E-Mail : mkumaran@tnnlu.ac.in
Website URL: https://www.tnnlulibrary.net/about
Google Scholar ID: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=W0P6-5cAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra
Dr. M. Kumaran is an accomplished Library and Information Science professional with over 23 years of experience in academic librarianship and is presently serving as Assistant Librarian at Tamil Nadu National Law University, Tiruchirappalli. His areas of expertise include library automation and networking, digital libraries, institutional repositories, open-source technologies, e-learning, electronic resource management, Artificial Intelligence applications and user-centric information services. His scholarly portfolio includes 4 textbooks, 1 authored book, 1 edited scholarly volume, 14 research articles, 23 book chapters, 15 conference papers and 11 conference-proceedings contributions. He has presented papers at 5 international conferences and 33 national conferences, workshops and seminars, together with more than 25 invited lectures/resource-person engagements at academic institutions. He has also attended more than 60 national and international conferences, seminars, workshops and training programmes, including 20+ faculty development, training and refresher programmes.
At TNNLU, Dr. Kumaran has contributed extensively to the modernization and development of library infrastructure and services. Major initiatives recorded in the profile include implementation and maintenance of the KOHA Integrated Library Management System, RFID-enabled circulation and security, centralized UPS support, library website development, initiation of DSpace Digital Library/Institutional Repository, upgrading CCTV facilities, establishment of air-conditioned reading halls, and development of an Accessibility Laboratory with Braille and screen-reader facilities. He has received four professional awards/recognition and he has undertaken diverse invited and leadership responsibilities as Chairperson, Co-Chair of Technical Sessions, Judge for Oral and Poster Presentations, Rapporteur, Associate Conference Director, Assistant Conference Director, Conference Associate Director, Session Chair, Resource Person and Panel Member. Notable recent engagements include serving as Chairperson at an international conference in 2026, Resource Person and Panel Member at NCILTIPAL 2026, and Chairperson at ICBSL 2025.
He has also strengthened resource sharing and academic collaboration by utilizing DELNET Inter-Library Loan services, facilitating an academic collaboration MoU between Bishop Heber College and TNNLU, and providing internship/fieldwork opportunities to 17 Library and Information Science students.
As part of information-literacy and outreach initiatives, he has contributed significantly to National Digital Library of India (NDLI) activities. The profile records successful renewal of NDLI Club membership and organization of 36 academic programmes, including national webinars, hands-on training programmes, expert lectures, e-database demonstrations and awareness programmes, aimed at improving information literacy and digital-resource utilization among students and faculty members.
Dr. Kumaran's professional contributions have been recognized through four professional awards and recognitions, including the “Best Performer” Award from the Society for Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS). The profile additionally records receipt of a National Best Librarian Award and Best Paper Award for research presentations.
He maintains active professional association with major LIS bodies and is recorded as a Life Member of the Madras Library Association (MALA), Delhi Library Association (DLA), Society for Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS), and Alumni Association of Library and Information Science (AALIS). His leadership experience also includes serving as Treasurer of AALIS (2008–2009) and President of AALIS (2009–2010).
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Professional Dimension |
Profile Highlights |
|
Professional Experience |
23+ years |
|
Research Articles |
14 |
|
Authored Textbooks |
4 |
|
Other Authored Book |
1 |
|
Edited Scholarly Volume |
1 |
|
Book Chapters in Edited Volumes |
23 |
|
Conference Proceedings Contributions |
11 |
|
Conference Papers |
15 |
|
International Conference Presentations |
5 |
|
National Conferences / Workshops / Seminars – Papers Presented |
33 |
|
Invited Lectures / Resource-Person Engagements |
25+ |
|
Conferences / Seminars / Workshops / Training Attended |
60+ |
|
FDP / Training / Refresher Programmes |
20+ |
|
Academic/NDLI Programmes Organized |
36 |
|
Professional Awards / Recognitions |
4 |
|
Syllabus-Oriented Books Facilitated at TNNLU |
Approx. 5,979 |
|
Books Procured through Major Exhibitions |
Approx. 2,500 |
|
New Periodical Subscriptions Added |
7 |
|
Perpetual E-Books Added (listed publishers) |
836 titles |
|
DELNET ILL Books Facilitated |
30+ |
|
LIS Students Facilitated for Internship/Fieldwork |
17 |
|
Life Memberships Listed |
4 professional bodies |