>Monkbot at 10:10, 15 January 2021

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[[File:bskesavan.jpg|thumb|200px|B. S. Kesavan]]
'''Bellary Shamanna Kesavan''' (10 May 1909 – 16 February 2000) was the first National Librarian of independent [[India]] (1947–1962).<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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|website=The Telegraph}}</ref> 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-general|Director]] of the [[Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre]] ([[INSDOC]]) at New Delhi (1963–1969).<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== 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 [[CSIR India|Council for Scientific and Industrial Research]] ([[CSIR India|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 catalogue]]s of scientific serials, and ''Directory of Scientific Research Institutions in India''.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== 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) ([[International Federation for Information and Documentation|FID]]), President of Indian Library Association (ILA) and member of numerous committees.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== 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]
*[http://www.kiikm.org/drupal/?q=pictures/ B S Kesavan in Pictures]
*[https://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}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kesavan, B.S.}}
[[Category:Indian librarians]]
[[Category:1909 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature & education]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of London]]
[[Category:Scholars from Karnataka]]
[[Category:University of Mysore alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian educational theorists]]

B. S. Kesavan - Revision history

>Monkbot at 10:10, 15 January 2021