National Workshop on Research Methodology and SPSS

Calicut : The department of library and information science, University of Calicut, in association with University Grants Commission, New Delhi organised One week national workshop on research methodology and SPSS during - 24-29 March, 2014. Vice-Chancellor Dr. Abdul Salam inaugurated the program. Training in research methodology is an essential pre requisite for quality research, he said. These type of workshops must be continued in future and the department may conduct such regular workshop in the university. 

Dr. TM Vasudevan, HOD, library Science and Dean, Faculty of Humanities presided over the function. Dr. Sailas Benjamin, Director, Directorate of Research, Prof. Mani KP, Dr. Abdul Azeez attended the program. Dr. Mohamed Haneefa welcomed the gathering and Dr. Mohamed Musthafa extended vote of thanks. 

Prof. M. Parameswaran falicitated

Prof. M. Parameswaran, the former Head, Dept. of library and information science, University of Calicut bagged the prestigious 'Kendra Sahithya Academy Award 2013'  for the best translation from Tamil to Malayalam. His award winning work entitled "Thiruvachanam' is a translation of a 9th century Tamil classic. On this occasion,  Prof. Ravindranath, Pro Vice Chancellor adorn him a 'Ponnada' and Dr. Arsu presented him a memento and introduced the book and author to the audience.                             Prof. Parameswaran was felicitated by Dr. Jalaja, Sri PL Sreedharan, Dr. Vinod VM, and Dr. Mohamed Musthafa. K. The felicitation program was jointly conducted by the Dept. of library science, CHMK Library and Kerala Library Association Calicut Chapter at the seminar hall of the University of Calicut. Dr. Abdul Aseez presided over the function and Dr. Vasudevan TM welcomed the gathering.

Workshop on Career Development in Library and Information Science held on 5th March 2014 at University of Calicut

The Dept. of Library and Information Science in association with the UGC Career and Counseling Cell, University of Calicut organized one day workshop on career development in library and information science on 5^th March 2014 at the department seminar hall. The program started with an inaugural session at 9.30 am.  Dr. Vasudevan TM, HOD, Library and information science presided over the session and Prof. M Parameswaran, former HOD and renowned writer inaugurated the function. Dr. Abdul Asees, the University librarian felicitated the function. Dr. Mohamed Haneefa welcomed the gathering and Dr. Mohamed Musthafa extended vote of thanks.

In the inaugural address,  Prof. M Parameswaran emphasized on the application of modern technologies including information and communication technology in the information and knowledge dissemination. The role of library and librarian has been changed from the concept of the custodian of documents to the information managers and knowledge engineers and the scope the library and information science has been elaborated in the contemporary world.

The first technical session was on the topic “new vistas and challenges in information management”. Dr. MG Sreekumar, Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, a well known information scientist and librarian was the resource person. Dr. Sreekumar led the participant to the new areas and vistas of information science where the cyber libraries and virtual libraries are coming to prominent. He pointed out the need of special skills in information technology and tools and techniques in information preservation and dissemination.

The second session was on “career opportunities in library and information science”.  Dr. Dineshan Koovakai, Librarian i/c of Central University of Kerala, Kasarkode presented the topic. Through his interactive presentation, Dr. Koovakai spread light to various career opportunities for the students of library and information science in academic and  research institutions, media, NGOs, embassies and government departments as librarian, information scientists, documentation officer, reference officer, information analysis and information manager. One of the attractions of this session was the hand –on training in preparing an effective CV and tips to attend a successful interview.

            The program was attended by more than fifty participants that include Research scholars, M.Phil and MLISc students. The feedback from the students shows that the program was content-rich and very useful for them. The workshop ended at 4.45 pm. 

CBSE introduces Library Science as elective paper for students of class XI and XII,

Students of class XI and XII, who want to opt for a ‘different’ subject at school, can do so now. Starting academic year 2014-15, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to introduce Library and Information Science’ as a new elective at senior secondary level on a pilot basis in selected schools.

Students will be able to take the up subject as one of the four electives or as an additional elective at senior secondary stage in combination with any of the subjects under the Scheme of Studies of the Board.

“CBSE has decided to introduce a Library & Information Science Course at senior secondary level, which will fulfil the requirement of developing necessary skills in learners to identify, locate, evaluate and use the required information efficiently…,” Dr Sadhana Parashar, director, CBSE, Academics, said.

The level of knowledge offered would be equivalent to diploma level. The course will be divided into fixed periods, with theory (80 marks) and practical sessions (20 marks), the Board said in a statement.

The course will include lessons on sectors such as library information society, library resources, reference and information resources, library computer application and library management. The statement said the course was essential because of its relevance and need among students, teachers, professionals and researchers.

Emphasising on the need for such a subject, the Board added, “One important aspect of this elective is to improve the education system for Library and Information Science at school level. The objectives of the course are to develop a basic understanding about the subject and develop knowledge and skill for students to be able to pursue the subject for higher education.”

While children would be motivated to enjoy reading and gain basic knowledge of LISc, students who drop out of school or those unable to continue further education, will be able to find jobs right after school, the Board said.

“As stated in the National Curriculum Framework, 2005, it is important that future planning treats the library as an essential component of the school at all levels. Both teachers and children need to be motivated and trained to use the library as a resource for learning, pleasure and concentration.” Vineet Joshi, chairman of CBSE, said.

Source: as posted by Pankaj Upreti at ILOSC

Rare Malayalam Books Added to Wikimedia Free Library,

 Wikigrandasala- http://ml.wikisource.org/wiki/ 

Some of the rarest of Malayalam literary works has transcended the physical barrier and have started a new life in the digital era, all thanks to the active participation of more than 200 Wikimedia users from around the globe. This has been part of a digitization contest organized by Malayalam Wikimedia to celebrate a decade of Wikisource.  This has led to the successful completion of creating digital copies of 52 rare and extremely valuable Malayalam books that can now be found online from Wikigrandasala, the free Wikimedia library.

This no doubt will provide the newer generation a glimpse of literary works, most of which were written well over a century ago, titles which would have wilted away into oblivion without the digitization efforts.

Among the books that were digitized include Keralabhasha Vyakaranam (1877) by Vaidyan Pachumoothatu,Gangavataranam (1892) by Kodungalloor Kunjikuttan Thampuran, Malayazhmayude Vyakaranam (1863) by Rev George Mathen. Also featuring in the list are books such asSampshepavedartham (1772), which happen to be one of the oldest known Christian works written in Malayalam language,Hastalakshanadeepika (1892) along with magazines such asRasikaranjini and Mangalodayam.

Source | http://goodereader.com/

TIMS Inaugurated

First MBA batch of TIMS Edappal inaugurated on 2nd September, 2013

First book printed in Malayalam goes online

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From a college library in Bangalore, a fragile copy of the first book printed in Malayalam -- SampkshepaVedartham -- has made a leap to eternity. Thanks to efforts by MalayalamWikipedians, the book printed in 1772 and kept in Dharmaram College in Bangalore is now available free on the internet, without any copyright restriction.
The scanned copy of 'Sampkshepa Vedartham or Nasranikal Okkeyum Ariyendunna Sampkshepa Vedartham' will be a major source of information for those interested in the history and development of Malayalam script. The book by Italian priest Clement Peanices is in the form of Christian religious teaching in question-answer format. The first edition of the book was printed using Malayalam types in Rome in 1772 and was brought to the state in 1774.

Source: THE TIMES OF INDIA