A National Webinar was organised on Saturday at BR Ambedkar University of Social Sciences, Mhow, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, by the IT & Library Department of the University in collaboration with the Indore Division Library Association on theme COVID-19 and Role of Libraries: Present and Future.
The introduction of the topic of the webinar was given by Dr Bharat Bhati who said that at present the whole world is fighting the Corona Pandemic and Efforts are also being made to find measures to counter this adverse situation through brainstorming sessions in the country.
While addressing all the participants of the webinar as a keynote speaker, Prof Kishore John, Dean IT & Library Department has explained that in the current critical situation of Corona Pandemic challenges and opportunities in the field library science may be explored and precautions to be taken while using media like e-learning, online learning, e-content, online portals, (NDL) NATIONAL DIGITAL LIBRARY OF INDIA, (National Digital Library of India) and providing students with innovative information and facilities.
Government of India, is providing online e-contents to the students of various universities and colleges through the e-Basta 2020 scheme. UGC, AICTE and MHRD are also providing online facilities to the students to access e-contents easily.Prof DK Verma, Dean, BRAUSS have gave his lecture on the online future of libraries. Dr Vijay R Tiwari, Librarian, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata, gave his views on the topic Remote Access During Lockdown Period From Library.
He expressed that we have to encourage remote access technology at this critical situation so that students and others who have interested in reading may be benefitted.
Pro Arvind Kumar Sharma, MLB PG College, Gwalior, Dr GD Aggarwal, President Indore Division Library Association, Indore, Prof Shiv Ram Verma, Librarian Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Prof Justin George Librarian, Mrs KG Mittal College of Arts and Commerce, Malad, Mumbai were also expressed their views on modern and digital library techniques.
Prof Asha Shukla, Vice Chancellor of the University during her presidential address urged that we have to adopt modern digital techniques and provide our books/materials and contents online so that more and more people can access and benefitted from the collections.
She has also urged that library staff may be given proper training for work safely and provide safety measures to the visitors of the Library in this critical situation.
She also ensured that the views expressed by the participants will be published in book form for future references.
Vote of thanks was made by Dr Vishal Purohit.