The 41st Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA) were held on 29 June 2001 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), Colombo. The theme of the Annual Sessions was "Global Knowledge: the Role of Librarians and Information Specialists". 

The Hon. Minister of Higher Education and Information Technology Development Mr. Indika Gunawardena was the Chief Guest, while the Vice Chaiman, National Education Commission Professor K. D. Arulpragasam was the Guest of Honour. 

The SLLA adopted the following resolutions: 

• The Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government to enact a Public Libraries Act to provide for the Organization and Promotion of the public Library Services in Sri Lanka
• Request the UNESCO to declare a Universal Library Day in order to draw the attention of world governments to the importance of Library and Information Services

 

The National Library and Documentation Services Board (NLDSB) organized a book exhibition a book exhibition and a workshop to commemorate the Literary Month of 2001. 

The book exhibition was held at the National Library exhibition centre from 25-29 September 2001. 

A workshop for young writers was held during this period. The objective of the workshop was to discuss various aspects of creative writing. 

Dr. D. M. Karunaratna, Messrs Henry Samaranayaka, K. Jayatilaka, Sarath Wijesuriya, Cyril C. Perera and Sarathchandra Wanniarachchi served as resource persons. Messrs Henry Samaranayaka, Upali Amarasiri and K. Jayatilaka chaired the sessions. 
 

Seminars and Workshops on Evaluation of Activities of Conservation Centres

Conservation Division of the National Library and Documentation Centre (NLDC) conducted a one day seminar on 30 August 2001 and a three day workshop from 28-30 September 2001 on conservation and preservation of library materials. The seminar and the workshop were held at the National Library. 

The Objective of the seminar was to evaluate the activities of the 115 conservation centres, established by the NLDSB attached to Public, School & Department Libraries. Acquisition of material and equipment for conservation centres and techniques of conservation and preservation of library materials were discussed at the seminar. A. P. Premaratna, P. H. Ranjith, D. G. B. M. Karunaratne and Menaka Mumari served as resource persons at the seminar. 

The objective of the workshop was to create awareness on conservation and preservation of ola leaf manuscripts. Various aspects of conservation and preservation of ola leaf manuscripts were discussed at the workshop. Officers-in-charge of 11 conservation centres attended the workshop. Messrs S. M. Aberatne, Punchibanda Hunupola, D. A. Dharmasena, A. P. Premaratne and D. G. B. M. Karunaratne served as resource persons at the workshop. 
 

National Bibliographic Services Publications

Retrospective National Bibliography 1901-1910 

Sri Lanka National Bibliography (Retrospective) covering English Publications, for the period 1901-1910 was published recently. Retrospective bibliographies corvering the periods 1737-1884, and 1962 were already publidhed. 

These publications are available at the National Library Book shop. 

Retrospective Bibliography 
 

• 1737-1884     Rs. 295.00
• 1901-1910     Rs. 125.00
• 1962               Rs. 150.00 

National Bibliography on Plant Protection

The National Committee on plant protection, established under the Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP) has compiled and published the National Bibliography on Plant Protection. 

This bibliography comprised bibliographic information on Scientific Publications published in Sri Lanka during a period of 20 years, covering 1979-1999. 

The objective of this bibliography was to fulfil a long felt need of a reference source on scientific work in plant protection. 

For further information, contact: 

Ms. Irangani Peiris 
Librarian 
Council for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP) Library 
114/9, Wijerama Mawatha 
Colombo 07 
Telephone: 94-1-697103 
E-mail: dhayan@carp.is.lk

Publication of Secondary Sources

The following secondary sources have been published by the Library and Information Division of the National Institute of Education. 

• Accession List (Quarterly)
• Circulars Index on Education in Sri Lanka (from 1998-2000)
• Bibliography on Sri Lanka Collection (NIE Library)
• Authority File on Education, based on DDC scheme
• Selected Bibliography on Educational Reports in Sri Lanka

 

The Bibliography on Social Mobilisation published by Network of Social Mobilisation Practitioners in collaboration with Rural Development Training and Research Institute, is an attempt to compile a user-friendly secondary source on the basic writings of Social Mobilisation. Network of Social Mobilisation Practitioners initiated this task with the financial assistance of UNDP. 

This bibliography was compiled by Ms. Deepali Talagala, Director / Information, National Science Foundation. The bibliography consists of 135 entries covering English, Sinhala and Tamil Publications. It has intended to cover the areas of social mobilisation of the poor, social movements with a distinctive participatory methodology and understanding the reality of poor.