Mr. R. Maheswaran

The Librarian
University of Peradeniya
Peradeniya

Contacts

librarian@pdn.ac.lk
rmahes@pdn.ac.lk
maheswaranrasiah@gmail.com
+9481-2388678
+9481-2392483
+9481-2392470
Fax +94-812388678

Main Library
University of Peradeniya
Peradeniya
Sri Lanka

Educational /professional Qualifications

  • Master of Library & Information Science, Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo
  • BA (Hons) (Geography Special) - 2nd class Upper division, Faculty of Arts University of Peradeniya

Positions held (Selected)

  • Head of Tamil division of the Main Library - from 1994 to date.
  • Head of Engineering Library from 1.11.1999 to 31.12.2000
  • Head Science Library from 03. 12. 2004 to 02. 06. 2005.
  • Head Reader Services Division of the Main Library from 15.11.2006 to 17.04.2015.
  • Appointed as a Senior Assistant Librarian / Administration from 15.05.2012 to 17.04.2015
  • Covering duties of Librarian from 02.12.2014 to 31.12.2014
  • Acting Librarian in the PGIA Library
  • Acting Librarian for Library Network from 17th April 2015 to 29th May 2020
  • Librarian 30th May 2020

Membership & Awards (Selected)

  • Associate member of the Sri Lanka Library Association
  • Member of University Librarians’ Association (ULA) of Sri Lanka from the year 1999.
  • Member Central Province Library Board appointed by Chief Minister, Central Province from 2012 to 2019.
  • Tamil Sahithya award-2005 awarded by Central Province Ministry of Hindu
  • Tamil Sahithya award 2002 awarded by Central Province Ministry of Education
  • Central province Ministry of Education and Culture Award the best writer award in 2003, for the Article on Upcountry Tamils’ and their Problems
  • Awards by Central Province Cultural Ministry in 2003.
  • Ratna Theepa awarded by Kandy Art and Cultural Association in 2006.
  • Sahithya Award for the book titled “நதிகடந்த களம்” (Nati Katanta kalam – collection of research articles) for the best monograph in research book category in 2017 by Central Province Ministry of Agriculture and Hindu Culture at the annual Tamil Sahithya Festival held in Nuwara Eliya.
  • Sahithya Award for the book titled “வளமிக்க வழக்காற்றியல்” (Valamikka Valakkarriyal – collection of research articles) for the best monograph in research book category in 2018 by Central Province Ministry of Agriculture and Hindu Culture at the annual Tamil Sahithya Festival held in Nuwara Eliya.

Research Interests (Research Fields/ Projects)

  • Bibliometric studies, Digital library systems, Folklore studies, தமிழ் ஆவணங்களை ஆவணப்படுத்தல், வரலாற்றாய்வுகள், பயண இலக்கியம். தமிழ் மற்றும் இந்திய வம்சாவளி மலையக மக்கள் நாட்டாரியல்.

Research Publications (Selected)

Text Books

  • Maheswaran, R. (2014). Digital Library Initiatives in Sri Lanka. Salem, India : SA Publishers.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2013). Knowledge Organization: Classification Systems. (978-81-925974-6-1)Salem, India : SA Publishers.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2015). Scientometrics: The Development Measurement, and Scholarly Communications. (978-81-9222221-9-6). Chidambaram, India : AMU Mani Publishers.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2014). Foundations of Library and Information Centers: An Overview. (978-81-922221-7-2). Chidambaram, India: AMU Mani Publishers.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2016). Management Basics for Library Professionals. (978-81-922221-8-9). Chidambaram, India: AMU Mani Publishers.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2013).Information Processing and Retrieval in Library and Information Centers: With Special Reference to Sri Lankan Universities.(978-81-925974-5-4).Salem, India : SA Publishers.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2014).Basic Research Methods and Techniques for Library and Information Science. (978-81-925975-7-8). Salem, India : SA Publishers.

Tamil Books Published

  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). உளவியல் அறிவும் நூலக ஆசிரியர் செல்நெறியும் (Knowledge of Psychology for Teacher Librarians - Text book for the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students as well as for Diploma course Students of Sri Lanka Library Association) Kandy: Easwaran Book Depot. ISBN 978 – 955 – 0660 – 17 – 9
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). பிரயோக நூலக விஞ்ஞானம் (Applied Library Science - Text book for Postgraduate Studies for Teacher Librarians)Kandy: Easwaran Book Depot. ISBN 978 – 955 – 0660 – 17 – 9
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). ஆண்டபரம்பரை. (Travel Literature: Chronologicaldocumentation of Information). Colombo: Kumaran Book House. ISBN 978 – 955 – 0660 – 13 – 1
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). அமைதி வழியும் மதுர மொழியும் (Documenting of Muslim Tamil Literature with Publicational Information). Colombo: Kumaran Book House. ISBN 978 – 955 – 0660 – 14 – 8
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). நதி கடந்த களம் : தமிழ் ஆய்வுகள். (Tamil Research articles on Information Literacy). Colombo: Kumaran Book House. ISBN 978 – 955 – 0660 – 13 – 1
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2018). வளம் மிக்க வழக்காற்றியல்: (Documenting of Rich Folk Culture). Colombo: Kumaran Book House. ISBN 978 – 955 – 659 – 589 – 5
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2018). பதிவுச் சுவடுகள் (Archival evidence). Colombo: Kumaran Book House. ISBN 978 – 955 – 0660 – 13 – 1

Research articles (selected)

  • Maheswaran, R. (2007). Bibliometric phenomenon in Tamil publication in Sri Lanka in 2005. Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka. 2,2-36.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2008). Role of Libraries in conflict and peace process. Journal of the University librarians’ Association. 12, 99-123.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2014). A Scientometric Analysis of Biodiesel Research Output: An Asian Country Perspective. Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology. 4(2), 63-67.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2016). Mapping of agriculture research Output in Sri Lanka: a Scientometric analysis . Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services (IJISS.), 6(1), 43-46.
  • Maheswaran , R. (2016 ). Design and Development of Library Gateway: Special Reference to University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Indian Journal of Information Sources and Services (IJISS). 6(2), 41- 44.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2017). Visualizing the citation patterns of quantum cryptography research publications: a study using cite net explorer. International Journal of Information Retrieval and Management, 5(10), 7-9.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2018). A Historiography analysis of Biodiesel Research Output: With Special Reference to Asia. Journal of Advances in Library and Information Science. 4(3),250-256.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2018). Measuring the research performance of Sri Lankan Universities: A Scientometric analysis. International Journal of Library Science and Information Management (IJLSIM). Information retrival and Management. 4 (8), 1- 8.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2018). Bibliometric Analysis of Agriculture Research output through SCIMAGO country rank: An Asian Perspective. International Journal of Information Retrieval and Management. 6 (11), 1- 2.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2017). Visualizing the citation patterns of quantum cryptography research publications: A study using citnet explorer. International Journal of Information retrival and Management. 5(10), 7-9.

Peer reviewed Presentations at National/International Conferences/Symposia (selected)

  • Maheswaran, R. (2018). Implementation of Institutional Repository using DSPACE: A Case Study at University of Peradeniya. In W. J. Jeyaraj, S. Santharooban, & M. N. Ravikumar (Eds.), Re-Engineering Libraries to align with Transitiong Educational & Technological Paradigms. Paper presented at the of the International Symposium on Emerging Trends in Education and Library &Information Science (LibSym) 2018, Chenkalady, 9-10 August (pp. 97-104). Chenkalady, Sri Lanka: Library Network. Eastern University.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2016). Funding Research output at the University of Peradeniya: A Scientometric Analysis. In Suresh De Mel et al (Eds.), Unleashing Minds to create a sustainable future. Presented at the International conference on the Humanities and Social Sciences,Peradeniya 27- 28 July (pp. 354 – 357). Peradeniya, Sri Lanka: Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2016). Analyzing the Research Productivity of University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. In P. Ravichandran (Ed.), Re-Engineering of Library Resources and Services: Challenges and Opportunities: Presented at the ICRLRS 2016, Chidambaram, 5 -6 February(pp .286 - 290). Annamalai Nagar, India: Directorate of Distance Education wing, Annamalai University.
  • Balasubramani, R. Maheswaran, R. Ketheeswaren,S. (2016) SAARC Citation Index: A Proposal for the Tool and Measurement of Scholarly Communication. In Ramanan, T. (Ed.), Libraries as partners of knowledge sustainability: Presented at the International Conference of University Librarians’ Association of Sri Lanka – ICULA 2016, Jaffna, 9-10 March 2016 (pp 85 – 90). Sri Lanka: University Librarians’ Association.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2017) A comparative study of the scholarly research publication of University of Colombo and University of peradeniya using scientometric Tools. In S. Srinivasa Ragavan, R. Balasubramani, B. Ramesh Babu (Eds.), Pesented at the UGC Sponsored International Conference on Knowledge Resources and Library Technologies.Thiruchirappalli,24-24 February (pp. 266 - 271). Thiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India: Department of Library and Information Science. Bharathidasan University.

Peer reviewed Presentations at National/International Conferences/Symposia (Tamil)

  • Maheswaran, R. (2010). இலங்கைத் தமிழ் ஆவணங்கள், இலங்கைத் தமிழ் ஆவணங்கள், ஆவணப்படுத்தல் – வரலாறு – அதன் முக்கியத்துவம். (Documentation of Tamil documents in Sri Lanka: a reference study). Coimbatore: World Tamil Classical Conference. (Organized by State Government of Tamil Nadu from 23rd June to 27th June 2010).
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2013). இலங்கையில் இந்தியத்தமிழர் நாட்டாரியல் வழக்காற்றியல் : தொன்மையும் இன்றைய நிலையும் (Folklore of Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka and documenting of their ancient and existing forms) Kandy: National Conference on Tamil Literature by Kandy Tamil Sangam.
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). பிரித்தானியருக்கும் சிங்கள பிரதானிகளுக்கும் இடையிலான கண்டி ஒப்பந்த்த்தில் தமிழ் கையெழுத்துக்களை ஆவணப்படுத்தல். (Documenting and analyzing of Tamil handwritings in Kandyan Convention Document). Presented at the Madurai: 25th Year annual conference of Tamil Nadu Archaeological Society. (19th & 20th July 2015).
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2013). இலங்கை இந்திய நாட்டார் வழக்காற்றியல் ஆய்வுகள் (Researches on Indian Tamil Folklore in Sri Lanka). Kandy: Kandy Tamil Society. (26th October 2013).
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2012). ஈழத்தமிழர் பயண இலக்கியங்களில் தற்கால புதிய பரிமாணங்கள். (Trends on Sri Lankan Travel Literature). Colombo: Colombo Tamil Sangam – International Tamil Literature Conference 2012.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2010). Bibliometric study on Sri Lankan Tamil Publications from 1996 – 2005. Colombo : International Conference organized by University Librarians’ Association. (14th to 15th July 2015)
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). இலங்கையில் இந்தியத் தமிழர் நாட்டார் வழக்காற்றியல் (Folklore of the Indian origin Tamil people in Sri Lanka), presented at Cultural conference organized by the Sociological and Art Division of the World Tamil Research Institute, Tharamani, Chennai, India : World Tamil Research Institute. Held on 26th and 27th February 2015.
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2015). கண்டி எசல பெரகராவும் பௌத்தத்தில் இந்து கலாசார பண்புகளும். (Documenting of Tamil Cultural aspects in Kandy Esala Perahera). In S. Udayasooriyan, S. Suntharesan, K. Thilakavathi (Eds.), Ma;Tf;Nfhit. Presented at the International Conference on Tamilological study. Thanjavur tamil University, 16 – 17 May (pp.25 – 31). Thanjavur : all India Tamil teachers Association.
  • மகேஸ்வரன், இரா. (2017). திருக்குறள் தமிழ் பதிப்புக்கள் : ஓர் உசாத்துணை அளவீடு (Documenting and Bibliogrpahic Study on Tirukkural Tamil Publications) Presented at the UGC sponsored two day International seminar on panmuka nokkil Thirukkural (Multi Dimensional perspectives in Thirukkural)., Coimbatore, 5 December (pp .1159 - 1163). Tirunelveli,Tamil Nadu, India: The M. D. T. Hindu College.

Key note addresses

  • Maheswaran, R. (2018, February). Library Services in Digital Age. Keynote Speech presented at the International Seminar on “Redefining the Library Services” Organized by the Central Library and Department of Library and Information Science of G. T. N. Arts College, Dindigul, TN, India.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2019, April). Green Library concept. Keynote Speech presented at the International conference on “Green Libraries” Organized by the Library and Information Science Department of the Madurai Kamaraj University, , TN, India.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2017, February). Role of Rural and Village Libraries in community development. Keynote Speech presented at a training programme for Rural and Village Library staff members. Jointly organized by the Department of Library and Information Science, Periyar University, TN, India and the Directorate of Public Library, TN, India.
  • Maheswaran, R. (2015, December). இலங்கை பெருந்தோட்ட தமிழர்களின் நாட்டாரியல்: ஆவணப்படுத்தல் (Documentation of Folklore of Plantation Tamils in Sri Lanka). Keynote Speech Presented in the International Seminar on “Thadam Pathitha Tamilarkal, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, Department of Tamilology, School of Tamil Studies, Madurai Kamaraj University.