Importance of access to library stressed

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 22 2012: ON THE last day of the 5-day long national awareness programme on access to library organized jointly by Manipur University (MU) and National Library Kolkata at MU Library today, Prof E Bijoykumar Singh, Dept of Economics, MU has observed that researchers in the university need not have to be made to run from pillar to post in search of information.

Delivering the Presidential address of the valedictory function, Prof Bijoykumar Singh pointed out that one of the most time-consuming in any research is searching for sources and information.

So, most research scholars have to run here and there to collect their requirements.

Now that the library at Manipur University has been equipped with world class facilities that phase of running from pillar to post in search of information would be over.

He also noted that it would be ridiculous to build up facilities only in MU Library without expanding such facilities in other institutions under the varsity.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the valedictory function, Prof Amar Yumnam maintained that a university is become significant only when its library is significant.

Moreover, there is no importance for existence of library in any institutions if users do not use the facilities correctly He pointed out that none of the Indian Universities are among the top 200 best universities of the world, and it's because of the mechanism of operating library in the country.

Read more news at: http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=16..230912.sep12

Upgraded Bira Memorial library inaugurated in Imphal

Imphal, September 15 2012: 

An upgraded library set-up in the memory of well-known communist leader Thokchom Bira has been inaugurated at Irawat Bhavan today on the occasion of the late communist leader's 86th birth anniversary.

The library inauguration cum birth anniversary celebration was attended by a number of State Communist party figures including ex-MLAs Ph Parijat, N Mangi, Dr M Nara and veteran party leader M Ibohal, and Sahitya Akademi Awardee N Kunjamohan.

The celebration was preceded with the offering of floral tribute at the portraits of Hijam Irabot and Th Bira, fondly referred as Biplabi Bira.

Speakers recounted Bira as a communist leader who dedicated himself and worked for the welfare of the common people.

The library was set-up and subsequently upgraded to fulfil Bira's dream for ensuring the common people had access to thought-provoking literatures.

State CPI leaders also pledged on the occasion to continuously work for the betterment of the society inspite of the party having no representative in the State assembly.

Read more news at: http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=15..160912.sep12

Manipur needs more libraries- MALA

IMPHAL, September 10: “Manipur needs more libraries, both private as well as public as libraries play an important role in making a better society,” asserted general secretary, MALA Dr Ch Ibohal Singh.

He was speaking at the Atulchandra Memorial Lecture-2012 in commemoration of the 115th Birth anniversary of Dr H Atulchandra Singh founder of Canchipur High School, one of the oldest schools of the state.

The function was organized by the Manipur Library Association, MALA and the Canchipur High School at the school premises.

Dr H Atulchandra Singh, an educationist had also co-founded the Manipur Club in 1927 which was later changed into the Jubabati Memorial Library in 1933.

In his welcome address, Dr Ch Ibohal continued, “Libraries play an important role in rendering quality education in the state”.

Elaborating on the life of Dr H Atulchandra Singh, he said that Atul is one of the pioneer educationists of the state. Atulchandra was not just an educationist but a champion of woman’s struggle during his lifetime, he said. He had also founded a polytechnic in Manipur for the uplift of women in those days.

A speaker Dr T Tomba Singh lamented that there is no library committee in the state, and there has been no effort from anywhere to establish one.

He continued that 5 percent of a school’s budget should be used in developing the school’s library.

Manipur University, Department of Library and Information Science, HOD, Dr Th Purnima Devi said librarians were once considered as a clerical job, however with the invasion of new technologies, the job of a librarian has managed to escape from the four walls of his library.

She further lauded Dr H Atulchandra Singh for his contribution to the state and in promotion of libraries in the state.

Criticising the current trend of sending children to private tuitions, she said, it has become a fashion statement in the state. She continued that in order to bring an end to this trend, the teachers have an important role. According to a new UGC norm, any candidate for a teacher should have a specific past experience of doing community service, she added.

She concluded her speech with an appeal to cultivate reading habits among the people of the state.

Meanwhile, a book of poems, “Napu Machu gi Kakcheng” written by LC Lalhanba was also released during the function.

In his review of the book, CI College, Bishnupur Principal (retd) and renowned critic Salam Tomba Singh said Lalhanba is a modern poet.

“He has tried to contain all the scenarios of Manipur in his book of poems and did so with success.”

The presentation of the poems in the book is well balanced. The poet has a feel of the poetic pain, he concluded.

Read More at:http://kanglaonline.com/2012/09/manipur-needs-more-libraries-mala/

Hmar Students’ Association to set up libraries in Hmar Hills in Mizoram

Aizawl/Shillong (mizonews.net): The Hmar Students’ Association, General HQ’s Education Board has decided to set up village libraries in Hmar Hills from 2013. a  decision to this effect was taken during the board’s meeting on September 2 herein Shillong. The meeting was led by the board’s chairman Dr. John H. Pulamte and General HQ president Lalthlamuana Hmar also took part in the proceedings.

“HSA libraries will be set up in villages for the benefit of the student community and book lovers. The first such library will come up in Parbung village (in Hmar Hills in Manipur),” HSA statement said.

Read Full News at: http://www.mizonews.net/mizo-news/hmar-students-association-to-set-up-libraries/

Gauhati Commerce College to get digital library

Rs.10 crore sanctioned for the digital library will allow students to access e-journals and e-books online by just a click of the mouse.

Guwahati: The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has sanctioned Rs. 10 crore for setting up a digital library at the 50-year-old Gauhati Commerce College here. The college had submitted the proposal to set up the digital library to the ministry in 2010 and it received its sanction recently. The state’s public works department is now preparing a detailed project report for developing the infrastructure needed to build the first digital library of a college in the state.

         Gauhati Commerce College librarian Utpal Sarma said that the digital library would incorporate internet gateway connectivity which would allow students and researchers to access e-journals, e-books and other necessary information online. “Setting up of the digital library will have many advantages. First, we will prepare a computer database of all books currently in our library, which will allow students to locate a book by a click of the mouse. Secondly, we will also provide them access to many e-journals which students can use for downloading articles for academic and research purposes,” Mr. Sarma said. He added that the digital infrastructure for the library would include LAN terminals, VSAT server and an open source software.

       “We are planning to incorporate Informatics, an open source software and e-journal provider. Informatics offers access to one billion e-books and e-journals. Students will be able to read e-books, e-journals and download them for use by making an online payment of just $2. It will be different from accessing the articles online as one is normally not able to download articles from journals because of copyright issues,” Mr. Sarma added.  The digital library is also planning to get a membership of The American Library of the Congress which will allow students to browse, surf, download and read any content available through the library, according to other college sources.

     Set up in 1962, Gauhati Commerce College offers courses in business and commerce. It also started a Centre of Management Studies in 2010 and now enrolls students in its BBA and MBA programs as well.

Read More News at: http://www.igovernment.in/node/43704

Proposal Received From NE States For Archives And Museums

The Minister for Culture and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Kumari Selja has said that State-wise details of proposals received from North East States under the Scheme of “Setting up, Promotion and Strengthening of Regional and Local Museums” and the Scheme of “Financial Assistance to States/UT Archival Repositories, Government Libraries and Museums, 2012-13” are given in the Annexure.

·         State-wise status in respect of proposals received from North-East Region under the scheme of 'Setting up, Promotion and Strengthening of Regional & Local Museums"

                         

·         State-wise status in respect of proposal received from North-East Region under the scheme of “Financial Assistance to States / UT Archival Repositories, Government Libraries and Museums, 2012-13 "

 

Source | www.pib.nic.in