An Option for Thought – If British Council Does Not Change Its Policy

To prevent shutting down of this excellent institution, the British Library may have to be re-constituted as an autonomous body under the Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act of .1955 as an “International Knowledge and Learning Centre - Trivandrm”. This body with patronage from the Government could also have donors and mamber representatives in the Governing Council.

Suggested activities of the proposed Entity

1. Value for money library and information service to the individual, family and institutional members - This will continue to be the High Priority area.
   [Under the Library services, it is advisable to continue with materials in English Language to project uniqueness; the publications in English from all over the world can find a place in the proposed Knowledge Centre not limiting to British content.]
   
2. Electronic Knowledge Hub by linking of web servers with E-enabled International Knowledge Resource Networks
3. Dissemination of information from globally acclaimed paid sites to educational institutions and Industry
4. Networking with educational institutions in the State, National and International Canvas
5. Initiation of Social Learning Spaces and Self Renewing Learning Communities tapping resources from the Government of India and International agencies as part of their Socially responsible interventions. The perspective plan of the National Library Board of Singapore is in this direction. The management of the above can be through virtual library networks.
6. Conduct of knowledge management related events tying up with the Commonwealth Business Council, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, UNDP, UNIDO etc.
   
   Concerns Ahead and Answers?
   
   1. Will the announcement for refund of membership fees adversely affect prospects ?
   
   Chief Minister’s assurance on government patronage would help to prevent membership cancellation. The library management should immediately persuaded to stop refund, permit renewal and issue new memberships irrespective of who would manage the library in future.
   
   2. Will the present premises of the Library be available ?
   
   Chief Minister’s assurance would help to extend the period of lease in this Government property currently with the YMCA. The existing ambience can be thus maintained.
   
   3. Will there be constraints in income ?
   
   The current 6500 plus memberships could easily fetch around Rs.90 lakhs income per annum. This should not come down due to unwillingness on the part of the present library management to renew memberships.
   
   4. Can the commitments on the expenditure front be met ?
   
   Government patronage would help to contain rent. Some retirements would reduce wage bills. Purchase of economy edition would bring down the cost of replacement of books. Expenditure can be easily met within the income from memberships.
   
   5. Will diversity and standards of book collections be sacrificed?
   
   Diversity can be enhanced by including books not necessarily of UK origin and re introduction of subjects which have been recently taken off the shelf.
   
   6. Will service standards be met?
   
   Advice of librarians with proficiency in international networks can be sourced. The trained staff is capable of ensuring service standards. Recruitment of trainees and their capacity building will strengthen this area as is being done now.
   
   7. Can Government ensure professional management?
   
   A structure that ensures Governmental supervision and participation of professional institutions, industry and members in governance and library management by trained professionals would be very effective. The library could be restructured as an autonomous body of international standards with government patronage as announced by the Chief Minister.
   
   8. Can international networks be tapped as of now?
   
   Collaboration with libraries and knowledge centres in many countries are possible. Coverage will increase with introduction self-learning and knowledge nurturing spaces as in the case of initiatives by the National Library Board of Singapore..
   
   9. Will the new set up have access to online periodicals and journals?
   
   While maintaining the technologies introduced by the British Council, more IT interventions can be conceived. Access to e-materials in English language will increase substantially as connectivity to paid networks all over the globe can be facilitated. How ever the collection of books should be given utmost priority
   
   The British Council should be requested to donate the Assets in this Library to the people of Kerala as a Christmas gift who will cherish and nurture it.
   
   The British Council should be requested to keep the money earmark for the announced refund of membership fees to meet the transition costs. As this is a self sustaining library ICCR should also be asked to advocate for this .
   
   A Corpus Fund could be conceived by availing contributions from the Governing council members, ICCR, Ministry of Human Resource Development, and other governmental / non governmental sources. Large Corporate bodies who would also be willing to donate considerable funds for this Corpus Fund under their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives could also be inducted into the Governing Council. The interest earnings from this Corpus will also supplement the annual revenues of the new Centre.
   
   Activities for constitution of the proposed International Knowledge and Learning Centre – Trivandrum may have to commence urgently so that transfer of assets and staff is effected before the inauguration of the restructured entity, say on the 1st of April 2008, which is the 44th Birthday of this Library.

- K Padmakumar