The NACLIS/ICLIS of SLLA conference has thus far focused on high-caliber research conducted mainly in the English medium. Additionally, the conference venue has been generally in the capital city of Sri Lanka, resulting in limited participation from library professionals in certain sectors such as public libraries, special libraries, and school libraries. Unfortunately, their innovative ideas to improve the library sectors, their experiences in the library services and implementation as well as the challenges and issues they face are seldom discussed in research forums. Apart from this, as a professional body, we should encourage the research culture among library professionals of these sectors, by giving them suitable opportunities.
Recognising the need to address this gap, and foster a research culture among library professionals in these sectors, we are aiming to organise the National Conference on Library & Information Science (NACLIS) in 2024, especially focusing on state-sector libraries and library professionals in local languages and in different locations. While there may be some compromises in the initial quality of research, we view these as stepping stones for the future development of a research culture.
This year’s theme is “Libraries and Societies Connect: Strengthening the Bonds through Community Outreach” which allows LIS professionals and researchers to think about how libraries can revitalise or reinvigorate their library services, collections, programmes, and space to meet the needs of the present generation and to strengthen the bonds with societies. The proposed theme intends to showcase the status of our regional libraries and to find strategies on how libraries can provide innovative services, equitable access to information, and developing collections amidst various types of challenges such as pandemics, economic, financial, and disasters to meet the needs of the society, thus strengthen the bonds with society.
NACLIS is beingconducted in two sessions, on 18th April and 26th April 2024. NACLIS Session 1 was held at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka on 18th April 2024 which mainly focused on Tamil-speaking public and school librarians located in Northern and Eastern Provinces, but not limited to. In Session, I, R. Maheswaran, Librarian, of the University of Peradeniya delivered the keynote address. Prof. (Dr). M.M.Fazil, Dean, Faculty of Arts & Culture graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Dr. U.L.Abdul Majeed, Dean, Faculty of Technology, SEUSL, Dr. W.J. Jeyaraj, Librarian, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, N.Manivannan, Commissioner of Local Government, Department of Local Government, Eastern Province have graced the occasion as Guests of Honour and addressed the gathering. Dr. Kalpana Chandrasekar, Librarian (Acting) University of Jaffna, chaired the plenary session. Preethi Liyanage, President of SLLA, Dr. Ananda Tissa, Immediate Past President of SLLA, Sugath Gunatilake, President-Elect of SLLA, and many council members of SLLA, Professors of SEUSL, Deans of Faculties, administrative staff, Commissioners of Municipal Council, Secretaries of Pradeshya Saba, public librarians, school librarians, librarians of colleges, and universities took part and graced the occasion. Altogether 120 members took part in the event. Altogether 19 papers were presented at Session I.
NACLIS Session One was chaired by Dr. M.M.Mashroofa, Convener of the Research Committee of SLLA, which was held at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka (SEUSL). S. Santharooban, Deputy Librarian of Eastern University, Sri Lanka participated as the Co-chair, and Mrs. T. Janen, Senior Assistant Librarian, University of Jaffna, and A.L.M.Mushtaq, Librarian of Public Library Kalmunai acted as the Secretary and Co-Secretary.
NACLIS Session II will be held on 26th April 2024 in the Gampaha District at the Gampaha Public Library which gives a venue to Sinhala-speaking public and school librarians to discuss their research findings, good practices, issues, and trends mainly in their mother tongue. Dr. R.D. Ananda Tissa, Librarian of GWAIM will chair this session and Mrs. Varuni Gangabadaarachchi, Chief Librarian of Colombo Public Library will be the co-chair. Mrs. Chandima Wadasinghe, Senior Assistant Librarian is the Conference Secretary and Ms. Kusal Sajeewani, Assistant Librarian is the co – secretary.
Chief Guest of the Session II is Marshall of the Air Force Roshan Goonatileke, Hon. Governor of the Western Province and Gamini Moragoda, Managing Director, Minsara (Pvt.) Ltd. Is the Guest Speaker. The key note speech will be delivered by Dr. Madhubhashini Dissanayake Ratnayake, Senior Lecturer, Department of English Language Teaching, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The Commissioner of Local Government ( Western Province), heads of Local authorities, Librarians of Universities and Preethi Liyanage, President of Sri Lanka Library Association will grace the occasion.
There are 34 research papers will be presented by Public school and state sector librarians. Out of 34, twenty seven in Sinhala medium and seven in English and eighteen papers from public library sector, 6 from school libraries, another 6 from academic libraries and 6 papers from special library sector.
Dr. R.D. Ananda Tissa
Chair, NACLIS 2024 Session II
