Application of Johari Window Concept in Library Scenario N.K. Dash, Silicon Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar Dr. J. Sahoo, DLIS, Sambalpur University Basudev Mohanty, IIT Bhubaneswar

Objective Self Image of Librarian Johari Window – the concept Johari Window - Library Implications

Prelude Library as the heart and soul of any organization Role of Librarian is a matter of discussion Librarian as a “person” / “Human Factor” in library service Competencies have been set for Librarians

Self-Image Self Image is an internal dictionary of Self – intelligent, beautiful, ugly, talented, selfish & kind etc etc… It includes items that have been learned by that person about himself or herself, either from – personal experiences or – by internalizing the judgments of others.

3 questions on self image #1:How do I look? mental image of our physical appearance #2:How am I doing? performance image of our success and failures #3:How important am I ? inner sense of our adequacy and value

Librarians and their self-Image Librarian’s work consists largely of helping users in their information need. It is therefore important to make our self image strong. Our self image determine the quality of our relationships with users.

Self Image Development Cycle ? Is, how to improve self image?

Johari Window Developed by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham American Psychologists in the year 1950’s – It is a communication model that can be used to improve understanding between individuals. – It is based on two assumptions Degree to which the person knows about himself or herself Degree to which the person is known to others JOHARI Window – Key Ideas Disclosing information about themselves to Others Feedback from others.

Johari Window – the panes Open Area you and others know Blind area only others know Hidden area only you know Unknown area no one knows

What does each pane speak? Pane 1: Open Area – What is known by the person about him/herself and is also known by others. (Known to Others)(Known to Self) Pane 2: Blind area – What is unknown by the person about him/herself but which others know. (Known to Others) (Unknown to Self) Pane 3: Hidden area – What the person knows about him/herself that others do not. (Unknown to Others)(Known to Self) Pane 4: Unknown area – What is unknown by the person about him/herself and is also unknown by others. (Unknown to Others)(Unknown to Self)

Johari Window – Library Implications Open Area: (Known to Others and Known to Self) – It contains all the things that are open to us and others. The area helps us to promote the image of ourselves, our institutions, and our profession. – The good practice in the area attracts users to approach library and help us to market our products and services. It will help us to manage our resources strategically. – Librarian can adopt various methods to promote the services and products on offer to students. – CAS / SDI, User profile creation, Document profile creation, use of social media etc… – Reaching the students

Johari Window – Library Implications Blind Area: (Known to Others) (Unknown to Self) – As librarians this area is very vital for us, this area contains all that we don’t know ourselves but our users know about those. – For instance, we are trying our best to acquire best information resources at our library, and have good environment for study. But the output is not up to the mark. – Then we have to take feedback from the users and know our lacunae and proceed against it and come to track. – Many tested tools are now used by librarians to take feedback from the users on their library experience.

Johari Window – Library Implications Hidden Area: (Unknown to Others and Known to Self) – As librarians, this portion may contain our academic abilities, dislike for boss, co-workers, some users, the environment, lack of satisfaction at work, and the like. – The things we keep hidden can have an effect on our work. Librarian’s abilities should be explored to carryout various operations like coordinating colleagues / leading the team to perform a task. – Using one’s communication skills to promote library services and product will be an added advantage in this area. – Librarians abilities to be explored – Hidden talents to be explored

Johari Window – Library Implications Unknown Area: (Unknown to Others and Unknown to Self) – This part of window represents that which is unknown to both librarian and its users. – Take for example a good concept like cloud computing is coming to market which it just evolved. Neither the librarian nor the users know about it, so both of them miss the opportunity of enjoying its full benefits. – Latest technologies which can be used for Library betterment can be explored by various means by librarian and users both.

Figure 8.3 Johari Window at the Beginning of a Relationship (left) and After a Closer Relationship Has Developed (right) Source: Joseph Luft, Group Processes: An Introduction to Group Dynamics © Mayfield Publishing Company. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.

At the end… The Johari Window will vary from person to person, depending on how that person relates to others. As librarian, we must make our library inviting by becoming open and ready to share our ideas, thoughts, and feelings, to overcome our fears, and be willing to listen to criticism. The basic premise of Johari Window is that our personal and professional relationships can greatly improved through understanding ourselves. We must adopt an open, sharing, listening, and understanding model of Johari Window communication and interaction.

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