Distance education basically involves self-study on the part of the students for which library sopport is most essential. A Strong library system, epecially public library system, with a network of well equipped and well orgnised libraries all over the country is the most importent element in the infrastructure to be a provided for the successful implementation of distance programmes. However, this question has not so far received the attention it merits in the writings and conference seminars etc. on distance education. It is in this context that a national seminar on Distance Education and Libraries was organised under the joint auspices of the Kerala Library Association, a professional forum of librarians in Kerala and the Quilon Public Library and Research Center at Quilon in December, 88. The literature on the subject of Distance Education reveals that this is the premier attempt on this topic in the Asian region.
Perface
List of Contributors
Seminar Personnel
Prof. K. A. Iassc is a renowned personaloty in the profession. For twenty five years he has been teaching Library and Information Science and retired as University Librarian and Head, Departman of Library & Information Science, University of Kerala, Calicut.
Dr. G. Devaajan did hes B.Sc. (Botany), B. Lib. Sc., M. A. (Russian Language & Literature) from the University of Kerala. He secured M. L.I.S. Degree from the University of Madras securing First Rank with distinction. He secured his Ph.D. Degree in Library and Information. Science from the Univesity of Keala. He is doing Post-Doctoral research in Librariy and Information Science inthe University of Kerala. He has completed two research projects financed by the ICSSR and UGC. He worked in Kerala University Library and centre for Development Studies Library in various professional capacities from 1973 onwards until he joined as Lecturer in the department of Library and Information Science, Uneversity of Kerala in 1983. He has about 23 years professional experience in the teaching and Library field. Dr. Devarajan has already authored 15 books and 85 research papers in the field of Library and information science. Dr. Devarajan is an active member of several professional bodies in India. He was general secretary and President of the Kerala Library Association for several terms. He is a life member of KLA, KUTA, ILA, IASLIC,IATLIC and CITS Presently he is the Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kerala and the Secretary of the Centre for Information and Technology Studies (CITS).
