National Seminar on “Library and Web tools for E-Learning and Teaching”: A Report

The College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur in Association with the Kerala Library Association, Trivandrum has conducted a National Seminar on “Library and Web tools for E-Learning and Teaching” on 25 June 2012. The seminar was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) P. B. Pushalatha, Registrar, Kerala Agricultural University in a session chaired by Prof. (Dr.) C.T. Abraham, Associate Dean, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara. Prof. Lelitha Lenin, Former HoD, DLIS, University of Kerala and Sri. Abdul Razak, Former University Librarian, Kerala Agricultural University have felicitated. Dr. A.T. Francis, Head, Library, College of Horticulture & Seminar Coordinator welcomed and Sri. Humayoon Kabir, Secretary, Kerala Library Association, Thrissur Region offered vote of thanks.

The Seminar was conducted in the following four Technical Sessions:

Session I : Professional Competency for E-Learning and Teaching

Session II : Redefining Libraries for E-Learning and Teaching

Session III : Library Web Tools and Services

Session IV : Technology and Personnel Environment for E-Learning

Theme papers of the Technical Sessions were presented by the following Resources persons:

1. Prof. Lalitha Lenin, Former HoD, University of Kerala, Trivandrum
2. Dr. Joshi George P., St Albert’s College, Ernakulam
3. Dr. K. Susan Mathew, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
4. Dr. A.T. Francis, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

Sri. S. Radhakrishnan, Senior Technical Officer, NPOL, DRDO, Kochi, MM. Letha, Scientist D, NPOL, Kochi and Dr. Sweety Isaac, Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit, Kaladi were served as Rapporteurs.

Sri. S. Azhagiri, Prof. Lelitha Lenin and Sri. Abdul Razak distributed certificates to the participants. 90 qualified librarians and 13 non-librarians participated in the seminar. Dr. A.T. Francis, Sri. Humayoon Kabir, Sri. Abdul Razak, Sri. K.P. Sathian, Smt. V.S. Swapna, Sri. S. Azhagiri, Smt. Vijayalakshmi, Sri. PA. Pradeep, Smt. Nisha NB, Smt. Mini TN, Smt. Priya TK, Sri. Sunny Joseph, Sri. V.C. John, Smt. T.S. Sumi, Smt. Shaini PJ, etc. led the seminar.

Total 23 papers listed below were presented in the seminar and detailed discussions were done.

1	Application of online Tutorials for Information Literacy programs on Library Websites	S. Radhakrishnan and Letha M M, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), DRDO, Kochi
2	Application of Web tools in Libraries	Dr. N.K. Sheeja, Cochin University of Science and Technology
3	Changing Role of Academic Libraries in the E-learning Environment: Issues and Challenges	Dr. K. Susan Mathew, Cochin University of Science and Technology
4	D3 Service at Cochin University Library: a study	Ratheesh. K and Siju.V.G., Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
5	Digitisation of KFRI Research Reports and Scientific Papers	George KF, Scientist, Library and Information, KFRI, Peechi
6	Digitizing Data for rapid agricultural modernization in Orissa: A Case Study	Barada Kanta Mohanty, Librarian & Prof. M.M. Moharana (MBA), KIIMS, Cuttack, Odisha, India
7	E Learning for Effective Agricultural Education	Ramya AV and Meera Manjusha AV, College of Agriculture, Kasaragode, Kerala Agricultural University
8	E-Learning Through E-Journals	Prasanth M.P., Librarian, Chinmaya Institute of Technology, Kannur, Kerala
9	E-Learning through Libraries	T.S. Sumi, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
10	E-Resources and E-Learning – An Emerging Reality	Subha. S, Librarian, N.S.S College, Nemmara and Dr. A.Vijayakumar, Librarian, D.B College, Sasthamcotta
11	Essential Web technologies for effective management of e-resources by libraries	Humayoon Kabir, Govt. Medical College, Thrissur
12	Information needs of the Society as a Natural Resource	Dr. Vijayakumar, D.B.College, Sasthankotta and P.M. Manoharan Pillai, Research Scholar, Karpagam University, Coimbatore & Librarian, T.K.M. Institute of management, Kollam, Kerala
13	Information Technology and its application in the libraries of Higher Educational Institutions in Kollam District: a Case Study	Jaison Thomas, Ph.D Research Scholar, M.S. University, Tirunelveli
14	Personnel and Technological Environment in Modern Libraries: an analysis	Dr. A.T. Francis, Kerala Agricultural University
15	Professional conflict and work satisfaction among librarians	EK Mohanlal, Kerala University of Veterinary nad Animal Sciences, Wynad
16	Professional Skills for Modern Librarians	Prof. Lalitha Lenin, Former HoD, DLIS, University of Kerala
17	Reading: the unique process for holistic development	Sunny Joseph, Librarian, Govt. Institute of Advanced Study in Education, Thrissur
18	Reading: the unique process for holistic development	Sunny Joseph, Librarian, Govt. Institute of Advanced Study in Education, Thrissur
19	Teaching Role of Librarians in Internet Era	Vineetha Davies, Public Library, Vadakumcherry Grama Panchayat, Palakkad
20	The redefined role of Academic Librarians in E – Resources Consortia environment: An overview	Sebastian Dominic, College of Agriculture, Padannakad, Kasaragode
21	Use and User Perceptions of Electronic Information Resources among the Academic Community – a Case Study	Shaji. B, PhD Research Scholar, University of Calicut
22	Web 2.0 applications in libraries	Swapna V.S., College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University
23	Web Tools for Library Services	Dr. Joshi George P., Librarian, St Albert’s College, Ernakulam

Major Recommendations:-

1. Web Tools are highly effective for re-defining library services in the present era.
2. Libraries should concentrate also in providing e-learning and teaching as an important activity.
3. Professional competency is highly essential to offer e-learning and teaching services by the libraries.
4. LIS curriculum should be regularly modified to provide theoretical as well as practical competency in e-skills for the library professionals.
5. Proper rapport between librarians and library science teachers or even the re-structuring of LIS education in the line of medical education is essential to impart essential skills among professionals.
6. Continuous Professional Development Programmes such as short-term courses, workshops, seminars, talks, discussions, etc. should be conducted by the institutions and associations to equip the professionals to manage the modern libraries.
7. In order to improve work satisfaction of the library professionals, rules and regulations of the Government and universities to be modified to implement the UGC Scheme properly in all colleges and universities.
8. As the library and information service is purely academic and teaching, all qualified librarians in schools, colleges and universities should be categorized as teachers as in the case of scientists in the libraries of DRDO, CSIR, KSCSTE, etc.
9. Since school libraries are paramount in developing the learning capacity of the pupil, urgent measures are needed to revamp the school libraries in Kerala with all latest facilities and qualified libraries. It is better to develop the ICT and e-learning skills also in the early stages of education.

As reported by

Dr. A.T. Francis, Head, Library, College of Horticulture, Seminar Coordinator and Mr. Humayoon Kabir, the President and Secretary, Kerala Library Association, Thrissur Region