During the National Library Week celebrations, the Kerala University Library is introducing an eminent scholar membership category.
P.K. Rajasekharan, literary critic, will get the first membership in this category at a function in the library hall at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.
Scholars with widely acclaimed works can upgrade their graduate membership to the new category, raising the book-borrowing limit from two to six. The annual fee is Rs. 300. Prominent researchers and academics who do not work under the aegis of the university can take the membership.
The latest edition of Kerala Index will be released at the function. The quarterly publication is compiled from newspapers and other publications subscribed to by the library, containing an index of articles of research value or topical significance in Kerala.
J. Prabhash, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kerala, will release the index and inaugurate the function. Deputy Librarian in-charge L. Saraswathy will issue the first eminent scholar membership.
K.P. Vijayakumar, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science of the university, will deliver the keynote address.
The library is organising an exhibition of rare books during the week. As a library official said, the exhibition will showcase to the public the wealth of the documents here, dating back to the early 18{+t}{+h}century, bringing out the age-old treasures in hidden shelves. Most of the treasures have been digitised.
A poster competition is being conducted for the members of the library on the theme “Kerala University Library of the Future.” The names of the winners will be announced on Friday.
These programmes are also being held in connection with the platinum jubilee celebrations of the library.
The Kerala University Library is introducing an eminent scholar membership category.