SISCOM

RN. 39296/81Vol. 24 No. 1-3, January-March 2004 |  ISSN: 0970-6836

SIS 2004 

            The 22nd Annual Convention and Conference of the Society for Information Science on Digital Information Exchange: Pathways to Build Information Society was held at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras during 21-23 January, 2004. As a part of the Convention, 2 Pre Conference Tutorials were also organized on 21 January, namely:

 Tutorial            I            ISO 9001-2000 Application in Libraries and Information                                                    Centres

Tutorial            II            Management and Development of Digital Resources

             The Tutorials were inaugurated by Shri H.R. Mohan of the Hindu and Dr. Harish Chandra, Organizing Secretary welcomed the delegates. In Tutorial I there were four special presentations on the major theme by Dr. Srinivasa Raghavan, Dr. Harish Chandra, Dr. G. Srinivasan and Dr. M. Kumaravel. In the post lunch Tutorial, there were seven presentations by Mr. Ganesh Kumar, Dr. K. Mangala Sundar, Dr. P. Pichappan, Dr. Vijay Ayyappan, Dr. Harish Chandra, Shri Yogender Singh and Dr. Shailendra Kumar.

             Prof. MS. Ananth, Director of lIT Madras inaugurated the Annual Convention and also released the Pro-Conference Volume on 22nd January, Professor S. Narayanan, Dean (Academic Research) lIT Madras welcomed the delegates and also released the Souvenir. Dr. TAV Murthy, Director INELIBNET and the President, SIS delivered presidential address. Prof. S.V. Raghavan, Dean (Planning), lIT Madras delivered keynote address. Dr. Ramesh Kundra, Secretary, SIS felicitated the dignitaries on the dias and also announced the SIS annual awards to Mr. Yogendra Singh and Dr. VS.Cholin. Mr. N.V. Sathyanarayana, Managing Director, Informatics India and Vice President of SIS outlined the tremendous changes in the information profession and the role being played by information industry in bridging the gap in information access and retrieval. Dr. Harish Chandra, Organising Secretary proposed a vote of thanks. Over 200 participants from the entire country including two participants from Kenya participated. Ninety nine papers were included in the Pre Conference Volume and discussed in Technical Sessions as given below: 

1.            Current Issues & Future Directions in Digital Libraries

2.            Web content/Rendering Techniques

3.            Scientometrics and Webometrics

4.            Digital resources

5.            Open access Initiatives/Digital Preservation

6.            Networking and Security Issues

7.            Information Society and Profession

8.            Web based Services and E-Commerce

9.            E-Publishing/Digitalization

10.        Library ConsortiallPRllnformation Exchange

             Prof. V.G. Talawar from Mysore University acted as the Director of the conference. Prof. B. Ramesh Babu, from Madras University served as the Repporteur General and Dr. S. Chandrappa from IIM Bangalore acted as Associate Repporteur General. These Sessions were chaired by eminent professionals: 

1. Dr. Sangawa. S. Sirurmath IIM, Ahmedabad

2. Prof. N. Laxman Rao, Osmania University

3. Dr. S. Venkadesan, lISc, Bangalore

4. Dr. Bhandi, Mangalore University

5. Prof. KS. Raghavan, Madras University

6. Prof. Manorama Srinath, Madras University

7. Prof. Sabahat Hussain, Aligarh Muslim University

8. Dr. Mangal K. Sundar, lIT Madras

9. Prof. Lalitha Jayaraman, Anna University

10. Dr. Harish Charidra, IT Madras

             Each session had a Repporteur to assist the Repporteur General. The following  professionals from different institutions served as Repporteurs:

 1. Dr. K. Nithyanandam, Anna University

2. Mr. M. Natarajan, NISCAIR, New Delhi

3. Dr. V.S. Cholin, INFLIBNET

4. Dr. S. Chandrappa, IIM, Bangalore

5. Mr. K. Ramachendra Rao, Osmania University

6. Mr. Mahendra N. Jhadav, lIT Bombay

7. Dr. Krishna Gopal, Jawaharlal Nehru University

8. Dr. S. Gopala Krishnan, MIT, Chennai

9. Mr. A. Hariharan of SERC

10. Dr. Ramesh Kundra, NISTADS 

            On 23rd January Prof. Raizda Memorial Lecture was delivered by Mr. P.C. Saha on “Towards Self Sufficiency through Information Marketing’. Various leading Information and E-Publishing Industries and Institutions including Balani Infotech Edutech, Informatics India, lnflibnet, Total Library Solutions, Olumpus Infotech made special presentations about their products and services. Prof. P.T. Manoharan, Former Vice Chancellor, Madras University was the Chief Guest of the Valedictory function. Dr. Harish Chandra. Organizing Secretary proposed a vote of thanks.

-Ramesh Kundra

Total Quality Management (TQM) in Library and Information Services (LIS) 

On a request from the Society for Information Science (SIS), India. and encouraged with the success of its training programmes on Total Quality Management in Library & In formation Services, the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow conducted it, once again during March 22-24, 2004. Senior level professionals engaged in the information sector, from all over the country, attended the programme, which was directed by Dr. R.L. Raina, Professor, Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow. The programme was inaugurated by Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Dean (P&D), lIM Lucknow, at the IIML Campus on March 22, 2004. He exhorted the participants to respond to the changing needs of their respective users in a cost-efficient way. Dr. Ramesh Kundra, Secretary, SIS, India, present on the occasion, spoke about the functions and activities of the SIS. 

            The programme was designed to equip the participants with adequate know-how  So that they were able to:

 • Gauge the requirements of their clients more accurately and precisely;

• Cater to the exact needs of such users; and

• Remain cost effective in every area of operation by doing things right the first time, everytime, all the time.

             The training package had been designed around the following themes:

•             Understanding the total quality management (TOM) process;

•             Developing TQM as a strategic focus to effect continuous improvement in various activities and services of a modern library and information centre (LIC)             encompassing acquisition, organization and dissemination of information;

•            Overcoming barriers to continuous improvement in the context of library and             information services (LIS); and

•           Making continuous improvement a way of life for everyone involved in LIS in any organization.

             The technical sessions with eminent subject experts were organised on the following topics:

(I) Conceptual Framework of TQM; (ii) TQM in Library & Information Context (LIC); (iii)Motivation & Team Building; (v) Service Design Process; and (vi) Effective Communication; & (vii) Leadership: Journey to Excellence.

             The programme, concluded with a valedictory session on March 24, 2004, in which the Director, IIML, Dr. Devi Singh, while delivering the valedictory address, asked the information professionals to accept the challenges posed by the ICT by being responsive to ever increasing and complex information requirements of their users. Dr. Singh also distributed the Certificates. Participants provided the feedback on the programme, through a structured questionnaire designed for the purpose as well as through a report presented in the valedictory function. Feedback reflected that the programme was a success. Shri M.K. Singh, Assistant Librarian, lIM, Lucknow was the Organising Secretary for the programme and Shri Deepak Wahal Treasurer.

Richa Khare 

Information Management at NIT Silchar

             In order to create awareness towards Library Automation, an AICTE-ISTE sponsored Short Term Training programme on “Information Technology Application in Information Management” was organised at NIT, Silchar from 1-10 March 04. About 35 participants from various parts of the country including Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, UP, Haryana, Assam & Meghalaya attended the training programme. During the course, the participants were given lectures, demos & hands on experience on different aspects on digital library, library automation, virtual library, Internet, barcode technology, web page design and development, TQM and HRD issues. Mrs. Renu Arora from SAARC Documentation Centre. New Delhi; Dr. B.N. Sarkar, DSIR, New Delhi; Shri Tasiruddin Ahemd from National Informatic Centre, Guwahati; Dr. Saibaba Batala & Dr. A. Bhattacharya from UT Guwahati & faculty from MT Silchar & Assarn University acted as the major resource persons in this programme.

             Prof. H.P. Sinha, Programme Director & Executive Secretary, Indian Society for Technical Education, New Delhi in his inaugural address highlighted the cultural diversities of North East. He stressed on the need of broad-based & equitable access to Information & Communication Technologies (ICTs) in rural areas of North East. He pointed out that ICTs provide ample opportunity in human activity development including rural development & food security. He highlighted the role of Information Centres in monitoring, evaluating and documenting the applications of ICTs for rural areas of North East. He also focused on the professional development of library professionals through ICTs.

             Mrs. Renu Arora, Coordinator, SAARC Documentation Centre & special guest on the inaugural function in her speech remarked that this is a great event for this valley with participants coming from various parts of the country. She stressed on the importance of IT for information management as it is vital for the advancement of society. She further highlighted the importance of Resource sharing and networking in this era of Information explosion. To get the best quality Information, it is necessary that all libraries be automated. Latest applications of information technology, it applied to libraries, can result in bringing the users and information resources closer and eventually result in keeping pace with development  in the modern day society.

             In the presidential remark Prof. Gautam Barua, Director Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati & NIT Silchar stressed on the need of automating library & information services in the North Eastern Region. He emphasized the role of digital library & Networking in sharing of information. He also highlighted the relevance of resource sharing in context of resource crunch in the libraries.

             Mr. Kishor C. Satpathy, Coordinator of the training programme and Librarian, NIT, Silchar briefed the gathering about the course, its participants & resource persons. In his address he traced the knowledge transmission through ages & highlighted the information management for today. He focused on the importance of the training programme in updating the knowledge of the library professionals. He added that in the era of literature explosion, it is difficult on the part of traditional librarians to manage the information. In this context the IT works as a tool to serve the users in a better way. He highlighted the role of Networking & Internet in the current dynamic library environment.

             Dr. Saibaba Bathala, Deputy Librarian, (IT Guwahati in his valedictory address focused on the importance of the training programme in updating the knowledge of the library professionals. He added that in the era of literature explosion in the form of primary, secondary & tertiary information, it is difficult on the part of traditional librarians to manage the information. In this context the IT works as a tool to serve the users in a better way. He highlighted the role of Networking & internet in the current dynamic library environment.

             Dr. Subodh Gopal Nandi, Deputy Librarian, Visva-Bharati in his address highlighted the role of digital library in today’s worlds. He stressed on the sharing of information by using IT in the libraries and stressed on the identification of data and information, economy of information and on the relevance of resource sharing in context at resource crunch in the libraries. 

            In the valedictory function, Dr. Massom Raza from AMU Aligarh; Sri D.S. Jaswal, Librarian, NIT Hamirpur & Sri J.C. Sharma, from NIT Kurukshetra presented the feedback from the participants side by highlighting the strength and weaknesses of the programme.

Kishor C. Satpathy

  International CALIBER-2004

 INFLIBNETs annual convention International CALIBER—2004 was held at Jarnia Millia Islamia, New Delhi during 11-13 February, 2004 on the Theme Road Map to New Generation of Libraries Using Emerging Technologies. Inaugural session started with welcome address by Shri Syed Shahid Mahidi, the Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia and introductory remarks by Dr. TAV. Murthy, the Director of INFLIBNET Centre. Prof. Yash Pal, National Research Professor and Ex-Chairman of UGC delivered his address and pointed out that the architecture of information is more important than what is available on the web. He suggested the librarians and academicians to work for a globalized information environment where all can share and exchange their information with each other. Prof. Arun Nigavekar, the Chairman, UGC and the Chief Guest, in his inaugural address revealed UGC objective of bringing technology to classrooms. He told that the success at USC Infonet (UGC new initiative to network Indian Universities) and E-journals initiative would be visible only if the changes are happening at grass root level of education and research. Automatic change in the mindsets of academicians is the need of the hour. He urged INFLIBNET to conduct orientation and awareness programmes on IT and internet use, across the country and educate academicians and students. He also released the conference proceedings and Prof. S.G. Mahajan felicitation volume. Dr. T.A.V. Murthy felicitated Prof. Mahajan. While speaking on the occasion Prof. Mahajan congratulated UGC-INFLIBNET for taking new initiative for the benefit of research and academic community. He also released SOUL manuals in regional languages viz. Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, Oriya. Dr. Gayas Makhdumi, Organising Secretary arid University Librarian, Jarnia Millia Islarnia proposed vote at thanks. The programme was well attended by more than 230 national and international delegates, invitees, guests and press-media.

 J.K Vijaykumar & Yatrik Patel

 New ICAR Website

             Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed and launched a new website www.icar.org.in  recently. The website was designed and developed by ARIS Unit of ICAR and is aimed at providing the information in minimum clicks. New features have been added and the existing information has been updated and restructured.

             A menu in the left hand side bar in the website provides links to pages like Organization, activities, research Activities, International Linkages, Research Institutes, State Agricultural Universities, Publications, technology Offers, Merit & Awards, Job Announcement and future Provision for website search has also been made in the welcome page. The links also include the updated pages of Subject Matter Divisions of crop Science, Animal Science, Horticulture, Fisheries, Natural resource Management, Agricultural Extension and Agricultural Engineering. Some other links through the website include Drought Management Plan, India Fish Voice, and Accreditation of Higher Agricultural Education and links to other agriculture related websites.

             The middle portion of the website includes the sections like News & Highlights, Press releases, Forthcoming Events and Success Stories.

             The right hand bar contains some useful sections like books which randomly displays the books published by ICAR, Newsletters, ICAR Reporter, ICAR News and ARIS News are archived. Other sections in this area are Forms, Exams & Results, Reports and Miscellaneous. (ARIS News Vol. 6, No. 2, 2003. P3)

 3D Screen Saver Maker 

Xara, UK has launched a 3D screensaver maker that enables the creation of screensavers in 3D designer text or with images on tumbling cubes. Designed to be simple to use, the screensaver maker is highly versatile, fast and fun to use.

             With Xara ScreenMaker 3D users can create animated 3D text message screensavers from a wide variety of professionally designed templates, and they have the flexibility to design their own 3D templates using the Xara 3D program.

             It also enables users to create screensavers by putting any images of their choice onto the sides of 3D tumbling cubes including text, graphic logos, photos or even movies. Xara ScreenMaker 3D accepts a wide variety of formats including AVIs.

             (Desidoc Bulletin of Information Technology Vol. 23, No. 6, 2003 p.27)

 Librarian of The year 2002

             Dr R P Kumar Chief Librarian All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi has received IASLIC- SM Ganguly Award for librarian of the year 2002.The award was conferred on him by Dr Prithvis Nag, Surveyor general of India during the inaugural function of the 24th annual conference of the ASLIC held at Dehra Dun on 15th December, 2003. He is already a recipient of a number of awards.

Honorary Editor: Kuldip Chand, Scientist, NISCAIR, Dr K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110 012

Printed and Published by Dr Ramesh Kundra, Secretary, SIS. C/o NISTADS, Dr Dr K. S. Krishnan Marg, New Delhi-110 012