Mangalore, Dec. 14: A UGC Sponsored One day National Seminar on Innovative Practices in Libraries was inaugurated at Besant Women’s College on Friday, Dec. 13. The Seminar was organized in collaboration with Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu Library Association.
The Seminar was inaugurated by Mr. Govinda Pai, Assistant General Manager, Zonal Office, Corporation Bank, Mangalore. Inaugurating the seminar he said “In the recent age of information glut it is a challenge to manage knowledge. The available knowledge through digital resources may mar the capabilities of younger generation if not harnessed in a proper way. Knowledge is power that materializes the goal of self actualization. For this the right knowledge must be used in the right way.
He said, librarians have a role to play as resource managers for the greater human good.
Prof.T.G Talwar, the Vice Chacellor of Reva University, Bangalore was the keynote speaker. He said even after many reforms by UGC to improvise standard of higher education, quality of education has not shown any progress because the teachers and the librarians are not working towards proper management of knowledge for a technology stricken generation. He observed that the librarians must not only possess the best of knowledge resources in the libraries, but also must facilitate the use of knowledge by learners.
Supporting proper selection, synthesis, dissemination and the use of the available knowledge is the need of the hour he opined.
The guest of honour Dr. Manjula K.T, the former Principal of the college said, the habit of reading printed books is fading away among the youth. Thus the libraries are losing relevance.The abundance of knowledge available in the digital world has over powered the young minds so much that they seem to be having a feeling that the knowledge gathered in the human mind is futile.
She said, The present day youth have grown with the advancement of information technology. The instant information available in the internet has developed a cut and paste culture among the students. But they are not experts in choosing synthesizing and using the knowledge. She underlined the role of teachers and librarians in doing this for the student fraternity.
She said the librarians must go a step ahead and create an atmosphere where the beneficiaries could freely access and use information offered through technological advancement lest the libraries be deserted.
Kudpi Jagadish Shenoy who presided over the Inaugural session wished success for the seminar in his presidential address. Dr. Khaisar M Khan, Seminar Director introduced the seminar topic to the gathering.Prof. Pushpalatha B K Principal, B.W.C welcomed the delegates and participants, Mr.Lokaraja V S proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Sujatha H R, President (DKKLA) and Mrs.Karthyayini K. the Co-ordinator of the seminar were present on the stage.
