B. S. Kesavan
{{Short description|Indian librarian (1909 – 2000)}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{More citations needed|article|date=January 2008}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Bellary Shamanna Kesavan
| image = bskesavan.jpg
| birth_date = 10 May 1909
| birth_place =
| death_date = 16 February 2000 (aged 91)
| occupation = Librarian
| nationality = Indian
| awards = Padma Shri
}}
Bellary Shamanna Kesavan (10 May 1909 – 16 February 2000) was the first National Librarian of independent India (1947–1962).{{cite book|last1=Robert|first1=Wedgeworth|title=World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Services|isbn=0-8389-0609-5|edition=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HSFu99FCJwQC&q=World+Encyclopedia+of+Library+and+Information+Services|access-date=9 February 2016|year=1993}}{{cite web|title=The man who made National Library – P.T. Nair publishes biography of BS Kesavan|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051123/asp/calcutta/story_5508786.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051204044952/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051123/asp/calcutta/story_5508786.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 December 2005|website=The Telegraph}} He is also known as Father of Indian National Bibliography as it was first brought out in his leadership on 15 August 1958. Later, he became the first Director of the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) at New Delhi (1963–1969).{{cite book|last1=Robert|first1=Wedgeworth|title=World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Services|isbn=0-8389-0609-5|edition=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HSFu99FCJwQC&q=World+Encyclopedia+of+Library+and+Information+Services|access-date=9 February 2016|year=1993}} In recognition of his great service to the nation, the Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri. He died on 16 February 2000, at the age of 91.{{cite web|title=Padmashree BS Kesavan Passes Away|url=http://www.dsir.gov.in/pubs/itt/itt20001/kesavan.htm|access-date=9 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215182344/http://dsir.gov.in/pubs/itt/itt20001/kesavan.htm|archive-date=15 December 2010|url-status=dead}}
Education
After graduating from the University of Mysore, he proceeded to England and obtained his master's degree in English Literature and Diploma in Library Science, both from the University of London.{{cite book|last1=Robert|first1=Wedgeworth|title=World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Services|isbn=0-8389-0609-5|edition=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HSFu99FCJwQC&q=World+Encyclopedia+of+Library+and+Information+Services|access-date=9 February 2016|year=1993}}
Career
He began his career as a teacher of English in the University of Mysore and served there for several years. He also worked as Assistant Secretary (Editorial) of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Curator at Central Bureau of Education. As a National Librarian, he contributed enormously to the building up of the Library, launching of Indian National Bibliography, and nurturing of the Central Reference Library as Librarian-in-Charge.
His achievements in INSDOC is also no less outstanding which include among others the starting of Indian Science Abstracts, and Associateship in Documentation and Reprography course, publication of several union catalogues of scientific serials, and Directory of Scientific Research Institutions in India.{{cite book|last1=Robert|first1=Wedgeworth|title=World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Services|isbn=0-8389-0609-5|edition=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HSFu99FCJwQC&q=World+Encyclopedia+of+Library+and+Information+Services|access-date=9 February 2016|year=1993}}
Positions held
He was the head of the National Library of India for two terms, from 1948 to 1963 and from 1970 to 1971. In addition, he held many posts of international and national bodies such as Vice-President of International Federation for Information and Documentation(1964–1966) (FID), President of Indian Library Association (ILA) and member of numerous committees.{{cite book|last1=Robert|first1=Wedgeworth|title=World Encyclopedia of Library and Information Services|isbn=0-8389-0609-5|edition=3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HSFu99FCJwQC&q=World+Encyclopedia+of+Library+and+Information+Services|access-date=9 February 2016|year=1993}}
Publications
He has to his credit a number of publications, of which the prominent are History of Printing and Publishing in India in 3 volumes and The Book in India: A Compilation.
Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management (KIIKM)
A charitable trust namely, Kesavan Institute of
Information and Knowledge Management (KIIKM) has been formed in memory of him at Secunderabad.
References
{{reflist}}
- [http://www.kiikm.org/ Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management (KIIKM)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160617023911/http://www.nationallibrary.gov.in/nat_lib_stat/history.html Official website of National Library of India]
- [http://itt.nissat.tripod.com/itt20001/kesavan.htm Information Today & Tomorrow] ({{ISSN|0971-7102}}) Vol. 19 No. 1, March 2000
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070302131018/http://www.nlindia.org/ Official website of National Library of India]
- [http://www.crlindia.gov.in/ Official website of Central Reference Library, India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303183713/http://www.crlindia.gov.in/ |date=3 March 2016 }}
- [http://www.kiikm.org/drupal/?q=pictures/ B S Kesavan in Pictures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403112721/http://www.kiikm.org/drupal/?q=pictures%2F |date=3 April 2015 }}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20051204044952/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1051123/asp/calcutta/story_5508786.asp]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20170422041102/http://person.lislinks.com/2016/10/bellary-shamanna-kesavan.html]
{{Padma Shri Award Recipients in Literature & Education}}
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Category:Alumni of the University of London
Category:Scholars from Karnataka