STATE LEVEL SEMINAR ON DIGITAL LIBRARIES: DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
A State level Seminar on ‘Digital Libraries: Design & Development ’ was organized by the Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu Library Association (DKKLA) in association with Sri Venkataramana Swamy College (SVS College), Bantwal on March 8th 2013 at SVS College, Bantwal, DK. The seminar was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr.Ashajyothi Rai, Chairperson of Aasare Charitable Trust, Mangalore. Inaugurating the programme, Dr.Asha Jyothi Rai spoke about the advancement in Information Technology (IT) & expressed whether we are lagging behind in its use. Dr. Seetharama Mayya, Principal of Sri Venkataramana Swamy College, Bantwal, delivered the welcome address. He spoke on the role of libraries in the advancement of knowledge and congratulated the president of the association Dr.Sujatha H.R. who is also the librarian of Sri Venkataramana Swamy College for her efforts in organizing the seminar at the college venue. In the inaugural function, the theme & aim of the seminar was presented by Dr.Sujatha H.R. President, DKKLA & Co-ordinator of the seminar. In her address stressed the need of conducting more and more deliberations on the role of different modes of information dissemination at a time when information technology (IT) has revolutioned the very approach of the academic community to the acquisition of knowledge. She emphasized that the librarians have to get up graded themselves to the digitization of information resources.
Dr. M.K.Bhandi, University Librarian, Mangalore University delivered the key note address on ‘Digital Libraries’. He pointed out that the role of librarians is evolving from archivist to that of knowledge navigator. He further said that just as they have been guides for the use of traditional materials, librarians in the digital library will become guides to the network tools. He listed out the digital library projects in the world as well as in India and highlighted the role of digital libraries in higher education.
Mr. Bhamy Vittaldas shenoy, the correspondent of the SVS Vidyavardhaka Sangha, Bantwal, delivered the presidential address. In his address, he appreciated the endeavor of the college library, for taking initiative to organize the state level seminar. He emphasized the need for the adaptation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the library services.
The one-day state level seminar was well attended by participants in large numbers and the programme was divided into three technical sessions.
During the first technical session Dr Manjunatha K, Chief Librarian, TAPMI, Manipal stressed the need for providing the required information to the current users through the electronic devices like laptops/mobile phones/ipads etc. Further he said that in the process of providing IT based information services, the libraries are challenged by the adoption of appropriate technology, technological obsolescence, increased commercial information service providers and professional discussion forums. The issues and problems related to the development and management of digital libraries were also discussed.
The second and the third technical sessions were taken by the chief resource person Dr. Christina Birdie, from Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore . In the Second session she spoke at length about various issues of concern related to the need of digital libraries in colleges. She elaborated the steps involved in building a digital library and also discussed in detail about the different open source digital library softwares.
In the last session i.e. the third technical session, Dr Christina Birdie poses a question whether “Students & Faculty need libraries and Librarians in the age of Internet-Library Vs Internet”. She explains how the technological and economic shifts have only made libraries more valuable. Integrating within the programmes of the organization, libraries have to enhance the organization’s efficiency by using technology and provide seamless communication. Further she elaborates how libraries can promote organization’s profile by creating institutional profile, promoting institution’s publications and resource information on copyright barriers for international collaboration. She had an interactive session with the participants and encouraged them to share their experiences in the process of building their institutional repositories.
The seminar concluded with the convener of the seminar i.e. president of Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu Library Association presenting the brief report and proposing the vote of thanks.
Dr. Sujatha H.R.
President (DKKLA) & Librarian (SG)
Sri Venkatramana Swamy College
Bantwal, DK