Dear Friends Unity in Diversity - is the principle Mr.Sathyanarayana, when he was the President of KALA called one meeting of all the Presidents and secretaries of the association in Karnataka Initiated with a good intention to bring librarians together - give more Voice and strength to the Librarians Not with Idea of registering one more .... confining power to KALA I think - spirit behind that initiative by Sathya is mus-understood His Intention was very clear - not to consolidate the power to one association or one group office bearers Better take the spirit in right Direction Wishing all the best Dr.H.S.Siddamallaiah Visiting Professor, faculty of Informatics, Mahasarakham University, Thailand Former Principal Librarian and Information Officer NIMHANS, Bangalore, India On Sat, Feb 22, 2014 at 6:23 PM, Koteswara Rao Mamidi wrote:

Dear Friends,

I have been watching the heated arguments on a controversial issue of LIS federation started by Dr. IRN Goudar. Personally I do not understand why KALA had to take this step without obtaining any consensus of all the stake holders? We already have too many associations and some of them are doing very well (including KALA and TNLA) compared to others which are just 'event managers'. I am also surprised to see that our LIS associations have 'deeply fragmented' to the extent of having a separate 'SC/ST Library Professionals Association' recently in Karnataka? My questions is: 1. Why some people suddenly jump to create new bodies unless the existing bodies are considered a failure or useless? 2. When there is an apex body like the Joint Council of Library Associations in India (JOCLAI) why do we need a separate Federation? 3. Can anyone guarantee that all the LIS associations of the country will join this new Federation? Will 'delhites' agree to this? 4. When ILA has been recognized by GOI to deal with policy issues pertaining to LIS profession will this new federation replace it? 5. People should remember the fate of GOC when the Government representative had withdraw from the committee. 6. Will this new LIS federation in Bangalore can get the approval of GOI in Delhi or bring the proposed changes in the profession?

If some people think that we can replicate IFLA at International level they are totally wrong. Over the years we have seen that even after the 4th, 5th & 6th PRCs many of the important anomalies in LIS profession like eligibility criteria, pay scales, UGC projects, promotion rules, retirement age, etc, are still not resolved. The quality of LIS education has fell to its lowest, because we do not have an accredition body. The state of our public libraries is highly deplorable. We are yet to see the benefits of the new national library mission. There are many more long pending issues which needs to be addressed, so let us be content with what we have and if possible work towards improving the functioning of the existing national and state associations (which are always busy conducting seminars and conferences). I fully agree with Dr. Siddamallaiah that there is no need for any LIS federation. India is great country, let us work in a de-centralised manner and not copy others. The views expressed here are my personal.

Dr. M. Koteswara Rao Retired Librarian Univ of Hyderabad

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Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2014 00:42:19 +0100 From: goudarishwar@googlemail.com To: lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in CC: lis-forum-owner@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in; francis@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in; franc@library.iisc.ernet.in; lis-forum-request@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] LIS FEDERATION Formed at Bangalore-reg

Dear Professionals,

I felt like ignoring the Lis-forum posting by Dr. Shekar about the formation of Federation of LIS Associations. In the interest of profession, which has nurtured me for the last 37 years and beyond, I thought of penning few lines giving some insights in this matter.

1. The idea of forming Federation of LIS Associations is fantastic. There are number of LIS Associations at different levels including National, State, District and Regional. Again we have sector /discipline wise associations like University, Special, Academic, School, Medical, College (Degree), PU College, Engineering, Management, etc. Some of the associations, at state level include KALA, AKELPA, Karnataka Medical Library Association, MyLISA, KSCLA, KASULA, DKKLA, IALA, IPLA (both although India level, more of Karnataka), KSSC/STLA, SIS Bangalore Chapter and many more. There are local/state chapters of few National level associations. There are ways and means to form a Federation of Associations, be it LIS or otherwise. Dr. Siddamallaiah has specified correct approach / definition in this matter.

Following are some questions of mine: Are there any answers by members of this group?

- Why only a small group of individuals met and decided on such an important matter? - Have they notified for a meeting, official or otherwise to any of the associations mentioned above? - Any announcement at least through any of the forums like Lis-forum? - When they have not done so, why this message through Lis-forum? They would have communicated the matter among themselves. - Did all members of GB and Office bearers of the Federation announced attend the meeting? I am sure > 70% did not attend. - Have they taken the consent of all of them before announcing their names in this list? - Don't you think that this step by few professionals divide the profession itself? - Don't you agree that we have sufficient number of association? Instead of strengthening the existing ones, should we divide the profession by forming new associations? The announced can''t be a Federation as they have not followed any acceptable procedure, at the most it can be another association, created to full fill somebody's personal interest. - What is the guarantee that the new association will meet the aspirations of all the professionals? - As reacted by one of the LIS faculty member, Can any one appreciate the following sentences in a welcoming note from a just born association?

* ...just finding fault on others and teaching Vedanta through some forums is very easy ...*

* ... none of the professional association opens up their mouth ...*

*... a Common platform to fight for the real cause ...* (as if all other associations are fake and not doing anything)

2. Among all the associations mentioned above KALA, started by Shri Devegowda, then DPI and Dr. SRR (initially as MyLA) has stood test of the time for all these years in spite of few hiccups. Some of us analysed the KALA situation and struggled to have best and active members (a blend of senior professionals and young and bubbling professionals) as GB members and also Office Bearers. We could convince Prof V.G. Talawar to shoulder the responsibility of KALA as its President. We co-opted senior and resourceful persons like Prof AY Asundi, Mr. NV Sathyanarayana, and Dr. KN Prasad as GB members/ or with some responsibility. KALA in its recent GB meeting held at Reva University under the Chairmanship of Prof. Talawar decided to go for federation of all LIS Associations by inviting the office bearers under the umbrella of KALA, i the strict sense of Federation, not with the intention of merging or coming in the way of their autonomy. I The text of the minutes says I quote "It was decided to federate all/various LIS associations in the State and to have lead role played by KALA. It was proposed to have meeting of Presidents and Secretaries of all the associations to discuss the modalities and functioning of this federation. Mr. Anand T. Byrappa was requested to prepare the draft for the proposal indicating modalities and functioning of federation to be discussed in the next GC meeting".

3. The KALA GB also decided to have district chapters and professionals were also identified for all districts, with representation of university, public and college libraries, etc. . Concerned persons were consulted and briefed about the move and official communication is getting ready for circulation. Prof. Talawar has taken personal interest and has not only been guiding KALA, but is part and parcel of all its activities and proceedings. Just now KALA has gone into the hands of strong and dedicated team.

4. As I am aware, there is no need to pay any membership fee to become individual member of any federation . Once any association becomes member of any federation, naturally members of all of associations can expect all benefits, unless associations concerned decide to collect additional membership fees for functioning of Federation. It all depends upon all members decision.

5. Dr. H.P. Shekar, who took the lead to form this Federation, in one of his Lis-forum posting on 29 Nov 2013, remarked about the Conference on "Save the Libraries and Librarianship" among many remarks, I quote "..... thinking to come out of this association and planning to formulate a standard state level association with the guidance of eminent personalities in LIS. In this context they approached me also..... " I don't understand what is the meaning of Standard State Level Association. If he thinks that none of the existing associations are useless, then why one should think of federating useless associations?

I have enjoyed best part of my professional life all these years and am retired with full satisfaction. I have kept myself away from any politics. Yes, I love my profession and that is why this response. But as Dr. Siddamallaiah has put it, I too don't have any aspirations of becoming office bearer of any association. Association is bigger than an individual and profession is bigger than an association. Let our profession prosper as a main stream of the society. I earnestly request all professionals including those in the list mentioned by Dr. Shekar to stay together as partners of this noble profession. Let us grow collectively. Let us support each other.

THERE ARE MANY SENIOR PROFESSIONALS COMPARED TO ME. WE ALSO HAVE YOUNG, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND BUBBLING PROFESSIONALS. PLEASE LEAD THE PROFESSION IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Regards,

Dr. I.R.N. Goudar Ex. Visiting Professor and Library Adviser Mysore University Library University of Mysore Manasagangotri, MYSORE - 570 006 Ex Scientist 'G' and Head, ICAST, NAL, Bangalore E-mail: goudarishwar@gmail.com

On Thu, Feb 20, 2014 at 5:33 AM, Shekar H P wrote:

...

Dear All,

GREETINGS FOR THE DAY....!!!

It is good to see the postings of Dr. IRN Goudar and the suggestions / opinions expressed by other professional friends across India too.

I am closely watching the activities of most of the LIS associations in India since 23 years. As you all know, none of the association in the

...

/ India thinking in this direction (as pointed out by IRN Goudar) and raising their voice. It is true that, we cannot ignore the share of

...

Presidents of different LIS associations and their teams too. On the other side, Congratulations to S.L.Faisal and his team of KendriyaVidyalaya Library professionals who took a lead and preparing manual. We should appreciate their effort.

Hope you all agree with me, just finding fault on others and teaching Vedanta through some forums is very easy. But the contribution of every individual counts in implementing /achieving these goals and objectives.

Since most of the associations have their own objectives limited to

...

service environment / platforms like PU Colleges / First grade Colleges / Universities etc., it is difficult for them to think broadly

...

a whole and concentrating on the Policy issues / Procedure/ Decisions etc taking place in the professional field. As expressed by one of the senior Professor N. Laxman Rao 'the problems are increasing year after the year. Especially now the status and facilities given to academic librarians is at stake. One after the other the facilities are being removed. It is true that our recognition is going from bad to worse. It is high time that

...

Associations take lead and do something for the profession'.

Sri.N.V.Satyanaraya, CMD, Informatics India, also rightly pointed out (during the general body meeting of KALA recently) and gave a call to all the regional / national LIS professional associations to unite under one tree and form a FEDERATION to take lead in the state / National level. So that there will be a strength to fight for the cause. But even after so many postings / discussions none of the professional association opens up their mouth and ready to shoulder the responsibility.

Based on these grounds, in the interest of the budding librarians and

...

professional zeal, we are happy to announce that, like minded Senior LIS professionals of the State, Office bearers of different associations with the representatives (belongs to both Govt. and Private college

state past their profession as the the libraries)

...

of PU Colleges, First grade Colleges, Universities, Law, Medical, Engineering, B.Ed/TCH, Polytechnics, Business Schools, Public Libraries etc. have decided to shoulder the responsibility, joined together and formed a FEDERATION - An Apex body of LIS professionals in the state and a Common platform to fight for the real cause within the state and Govt. of India / UGC as well.

The first meeting after formation of the FEDERATION was held on 15th February 2014at Hasanath Women's College, Shivaji Nagar, Bangalore.

Name: *FEDERATION OF KARNATAKA LIBRARIANS ASSOCIATION (FEKLA)*

*FOUNDER SECRETARIAT OF THE FEDERATION: (Initially for three years 2014-2017)*

1. Dr. S.L.Kadadevaramath - President

2. Mr.M.N.N.Prasad - Sr. Vice President

3. Dr. Ganapathi Z Shinde - Vice President

4. Dr. T.Y. Mallaiah - Vice President

5. Dr. H.P. Shekar - Vice President

6. Dr. Satish Hosamani - Vice President

7. Dr. Mallikarjuna Vaddanakeri - Vice President

8. Dr. B.U.Kannappanavar - General Secretary

9. Dr. H.R. Sujatha - Joint Secretary

10. Dr. B.R. Radha Krishna - Joint Secretary

11. Mr. G.R. Chikkamath - Joint Secretary

12. Mr. Umesh K Bagewadi - Treasurer

*EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS:*

1. Dr. Vijay Rajkumar U.S.

2. Dr. N.Kotresh

3. Dr. N.N. Arabagonda

4. Mr. S.M. Dheeraj

5. Mrs. D. Sujatha

6. Mr. B.S Malvad

7. Mr. S. Shyamasundar

8. Mr. M.M. Hebballi

9. Mr. B.P. Bandi

10. Mr. Rajesh Kumbar

11. Dr. MallikarjunMulimani

12. Dr. Vasappagouda

13. Mr. Gurumurthy

14. Mr. Guruprasad

15. Mr. Mallikarjun

16. Ms. V. Sunitha

17. Mr. Gurushankaraiah

The Members of the Federation are preparing the Bi-law, aims and objectives of the Federation in detail.Valid Suggestions are welcome before the next meeting scheduled on 30.3.2014. The Federation requests all the Librarians and Library professional Associations in Karnataka to join their hand by becoming members of the federation. Individual Life Membership fee would be Rs.1000/- only.

*Please Note:* A delegation is planned to Delhi to submit a memorandum to MHRD / UGC on Minor / Major Projects to Librarians and FDP during First week of March 2014 (on top priority).

*SUPPORT US TO SUPPORT U- LET US WORK TOGETHER AS ONE*

*All Communications may be addressed to:*

Dr. B.U.Kannappanavar,

General Secretary, FEKLA, &Librarian,

Sahyadri College,B.H. Road,

Vidyanagar,Shimogga-577203

Email: kannappanavar@gmail.com

Phone: 09480329897 / 09449070311 -- *Dr. Shekar H.P.* Head, Knowledge Resource Centre IBS Business School, #231, Near Kengeri Check post Mysore Road, Bangalore-560060 Karnataka - India Ph: (O): 080-66222244

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