Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC)

                   

Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC)

1. Introduction: Three leading librarians from Calcutta, J. Saha, A. K. Mukherjee and G. B. Ghosh convened a meeting of librarians and documentalists on June 25, 1955, at Indian Museum, Calcutta. This meeting resulted in the formation of IASLIC on 3rd September 1955. Dr. Sunal Lal Hora was unanimously selected as its first president and Jibananda Saha was the general secretary. IASLIC headquarters is located at P-291, CIT Scheme No 6M, Kankurgachi, Kolkata – 700 054.

2. Objectives: The objectives of IASLIC are to

i) Promote the quality of Library and Information Services;
ii) Coordinate the activities, and
iii) Foster mutual cooperation and assistance among the special libraries, scientific, technological and research institutions, learned societies, commercial organizations, industrial research establishments as well as centers of studies in social sciences and humanities;
iv) Improve the technical efficiency of the professionals;
v) Act as a center of research and studies in special librarianship and documentation techniques;
vi) Act as a center of information in scientific, technical and other related fields of LIS in pursuance of the aforesaid objects.

3. Organization: The general body of the members of IASLIC biennially elects 14 office-bearers and 20 members of the Council, which is the highest organ to formulate the policies and programs of work. The Council appoints from among its members the Executive and Finance Committee consisting of 8 office-bearers and 4 members to manage regular activities. Six Divisions are also constituted by the Council for each term. They are

i) Documentation Services;
ii) Education;
iii) Publication & Publicity;
iv) Library Services;
v) Documentary Reproduction and Translation;
vi) Cooperation and Coordination of Libraries.

IASLIC is composed of four kinds of members, namely Honorary Membership, Donor Membership, and Institutional Membership, Individual Membership (Donor, Ordinary Membership, and Life Membership).

4. Functions and Activities: The following are the functions and activities that are performed by the IASLIC

a) JOCLAI: To bring about mutual co-operation and unified action on matters of common interests, IASLIC mooted the idea of forming the Joint Council of Library Associations of India (JOCLAI) especially of those at the national level. The JOCLAI meetings take place during the national meets of each IASLIC and ILA. It has formulated a Code of Ethics for the library a profession in India.

b) Documentation, Documentary Reproduction & Translation Services: The IASLIC undertakes compilation of bibliographies and English translation of documents from Russian, German, French, Chinese, Japanese, etc. and also undertakes to the image of documents for archiving. All these services are provided on a non-profit basis.

c) Library Consultancy Service: The Association undertakes consultancy services like creation of computerized bibliographic databases, retrospective conversion of records, preservation & conservation of documents, cataloging, classification and stock verification in public and private organizations on a non-profit basis.

d) Publication: Its publications include IASLIC Bulletin, IASLIC Newsletter, Indian Library Science Abstract (ILSA), Different books, Monographs, Directory, IASLIC Proceedings, IASLIC Annual Report, etc.

e) Seminars, Conferences, Workshops and Training: The association in its continuing education programs conducts short term courses, workshops, round tables, seminars, etc. It holds a biennial seminar and a conference in alternate years. The IASLIC Conference is a huge gathering place of the Library and Information Science professionals in India.

f) Mailing Lists and Forum: IASLIC Council created Special Interest Groups (SIG) to bring together persons of common interests. SIG Group meetings are held during the IASLIC Conference of common interests. The SIG includes SIG on Industrial Information; SIG on Social Science Information, SIG on Computer Application, SIG on Humanities Information, SIG on Informetrics, and SIG on Library & Information Science Education.

g) Awards: Among the IASLIC awards, Prof Prabir Roychoudhury and Mrs Amita Roychoudhury – IASLIC Best LIS Teacher Award, Best Young Teacher Award, Prof A K Mukherjee - IASLIC Life-Time Achievement Award for Retired Librarians, The Librarian of the Year and IASLIC Ranganathan Medal for Best Article Award is notable.

h) Others: The IASLIC conducts study circle meetings for discussion on various issues of interest concerning LIS. It also conducts Ranganathan Memorial Lecture which has been held since 1993 on any topic of Library, Information and Communication science by leading personalities of the profession. Besides, it also conducts an Annual Special Lecture and celebrates Librarian’s Day every year.

5. Conclusion: IASLIC maintains its headquarters at Kolkata in a small three-storied the building of its own at P-291, CIT Scheme No 6M, Kankurgachi, Kolkata-700 054, West Bengal, India in the vicinity of CIT industrial housing estate behind the Ramakrishna Samadhi Road Post Office. The Office is run by Voluntary workers and remains open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. except for Sundays, second Saturdays and national holidays. Due to the inactive role of general library association in the national level, the IASLIC took upon its shoulder to spread the library movement throughout India.

Reference:-

• Barman, B. (2020). A comprehensive book on Library and Information Science. New Publications.