National Conference on
E-resources and E-learning: Challenges
and Opportunities for Libraries was jointly organized by the Department of
Library and Information Science and C.H. Mohammed Koya Library, University of
Calicut during February 1-2, 2013.
The Conference was inaugurated
by Pro. M. Abdul Salam, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor of the University of
Calicut. In his inaugural address, the
Vice-Chancellor shared his experience with e-resources and its importance in
university administration. He expressed
his interest to know the kind of expansion needed in CHMK Library to make it
international and completely digital. He
requested the Conference to give more focus on challenges and problems of
e-resources and e-learning. He also
pointed out that lack of e-literacy is the major hindrance to the
popularization of e-resources.
Dr. Saji Gopinath, Professor
and Dean, IIM, Kozhikode had made the keynote address in this session. In his address, he illustrated what changes
are coming to libraries, resources and technologies used. He stressed that libraries are moving to
completely digital and users are becoming information creators. He also viewed that libraries should shrink
in size and it should fly round the globe.
Mr. Navasjan and Dr. K.V. Lazar, Syndicate Members of the University of
Calicut, Dr. K.P. Vijayakumar and Dr.A. Gopikuttan of University of Kerala and
Dr. T.P.O. Nasirudheen of Farook College felicitated the conference. Dr. Abdul Azeez T.A., University Librarian
in-charge and Chairman of the Conference presided over the inaugural session.
Dr. T.M. Vasudevan, Head, DLISc and General Convener of the Conference welcomed
the gathering and Mr. Abdul Latheef extended vote of thanks.
There are six technical sessions
in this conference. Each technical
session is devoted to a particular theme and every session began with a theme
paper. The first technical session was
chaired by Dr. A. Gopikuttan, University of Kerala and its rapporteur was Dr.
Muraleedharan P. In this session 5
papers were presented. Theme of the
session was Digital libraries and Institutional Repositories. Dr. K.P. Vijayakumar presented the theme
paper entitled e-publishing-models’.
After theme paper Sreejaya, Mini G Pillai, Jameela P., N. Narayanankutty and K. Ramasamy presented papers
on various aspects of Digital libraries and institutional repositories. It contained discussions on IIMK digital
library, MGU Online Theses Library, DSpace as institutional repository
software, VSSC library services and Kendriya Vidhyalaya Repository System.
The next session was on use of
e-resources. The session was chaired by Dr. Humayoon Kabir, University of Kerala and its rapporteur was Dr. Vinod
V.M. Theme paper of the session was on
E-learning with special reference to Library and information Science field by
Dr. Noushad Ali of Aligarh Muslim University.
There are 7 papers in the session, Femin V.T, Shaji B, Mahjabeen, K.
Shareef, Rabeeh T., Vahida Beegam T and K.B. Sreerasmi presented papers on the use of e-resources by different user
communities like Research Scholars, faculties and students of universities and
colleges and legal and management professionals.
The third technical session was
on ‘E-resources access and management’.
This session was chaired by Dr. Noushad Ali of Aligarh Muslim University
and its Rapporteur was Mr. Habeeb Koya Thangal.
Theme paper of the session was presented by Sunita.T. of IIM,
Kozhikode. In this session, 4 papers
were presented. Jamsheer N.P., Prakasan
P.M., Abdul Gafoor and Surendran C. presented different issues related to accessing
of e-resources. Issues like Cabibre
software as tool for E-book management, E-journal access and management in
medicine, interpersonal relationship of Library and information Science
professionals and typical errors in OPACs.
The second day of the
Conference started with fourth technical session. Theme of the session was E-learning. The theme paper of the session was presented
by Dr. Abdul Azeez T.A. on ‘NLIST for bridging the Digital Divide in
Academia’. There are 7 papers in the
session. Dr. Jalaja V., Retired faculty
of University of Calicut chaired the session and Mr. Jamsheer N.P. reported the session.
Dr. Abdul Azeez T.A. and Mini Devi discussed issues related to UGC-Infonet
Digital Library Consortium and use of E-books by academic community. Rshji Sara Thomas, Tony Cherian, Sheeba
Francis, Ancy Jacob, Soni Krishnan and Ismail Thamarasseri discussed various
aspects of E-learning. Such as
curriculum based e-learning in India, Massive open online courses, obstacles of
e-learning, Sanskrit e-learning sources, influence of ICT in reading habits,
ICT based distance learning etc.
The fifth technical session was
chaired by Prof. Ulloor M. Parameswaran, former Head of Department of Library
and Information Science, University of Calicut and its rapporteur was Ms.
Vaheeda Beegam. It was on World Wide Web
and E-learning. Theme paper of the
session was presented by Damodar Prasad, Director of EMMRC, University of
Calicut with a viewing of Video produced by them. There are 8 papers in the session. Manu C., Nasirudheen T., Jayasree S, Laila
T., Shyni K.G., Sarala K.R., Ramitha P.K. and Veerankutty C. discussed the
various issues related to World Wide Web and e-learning, such as Really Simple
Syndication (RSS), Social Networking Sites, Web 2.0, College Websites and
Central University Websites and Web Interfaces used in the websites of
universities of Kerala, IIM and IIT.
The sixth technical session was
chaired by Dr. T.P.O. Nasirudheen, Farook College and its Rapporteur was Ms.
Sangeetha. It was on M-learning and
Assistive technologies. In this session
the theme paper was presented by Dr. Muhammedali, Head of Department of
Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Calicut. The topic of theme paper was ‘Impact of
Credibility Assessment Competency on the use of Web Information for Academic
Research’. He stressed the necessity of
increasing web information literacy in order to enhance the responsible and
mature use of web resources for academic research. In this session 8 papers were presented. Aswathi P., Zeena F, P.K. Suresh Kumar,
Mehboobullah K., Syamili C, Minimol K., Asha B. and Mahuya Adhikari discussed
different aspects of Mobile learining, Mobile based library services, Quick
Response Codes, ICT library service for visually challenged people, IPR issues
and libraries role in bridging the digital divide in India.
Every technical session ended
with a discussion on the issues presented.
Finally a panel discussion was held to note down major issues raised by
delegates here in the Conference. Dr.
K.P. Vijayakumar, from University of Kerala, Dr. T.P.O. Nasirudheen from Farook
College, Calicut, Mr. N. Narayanan Kutty from VSSC Library, Thiruvananthapuram,
Mr. Damodar Prasad from EMMRC, University of Calicut and Mr. Muhammed Ali from
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication discussed their views regarding
the major issues raised in the Conference.
The panel discussion concentrated on the role Library and information Science
Professionals have to play in the changed environment of the dominance of
e-resources. The consensus was that
librarians have to acquaint themselves not only with the plethora of
information resources which are swelling day by day, but with the tools and
techniques for their aggregation and dissemination. This is the only way to capture the rightful
place for the Professionals in the changing circumstances.
The Conference was concluded
with a valedictory session chaired by Dr. Abdul Azeez T.A., Chairman of the
Conference. Prof. K. Raveendranth,
Hon’ble Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University delivered the valedictory
address. Dr. Abdul Majeed K.C.,
Rapporteur General, presented the Report of the Conference. Mr. Kuttappan C. welcomed the gathering. Dr. Mohamed Haneefa K., Assistant Professor of
DLISc and Co-ordinator of the Conference proposed vote of thanks.
