Month: April 2019

While unveiling the inauguration, the chief guest and keynote speaker – Abdullah Abu Sayeed said, reading enlightens the mind. He urged librarians to read works of noted personalities and dedicate themselves for the betterment of society. He was trying to focus that library study is art for developing a reading habit that would help create a knowledge-based society.

He was honoured yesterday for his contributions to the society for promoting reading habits among students and the general public, movement to encourage enlightenment and progressive ideas among people. Sayeed’s dedication to reignite the passion for reading books among the youth and increase access to literature led him to found the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in 1978.

 

Earlier Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Founder, and Chairman, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro congratulated library and information science students and professionals from across the country.

 

The ceremony saw seven professionals including one LIS student and two posthumous recognised for their outstanding commitment to serving the LIS community in Bangladesh. Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed presented the awards, to the winners.

Earlier TLT award selection committee comprised Dr M. Nazim Uddin, Senior Manager, Library and Information Service Support Services, icddr,b; Kazi Mostak Gausul Hoq, PhD, Chairman, Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka; Mohammed Khalid Alam, Chairman and Associate Professor, Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Rajshahi; Razina Akhter, Chief Librarian, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Minhaj Uddin Ahmed, Senior professional finalised the award winners.

Kirsty Crawford, Programme Director, Libraries Unlimited, British Council, Bangladesh, and Bijoy Basak, BPM, PPM (BAR), Deputy Police Commissioner (North) Chittagong Metropolitan Police were present the event as the special guests. Prof. Dr. SM Mannan, Dept. of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka presided over the function.

The whole event was coordinated by Prodip Roy Editor in Chief The Librarian Times (TLT). In his inauguration speech he mentioned that “We are struggling with our demands when the developed world is working on modern technologies such as sophisticated BI, artificial intelligence, robotics, drone delivery etc. in their libraries and information centres.” He, therefore, urged LIS professionals to develop soft skills.
After the Award function, there was a panel discussion with eminent library professionals, and academics include Md. Anwarul Islam, PhD Librarian, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University and Secretary-General of Library Association of Bangladesh (LAB); Professor Dr Md. Nasiruddin Mitul, Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies, National University, Bangladesh; Dr Dilara Begum, Chairperson & Associate Professor, Department of Information Studies and Library Management, & Librarian (In-charge), East West University; Professor Dr Md. Nasiruddin Munsi, Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka and Dr Md. Nazim Uddin Senior Manager and Head, icddr,b Library. Dr Md Anwarul Islam, Associate Professor, Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhak, moderated the programme.

The Librarian Times (TLT) is the first ever and only professional online news bulletin in Bangladesh for the library and information profession. The board hosted Awards and Fun Night 2019’ to celebrate the second anniversary of TLT. The awards celebration is to encourage library professionals and current library and information science (LIS) students to recognise their enthusiasm, dedication and excellence to the library profession and the accomplishments of exceptional services at school, college, university and public libraries. This is a TLT initiative that aims to fill the gaps that lack professional recognition in Bangladesh.

The event was one of the largest gathering point of the LIS professionals of Bangladesh’, where everyone had the opportunity to observe lively panel discussions, ask questions to panel members, get to know the award winners; encourage and cheer them, and inspire some networking and socializing with other professionals’ from different organizations, to participate in a quiz competition and chance to win gift hampers. The border aim was to reflect a positive approach towards the library profession of Bangladesh.