Innovating for Impact: The KILA Expert Meeting for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s Digital Repository

On February 9, 2023, I had the privilege of attending an expert meeting at the Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), Thrissur, for the proposal preparation of a digital repository for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR). I was invited to share my insights and offer suggestions for the creation of the digital repository.

The meeting was organised to bring together experts from various fields, including information technology, digital preservation, and local governance, to discuss the best practices and challenges of creating a digital repository for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The aim was to provide a platform for the experts to exchange ideas and collaborate on the design and implementation of the repository.

The meeting was attended by 10 participants, including experts from KILA and other relevant organizations. The discussions were lively and informative, with experts sharing their experiences and perspectives on the creation of digital repositories. I was impressed by the depth of knowledge and expertise that was present in the room, and I felt honoured to be a part of such a distinguished group.

As an enthusiast of digital technology, I was impressed by the forward-thinking approach of KILA in creating a digital repository. The repository will serve as a central repository for all data and information related to local governance, which will be accessible to all stakeholders, including the public, local governments, and other relevant organizations. This will greatly enhance the transparency and accountability of local governance and provide a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers.

In conclusion, I believe that the Expert Meeting at KILA was a great success, and it was an honour to be a part of it. I was impressed by the commitment of KILA to creating a digital repository that will benefit the people of India and help promote local governance. I look forward to following the progress of the project and contributing to its success in any way that I can.

— Mahesh Palamuttath

Diploma in Library Automation @ RCSS

I am very much pleased to offer classes for the second batch of diploma in library automation, conducted by Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous), kochi. This diploma course is for professionals who look forward to implementing technology for their library services.

I really praise RCSS for offering such a demanded course for professionals in Kerala. And I am also prestigious to be a part of that.

Thank you, Dr. A.T. Francis, Professor, Head, and Dr. Joshy George, Associate Professor, DLIS, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences & Coordinator, Diploma in Library Automation for selecting me as the tutor for the classes.

COURSE CONTENT

LINUX

  • Free and Open-Source Software Philosophy
  • Introduction to Linux
  • Linux Distributions/Flavours
  • Linux Desktop
  • Introduction to Debian & Ubuntu Linux
  • Preparation of Bootable USB
  • Virtualization Tools
  • Ubuntu Linux Installation
  • SSH Clients Tools
  • FTP Clients Tools
  • Basics of Linux Based Operating Systems
  • System Configuration
  • Application Softwares
  • Linux Commands
  • File Management
  • Text Editors
  • Linux Networking
  • Linux Security

KOHA ILS

  • Preparations for the implementation
  • Koha Installation & Customization
  • All Koha modules
  • System maintenance

DSPACE IR

  • Preparations for the implementation
  • DSpace installation & Customization
  • Creating communities and sub-communities
  • Adding bit-streams
  • System maintenance

Classes on every first and third Sunday from November 2022 to April 2023

Course duration: 60 hours

Class time: 10 AM—4 PM

Hours per day: 5 hours

Schedule

November 06-11-2022 Linux 
20-11-2022 Linux
December 04-12-2022 Linux
18-12-2022 Linux 
January 01-01-2023 Koha 
15-01-2023 Koha
February 05-02-2023 Koha
12-02-2023 Koha
March 05-03-2023 Koha
19-03-2023 DSpace
April 02-04-2023 DSpace
16-04-2023 DSpace

For Registration and Details

Dr. Joshy George
Mob: 8606365566

National Workshop on Koha @ BCM College, Kottayam

Democratic Alliance for Knowledge Freedom – Kottayam and BCM College, Kottayam jointly organize a two-day national workshop on Koha Open Source library management system (offline) on 12-13 November 2022. It aims at giving enhanced training on Koha and all its modules.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP

  • Initial configurations
  • Cataloguing
  • Patron management
  • Circulation management
  • Data Conversion
  • Tool module
  • Report module
  • Acquisition Module
  • Serial module
  • System Administration
  • OPAC customization
  • Koha installation on Cloud

Mode of Workshop: Hands-on training

Target People: Library Science students and professionals.

Intake Capacity: 30

Registration Fees: Rs. 1100 (Includes Lunch and Tea)

Online registration Link: https://rzp.io/l/dakf-bcm

Accommodation: Organizers will help you find accommodation in Kottayam town.

RESOURCE PERSONS FOR THE WORKSHOP

  • Dr Vimal Kumar V, Reference Assistant, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala State, India.
  • Sri. Subeesh Gopinathan, Librarian, St. Mary’s Women’s College for Teacher Education, Thiruvalla.
  • Sri. Mahesh Palamuttath, Librarian, East Campus, Sacred Heart College, Kochi.

Organizing Secretary: Jincy Philip ( Sr. Gracena ), Librarian (UGC), BCM College, Kottayam.
Contact Person: Dr. Vimal Kumar V., Secretary, DAKF, Kottayam.

FPLISS-2022 Successfully Finished

Congratulations to all juniors who participated in the free online Finishing Program for Library and Information Science Students (FPLISS) from September 26-30, 2022. I was very happy with the sheer number of participants engaged in the program and to conduct such a course for them. A well-structured syllabus was prepared for this course, from building a resume to becoming a marketable library professional.

I would also like to thank all of you for your enthusiastic participation throughout the course. Furthermore, I do hope this course will help you to start your career superbly and make you capable of facing challenges in librarianship and library services.

Special thanks to Ms. Maria Rose Kurian, Assistant Librarian, East Campus, Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Kochi, for her Session on Canva & Designing

— Mahesh Palamuttath

Comment on FPLISS

Attended an ICT Skill Development Programme at INFLIBNET

It was a felicitous opportunity to attend an ICT skill development program at Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) an autonomous Inter-University Centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Ahmedabad, Gujarat from September 7th to 9th 2022. This program aimed to induce more insights and in-depth knowledge on the fundamentals of the Cloud, installation of Shibboleth (remote campus access tool), and building a repository in the Cloud environment.

It was also an excellent chance to visit libraries of esteemed institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology, National Institute of Fashion Technology

Thanks to my college (Sacred Heart College, Kochi) for sponsoring me for this faculty development program

Few Snaps

Finishing Program for Library and Information Science Students (FPLISS)

It is, with great pleasure, that I announce the initiation of a Finishing Program for Library and Information Science Students (FPLISS). This course will teach students the finer aspects of personal, practical, and technical skills over and above academic qualifications. Actually, this course is framed out of the uncertainties of my juniors and other freshly out MLISc students related to the day-to-day functions of a library. Please do note that this is not a traditional etiquette course, but a finishing program intended to enhance students’ skills and teach them how to become the most polished and confident version of themselves.

COURSE CONTENT

  • How to start your career as a fresher
  • How to purchase books to the library; Its process, documentation, etc
  • How to subscribe periodicals in a library (physical & e-version)
  • How to document and maintain various registers in a library
  • How to improve your personal development & ICT skills
  • How to become a marketable library professional

COURSE DURATION
10 Hours

DATE AND TIME
September 25-30, 2022 at 7PM – 9PM

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Freshly out BLISc/MLISc graduates and the people who just started their careers as librarians

MODE: Online

REGISTRATION
Registration is free

Online registration page:
https://forms.gle/EnTyVoBzuvZCr2gJ9

CONTACT DETAILS
Mahesh Palamuttath
Librarian
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), East Campus
Thevara, Kochi – 682013, Kerala, India
Mobile: +91 9567 664 972
Email: maheshpalamuttath@shcollege.ac.in

Session on N-LIST and National Digital Library of India (NDLI)

The central library of Mar Dionysius College, Pazhanji, Kunnamkulam organizes a session on N-LIST and the National Digital Library of India (NDLI) for the postgraduate students of the college in association with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at the college seminar hall of at 10:00 AM on 08 July 2022.

The following topics will be covered in the session:

  • What is National Library and Information Services Infrastructure for Scholarly Content (N-LIST) Consortium
  • How to use N-LIST E-Resources
  • What is National Digital Library of India (NDLI)
  • How to use NDLI E-Resources

Resource Person
Mr. Mahesh Palamuttath
Librarian
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous) East Campus Library

Date and Time
08 July 2020, 10:00 AM

Venue: M.D. College, Seminar Hall

Contact: Ajo Geevarghes, College Librarian. Mobile: 9447785357

One-day training program on Enhancing Library’s Web Presence with Blog at Farook College (Autonomous), Calicut

The department of library and information science Farook college (autonomous) organizes a one-day workshop on Enhancing Library’s Web Presence with Blog on 10th June 2022 for this MLISc 2nd-year batch. This workshop aims at enhancing skills in content/information management and creating own personal brand among library professionals.

Course content

  • Introduction to Blogs & Blogging
  • Starting with Blogger & WordPress
  • Blog creation and customization -workflow (Publish blog post, embed video/image/doc/PDF/sheet/slides etc.
  • Various possibilities of Google Drive with blog
  • Backup and restoration

Resource Person

Mr. Mahesh Palamuttath
Librarian, East Campus
Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Ernakulam
Mob: +91 9567664972
Email: maheshpalamuttath@shcollege.ac.in

Download course material

 

One-Week Advanced Level Training Program on DSpace

The Knowledge Centre of Digital University, Kerala organizes a one-week advanced level training program on open-source institutional repository DSpace from 9th May 2022 to 13th May 2022. The main aim of the program is to give advanced level training on how to work with repositories and enhance the skills which are expected from the present-day information professional.

Course Content:

  • Introduction to Open Access and IRs.
  • Basics of Linux Operating Systems
  • Installation of DSpace
  • Customization of IR
  • Creating Communities, Sub Communities, and Collections
  • Metadata in IRs (Hands-on training)

Mode of conduct of sessions:

Hybrid mode (30 Participants to attend onsite, rest online through Zoom)

Click here to Register

Venue:

Digital University Kerala, Technocity Campus, Mangalapuram, Thonnakkal PO, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – 695317

Registration Fee:

Rs.6,000/- for live participation at the University for the first 30 people. (Inclusive of food for all days)
Fee for online participation – Rs. 4,500/-
Accommodation: Rs. 1000/- for 5 days (Twin Sharing accommodation at the Campus Hostel block).

Participants can also book accommodation on their own at the below hotels (near to the Institute)

1. Hotel Karthika Park: Near Police station, NH – 66 Road |, Panvel – Kochi – Kanyakumari Hwy, Near, Kazhakkoottam, Kerala 695582 Phone: 08137033636 https://www.hotelkarthikapark.com/
2. Hotel Al Saj: NH 47 Bypass Road Near Juma Masjid, Kazhakkoottam, Kerala 695582 Phone: 0124 620 1164 http://alsajhotel.com/

How to make payment?

Account Name: DIGITAL UNIVERSITY KERALA
Account Number: 50100465591509
Bank Name: HDFC Bank
Branch Name: Technopark Branch
IFSC Code: HDFC0000683

Early Bird Registration

Those who Register before 15th April 2022 will get a 20% discount on the registration fee. (After discount Rs 4800 for live participation. Rs 3600 for online participation)

Resource Persons

  • Dr. Vimal Kumar V
  • Mr. Mahesh Palamuttath
  • Dr. Murari P Tapaswi
  • Dr. Gopakumar V

For more details contact

Dr. Gopakumar V
Head, Knowledge Centre
Digital University Kerala
e-mail: librarian@duk.ac.in
Phone: 0471-2788059
Mobile: 91588 35495

Dr. Narayana D
Assistant Librarian
Digital University Kerala
e-mail: asst.librarian@duk.ac.in
Phone: 0471-2788053
Mobile: 70135 87028

Started Life at Sacred Heart College, Thevara

Joined as Librarian at the East Campus, Sacred Heart College, thevara, Ernakulam.  Today, I was brought into the college by Dr. C.S. Francis, Vice-Principal (East Campus) and who introduced me to everyone. After a brief healthy talk, He brought me into his cabin. and we had a chat over various facilities to be implemented in our library.

My responsibility here is rather different from the usual librarianship, here, I am supposed to learn new technologies related to the academic, library services, etc. later teach those to the students as well as teachers and maintain various applications (Koha ILS/Moodle LMS/DSpace IR, WordPress CMS) and its servers along with the computer science department.

Hope this new space will help me to improve myself a lot and look forward to having the same good tie-up with the entire library team as well as the computer science department.

Moreover, a “space” was necessary for me nowadays.

I express my thanks to the “people” who have supported me.

— Mahesh Palamuttath