TRAINING

Certificate in Library Science course, conducted by this Association was started in the year 1937. The course is recognized by the Government and different statutory bodies:

1. The course is conducted in Two Sessions :
   • WEEK-END SESSION:
     November to August. Classes are held two days in a week - Saturday and Sunday (usually between 01.30 p.m. to 08.00 p.m. on Saturdays and between 10.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m. on Sundays)
   • SUMMER SESSION:
     March to August. Classes are held five days in a week - Monday to Friday (usually between 05.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m.)
2. Notification for admission is generally published in the local daily newspaper. Normally the WEEK-END SESSION is advertised in the months of June / July and for SUMMER SESSION in the months of November / December every year.
3. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION:
   1. Higher Secondary or equivalent examination passed
   2. Deputed candidate who's qualification is S.F/MP/Matriculate or equivalent and joined Library on or before 05.08.1985 as a full time paid Library staff with five (5) years' experience in recognised institution may also apply. She/he must forward her/his application through the appointing authority. Attested copy of letter of appointment should also accompany the Application Form for admission.
4. COST OF APPLICATION FORM:
   The cost of application form is Rs. 100.00 (Rupees One Hundred Only). Forms would also be sent by post against a crossed Bank Draft of Rs. 100.00 (Rupees One Hundred only) only drawn in favour of BENGAL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION and a self addressed stamped envelop (27 x 11 cm.) of Rs. 5.00 only. NO MONEY ORDER / POSTAL ORDER WILL BE ACCEPTED. There will be no responsibility on the part of the Association regarding the non-receipt of form sent by post. There are no fees for submission of the form.
5. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION FORM:
   The prescribed form duly filled in and supported by the attested copies of all documents [complete Mark sheets (both sides), SC/ST/PH Certificate, permanent residential certificate for outside candidates, and also appointment letter in case of Deputed candidate only] is to be submitted at the Association Office on week days (between 3.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m.) within the closing date. No separate registration fee is needed. Each candidate will have to submit one attested copy of passport size photograph duly pasted in the form.
6. ADMISSION
   1. CANDIDATE CALLED FOR ADMISSION:
      A list of candidates called for admission will be displayed on the Notice Board of the Association Office or Candidates may know this personally or over phone (+91-8276032102) or through Association's Webiste (http://www.blacal.org).

      Selected candidates will have to pay the following fees at the time of admission.

      1. Membership Fee:	Rs. 150.00
      2. Tuition Fee:	Rs. 3500.00
      Total:	Rs. 3650.00

   2. Examination Fee for Non-Collegiate Students:
      The Examination Fee of Rs. 300.00 will have to be paid before the final examination.

N.B. All correspondences should be addressed to the General Secretary, Bengal Library Association, P134, C.I.T. Scheme No. 52, Kolkata

The Association regularly conducts specialised course on Computer Application in Libraries and Information Centres. The Association started computer training course at the end of 2001 where emphasis was given on training of CDS/ISIS softeare as well as some regular office packages such as MS-Office, etc. which then converted to the training of WINISIS in 2008. From 2012, the Association has started training programme on Koha software which is presently going on.

Koha Training Programme

• Total No. of Seats: 18
• Course Fee: Rs.1800/- (For BLA Students), Rs.2000/- (other than BLA Students), Rs.2500/- (For Deputed Candidates) + BLA Membership Fee
• Duration: 5 Days (Saturday - Sunday - Saturday - Sunday - Sunday)
• Class Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Admission: First-come, First-served basis
• Admission Time: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. (except Sundays & Holidays)
• Documents Required at the time of Admission: Photocopy of Voter ID Card or any Photo ID Proof and 1 recent Passport/Stamp size Photograph of Applicant
• Average Waiting Time after Admission: 1.5-2 Months

The Association organizes Orientation Programmes to the librarians working in different libraries in West Bengal. Normally these programmes are organized in the district level to the librarians working in the public libraries in the state.

The Association organizes different Workshops to cope with the present demand of the LIS professionals. It organizes many Workshops those directly help LIS professionals for their day to day functioning in the libraries.