Your research partner

If you do it right, your research partner is right there with you in the library. No, it’s not the right book, but the right librarian

By Anna Mary

Reetha, a first year student, walks into the long corridor and enters a room full of books. She is stumped by the rows and rows of shelves. She has seen school libraries but this college library -- is a whole different ball game. Seeing her lost look the librarian directs her to the research section and helps her find the book she needs.

Forty-five-year-old Joseph has been working as a librarian for twenty years now and is popularly known as Jo anna (brother). He’s popular in college with students because he assists them with their research assignments. Joseph guides them to books and authors according to the topic of their assignment.

This just shows the pivotal role librarians play introducing and guiding students to the right literature. The work of librarians in institutions is to assist struggling readers. Librarians acknowledge that understanding the broad scope of a discipline’s literature is a skill worth developing and they are happy to guide the students with that part of their assignment. “The ability to find and evaluate resources for learning is a necessary skill for lifelong learning and effective work in many fields. Helping students find answers to questions on their own is also an effective strategy for learning,” says Anisha, a senior librarian.

The team works with faculty to develop supplemental course materials, locate rare materials for research, or develop community outreach programs, whether they are helping students complete homework assignments, providing competitive data to local businesses, or finding rare materials for research.They are a great asset to both faculty and students.

Why do schools need librarians when students have the internet? When asked, students responded with two different perceptions: some agreed and some disagreed.

An avid reader Shilpa says: “The perception is that a computer and wifi are all that students need for their informational and recreational needs. But sitting in a library with a book in front is what makes it right for me.” But another student Riyaz disagrees: “I have my phone, tab and laptop that is handy where I can download books for my projects and read them anywhere so I don’t prefer library.”

While the Internet is known for delivering information incessantly, it does not necessarily provide context. Many feel that libraries provide tools for evaluating information and guide users to resources that provide context and deeper dives. And that the librarians know from where to begin and how many places to look for that provide an adequate framework for student research assignments.

In many libraries, there is no access to the internet and phones are not allowed. But that’s changing. As the information is moving from print to digital space, libraries provide students with a place to access, organise and validate information that can help them with their assignment and explore personal interests.

Assignments with where inputs from librarians help are to locate subject-based resources to locate resources that are crucial for assignments.”I enjoy going to my library not only to do my assignment but to read other books that interest me.The staff are so helpful and they enrich my knowledge,” says Geetanjali.

If there is a good librarian to guide, students can get superior information for their paper or presentation. That’s infinitely superior to mulling over thousands of hits in a Google search.