Hello! I'm Rajashekhar
Irrespective of what I am and where I am at the moment, I continue to be passionate about my journey towards excellence and the best. Throughout my life, I’ve approached every challenge with enthusiasm, creativity, and ceaseless desire to achieve success. This passion and drive have paved the way to countless opportunities, unique experiences and exceptional relationships both personally and professionally. I am proud of being a librarian, friend and philosopher of your child. My connections and engagements with Sociology, Psychology and Literature have indeed empowered me to be what I am today in terms of my work, reading and writing. I relish and I am proud of my being Vice President of School Library Association (India) and Chief Librarian of Shishuvan English Medium School, Mumbai. If you’re interested in learning more about me, keep reading or get in touch.
Currently I am Vice President, School Library Association (India), Member, Editorial Advisory Board for the book : Munigal, Achala. "Scholarly Communication and the Publish or Perish Pressures of Academia." IGI Global, 2017. 1-375. Web. 25 Nov. 2016. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-1697-2 . Life Member : Academy of Library Science and Documentation, Indian Library Association, Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres, Bombay Science Librarians Association, Karnataka Sahitya Mandira, Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists of India, Indian Sociological Society; NIFT (Hyderabad) Centre Co-ordinator – Fashion and Beyond (Journal). pubs-15 papers in journals / magazines (plus essays and poems). Continues to write and publish on ಮೂರುನಾಕು my blog. Honorary Reviewer : Webology . Honorary Reviewer : Informing Science : The International Journal of an Emerging Transdiscipline ( InformingSciJ ) and Books / journal s of IGI Global. Professional Affiliations and Engagements in the Areas of Schooling, Fashion, Infrastructure, Agriculture and Law. Participated/attended. 1998 : Attended IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) International Conference – Amsterdam and Fashion Fairs in London.
Rajashekhar S Devarai
Children's Librarian. Reader. Writer
Vice President - School Library Association - India, Chief Librarian, Shishuvan School Mumbai
vicepresident.slaindia@gmail.com ; rajashekhar.devarai@shishuvan.com
https://moorunaaku.blogspot.com/ , Bhandup West, Mumbai - 400078
EXPERIENCE
2015 -
Chief Librarian
SHISHUVAN ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL
Responsible for establishing a State of Art Functional Library for Shishuvan English Medium School and to create a Reading Culture for the School. Initiations : (1) Shishuvan Reading Challenge (2) School Outreach event : Annual Seminar on Children's / School Librarianship on 12th August every year. Open to School Librarians of India. http://www.shishuvan.com/
2014
Librarian
RELIANCE FOUNDATION SCHOOL, MUMBAI.
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Streamlined and Re-organized Library System and Service, Impacted Academic Development both at Student and Faculty Level. .
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Standardized records, to enhance quality of operations and services.
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Initiated Current Awareness Services : (1) RFS LibInfo - Clippings Service (2) RFS Book of Readings
October 2012 - November 2013
Head Resource Centre (Library / Materials)
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY - MUMBAI(Ministry of Textiles - Govt of India)
Responsible for Functional and Professional Management of Resource Centre - its systems, services and activities. Prepared a plan visualizing new avatar of Resource Centre with provision for aesthetics, more readers space and activities. Initiated Resource Centre Student Assistant-ship program to help deserving students who need financial support.
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Streamlined and Re-organized Resource Centre comprising Library and Material Wings and its services/activities. Impacted academic development by laying a sound foundation of Collection Development Programme, covering diverse resources like books, periodicals, materials(fashion, textiles etc) and audio visuals.
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Applied various tools and techniques, standardized records, to enhance quality of operations and services of the Resource Centre.
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Initiated and successfully managed Resource Centre Training Programme (Internship programme).
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Initiated and successfully managed the Student Assistantship Programme in RC under SDAC Programme of NIFT
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E-Reading and E-Reader initiatives (introduction of iPads and Kindles)
November 2009 - October 2012
Chief Librarian
ASIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - BHUBANESHWAR (NOW - ASBM UNIVERSITY)
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Fore fronted all operations as first Chief Librarian, towards establishing re-organizing & managing Library.
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Lead all operations to ensure resource acquisition, classification, cataloguing and documentation / information services.
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Initiated and lead News Information Service through a Blog titled ‘ASBM Business Updates’
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Contributed/published two professional papers in Institute Annual Journal titled ‘Samadhan’ (papers relevant to Management discipline).
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Shouldered responsibility as Circulation Manager of ASBM Journal of Management.
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Played an important role in all institution building initiatives and activities.
October 2006 - August 2009
Librarian - Cum - Documentationlist - Faculty - Course Coordinator
AKRUTI CITYGOLD INSTITUTE - MUMBAI
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Fore fronted all operations as first Librarian, towards establishing re-organizing & managing Library (as a true Knowledge Resource Centre).
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Leaded all operations to ensure resource acquisition, classification, cataloguing and documentation / information services.
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Initiated and leaded the “Knowledge Forum” of the organization.
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Actively involved in teaching and academic programmes of the Institute in the domains of Research Reporting and Documentation and Principles and Practice of Management.
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Contributed book reviews to Akruti Journal of Infrastructure.
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Played an important role in all institution building initiatives and activities.
May 1995 - September 2006
Head Resource Centre / Head Librarian
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY - HYDERABAD (Ministry of Textiles - Govt of India).
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Founder Head Librarian / Head Resource Centre
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Planned & established a new Resource Centre comprising Library, Materials and Audio Visual Wings.
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Impacted academic development by laying a sound foundation of Collection Development Programme, covering diverse resources like books, periodicals, materials(fashion, textiles etc) and audio visuals.
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Applied various tools and techniques, standardized records, to enhance quality of operations and services of the Resource Centre.
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Initiated and successfully managed Resource Centre Training Programme (Internship programme).
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Achieved significant levels of self sufficiency through membership drive etc.
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Dexterously handled the establishment and management of Resource Centre comprising Library, Materials and Audio Visual Wings.
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Directed all operations towards obtaining ISO certification through standardization of policy, plan, objectives and procedures.
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Successfully introduced Resource Centre Training Programme.
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Oversaw the computerization of Resource Centre and database.
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Introduced Bar-coding and automation of circulation system.
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Played an instrumental role in Press Clippings Service.
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Notable contribution to reputed Indian Fashion Journal viz. “Fashion and Beyond” as a Centre Coordinator (for NIFT Hyderabad).
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Facilitated students and professors by extending the library hours from 8 hours to 13 hours a day.
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Actively engaged in teaching for various classes in “Library/Resource Centre Instructions”, Research Reporting / Documentation and Principles and Practice of Management.
January 1988 - May 1995
Assistant Librarian
DIRECTORATE OF OILSEEDS RESEARCH (INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH) - HYDERABAD (now : Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research)
Highlights:
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Holds the distinction of being part of the 1st team of professionally qualified librarians.
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Streamlined the Library and Information Services for the benefit of the scientists engaged in applied and basic research.
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Actively Contributed to the development of the Library/Documentation Services by attending to professional/technical works like : Classification/Classification.
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Actively participated in initiating and nurturing documentation and Information Services.
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Demonstrated capabilities by associating with Documentation – Cum – Information Officer in computerizing the library system by using International Software titled, “CDS/ISIS.
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Other Engagements : compilation of OSDOC Bulletin and DOR Press Gleanings. Contributed to Documentation / Research Work by associating in Proof Reading / Editorial Assistance. Organization of Reprints Collection.
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Promoted from T-II-3 level to T-4 (Technical Service).
July 1983 - January 1988
Librarian
KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA NO 2, UPPAL - HYDERABAD(Govt of India). https://no2uppal.kvs.ac.in/
Highlights:
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Holds the distinction of being the 1st professionally qualified librarian.
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Strengthened Library and its Services by comprehensive planning and organization of the material/collection. Introduced Classification and Cataloguing for collection.
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Developed School library as a centre of creative and self learning.
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Participated in Extra Curricular and Co-curricular activities like directing English skits, teaching, thematic book displays. Enriching and supporting classroom teaching by way of usage of subject relevant audio tapes during library periods. Introduction of system of visits to important Libraries in city, for passing out X th Class Students.
EDUCATION
Pre-Ph.D
OSMANIA UNIVERSITY - HYDERABAD
Highlights:
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Information Needs / Fashion - Textiles
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Research Methods.
1994
MLIS (Master of Library/Information Science)
ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY - ANNAMALAI NAGAR.
Highlights : Information Processing and Retrieval , Communication and Information Systems, Library Information System and Management, Research Methodology, Application of Computer to Information Storage and Retrieval, Academic Library System, Bibliometrics.
1982
MA (Master of Arts in Sociology)
GULBARGA UNIVERSITY - GULBARGA
Highlights:
Social Structure and Change, Social Statistics and Research Methodology, Modern Sociological Theories, Industrial Sociology, Social Demography, Sociology of Urbanization and Urban Development, Sociology of Rural Life, Industrial and Labour Relations in India.
1980
BLISc (Bachelor of Library and Information Science)
KARNATAK UNIVERSITY - DHARWAD - DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE.
Highlights:
Classification, Cataloguing, Information Science, Reference Service, Library Organization and Administration, and History of Libraries
1976 - 1979
BA (Bachelor of Arts)
KARNATAK UNIVERSITY DHARWAD - KARNATAK ARTS COLLEGE
Highlights:
Basic : Kannada, English ; Major : Sociology ; Minor : Kannada, Psychology
1976
PUC (Pre-University Course)
S S KHUBA BASAVESHWAR ARTSAND SCIENCE COLLEGE - BASAVA KALYAN - BIDAR. PRE-UNIVERSITY EDUCATION EXAMINATION BOARD - BANGALORE
Highlights:
Kannada, English ; Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Hindi
1973
SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL MUDBI - BASAVA KALYAN - BIDAR. Mysore Secondary Education Examination Board, Bangalore (Karnataka)
Highlights:
Kannada, Hindi, English, Science, Social, Mathematics.
AFFILIATIONS/ CONNECTIONS/ COLLABORATIONS
SHISHUVAN ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL - MUMBAI
RELIANCE FOUDNDATION SCHOOL - NAVI MUMBAI
SCHOOL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION - INDIA
SKILLS
Microsoft ExCel, Word, Power Point
Professional Communication, Recording and Reporting.
Critical Thinking and Decision Making.
Worked on Library Automation Softwares : CDS - ISIS, Softlink, Libsys and Koha
Kannada - Mother Tongue
Concept to Commissioning of New Library Systems and Services. Streamlining existing Library Systems and Services.
EXPERTISE
LIBRARY ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
I am good at Library Organization and Administration. Developed the following Libraries from Concept to Commissioning : Library - Kendriya Vidyalaya, National Institute of Fashion Technology , It was indeed a great mission to work towards excellence and professionalism. Streamlined existing library systems and Services at :Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Akruti Citygold Institute, Reliance Foundation School, Asian School of Business Management, Shishuvan English Medium School.
READING CHALLENGE
Pioneered the Art and Science of introducing AN ANNUAL READING CHALLENGE event - specially in Schools. Worked from concept to commissioning of SHISHUVAN READING CHALLENGE. It has changed the over all status of READING AND READING related activities at Shishuvan English Medium School - Mumbai. This has assisted in Creating a Reading Culture in the School.
READING - WRITING - BLOGGING
I have continued to be a Reader, Writer and Blogger :
My blogs and Blog Services :
moorunaaku.blogspot.com.