Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes of the 1st Meeting of Women Librarians’ Strength of Assam (WLSA) held on 28.12.2019 at 11.30 a.m.
Members present
1. Dr. Jyotika Devi, Librarian, AEC, Assam
2. Dr. Latika Devi, Librarian, Paschim Borigog Anchalik Mahavidyalaya Baranghati, Kamrup(R)
3. Mrs. Jaya Medhi, Binandi Chandra Medhi College, Ramdia
4. Dr. Kankana Baishya, NLUJA, Assam, Amingaon
5. Dr. Jyotirekha Bhattacharyya, NLUJA, Assam, Amingaon
6. Mrs. Geetali Das, SBMS College, Sualkuchi
7. Dr. Babita Kalita, Damdama College
8. Mrs. Dhiru Barman, Bineswar Brahma Engineering College, Kokrajhar
9. Ms. Manisha Kakati, Research Scholar, Gauhati University.
10. Mrs. Kabita Kalita, Sub Divisional Library, Tamulpur
11. Ms. Mayuri Medhi, Royal Global School
12. Mrs. Mandita Borah, Research Scholar, Gauhati University.
13. Ms. Pallabi Devi, Research Scholar, Gauhati University.
14. Ms. Phulasmita Nath, NER-NDL, IIT Guwahati
15. Ms. Krishnanjali Bhattacharyya, LIS professional
16. Ms. Dipsikha Saloi, Tamulpur Degree College, Tamulpur
17. Ms. Aparna Deka, Pub Kamrup College, Baihata Chariali
Dr. Kankana Baishya extended heartiest welcome to the Senior Librarians respectively Dr. Jyotika Devi, Librarian, AEC, Assam, Dr. Latika Devi, Librarian, Pub Borigog College, Dimu, Mrs. Jaya Medhi, Librarian,Binandi Chandra Medhi College, Ramdia and to all the members of WLSA present in the meeting. In the introductory speech, she spoke about the background, history and purpose of the formation of the Women Librarians’ Association of Assam. She extended thanks to all the members present for accepting her invitation that has been sent through What’s App group to be a part of WLSA and showing their keen interest for the welfare of the society on behalf of the profession. This initiative was the result of the deliberations took place among the four participants in the Refresher Course (held during November 11-24, 2019 in HRDC, Gauhati University) respectively Dr. Babita Kalita, Jaya Medhi, Manjushree Devi and Dr. Kankana Baishya.
The Meeting was co-chaired by Senior Librarians Dr.Jyotika Devi, Dr.Latika Devi, and Mrs. Jaya Medhi. All, the three chairperson expressed their gratitude to Dr.KankanaBaishya and Dr.Jyotirekha Bhattacharyya of NLUJA, Assam for organizing such a meeting and for taking lead to form the new association WLAA. The three chairpersons delivered lecture on various issues relating to formation of WLSA, like proper platform for WLAA, work to be done for the welfare of the society by the association, the association’s aims, objective and registration of its members.
The following items were placed before the members present in the meeting and after detailed deliberations, the following decisions were taken.
Item No. 1: WLSA and contribution towards the society: Aims and Objective (education inculcating reading habit, women and children welfare, Art and culture development)
The members of the WLSA considered the matter and accorded its approval to involve in various activities to be undertaken by the Association in future. The members also deliberated upon the aims and objectives, vision and mission of the association. The association assured to visit remote schools and Children’s Homes to inculcate reading habits among them from childhood. The association also assured to work for the welfare of women and children in the field of art and music. The association also discussed to organize some events among the children and donate books on moral values, stories, spiritual etc. The association discussed that the places are to be identified and a database should be prepared on that.
Item no. 2: Activities and programs for the year 2020.
The members of the association discussed about various activities to be performed and also various programs to be conducted for the year 2020. The association took the responsibility to conduct Children Literary programme, 2020 and make the students aware about reading habits by organising various competition for children in the field of storytelling, story writing, art and music. The members of the association also recommended in conducting such programs for the society so that the concept of the Librarians would be introduced to the society and for this the members discussed to work together and work for the society.The members of the WLSA recommended visiting orphanage home, Sishu Sadan located in Sundarbari, Jalukbari to organise a literary program in order to inculcate reading habits among the children’s of orphanage. The tentative date to visit the orphanage home is taken on January 28, 2020.
Item No. 3: To frame the name and Constitution of WLSA and its modalities.
The association accepted and resolved that the official name of the association would be Women Librarians’ Strength of Assam. It has also been decided by the association that the general meeting of WLSA will be conducted quarterly in a year. It has also been decided by the association that the quorum of the meeting of the executive body will be conducted as and when situation demands. The association also fixed an amount of Rs. 1000.00 (One Thousand Only) as a membership fee and the same will be collected every year and any member can donate as per their will. The association considered Rs. 500/- as membership fees for students. Committee decided to open a bank account in SBI, Assam Engineering College Branch, Guwahati-781013 and a facebook page in the name of WLSA. The selected President and Secretary will be the final signatory of the joint account of WLSA. The association also decided to procure a seal in the name of WLSA. It has also been decided by the association that all library professionals including Librarians, working professionals, students, research scholars are eligible for the membership of WLSA.
Item No. 4: Any other Item with the permission of the Chair
Formation of Organizing Committee
In the meeting after a detailed discussion with all the members present, the portfolios of the organising committee was put forwarded and the same are as follows,
President: Dr. Jyotika Devi; Working President: Dr. Bonti Bora; Vice-President: Dr. Latika Devi, Mrs. Jaya Medhi; Secretary: Dr. Kankana Baishya; Joint Secretary: Mrs. Geetali Das, Dr. Babita Kalita; Office Assistant: Ms. Pallabi Devi; Treasurer: Dr. Jyotirekha Bhattacharyya, Mrs. Dhiru Barman; Representative: Ms. Manisha kakati (Research Scholar); Ms. Kabita Kalita (Public Library), Ms. Mayuri Medhi (School Library); Publicity: Ms. Mandita Borah; Ms. Phulasmita Nath; Ms. Krishnanjali Bhattacharyya; Ms. Dipsikha Saloi; Ms. Aparna Deka
In the meeting it was proposed that the Women Librarians' Strength of Assam may be changed to Women Librarians' Association of Assam and treat Assam Library Association (ALA) as parent body and work as the women chapter or division of it in the long run aiming at the social development specifically children and women . The house supported the view and suggested to place it before the ALA members for WLAA’s formal recognition
The meeting was concluded after the lunch.