Biography is one of the important genres of any subject field. There are biographical dictionaries of eminent personalities at the national level for Politicians, Philosophers, Educationists, Economists, Scientists, Creative Writers, Artists, Painters to mention a few. But so far there is no comprehensive Biographical Dictionary in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS) in our Country. It is the need of the hour to fill in the gap. Many stalwarts in LIS Profession appeared on the Indian horizon and rendered yeomen service for progress and prosperity of our profession. We, the editors, sincerely felt that it is our professional duty to bring out this "Biographical Dictionary of Indian LIS Professionals" against great odds and difficulties. The entries are arranged alphabetically by surname / personal name. Under each entry, the information about individual biographies is presented, as far as possible in the following sequence viz. 1. Name, 2. Date and Place of Birth, 3. Childhood, 4. Education, 5. Occupation, 6. Marriage and family, 7. Awards, Prizes and Honours, 8. Membership of Professional Bodies, 9. Visits abroad, 10. Publications, 11. Professional Contribution, 12. Hobbies and Interests, 13. Retirement and 14. Present address. This compilation is not a comprehensive one but a very small and significant step in that direction. The Editors sincerely believe and hope that the LIS Profession appreciates the intellectual labour that has gone into this compilation and wholeheartedly support this very important publication.
About the Author: Prof. A. A. N. Raju is formerly Head, Department of Library and Information Science and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Osmania University, Hyderabad. He served the University nearly three-and-half decades and as Head, Department of Library and Information Science for twenty two years a record in itself. He published seventy five research papers in English and nearly hundred articles in Telugu in LIS Professional Journals. He is a regular contributor to Grandhalaya Sarvashwamu the first Indian Professional Journal in LIS. Prof. Raju has been very actively and closely associated with professional activities at the Local, State and National levels. He is Life Member of ILA, IASLIC, ALSD, IATLIS and APLA. He was Vice-President of ILA (1986-87), IASLIC (1988-89 and 1992-93) and President of IATLIS (1996-98) and ALSD (1988-90). He is on the Editorial Board of Grandhalaya Sarvaswamu. He was Member of UGC Panel on LIS for two consecutive terms (1991-93 and 1994-96). Recipient of IATGLIS Motivale Best Teacher Award, 1995, UGC Emeritus Fellowship (1999-2001). Prof. P. Gangadhara Rao Memorial Award 2006 from P. S. Telugu University, Hyderabad and Kodati Narayana Rao Centenary Award 2013 from Kodati Narayana Rao Trust, Hyderabad. The Osmania University, Hyderabad honoured Prof. A. A. N. Raju during its Centenary Celebrations on 15th March 2018 by Presenting a Shawl, Memento and Centenary Citation.

Prof. L. S. Ramaiah was born on July 1, 1937 at Panchalavaram Village, Tenali Taluq, Andhra Pradesh. He holds M.A. from Banara Hindu University; Diploma in Archives Keeping, New Delhi and BLISc from Osmania University, Hyderabad. He obtained Gold Medal in BLISc for obtaining First Class First in 1976. He started his professional career in 1962 as Archivist at the A. P. State Archives, Hyderabad. Later he joined the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL) a Deemed University in 1971 as Archivist. The CIEFL later became the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) a Central University. He became the University Librarian in 1977 and superannuated in 1997. Prof. Ramaiah during his tenure made the CIEFL Library as one of the best libraries in the Country in the field of English Language and Linguistics. The library got a new library building which was built on scientific lines. Prof. Ramaiah is a Life Member of ILA, IASLIC, APLA and ALSD. He was Executive Council Member of ILA and IASLIC for a term each. He served as President of ALSD for a term. He was Member of the RRRLF (Kolkata) during 1991-92. . He was also a Member of the UGC Library Panel. He visited the USA, UK, Cuba and Yemen for professional activities. He was at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign under the Mortenson Fellowship Scheme as Observer for 4 months. He visited the Library of Congress and many Public Libraries and Academic Libraries. He attended several Conferences at the National and State level and submitted papers. He brought Festschrifts to 12 Library Professionals. He also published 8 books and 10 Bibliographies. His Biography on the Dravidian and Linguistics in 6 volumes had received great appreciation form Linguists in India and Abroad. Professional friends and well wishers brought out two Festschrifts in his honour. He is well known throughout the Country among the Library Professionals.