largest University Library System after BHU. The Library has 13 departmental libraries. Before I joined as Librarian of the library, although it was automated, but there was a dearth of e-resources.

Faculties and researchers have seen tremendous vibrancy during the last decade. Information is delivered on their desktop within no time. A user group (Email) of MSU was created for the first time in 2010. 

The Library is one of the 22 Document Delivery Centres identified by INFLIBNET. The Library has a seating capacity for 2000+ readers and was centrally air-conditioned in 2013. Later in 2016 Solar Panels were installed in the library. Library uploaded all the Ph.D. thesis of MSU to SHODHGANGA and are accessible on Institutional repository (IR) and ProQuest Dissertation and Thesis (PQDT) too.

The library is among the top 20 University libraries across India (2013) by INFLIBNET. Almost every year the use of learning resources is increasing, which tends towards the increase in publications and ultimately the research impact of the University. University'sh-Index has tremendously increased during the last five years. OpenKnowledge Gateway (OKG) is being created for the benefit of faculty and researchers. Exclusive Library Website revamped in 2018, it is dynamic and updated on a real-time basis. Research Information System- an exclusive platform is created for researchers. We started remote access to learning resources in 2018, which proved very much beneficial to the faculties during COVID-2019.

Question 4: Please give some insights about the Research Support Services of The Maharaja Sayajirao University Library During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: During Covid-2019 Pandemic, the University library organized many webinars, trial access to learning resources, support services to the faculties for anti-plagiarism checking for which University Librarian is the coordinator. The library has extended the services for conducting various meets like Google meet, etc. Also, given support to generate various citation styles. The library has provided Document Delivery Services too during Covid-19.

Question 5: You were being associated with PAC Committee at BAOU, Ahmedabad for BLIS and MLIS courses. Today LIS profession is facing so many problems, especially for the people who are working with private organizations, I would say the cause lies in roots from where the foundation of the profession is made (LIS Schools). There is a huge gap between what LIS students’ study and what LIS professionals actually do. Do you agree with me? Give reasons to support your answer.

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: This is a line especially we are hearing for long....."There is a very big the gap between the demand of the profession and the Professionals we are getting from LIS schools". Particularly I am hearing this statement for a decade, but I cannot see much improvement in this area.

As per my understanding, after Dr. Ranganathan, none of the Indian LIS professionals has done significant research in the field of Library and Information Science. So, there are all the changes that our profession can be taken over by other professionals. There is an acute need to change the LIS curriculum across India. UGC and MHRD have to make very fast decisions.

Especially after COVID-2019, all definitions of LIS Profession have been changed for example libraries are getting only virtual users nowadays, so there is an urgent need to redefine the terms "Users", "Books Issue-return" etc. The same way the services which we were catering to the end-users are also changed.

Rejuvenating library studies is highly essential. Knowledge-driven societies have embraced the transition from print to digital libraries, helping bridge the digital divide by providing everyone equal access to information. In times when fake news and misinformation are rife on the internet, the importance of libraries as custodians of authentic information and promoters of the reading culture assumes even more importance.

I am associated with Program Advisory Committee, Courses are offered on distance learning mode since the inception of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU)- the only State Open University. In the current situation, every academic institution has been forced to offer courses in virtual mode. Many Universities in the US and UK have declared their timetable of 2021 on totally virtual mode.

Today, around 100+ universities in India offer LIS graduate and postgraduate degrees, churning out about 2000+ LIS graduates every year. However, many universities neither have full-time LIS faculty nor librarians due to poor succession plans.

Lack of local or global collaborations between librarians, the LIS teaching community, the information industry, and corporate bodies also adds to the woes of the discipline.

Post pandemic, it has become even more challenging for LIS graduates to get jobs. Apart from the budgetary constraints that libraries face, it has also become challenging to retain physical library spaces due to the falling number of footfalls and competition from other sectors for space.

I am 100% agree with you, that an urgent need is there to reframe the LIS curriculum and of course, the role of LIS associations also needs to be redefined.

Question 6: Prior to your current position you worked as a University Librarian & Publication Officer at Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar. Pen down some major accomplishments during your stay at the university library.  

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: Sardar Patel University (SPU), established in the name of the Iron man of India, is a very prestigious University of Gujarat State. I feel happy to share some of my contributions to this great University.

When I joined SPU in 2008, there was no information on Bhaikaka Library on the SPU website. I created a webpage and update it regularly. The physical condition of the library was not good as no renovation took place since its inception. I prepared a proposal for renovation and submitted it to UGC and got a grant of Rs. 30 lakhs for the same.

“Gyangangotri”, a very prestigious Gujarati Knowledge Encyclopaedia, was digitized for the first time with the support LIS department. I am also associated with the department for teaching. As a Publication officer, I used to encourage all the faculties for increasing publications, I have also published one book as an author. I organized SOUL training, IRTPLA, and many other programs at SPU.

Question 7: Please share some of your experience in the development of Open Knowledge Gateway (OKG), IR @ MSU, and the web portal of Bhaikaka Library, Vallabh Vidyanagar.

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: As I have mentioned, in spite of having very good research facilities and learning resources MSU lacked publications, research, collaboration and interoperability initiatives. I initiated Open KnowledgeGateway (OKG), a Library webpage highlighting Online resources available in Public Domain and later on it was replicated at MSU.

The interoperability of scholarly content is highly important. I also created an Institutional Repository (IR) using DSpace Software and customized it as per the requirement of MSU. Preprints, Annual Reports, Rare books, Scan books, Ph.D. thesis are uploaded on the IR. Facilities have been extended to the faculties to upload the documents from their departments. The Repository is registered on ROAR and DOAR too. In this way, the faculties and researchers of MSU are getting global recognition and Impact. 

Question 8: Please share the uniqueness of the Vadodara Center of Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad.

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: I took the charge of the Centre was in 2015. At that time total enrolment of the Centre was only 250, today we have 3500+ students on roll at Vadodara Centre. We are catering information to the students through the WhatsApp group. We are supporting the students to take up online lectures conducted by the University. We are also scheduling Orientation and Counselling for the benefit of the students. So, the Centre is trying to "reach to the unreached" - which is the motto of distance learning.

In fact, looking to the tremendous growth in enrolment at Vadodara Centre, BAOU has approved a Regional Centre at Vadodara too. Further, Vadodara Centre will be facilitating Professional and Vocational courses also from 2021 onwards.

Question 9: Please give insight into your project “Digitization of University Library of SP University”.

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: It was a minor research project submitted to UGC, in which Gyangangotri - Gujarati Encyclopaedia (Multivolume) was digitized. The encyclopedia a very rare and out-of-print publication. Under the project, a digitization facility was created at the Department of Library and Information Science, SPU.

Question 10: Please tell me something about “Daily Information Dose” on your Facebook page.

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: Our brains depend on information to work optimally. The quality of information we engage with largely determines our perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes. It could be information from other persons, the media, libraries, archives, museums, publishers, or other information sources via Internet. People across the world are witnessing a dramatic increase in access to information and communication. While some people are starved for information, others are flooded with print, broadcast, and digital content. Since there is an information explosion, it is difficult to find correct and authentic information.

Information Literacy (IL) provides answers to the questions that we all ask ourselves at some point. Information literacy skills empower people to think critically about Information. It has a lifelong impact on readers. The information has a value, the understanding that information possesses several dimensions of value, including as a commodity, as a means of education, as a means to influence, and as a means of negotiating and understanding the world. The flow of information through systems of production and dissemination is impacted by legal, socio-political, and economic interests. It is developing new feelings, interests, values.

How can we access, search, critically assess, use and contribute content wisely, both online and offline? What are our rights online and offline? What are the ethical issues surrounding the access and use of information? How can we engage with ICTs to promote equality, intercultural and interreligious dialogue, peace, freedom of expression, and access to information?

"Daily Information Dose" - an initiative started to fulfill the goal of SDG No.4 "Quality education for all" which is also a part of the UNESCO initiative "Media Information Literacy" and also in support with the "Digital India" movement of which the 6th pillar is "Information for all" The initiative was started in the month of June 2020 to generate Information Awareness among the Society. The feature covers global, national, and local level personalities, events, and important incidences. Social Media is also playing a very vital role in Information Literacy. The work is also recognized by ASIS&T and been given the "Infoshare award" 2020-21. The information is shared consistently with accuracy at 8.30 AM sharp on WhatsApp and all Social Networking tools like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Telegram. Links to the uploads are:

• WhatsApp: MSU groups
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libmsu1/
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mayank.trivedi2/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/libmsu

The editor of Chitralekha - Gujarati Weekly (Digital edition) - An International Edition has approached and requested to share the same information in the Gujarati language. So it is uploaded daily with the title "Today in the History" with the link: https://chitralekha.com/today-in-the-history/today-in-the-history-30012021/

Question 11: Given the digital environment enveloping libraries and the opportunities and challenges it presents, how should we deal with the issues like library access and lending of e-books, and digital preservation of content?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: Library and information science (LIS) practitioners in India are facing a unique threat from cutting edge e-learning and knowledge organization approaches, prompting librarians to call for a revamp of the traditional academic discipline.

In an era when the internet has become the biggest, freely accessible library, professionals in the field feel they may become redundant with “Google replacing the librarian”. Already plagued with systemic issues such as lack of modern infrastructure, efficient teaching, or research-oriented manpower, the LIS discipline has suffered a further blow during the COVID-19 pandemic, as teaching, learning, and information gathering shifted completely online. This has forced many libraries to provide remote access to digital content without the need for patrons to physically walk into a library space. LIS education and practice are passing through a challenging phase due to a drastic change in the information environment and changing patron needs,

We have to redefine the library access and lending of e-books, digital preservation, etc. Nowadays we are getting e-only content. So, the archival, digitization, and preservation of e-only content need to be considered. New Library Policy should be designed. It should be a part of the New Education Policy (NEP).

Question 12: What do you see as the most important issues facing our profession today, both for LIS teachers and librarians? How to address them?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: The most important issue our profession facing is the lack of skilled LIS professionals. The profession and technology are changing very fast and our curriculum is not changing at the speed of the technology speed. Hence gap needs to be reduced.

These changes are inevitable, given technology is changing at an unprecedented rate. “The solution lies in revising India’s LIS curricula so that professionals can keep pace with these emerging trends. But this will not be possible neither only by the LIS teachers nor only by the librarians. Collaborative efforts can be made and respect from both the side to each other is highly desired and it is the need of the time.

As per my experience, I have seen very few LIS departments are in harmony with the Library or librarians. So, cooperation and collaboration between Department and library is the utmost need of the time.

Question 13: Membership organizations, need to show their value to enroll and keep members. What do library associations need to do to keep the organization relevant to LIS professionals, particularly those new to the profession? What ideas or strategies do you have to balance their budget and to increase revenues to support member activities?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: Associations have to frame various Policies, standards, and even ethical policies. Any association should not limit its role to conduct seminars, conferences, and workshops. They have to take up issues with the respective governments and need to see its implementation too. The academic status of the librarians and filling up the vacant posts are a few of the issues which any association should focus upon. The conditions of School libraries are also pathetic. To inculcate the reading habits among Society, we need to catch the readers young. So, we should start all the initiatives from School libraries. Then Chief Minister of Gujarat has started a very good initiative, "Vanche Gujarat" This initiative/movement can be replicated nationally/globally.

In the same way, there should be a national policy for public libraries too. We can introduce a library Cess at the national level to strengthen the public libraries, which can reduce the revenue problem. We can introduce corporate membership to all academic libraries. Public libraries across India also required to be transformed into Community Information Centre.

Question 14: What is the most enjoyable part of your job?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: Librarianship is a multitasking profession that imbibes best practices from many other disciplines. Librarians must master technology that helps digitalize, automate and introduce content management systems to institutional repositories. Librarians must be abreast with research tools such as data analytics, data visualization, effective information, and data search/retrieval, reference management tools, research data management (RDM), and identify plagiarism and create awareness about academic integrity. 

My entire career is truly enjoyable. Especially, when things are difficult and the content rarely available and when you get it with all your whole-hearted efforts and deliver it to the end-user is the most enjoyable and satisfactory moment.

There are lots of enjoyable moments in my career, and this space is not enough to describe all.

Question 15: What is your biggest challenge?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: I believe that, if there is no challenge, there is no fun in doing work. So, I took the challenge as my hobby. The harder the challenge, the greater the success. So, never afraid of taking up challenges, if you solve them you will be on the top and if you cannot solve them, you will become the greatest learner. So, in both cases, it will benefit you.

Question 16: What piece of advice would you give to someone just starting in the library profession?

Dr. Trivedi's Answer: Librarians of tomorrow will also need to have a deep understanding of Open Science, Open Access, Digital Humanities, Virtual Reference Services, Cloud Computing, Scientometrics, Semantic Web, Web 3.0, Altametrics, Mobile-based library services, and Text Mining. Rejuvenated librarians should be able to use expert systems and Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) tools, Semantics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) in their routine work.

As India is drafting it's National Educational Policy (NEP) 2020, we the librarians feel that a discipline in the academic and research programs of leading Institutes of higher learning. LIS education in India should be standardized at par with global practices. The government can think to start an Indian Institute of Library and Information Science at par with IITs and IIMs. The Library Profession is the noblest profession. Librarian is the "teacher of teachers". In this career, you will learn a lot of things and superficial knowledge of all subjects, i.e. Universe of Knowledge.

So, enjoy your career. All the best and wishing you glorious success...

 (It was a great honour to take an interview with a dedicated, very humble, and very hard-working professional like Dr. Mayank Trivedi. Thank you so much, Dr. Trivedi, for sparing time from your busy schedule).