The Importance of Books
Dr. Thakur is an internationally known scholar in the field of Library and Information Science. He has the distinction of being invited as an expert of the subject by the U.G.C. Syllabi Committee and Indira Gandhi National Open University as well as by a number of important National and International Universities as their Academic Adviser and visiting Professor. The Commonwealth Universities Association, London, has honoured him by organising a series of lectures in prestigious universities of England which were highly appreciated. At present, Dr. Thakur is working as the Director of the Institute of Library and Information Science and University Librarian in the University of Patna. It is only by his relentless and dedicated efforts that Patna University has been brought on the International map of the Computerisation and automation in the field of Library and Information Science.
Books are the most important vehicle of the cultural and creative wealth of the world inspite of the influence of other mass media like the radio, television, computer and many other audio-visual aids and they will continue to have their rightful place. The book is the only instrument which presents infinite variety from which an individual can select. It also affords personal pleasure and satisfaction no other instrument can provide.
Sir Harold Laski wrote about the importance of the bookshop in a community in his autobiography and stressed that the cultural development of a particular society can be seen in the quality of the bookshop that it possesses.
The United Kingdom still dominates the world of book and heads the list of countries in the matter of the number of publications issued during each year. The Guiness book of records also registers British authors and publications as topping the list in the matter of numbers of titles issued or the largest editions of single titles respectively. As such the U.K. can be regarded as the torch bearer of the cultural movement as is represented by the book industry.
The creation of respect in the consumer for the published price of a book is of fundamental importance in sound book distribution. Neither the publisher nor the slightest confusion in the mind of buyer as to what price he should pay for book.
The publisher and bookseller should have no secret price agreements between themselves. Publisher should work out discounts to booksellers, government department institutions, co-operatives and other channels of distribution and make the discounts publicly known.
The existing bookseller associations should be induced to enter into agreements they do not compete with each other in prices undercutting should be firmly put down by the associations.
Government departments and educational institutions should not resort to any bargaining in the prices of books.
In respect of books produced in India and those imported from abroad, Government department should accept fair prices fixed in consultation with publishers’ representatives and booksellers in the country. The fair prices must be made known to all concerned.
The patronage of Government purchases should be passed on to established booksellers in the country who are known to practice fair dealing and give sound service.
Underselling and free competition in a priced item like books leads to an artificial rise in the retail price. The retail price has to take in not only cost of production but also cost of promotion and distribution. If these are denied availability of the product will be difficult.
There will also be abuse of privileged positions in purchases particularly institutional buying which forms the strong base for the publishing industry in any country.
Writer- DR. UGRA MOHAN THAKUR
Director
Instt. of Lib. & Information Sc.
PATNA UNIVERSITY
