Panaji: Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal’s College of Commerce , the Department of Library and Information Science organised a two-day national workshop on “Emerging Technological Advancements and Innovative Practices in Library Science” on the 29th and 30th of January 2024 held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Directorate of art and Culture, Panjim –Goa. The workshop aimed to explore the latest advancements and technologies in library science, providing attendees with valuable insights into the future of libraries and information access with the presence of all librarians of different institutes under one roof.
The Chief Guest, Shri. Govind Gaude, Minister for Sports, Art and Culture, Government of Goa, during inaugural ceremony delivered an inspiring speech, emphasizing the importance of libraries in society and inculcating reading habits. Dr. Sandesh Dessai, Librarian at Goa University, was the Guest of Honour, and Dr. Keshav Dhuri, Assistant Director (Development) at the Directorate of Higher Education, delivered the keynote address, President shri Prakash Prabhu and Principal Dr. Shekhar sawant addressed the participants and all the dignitaries present there by welcoming for the workshop setting the tone for the workshop.
The first session of the day was led by Prof. Dr. Shalini Lihitkar from RTM Nagpur University, covered various topics under the theme of “Emerging Technologies in Libraries-I,” including Open Access Resources, Information Literacy, Scholarly Communication, Technological Trends in Libraries, and the Application of Emerging Trends in Libraries followed by discussing the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in academic research by Mr. Nitesh Naik , librarian of Vidya Prabodhini college of commerce, education , computer & management , Porvorim-Goa.
The day 2 of the workshop began with Mr. Chetan Taksale’s session on Library Automation and Digitization, Founder Director of President Aksharmudra Pratishtan Library Softtech Solution & Service Pune, along with his partner Mr. Idrish Khan provided insights into Library Management Software, such as Electronic Granthalaya and Koha, as well as the digitalization of documents and the establishment of institutional repositories.
The highlight of the workshop was Mr. Sajosh K.S. from National Association for Blind, Goa Branch, who left no stone unturned and overcame boundaries to serve and help students with visual disability. He lectured on the topic of “computer literacy training for the visually impaired” The session was to educate professionals on how visually impaired students can get access to this facility of using computers thereby encouraging differently-abled students to explore this new field of reshaping the landscape of library.
The workshop served as a platform for library professionals, students and researchers wherein several resource persons were invited to attend this workshop. The workshop correctly pointed out the main aspect of the essence of technological advancement and how to make appropriate use of technology, that is, the usefulness or value of a technology must be consolidated by the social, cultural, economic, and political milieu in which it is to be used. Altogether, the closure statement to the Workshop with the valedictory function addressed by Shri. Sagun Velip, Director, Directorate of Art and Culture Government of Goa and Guest of Honour, Dr. Sushant Tandel, Curator, of Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library Government of Goa, and local managing committee , chairman Mr. Minanath Upadhaye can be stated as an amalgam of wilful knowledge gain, interactive learning and an insightful event. The Workshop ended successfully with everyone feeling contended with every aspect and a huge vote of thanks and gratitude was extended to the honourable guest speakers for their time and incredibly good talk on the various topics by the Convener of the said Workshop and Librarian Mrs. Sonia Mukesh Desai.
