NAAC

How to prepare your library for NAAC

September 18, 2010

• Introduction:

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), as an autonomous institution of the University Grants Commission (UGC), has been entrusted with the responsibility of Assessment and Accreditation of Colleges and Universities in India. The prime agenda of NAAC is to assess and accredit institutes of higher learning with the objective of enabling them to work continuously to improve the quality of education by maximizing their resources, opportunities and capabilities. NAAC assess and accredit an institution on the basis of seven crucial criteria:

Curricular Aspects
Teaching-Learning and Evaluation
Research Consultancy and Extension
Infrastructure and Learning Resources
Student Support and Progression
Governance and Leadership
Innovative Practices

Criterion wise Role of Library in NAAC Assessment and Accreditation:

Under each criterion there are a few key aspects which are observed by NAAC while studying an institution. A library participates in every aspect of higher education and has to play an essential role in NAAC process. The following table depicts the role of library in different criterion.

Criterion	Key Aspects	Role of Library
Criterion I Curricular Aspects	Compatibility of the programmes with goals and objectives Curriculum Design, Development and updation Feedback on programmes Interaction with academic peers and employers	Set clear cut Objective which supports college objective Develop quantity and quality collection on core and interdisciplinary subjects Collect feedback about library and its services Organise proofs of Interaction with academic peers and employers
Criterion II Teaching-Learning and Evaluation	Use of new technology in teaching & co-curricular activities Training of technical staff Recruitment of faculty & faculty development programmes Job satisfaction of faculty Access to national and/ or international linkages.	Use of Internet, Computerisation, A/V Material, etc. in the library Training of technical staff via In-house/External agency Details of Recruitment of staff & faculty development programmes Details about Interest, extra activities and prizes won, etc. of library staff Details of Inter library loan, external members, etc.
Criterion IIIResearch Consultancy and Extension	Promotion and sustenance of research culture Benefits of consultancy Community needs and expectations Awareness programmes Service provided in the area of expertise.	Silence work area Enough No. of Journals Quality Subject Books Reference Books Recommendations of users and action taken over the suggestions Circulars, Guidelines collected/ displayed by the library Literacy programmes, etc. Consultancy, Seminars, etc. provided
Criterion IVInfrastructure and Learning Resources	Physical facilities Maintenance Optimal use of infrastructure Library Facilities	Library Layout Cleanliness Optimal use of infrastructure User Friendliness Time tested Quality Services
Criterion V Student Support andProgression	Progression to employment and further study Student feedback on various aspects Alumni association Financial aid to students Academic counseling Placement services	Quality Collection User friendly services & knowledgeable staff Orientations, exhibitions Help messages/ Guidelines/ Labels Ex-student participation Feedbacks Book bank, Language lab Other special services
Criterion VI Governance and Leadership	Organisation structure Participation of students, faculty and staff in decision- making; New technologies Budgeting and auditing procedures Financial management Welfare schemes Grievance redressal mechanism.	Work profiles of library staff Library Committee Reports Student representatives/ volunteers in acquisition & other library activities Use of Internet, Computerisation, A/V Material, etc. in the library Budgeting and auditing procedures of the library Financial management of the library Book bank, Literacy Programmes, etc. Staff meetings, Open Forum, Suggestion box, etc. of the library.
Criterion VII Innovative Practices	self-financing/ need-based courses; linkages Working with specific mission and goals Chairs of excellence Awards won by the faculty; Others	Any special courses conducted by library Inter library loan, memberships of other libraries, etc. Specific Objective of the library which supports the institute’s overall mission Innovative programmes Awards won, faculty development programmes, etc.

How to prepare the Library for the NAAC Assessment and Accreditation:

To prepare the library and its staff for the NAAC Assessment and Accreditation one has to follow three major steps:

Step I: Include a Library Report as a Departmental Input in the Self Study Report (SSR). The report should cover details about the objective, hours of work, collection, membership, library management, services and future plans of the library.

Step II: Prepare and/or update the supporting data for the SSR like objective, guidelines publicity material and various records of the library.

Objective : The library should have a clear objective which supports the institutes overall objective and goal.
Guidelines :The library should be user-friendly. All the help guidelinesshould be easy to access and understand. A few areas where guidelines can be prepared areSite map depicting location and arrangement of library,

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) regarding timing, membership, rates, etc. of the library services,
Who’s who – whom to contact when and for what
Collection Map – Tags for cupboards, Classification scheme, etc.
How to use services – computerized catalogue, reference books, journals, Xerox facility, etc.

Publicity Material : Various types of publicity material like brochure, prospectus, website, PowerPoint, Orientation formats, etc. can be prepared.
Records : All the library records like Stock-taking Reports, Library Committee Reports, and Minutes of Meetings should be updated. Collect Photos, Library Staff-profiles, Surveys, Feedback & Suggestions, Details about inter library loan, linkages with outsiders, etc. Prepare reports on faculty development programmes, seminars, extension activities, etc. Revise statistics of collection, circulation, members visited, etc .

For creating environment for NAAC, publisise the library activities, conduct

Mock Rehearsalswith different stake holders of the library like users, staff and management. The Mock Rehearsals help the library to understand itsSWOTand present the library in a better way in front of the NAAC peer team.

Step III: When NAAC peer team visits the library let more than one representative like assistant librarian, library staff, student representative, library committee member, etc. talk about the library and its services. Their different perspectives can portray a true picture of the library. Keep theReady Reference Informationlike number and/or percentage of books, members, visitors; number of national/foreign journals; comparative charts for results of different activities like circulation, subject wise collection, etc. This Ready Reckoner will help all the stakeholders to know the library thoroughly and answer accurately without confusions. Make sure that all the answers are common and accurate. Avoid wrong responses. If confusions, take help of the concerned experts for the particular questions. The Authentic, accurate and honest answers helps the NAAC peer team to judge the library in a better way.

At the end:

The NAAC Assessment and Accreditation is extremely rewarding experience where the entire college participates in introspection, self evaluation and self assessment. It helps to strengthen the competence, creativity and collegiality in the college. NAAC presents not only accreditation in accordance with internationally accepted standards but also creates a highly motivated and charged atmosphere and promises a bright future.

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