Dear Friends, Kerala Library Association (www.kearlalibraryassociation.org) is organising a National Seminar on "Redefining the Role of Public Libraries in India: the Knowledge Society Imperatives during 6-8 August 2008 at Thiruvavthapuram. About KLA Kerala Library Association, the Premier Professional society in the library and information system (LIS) domain of this region was founded in 1971,by formally registering under the societies registration act. With the strength of more than 800 Professionally qualified members on its fold, and having four regional centers at Kottayam,Ernakulum ,Thrissur and Kozhikode,KLA has been able to outreach all categories of libraries and LIS professionals across the state.The association has been contributing significantly to the scientific management and quality improvement of LIS in kerala, in addition to providing valid inputs to the policy making processes, particularly in the public Library and Academic Library Systems of the region. As part of the continuing education programmes,KLA has organized scores of Training Courses, Workshops, Seminars& Conferences ,Invited Lectures,Discussions,Debates etc.The National Seminars held on School Libraries (1998) and on the Libraries of Higher Education Sector(2005) brought laurels to KLA. With a sense of pride and satisfaction ,KLA is now organizing the three day National seminar on Redefining the Role of Public Libraries in India: the Knowledge Society Imperatives. The seminar is expected to equip and enable all the stakeholders of public library set up to work for an immensely potential area of activity with tremendous societal impact. Objectives · To critically evaluate the status of the public library set up in India and examine how far they fulfill the roles bestowed on them. · To apprise the professionals and the authorities alike for the need of change. · To discuss the modalities of the desired changes in the public library system in India and to ensure the feel of its impact in our society. · To formulate an action plan for the reorientation, reengineering and rejuvenation of the facilities and services in the upcoming scenario. Who can participate? LIS professionals, LIS educators, LIS students, authorities and staff of public libraries, other stakeholders and anybody who is interested in the development of the public libraries as an instrument for social change. Special invitees Policy planners, public library authorities, decision makers at the governmental and non-governmental level and social scientists. Programme The seminar is envisaged to have seven Business Sessions in addition to the Inagural, Valedictory Sessions and Panel Discussion. Facets of the Theme Public Library system in India: A Critical Appraisal · State-wise Scenario: Current and Futuristic · Role of Professional Societies & NGOs Library legislation in different states · Major Provisions · Limitations · Expectations Public Libraries and Knowledge Society · Perspectives on Knowledge Commission Recommendations · National Policy for Library and Information · Public Libraries and Information Literacy · Changing Role of public Libraries in Education · Public Libraries as Cultural Centres Impact of Technology · Preservation/Digitalization · Problems of Automation · Information Storage, Retreival and Dissemination in a Network Environment · Methods and Techniques of Knowledge Management · Influence of the Media Resources and Services · Information Resources: Traditional & Modern · Resource Sharing · New Dimensions in Services · Marketing, Public Relations, Publicity · Content Management · Community Information Service and Village Knowledge Centre Resource Mobilization and HRD · Sources of finance - Regional, National and International · Self-generating fiscal mechanisms · Human Resources - Planning, Development and Management Special Session on Public Libraries in Kerala · District-wise presentation of: Case studies Issue and Problems Development Initiatives Submission of papers Abstracts of papers on the above facets and sub facets are invited for oral presentation .The authors are requested to submit the extended abstract (not less than 200 words) typed in 1.5 line space on A4 size paper as Word File or by e-mail as Attachment file, to the general Convenor Papers for oral presentation will be selected by a screening Committee. The remaining Papers, subject to their quality clearance, will only be published in the proceedings afterwards. Registration Fee Delegates : Rs. 750.00 KLA Members& Participants sponsored by Kerala state Library Council :Rs.600.00 LIS Students : Rs.300.00 (Only limited no .of seats. Registration on first come first serve basis) Accompanying Persons (Non-Delegates) :Rs.400.00 Accommodation We do not provide accommodation to the delegates. However, we would help the participants in arranging accommodation at nominal rates on payment in advance, subject to the condition that such payments are received by us on or before25th July 2008. Dates to Remember Submission of abstract: 15 June 2008 Submission of full paper: 10 July 2008 Payment of registration fee : 25 July 2008 Communication All communications have to be addressed to: N.Sukumaran Nair General Convenor KLA National Seminar 2008, Kerala Library Association 36,Kairalie Plaza, II Floor Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram-695 002 Mobile:9447213155/E-mail: sukukla@yahoo.com Or Dr. K.P. Vijayakumar Joint General Convenor KLA NATIONAL Seminar & General Secretary, KLA Dept.of Library & information Science University of Kerala,Thiruvananthapuram-695 034 Tel.0471-2478034 E-mail :kpvijayakumar@teacher.com With Best Regards, Sainul Abideen P, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (BSc, BLISc, ADIS, PGDCA, VLIR Scholar, Belgium) | Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management-Kerala | Park Centre, Technopark | Tel. : +91-471-2527567,2700777 exn 119 | Karyavattom PO, PIN 695581 | Tel. : +91-471-2593961 (Resi) | Thiruvananthapuram | Mobile.: 9946401830 | Kerala, INDIA | Fax. : +91-471-2527568 | http://sainul.tripod.com | E-Mail : sainul at iiitmk dot ac dot in | www.iiitmk.ac.in | | |_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _| -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.