Barkas to go tech-savvy, works for e-library to start soon (Hyderabad)

HYDERABAD: Winds of change are being felt in several Old City areas and Barkas is no exception. Though development had taken a backseat in Barkas for decades, things are all set to change. A swanky e-library is on the cards in this neighbourhood where more children, both boys and girls, are now going to schools and colleges than in the past.

Locals, the Arab-Indian populace of Barkas, share that they are indeed witnessing the change taking place. "We don't have the statistics. But we can tell you that now we have engineers and doctors and other professionals from this locality," Khalid bin Abdullah, a middle-aged businessman, said.

It was in 2011 that the residents of Barkas voiced their demand for a library. A survey by local leaders in collaboration with civil society organizations of 2000 households conducted in the area shed light on the demands of the residents. Among those was a demand for a new library with facilities for the tech-savvy youngsters of the area. When chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy visited Barkas last year during the Rachabanda, foundation stone for the e-library was laid. But the proposal has taken a year to finally translate into work.

Ayesha Rubina, GHMC co-option member associated with ward development in Barkas, said that work on the library would be starting soon. "Earlier it was not clear if GHMC officials or the officials of the Directorate of Public Libraries would take up the work. That has now been resolved. The officials of the libraries department are set to take up construction and management of the library at an estimated cost of Rs 50 lakh. Work is likely to begin in two weeks," she said. It would take about a year for the new library to start functioning, she added.

The new library will come up in the vicinity of the Barkas football ground where an old library exists. For decades now, the residents of Barkas, Chandrayangutta and surrounding areas have had to contend with the existing library which is in a crumbling state with the books in dire need of restoration.

Rubina said that the new library is expected to start operations with 15 computers and access to online library database.

"We have few tentative plans as to how the e-library would function under the aegis of the public libraries officials but the details will be worked out after the infrastructure is in place. More books will be procured and restoration of old books will also be considered," she said.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Barkas-to-go-tech-savvy-works-for-e-library-to-start-soon/articleshow/12873862.cms

A tribute to Khuda Bakhsh

The founder of the world famous Oriental Public Library Patna

WORLD BOOK DAY 23RD APRIL BY DR. ABDUL MAJID BABA

When the world is celebrating World Book Day, let us pay our tribute to Khuda Bakhsh Khan Founder of Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library Patna Bihar. This Library is considered as Treasure House of Muslim Art and Literature. Established in 1891, the Library –The product of a Bibliophile’s labour of love- boasts of one of the world’s richest collections of rare books, manuscripts and original paintings, each an outstanding example of the best of Muslim art and literature. It enshrines the memory of scholars and kings long gone, of causes lost and won, and of a vibrant culture which in its time had a profound influence and inspired some of the greatest master pieces.
 Today it is an institution of national importance having been declared so by the Government of India which took over control of the Library by an Act of Parliament in 1969. It houses thousands of Urdu, Persian and Arabic manuscripts - the world’s second largest collection, after the one at the Istanbul Public Library (Turkey).
 Khuda Bakhsh Khan was born into a highly educated family of North Bihar, one of whose members, it is said, assisted in compiling the Fatwa-i-Alamgiri, the institutes of Aurangzeb. Khuda Bakhsh’s father, Mohammad Bakhsh, an advocate and a scholar, had built up a valuable collection of about 1400 Books, some of which he had inherited, these he bequeathed to his son with a death bed wish that they be made the nucleus of a great collection which would foster oriental learning. The son, with no patrimony other than these volumes, established the Library in 1891 in Patna and by a deed of trust “donated” the entire collection to the public.  Then called the Patna Oriental Public Library, it was renamed after Khuda Bakhsh’s death in 1908. He died at the age of 66 and was buried within the Library premises.
 The founder’s will specifies that under no circumstances can the Library be shifted from where it is now, Ashoka Rajpath, popularly known as Bankipore, in Patna. A man from Chapra, Khuda Bakhsh had reasons for coming to Patna to establish his Library. To him, Patna had great historical significance.
 An advocate and later, a judge, Khuda Bakhsh travelled extensively all over India, his fame as a book collector spreading all the while.
  Khuda Bakhsh’s son, Salahuddin Khuda Bakhsh, in his book, My Father: His Life and Reminiscences, admits with pride that many of the manuscripts in the Library had been stolen from elsewhere. Khuda Bakhsh himself was not ashamed of it. The Book quotes him as having told a friend, Sir Ali Imam, “The art of collection is one that soars above and defies the provisions of the penal code. There are three classes of blind men- those who are bereft of sight; those who (lend) valuable books even to a friend; and those who return such volumes, once they have passed into their possession”.
 Khuda Bakhsh’s passion for books was intense. The British Museum made him a magnificent offer for his collection, but he turned it down saying, “I am a poor man. The money that has been offered is a Princely fortune. But how can I ever part for money with that to which my father and I have dedicated our lives.”
 Descriptive Cataloguing of the Library’s Manuscripts was initiated by the Scholar- Administrator Lord Curzon in 1905 under the supervision of Sir Denison Ross, a British Indologist. Acquisition of manuscripts continues regularly. Rare books were donated from donors in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Italy, Iran, United States, and Saudi Arabia during 1990’s
 Jawaharlal Nehru, while visiting the Library in 1953, expressed his desire to see the rare materials reproduced and reprinted so that those who could not come to Patna would still have access to them. Thereafter, large number of volumes rare and old prints were edited and published. Large numbers of manuscripts have been digitized. Large numbers of Scholars throughout the world visit this Library.
J&K Scene
We wish to have the Library like Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library and person like Khuda Bakhsh Khan in J&K State. No doubt we have the great persons who donate or gift their rare collections to the Libraries without demanding any amount.  But unfortunately we have the persons in J&K State particularly in Kashmir who demand high amount for their personal collections posing that they possess rare collections. I have my personal experiences during the last few decades and at certain times I feel disheartened when people charge for the manuscripts in their possession without knowing that the manuscripts are already published.  Even we have the people who charge for the trash collections. During these days we have to keep in view the availability of space in different Libraries. We must work hard to get only those rare collections which are really beneficial for the future generations.
Author is Deputy University Librarian, University of Kashmir. Reach him at
abmbaba@kashmiruniversity.ac.in
source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2012/Apr/23/a-tribute-to-khuda-bakhsh-36.asp

Fresh salvo against Rajan Gurukkal (VC-MGU)

KOTTAYAM:� Triggering a fresh controversy against Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Rajan Gurukkal and the varsity administration, a section has alleged that anomalies were found in the recruitment of the deputy librarian in the University library.

The pro-UDF syndicate members, who have been at loggerheads with the VC for sometime, are all set to raise more irregularities that allegedly exist in the recently constituted Centre for Advanced Research in Library Information Science (CARLIS), it is learnt.

"Irregularities were found in the admission process to the CARLIS. According to the UGC regulations in 2010, the post of deputy librarian has been upgraded to one that equals to associate professor’s and PhD is mandatory in the appointment. However, the former pro-LDF Syndicate promoted an assistant librarian, who does not have PhD, as deputy librarian,” said a Syndicate member.

The assistant librarian was promoted to deputy librarian on June 30, 2011. The pro-UDF members alleged that since the recruitment has not got concurrence from the govt, the university administration has initiated steps to award PhD to this deputy librarian.

“The deputy librarian, who is doing his PhD at CARLIS, sought time relaxation to submit his report, asking the university to let him file it an year ahead of the stipulated three years time frame. To regularise this irregularity, the deputy librarian required an immediate PhD. If the university gives nod for time relaxation then it would be a clear case of nepotism,” the member said.

The university had earlier in its first notification confined the eligibility for applying to the PhD to CARLIS employees only. However, but later it allowed others to register for MG University PhD. However, Gurukkal denied the reports of allowing time relaxation for the deputy librarian to submit his reports.

“These are only rumours. We cannot move against the UGC regulations,” Gurukkal said.

However, he said that if anybody, who did not have PhD, had been promoted to deputy librarian’s post, it should be examined.

“I have not appointed anybody as deputy librarian, using my special power, he said.

Libraries set the stage for summer book binge

By-LIFFY THOMAS

The days when the pleasure of reading a library book was tempered by the hassle of having to renew it after a fortnight or pay a fine are suddenly gone. Now, get waivers on the membership fee, find help in choosing age-appropriate books for new readers and participate in activities related to reading. Welcome to the new-age library.

As the summer vacation begins and parents seek to initiate children into reading or even browse through a few favourites themselves, neighbourhood libraries are offering a variety of new schemes to get people to read.

JustBooks, which is one of the newest community library chains, opened its first branch in the city at Indira Nagar three weeks ago. Here, members have the advantage of returning and borrowing books from any one of its 58 branches located in nine cities. Plus, it is offering a two-month fee waiver on its annual membership with no late fee charges on both monthly and annual members as far as the plan allows.

Easwari Lending Library, which usually charges 10 per cent of the cost of a book, now allows members to borrow three books at a time with no restriction on the number of days they can be kept.

All its 13 branches in the city are offering the scheme, and the three books can be borrowed at a cost of Rs.120 per month.

Online book rental service Book and Borrow promises to surprise adults with gifts if they register between April 23 and May 23, and will offer an age-appropriate book for young readers who register between April 20 and June 20.

The iloveread library is also offering discount on membership for April and May.

If discounts on the membership fee or books do not attract you, places such as Hippocampus are organising a book fair where four publishers are sure to help you select the best range of books. To celebrate World Book Day (April 23), a two-day book fair was held on April 21 and 22nd. Events related to reading promise to get children closer to books through may.

Also in the fray is the Book World Library, with five branches in the city, where one can borrow 25 books over a month (children's collection only) at a cost of Rs. 50.

Children such as Akshara T.V., going to class IX, are excited that libraries have so many offers. “I like to read action and comedy-based books and if my library can get me the best collection, nothing like having them as company for the summer,” says Akshara, who wants to read at least 50 books this vacation.

source of info: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3343145.ece

Manipur Public Library Act, 1988 will be implemented Very soon

Imphal, April 22 2012: The State Government should implement the Manipur Public Library Act and constitute Library Directorate in order to promote public library in the State.

This was resolved during a panel discussion organised by the Manipur Library Association, Imphal with the theme Legislation Based Public Library Service in Manipur: Challenges and Opportunity today at the State Central Library, Keishampat.
The panellists pointed out that the Manipur Public Library Act was enacted in 1988 .
However, it has not been implemented till date.
The panellists contended that Public Library in the State could not make headway due to nonimplementation of the Act.
Speaking at the occasion, General Secretary of the Manipur Library Association, Dr Ch Ibohal pointed out that libraries in 19 Indian States where the Library Act has been implemented flourish.
He maintained that Manipur was the sixth State to have enacted the Public Library Act in India but the same has been kept in cold storage for the last 24 years.
While reiterating that the State Government should implement the Act, Dr Ibohal further said that the State Government has been urged on several occasions through memorandum for the immediate and effective implementation of the Act.
Another panellist, Dr Th Khomdon, Librarian in MU said public library gains significance in conformity with Article 12 of the Indian Constitution.
He stressed that the promotion of library is a State subject and hence the State should take adequate measures for its promotion.
Dr Khomdon is of the view that a Library Directorate be constituted to look after the welfare of libraries�from village and club level library to State Central library.
As a result of not receiving any patronage from the Government, all libraries in the State from State Central library to village/organisation/club run library are unable to function effectively, Dr Khomdom maintained.
Taking part in the discussion, MLA Karam Shyam said there are around 300 public libraries in the State.
He also assured to work consistently towards the welfare of library in the State.
Throwing in his opinion, founder Secretary of MALA, K Chaoba stated that the public library is under the Art and Culture department.
Stating that public library is in great demand in the State, he said the Government could not meet the demand on the pretext of lack of fund.
He said political support is needed for the promotion of public library.
The cabinet should take a decision for the implementation of the Public Library Act.
The Government should also provision in its budget for providing grant in aid to all libraries of the State.
Assistant Registrar of Gauhati High Court, MC Tiken opined that the Public Library Act, which was passed over two decades back, needs amendment.
The members present also felicitated MLA Karam Shyam, Life Member of MALA, on his success in the 10th Assembly election.

Source: The Sangai Express

more news: http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=7..230412.apr12

World Book and Copyright Day !!

By celebrating this Day throughout the world, UNESCO seeks to promote reading, publishing and the protection of intellectual property through copyright.

23 April is a symbolic date for world literature, since 23 April 1616 was the date of death of Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. 23 April is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo.

This is why UNESCO chose this date to pay a worldwide tribute to books and their authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and to gain a renewed respect for the extraordinary contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.

The idea for this celebration originated in Catalonia (Spain) where it has become a tradition to give a rose as a gift for each book purchased.

The success of the World Book and Copyright Day will depend primarily on the support received from all parties concerned: authors, publishers, teachers, librarians, public and private institutions, humanitarian NGOs and the mass media.

InfoPort Launched by INFLIBNET

InfoPort: A Subject Gateway to Indian Electronic Resources developed by the INFLIBNET Centre was launched by Prof. Mahendra P Lama, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim University during the inaugural session of 8th PLANNER 2012 on 1^st March, 2012. The InfoPort is designed and developed by the INFLIBNET Centre to serve as a comprehensive gateway to all Indian scholarly content. The gateway open-ups the Indian scholarly content scattered over the Internet through an integrated interface that support search, browse and multiple listing. The resources covered in the infoPort are organized under ten major categories (000 to 999) accroding to the Dewey Decimal Classification. Resources in the InfoPort are also arranged alphabetically by subjects. The Info-Port is now accessible at:

http://infoport.inflibnet.ac.in/

Please give your feedback and contribute to this resource through http://infoport.inflibnet.ac.in/suggest.aspx.

A Library is a SHIP...

Certificate Programme in Library Automation at Nashik

Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) is Organising a Certificate Programme in Library Automation (Programme code :C37) from 23 July to 27July 2012.

Limited Seets - 30

Pls see syllabus, all are theory with Practical, Language (English , Marathi)


1) Information Technology
a) Concept
b) Basic Computers
c) Hardware and SOftware
d) Data Security, Databack-up, Installation od Antivirus
e) Network for Data Sharing


2) Library Automation
a) Ares of Application
b) Introduction to Library Management, software, (Including Open
source Library Management software)
c) E-Granthalaya: (Free Software- Installation and Application)


3) Barcode and Scanning


4) Library Security system
a) 3M
b) RFID
c) CCTV etc


for detailed information please contact to:-


Dr.Madhukar Shewale
Deputy Librarian & Head,
Library and Resource Centre
Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University
Near Gangapur Dam,
Nashik 422 222
(Maharashtra)
Tel 091-0253-2230032
Fax 091-0253-2230270

Registration Fee- 2500/-(including Breakfast, Tea, Lunch, Dinear, Kit, and Accommodation for 5 days)

National Seminar by RRRLF at Thiruvananthpuram

Dear All,

The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) is organizing a National Seminar on the theme “Towards a new reading culture” on 20-21 April 2012 in Thiruvananthapuram.There would be four technical sessions, viz.Changing Reading Habit and Public Libraries, Re-orienting Public Libraries in India, ICT Applications and Public Libraries and Equipping Public Library Users and Staff with Appropriate Skills and Competencies.

RRRLF National Fellowship will be awarded to Dr Balamohan Thampi at this function. Shri P Govinda Pillai, Shri Kavalam Narayana Paincker, Smt. Sugathakumari, Shri Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri, Dr K Satchidanandan, Shri Kanayi Kunhiraman, Dr George Onakkoor, Dr N.A. Karim, Prof. C.A. Augustine, Smt Lalitha Lenin and Shri N. Balagopal, the veterans in the field of Literature and Library movement will also be honoured.

There will be invited presentations from eminent Literary persons and Library Professionals.
Delegate registration is already completed.
For more information, please contact,


Mr N. Sukumaran Nair
General Convener
RRRLF National Seminar 2012
Mob: 09447213155 

A Joint Convention of IASLIC and BLA

Dear Sirs/Madams

We are anxious to observe the disquieting situation prevailing in the Government controlled and Govt. sponsored Public libraries in West Bengal caused by recent Govt. order dated 14.03.12 indicating the imposition of the Govt.'s inhibitive restriction for reading newspapers in the libraries of West Bengal.

It is needless to mention here that modern libraries, unlike those in earlier centuries, are the knowledge resource centres (KRC) and cardinal intermediaries between the producers and consumers of knowledge. The knowledge economy starting from the days of Adam Smith has been shaping itself anew in these days of market economy resulting in both generation and proliferation of knowledge at faster rate. Its fruitful use has become indispensable in any sphere of human activity. Precisely, knowledge is the invisible capital for development and newspapers are the primary sources of knowledge. Gathering, culling, disseminating and using of knowledge of any type and variation are the absolute rights of any individual institution and organization in the society. Its easy accessibility availability and free flow for use in a library according to user’s choice, need, demand and requirement should be imperatively ensured. Moreover, according to UNESCO, a library

is “people’s university”.  Any imposed restriction for reading newspapers in the libraries is bound to mar the activity and effort for achieving the cherished goal.

Thus,  IASLIC, in collaboration with Bengal Library Association(BLA), is going to organise a joint convention on the above mentioned order issued by the Govt of West Bengal imposing restrictions on subscribing newspapers for Govt  libraries  on 22.04.2012 (Sunday) at 4 pm in the Mahabodhi Society Auditorium, College Square, Kolkata – 700 073. A good number of speakers are invited from different fields.  We earnestly invite you to attend the convention with your professional friends and colleagues to make this convention a grand success.

With warm regards.

=====================================================

পীযূষকান্তি পাণিগ্রাহী

Dr Pijushkanti Panigrahi, 

Professor & Head, Dept of Lib and Inf Science, 3rd Floor Asutosh Building, University of Calcutta, 87/1 College Street,Kolkata - 700 073, West Bengal, India, email :panigrahipk@yahoo.com, (M) : +91 94342 43522. 

General Secretary, Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC), P-291, CIT Scheme No 6M , Kankurgachi, Kolkata – 700 054, India; 

Associate Editor, IASLIC Bulletin ; 

Member, Continuing Professional Development and Workplace Learning (CPDWL), International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Netherlands

Member, Library Committee, The Asiatic Society, Kolkata. 

Librarian at Mumbai in Law College

SOURCE: Times of India, 18.04.2012, pg No. 38

Librarian at Mumbai

Times of India, 18.04.2012, pg No. 38

Restoration delay leaves state library exposed

Come monsoon, and there is a high possibility that parts of the decades-old State Central Library at Afzal Gunj may cave in. With its huge halls and high ceilings, the Osmanian-style edifice is now left to the vagaries of nature, as its restoration project seems to have hit a roadblock. The structure, constructed in 1936 after the library was moved from the old General Post Office building at Abids, is now a just shadow of its glorious past.

The signs of incomplete work are visible all over, with the walls chipped off and the roof left exposed for want of re-plastering. And with the restoration work stopped midway, a hard spell of rain might lead to water seepage, weakening the imposing structure, Ms Anuradha Reddy, of Intach, warns. “The interest of the building is paramount,” she stressed. “I have seen the progress of work, and it is anyone’s guess when the roof will be re-plastered.” With the monsoon less than two months away, she said, there was a danger of collapse — a concern shared by several other experts as well.

Mr Kedarnath, a regular visitor to the library, said: “It is a pity such a magnificent structure is in such a condition.” The AP Educational and Welfare Infrastructure Development Corporat-ion had awarded to Babu Associates the contract for the project after tenders were called in April 2011. The restoration work, estimated to cost Rs 2.33 crore, was scheduled for completion within 12 months.

“Works were taken up last year and should have been completed by now,” C.H. Pulliah, director, public libraries, said. However, Mr Babu, the contractor, said the authorities did not hand over the library site in time, which primarily had led to the delay. Besides, he claimed, “We needed to make certain deviations from the original plan in tune with the revised rates.” APEWIDC executive engineer K. Murthy admitted that there was a delay in the work. “I will visit the site on the last week of April, and if there is no satisfactory progress, appropriate penalty will be imposed on the contractor,” he said

Full News is available at :- 

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/hyderabad/restoration-delay-leaves-state-library-exposed-989.

Historic District Library of Silchar in pathetic state

SILCHAR: Almost 50 years after its establishment in 1961, the District Library inSilchar lies in a dilapidated condition. Rainwater enters the building through the cracked roof and broken windows of the decrepit building, which is almost flooded during monsoons. The ASEB has cut off power supply in the library due to non-payment of tariff by the Assam government. The local municipality has also cut off water supply to the toilets for the same reason.

The library does not subscribe to any periodicals including daily newspapers due to paucity of funds. Though the library has thousands of valuable books in different languages, they have not been maintained and no new books have been included in the library over the past two decades. All this has led to the library losing its loyal clientele.

"Since the District Library was established on the occasion of Rabindranath Tagore's birth centenary in 1961, we called on the Assam minister for cultural affairs Pranati Phukan during her recent visit to Silchar on the occasion of Tagore's 150th birth anniversary celebrations last week. We asked her to reconstruct the library with air condition facilities, internet connectivity and uninterrupted supply of power in the reading room," the Cachar district president of Barak Upatyaka Banga Sahitya O Sanskriti Sammelon (BUBSSS), Taimur Raja Choudhury said.

BUBSSS called upon the minister to take measures to provide regular supply of books, magazines, journals and audio-visual materials in Bengali, English, Assamese, Hindi and other languages, and keep the library updated. The organization also demanded that a permanent librarian is appointed immediately, which is at present being headed by a clerk.

Choudhury said the people of Barak Valley are emotionally attached to the library and the auditorium adjacent to it as it was established on Tagore's birth centenary. "But, we are sorry to state that the Bengali section of the library is in a dismal state with hardly any significant inclusion for over past two decades. While the state is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore, it is disheartening to note that there is an absence of even the Kaviguru's books in the library. The old stock of Tagore's works is in a terrible condition and has not been replaced ever," he added.

"The venerable institute was at one time the haunt of bookworms. We, during out college and school days, used to visit the library's reading room regularly to go through the books and periodicals. Sometimes, we had to wait for long to get a table due to rush of readers. But today, very few people visit the library, which is situated at the heart of the city," said Milan Laskar, a cultural activist.

Full News is available at :- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Historic-District-Library-of-Silchar-in-pathetic-state/articleshow/12741027.cms

Building for library remains unused

STAFF REPORTER, THE HINDU-At Rs. 20 lakh, the Coimbatore Corporation has built a building on Alagannan Vth Street, Saibaba Colony, that is supposed to be used as a library. It has been over a new year now after completion and the building is as new as it was after construction as no library has been established. The residents have been waiting for a library for long, says Ward 11 Councillor M. Ravindiraraj. He raised the issue with the Corporation authorities and also the District Library Authority. The latter said that it would be able to run a library provided the Corporation handed over the building.

The Corporation, on its part, first fixed a monthly rent of Rs. 12,500. The Finance and Taxation Committee reduced it to Rs. 3,000 and the Council to Rs. 1,000 following appeals from elected representatives and the public that the civic body should not look at commercial interests in fixing rent for libraries.

Meanwhile, the premise is short of maintenance. Fallen twigs and leaves are everywhere. The pews that have been placed are full of dirt and dust. In the evenings, the place turns a haven for anti-social elements, the Councillor rues. He says that now the District Library Authority wants the Corporation to waive the monthly rent, which, the civic body says, is not possible. And the logjam continues. Rent is the only issue that threatens the establishment of the library. For issues such as furniture, patrons, etc. all arrangements have been made.

Efforts to reach the District Library Authority failed. The Coimbatore Corporation under Mayor S.M. Velusamy recently announced that the Corporation would establish a library in each of the 100 wards. It was also one of the announcements made on the eve of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's birthday.

Full News is available at:-  http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/article3334952.ece

Information Literacy

Information Literacy can be termed as a set of individual abilities to identify, retrieve, evaluate and use information that is appropriate to a particular requirement. It is the adoption of appropriate information behaviour to identify, through whatever channel or medium, information well fitted to information needs, leading to wise and ethical use of information in society. 
To be information literate, a person must be able to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information. The information literate individuals are those who have learned how to learn. Scholars who develop information literacy skills will be more successful in their studies and their daily lives. These skills are an essential element in becoming a lifelong learner. An Information Literate student is one who is able to: 
• Recognise his information requirements
• Analyse and formulate queries based on his information requirements;
• Identify and locate potential sources of information; 
• Design, develop and successfully use various search strategies;
• Evaluate information gathered from various sources and in various formats;
• Use information in critical thinking and problem solving;
• Use information ethically; 
• Integrate new information into the existing body of knowledge;
• Effectively communicate the knowledge and ideas with rest of the world;
Introduction
Historically the term information literacy was first used in print by Paul G. Zurkowski in 1974 in a report written on behalf of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science. The phrase was used to describe the "techniques and skills" known by the information literate "for utilizing the wide range of information tools as well as primary sources in molding information solutions to their problems". Although other educational goals, including traditional literacy, computer literacy, library skills, and critical thinking skills, are related to information literacy and important foundations for its development, information literacy itself has emerged as a distinct skill set and a necessary key to one's social and economic well-being in an increasingly complex information society". 
The complete information environment is changing rapidly, be it the form, format or resources. The abundance of information available through the Internet in public domain in the form of subject gateways, e-books, e-journals, subject and subject concept based web pages, etc., as well as the information available through different subscription based databases made available by various hosts and aggregators, is bound to play a very important role in teaching, learning and research, particularly in higher education and R&D institutions.

For Full text articles please visit - http://crl.du.ac.in/ot/tutorial.html

http://crl.du.ac.in/ot/

Innovative Public Library Recognized as a 2012 Computerworld Honors Laureate for Use of Wyse Cloud Client Computing

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwire - April 17, 2012) - Wyse Technology, the global leader in cloud client computing, today announced that IDG's Computerworld Honors program has named Colorado'sLoveland Public Library as a 2012 Laureate. The annual award program honors visionary applications of information technology promoting positive social, economic and educational change.

"There's no question technology plays a vital role in driving business forward. It ensures an organization's ability to compete, innovate, communicate and thrive. What the Computerworld Honors Laureates so clearly demonstrate is technology's role in moving society forward. Computerworld acknowledges and applauds the outstanding work being done by individuals and organizations that have successfully used technology to improve the quality of our lives and that of future generations," said John Amato, Vice President/Publisher of Computerworld. "Computerworld is proud to name the 2012 class of Laureates and celebrate their initiatives benefiting society through the innovative use of IT."

Loveland Public Library is using Wyse cloud client computing solutions to provide public computer access to the Internet at its recently renovated 57,000 square foot library. Instead of PCs, the Loveland Public Library installed Wyse cloud PCs with Wyse WSM allowing the library to quadruple the number of computers and still be able to support them with existing IT resources. The result: more available computers and an increase in the number of and variety of computer classes offered. But, the real impact has been in helping the unemployed library patrons who rely on the Library to seek employment and augment their computer skills for job training.

"What started out as a technology problem has turned into an opportunity to help the community. Before our renovation, we would have hour-long waits to use the computer, or worse we had to turn people away," said Shane Adamson, Library Technology Manager. "Thanks to Wyse, we have more computers and we can shift our resources to things that matter, such as providing employment training and resources for job seekers, rather than maintaining the computers." 

"Loveland Public Library is a shining example of how organizations are adding more value to their computer infrastructure by utilizing Wyse and our cloud client solutions. In Loveland Public Library's case, they are truly making an impact on the social and economic well-being of their community by helping patrons learn new and valuable skills and find employment," said Jeff McNaught, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Wyse. "Congratulations to Loveland Public Library for the deserving recognition from Computerworld Honors."

The Computerworld Honors Program awards will be presented at the Gala Evening and Awards Ceremony on June 4, 2012 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit theLoveland Public Library case study.

About The Computerworld Honors Program

Founded by International Data Group (IDG) in 1988, The Computerworld Honors Program is governed by the not-for-profit Computerworld Information Technology Awards Foundation. Computerworld Honors is the longest running global program to honor individuals and organizations that use information technology to promote positive social, economic and educational change. Additional information about the program and a Global Archive of past Laureate case studies, as well as oral histories of Leadership Award recipients can be found at theComputerworld Honors website.

About Wyse Technology

Wyse Technology is the global leader in Cloud Client Computing. The Wyse portfolio includes industry-leading thin, zero and cloud PC client solutions with advanced management, desktop virtualization and cloud software supporting desktops, laptops and next generation mobile devices. Cloud client computing replaces the outdated computing model of the unsecure, unreliable, energy-intensive and expensive PC, all while delivering lower TCO and a superior user experience. Wyse has shipped more than 20 million units and has over 200 million people interacting with their products each day, enabling the leading private, public, hybrid and government cloud implementations worldwide. Wyse partners with industry-leading IT vendors, including Cisco®, Citrix®, IBM®, Microsoft, and VMware® as well as globally-recognized distribution and service partners. Wyse is headquartered in San Jose, California, U.S.A., with offices worldwide. For more information, visit the Wyse website athttp://www.wyse.com or call 1-800-GET-WYSE.

About Computerworld 

Computerworld is the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide, providing peer perspective, IT leadership and business results. Computerworld's award-winning web site (www.computerworld.com), bi-weekly publication, focused conference series and custom research forms the hub of the world's largest (40+ edition) global IT media network. In the past five years alone, Computerworld has won more than 100 awards, including Magazine of the Year by American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) awards in 2010, the 2009 Best Blog from the Neal awards, and 2006 Best Overall Web Publication from ASBPE. Computerworld leads the industry with an online audience of over 3.5 million unique, monthly visitors (Omniture, September 2011). Computerworld is published by IDG Enterprise, a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading media, events and research company. Company information is available atwww.idgenterprise.com.

Canada varsity keen on library partnership with IITs

KOLKATA, APRIL 18: 

A Canadian university is moving towards library and research partnerships with two Indian Institutes of Technology.

The University of Alberta (UA) is expecting to share digitised materials in diverse areas such as medicine, engineering and literature with IIT, Ropar, and IIT Roorkee, a university spokesperson told Business Line.

Ms Margaret Law, Director of International Relations with the university libraries, was in India recently.

According to her, the institutions may work out specific ways in which they could share rare copies of digitised materials. “This will be with librarians from the IITs and their Canadian counterparts,” Ms Law said.

She felt the university library needed to support those beyond western perspectives on medicine, engineering, or any other fields.

In her efforts to enhance research capacities at the University of Alberta, she felt the need to build an infrastructure base by helping develop expertise in librarianship and build library collections worldwide.

For example, IIT Ropar offers a course on Canadian literature but have a very limited collection. “We're going to help them build a good Canadian literature collection”, Ms Law said.

IIT, Ropar, in turn will help the Canadian university build a library of Indian traditional medicine. “We have a number of researchers in Canada, who are interested in global health issues and we have a special collection that's specifically focused on indigenous traditions and health practices”.

jayanta_mallick@ thehindu.co.in

Source: The Hindu Business Line  http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/article3328744.ece

Library and Information Networking - 2, Online Class Room Series - IGNOU's LIS - Course Material and Video Tutorials

Course     :- IGNOU's BLIS and MLIS Open Projects on Youtube

Source     :-  www.youtube.com

Courtesy :-  Google