Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats of Indigenous Library and Information Science Education in Distance Mode Halder Sambhu Nath Chief Librarian, J.D. Birla Institute, 11, Lower Rawdon Street, Kolkata-700 020, West Bengal, India; E-mail: sambhu.halder@gmail.com Abstract This paper presents the current scenario of library and information science (LIS) education in India, with special reference to open and distance mode. In the centenary year of LIS education in India, it is important to evaluate the existing system. SWOT analysis is a tool to evaluate the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats of Indigenous LIS education in distance mode. The analysis is carried out in the light of national-level practices and perspective. Analysis of SWOT results in few strategies, which can be useful for contemporary open and distance education centres in India. This investigation points out that the curriculum of LIS education in India definitely needs to be based on the traditional library practices as well as modern trends for library functioning and services by adopting the information and communication technology application. Overall, uniformity and quality maintained in LIS education is very much necessary without consideration of formal or informal mode of education. Finally, all stakeholders should be aware that the changing paradigm of LIS profession is to cope with the challenges in the present era. As a whole, this paper canvases all together the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of LIS education in distance mode for potential learner as well as distance education centres. Top Keywords Distance education, LIS education, SWOT analysis. Top |