Human Resource Development in the Libraries of Institutions of Higher Education in North East India with Special Reference to Library Automation

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the prospect of Human Resource Development (HRD) in the libraries of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in North East India with special reference to library automation. A group of 172 libraries of North East India was selected for the questionnaire based survey conducted during the period 2007-2010 using Likert Scaling method. The analysis of the data collected in this survey shows that there is lack of HRD practices in majority of these libraries. Results of this survey shows that the library professionals working in these libraries, need proper training in different aspects of automation like basic computer operation, maintenance, design websites, searching OPAC etc. The paper highlights the need for proper HRD in libraries involved in automation. The responses received in the survey provide ample evidence for the authorities to develop proper training programs to keep the library manpower abreast of latest technologies. The paper also unfolds the true picture of HRD in the libraries of HEIs in the remote North East corner of India.