Comparative Librarianship
1. Definition of Chase Dane
According to Chase Dane:
It is a study of Library development in many countries to discover what developments have been successful and can be copied elsewhere. It is an examination of the philosophies and policies of librarianship on an international scale to determine long-range trends to appraise shortcomings and to uncover contradictions and inconsistencies between practice and theory. Above all it is the study of the cause and effect of library development throughout the world.
Analysis: If we analyze this definition, we can find the following factors:
(i) It's a study of Library development in many countries of the world.
(ii) It identifies the successfully developed area of librarianship.
(iii) It also identifies the development that can be followed by others.
(iv) It determines the long-range trends of librarianship.
(v) It appraises the short comings of librarianship.
(vi) It finds out the contradiction of theory and practice.
(vii) It is the study of the cause and effect of library development throughout the world.
(viii) It is a study of philosophies and policies of Librarianship.
Criticism: This definition has the following defects
(i) It fails to give the principles of C.L
(ii) It dose not identify the particular problem, that will be the area of compare.
(iii) It dose not provide the clear conception about C.L.
(iv) It is not a complete definition.
(v) The aim of C.L. is not complete in this definition.
For the above reasons, it can't be claimed to be the best definition of C.L.
2. Definition of Carl M. White
He defines comparative Librarianship as- “A subject which deals with material on theory and practice found in different geographical and political areas, but it is also a method of study as a subject."
Analysis: This definition has contained the following points:
(i) It is a subject.
(ii) It deals with materials on theory.
(iii) It deals with materials on practice.
(iv) It is a method of study.
Criticism:
(i) It does not point out the cause and effects, policies and philosophies of librarianship.
(ii) The important point “C.L. is a study of library theory and practice” is not mentioned here.
(iii) C.L analyze the library system but he doesn't include this is his definition.
(iv) Scope, considering factors, aims and purpose is absent here.
(v) It doesn't bear all the characteristics of C.L.
3. Definition of Louis Shores
According to Louis Shores, It is the “Study and Comparison of Library theory and practice in all of the different countries of the world for the purpose of broadening and deepening the our understanding of professional problems and
solutions.
Analysis:
(i) C.L is a study of library theory and practice of different countries.
(ii) It is a Comparison of lib. theory and practice of different countries.
(iii) Its purpose is to broadening understanding about professional problems and solution.
(iv) Its purpose is to deepening understanding about professional problems and solution.
Criticism:
(i) It doesn't mention that C.L is a examination of philosophies and policies of librarianship
(ii) It doesn't point out the cause and effect of Lib. development.
(iii) C.L. is a study of libraries within the country or between two or more countries in not clear here.
(iv) It doesn't mention the determinant factors of comparison.
(vi) It doesn't include the full characteristics of C.L.
4. Definition of Dorothy G. Collings:
"Comparative C.L may be defined as the systematic analysis of library development, practices or problems as they occur under different circumstances (most usually in different countries), considered in the context of the relevant historical, geographical, political, economic, social, cultural and other determinant background factors found in the solution under study.
Essentially, it constitutes an important approach to the search for cause and effect in library development, and to the understanding of library problems.
Analysis: The definition has the following important points:
(i) C.L is the systematic analysis of the library development practices.
(ii) It is the systematic analysis of the problems occur under different circumstances in different countries.
(iii) Problems are considered in the context of some relevant determinant background factor, found in this
solution under study.
(iv) It is the search for cause and effect of lib. development.
Criticism: It is a good definition but it has the following shortcomings.
(i) It does not mention the scope of C.L.
(ii) It does not mention about the solutions of problems.
(iii) It doesn't include that C.L. is also the examination of philosophies and policies of library.
(vii) It consults only with library problems but not with library theory.
5. Definition of Periam Danton
According to Periam Danton, Comparative Librarianship is “The analysis of libraries, library systems, some aspects of librarianship or library problems in two or more national, cultural or social environment in terms of socio-political, economic, cultural, ideological and historical context. This analysis is for the purpose of understanding the underling and differences and for determining explanations of the differences with the ultimate aim of trying to arrive at valid generalizations and principles.”
Analysis:
(i) According to Danton, C.L is the analysis of libraries and library systems.
(ii) It is an analysis of some aspects of librarianship or library problems.
(iii) It is analysis in two or more, national, cultural, or social environment.
(iv) It is analysis in the context of socio political, ideological and historical factors.
(v) Its purpose is to understanding the similarities and differences.
(vi) It also determines the explanation of difference.
(viii) It's aim is to arrive at valid generalization and principles.
Criticism: This definition includes almost all the important qualities of a good definition of C.L.
(i) This definition doesn't determine the effect of Lib. development.
(ii) Comparison sometime occurred between or among the libraries of a country, he doesn't mention this.
He includes:
a. Nature of C.L b. Scope of C.L.
c. Determinant factors of C.L. d. Purpose of C.L.
e. Goal/aim of C.L
Purnima Banik
Teacher
Department of Information Science and Library Management
University of Rashahi
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