BUDGETING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES

"Within the framework of financial management for libraries, the budget stands as a central aspect. The budget, essentially a statement of income and expenditure, serves as a guiding document for managing funds allocated over a period of time. Beyond its financial role, the budget serves as a tool for control, communication, coordination, evaluation, and motivation.

    Budgeting, a managerial function covered under POSDCORB in (Principles and Functions of Management), holds significance as both a planning instrument and a control mechanism. It functions as a plan document by projecting financial plans for the library's future and acts as a control mechanism by facilitating budgetary control. This control helps monitor performance against the plan, making it possible to rectify any deviations from performance targets.

    A budget serves as a roadmap, outlining the provision of library services in the coming years and forming the fiscal foundation for library operations. It offers the opportunity to secure necessary funding for existing services while also seeking supplemental support for expanding services or accommodating increased use. The budget functions as a means to monitor required revenues and track expenses that can be reported. It encompasses detailed cost factors for each activity, incorporating projections for future growth and the commitments of library services. Due to the financial implications, standards for operational procedures are also essential."

CONCEPT, DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF LIBRARY MANAGEMENT

  

1. Introduction : Management refers to series of functions for the organisation and administration of  various activities and people in the organisation. If we study the working of the  existing organisations all over the world, some are highly successful; some are  striving hard for success while some are unsuccessful. There are certain factors  influencing their success. Mangers apply the principles of management which are  universal in character. They plan, organize, integrate and inter–relate organizational activities and resources for the purpose of accomplishing the objectives. 

Management is essential for all types of organisations and libraries are no exception.  Management techniques in libraries have their origin in mid 1950’s. Prior to this,  libraries had very limited financial resources and limited services. Now libraries exist  in great variety. These vary in size, goals, structural pattern, financial resources, staff  and many other characteristics. From management point of view, these very in  management style, morale of the staff, environment for innovation etc. Now a variety  of information and communication technologies are available as means to improve  library services and operations. 

Library, Information and Society

Introduction

 Information and knowledge drive society's development. Humans, known for their intelligence, gather information, turn it into knowledge, and use it to improve lives. Initially, knowledge was shared orally, but as it grew, people started writing it down. These written records became known as documents. As society progressed, knowledge expanded, leading to the rise of civilizations. Civilizations brought educational, political, and cultural organizations, boosting human intellectual activities. Printing technology marked a major milestone in preserving and sharing knowledge.

Amid these developments, the concept of a library emerged. Libraries became places to store and share knowledge, ensuring its transfer to future generations.

Basics of Research Methodology

Introduction:

    Research plays a vital role in human progress. It's like a tool we use to find out the truth about things. It's not just searching for answers, but a deep and focused search. Research helps us find solutions by using the scientific method, which is a key part of every field of study. It's how we investigate and learn new things.

    Ranganathan elaborates and elucidates the meaning of research as a “critical and exhaustive investigation to discover new facts, to interpret them in the light of the known ideas – laws and theories – to revise the current laws and theories in the light of the newly discovered facts and to apply the conclusions to some practical purpose”.

    "Research" is a purposeful intellectual activity aimed at exploring a phenomenon to expand existing knowledge. It involves systematically collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data to solve societal problems. This becomes scientific when specific methods are used to gather, record, measure, and analyze data in a research cycle – from problem selection to final report writing. In essence, it's a systematic thinking process and scientific method for studying problems and finding solutions. However, research design, application, and outcome may differ across subjects.

Important Steps in Research Process

STEPS IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS

The process of research invariably consists of three stages – the primary stage,

secondary stage and final stage. Each of these stages consist of several steps and

thus the any research process comprises the following steps:

i) Identifying and Formulating the Research Problem

ii) Defining the objectives

iii) Formulation of Hypotheses

iv) Literature Review

v) Research Design

vi) Sample Design

vii) Data Collection

viii) Analysis and Interpretation of Data

ix) Writing Research Report

x) Conclusions