Indian Association of the Teachers of Library and Information Science (IATLIS)

     

                    

       

 Indian Association of the Teachers of Library and Information Science (IATLIS)

1. Introduction: On 19th December 1969, a meeting of the teachers of library science attending the Sarada Ranganathan Endowment Lectures was convened by Mr. P. N. Kaula at the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC) with Mr. C. K. Langridge in the chair. In this meeting the Indian Association of the Teachers of Library and Information Science (IATLIS), a national professional organization to further the cause of library education in India was formed. The General Body meeting of IATLIS was held on 21st December 1970 to adopt the draft constitution circulated to members earlier with Mr. P. B. Roy in the chair. The constitution was discussed and adopted unanimously. Prof Bashiruddin was the first president and Prof. P. N. Kaula was the first general secretary of the IATLIS.

2. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of IATLIS are

i) To promote the exchange of ideas on education in library and information science;
ii) To promote research in education in library and information science;
iii) To promote the publication of books and periodicals on education in library and information science;
iv) To hold conferences, seminars, and colloquia for the development and propagation of ideas on education in library and information science;
v) To give consultation service on education in library and information science
vi) To promote the training of the teachers of library and information science in India, and
vii) To promote the welfare of teachers of library and information science in India.

3. Organization: IATLIS is governed by the Governing body that consists of President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Joint Secretary, Treasurer, Regional Secretary, and Members. IATLIS offers life membership to teachers of library and information science, the staff of libraries. Researchers, students, and others interested in library and information science education and research can also join as Associate Members. The association presently consists of 575 members.

4. Functions and Activities: IATLIS performed the following activities for the teachers in the library and information science.

a) Workshops: IATLIS organized the first National Workshop on “LIS Teachers and the Digital Future”’ at the Central Library, IIT Madras, Chennai from 17-19 January 2007. The workshop was attended by 46 participants from 17 states. Central Library, IIT Bombay in collaboration with the Indian Association of Teachers of Library and Information Science (IATLIS) organized a 3-day National Workshop on LIS Education in Digital Era from 13-15 June 2007 on the campus of IIT. It was attended by 38 participants including library and information science teachers, librarians, and research scholars from all over the country.

b) Lecture Series: IATLIS has also started its lecture series with the collaboration of Satinder Kaur Ramdev Memorial Trust for Advancement of Librarianship (SATKAL). First IATLIS-SATKAL annual lecture was delivered by K. K. Banerjee, Director, RRRLF, and Director (I/C), National Library, Kolkata on the topic “Role of RRRLF in Promoting Public Library services all across India” during the IATLIS National conference at the University of Burdwan on 27th November 2009. The second lecture in the series and the First IATLIS-SATKAL-ETTLIS leading-edge paper on “Libraries on the move: Emerging Mobile Applications for Libraries” was presented by John Paul Anbu K, Head, the Periodicals University of Swaziland, Swaziland during the International Conference on Emerging Trends and Technologies in Libraries and Information Services (ETTLIS) held at the Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat (Distt. Solan) from 03-05 June 2010. The third lecture in the series was delivered by Dr. C. R. Karisiddappa at IATLIS Conference, University of Pune, Pune on 17th November 2010.

c) Awards Instituted: Two new awards, namely IATLIS-Prof. S.P. Narang Research Promotion Award (for the researcher), and IATLIS-Prof. Joginder Singh Ramdev Lifetime Achievement Award has been instituted in addition to already existing two awards-IATLIS – Motiwale Best LIS Teacher Award and IATLIS – Mrs. Ratna Laxman Rao Best Woman LIS Teacher / Professional Award.

d) Publication: Besides publishing the seminars and conference proceedings of the IATLIS conference, it also publishes IATLIS Communications, which is the official organ of the Indian Association of Teachers of Library & Information Science. From the year 2013, IATLIS Journal of Library Education and Research (IJLER), a half-yearly publication of IATLIS emerged.

5. Conclusion: The IATLIS was remained dormant from 1973-80. Since December 2008, more than 150 LIS teachers and professionals from India and abroad, such as Nigeria, the Republic of China, and the USA have become members of this professional body.  Till 2014, IATLIS has 575 members. However, just like with other library associations in India, IATLIS also not able to catch the nerve of the professionals in the subject. Sometimes the association becomes active due to the good leadership role of someone, whereas at other times it even fails to perform its day to day activities.

Reference:-

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