JMI organises International Library Conference titled ‘Research, Innovation & Knowledge: Changing Role of Libraries’

New Delhi (Zamini Sach):In a first of its kind the Dr. Zakir Husain Library (Central Library) of Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI)  organised a two-day online international library conference titled  “Research, Innovation & Knowledge: Changing Role of Libraries” on 15^th &16^th September, 2020 as part of the centenary year celebrations of the university.A galaxy of highly eminent speakers and experts from India,USA and other countries deliberated on emerging role of libraries so as to enhance the understanding of the participants.Conference provided a high-powered platform for brainstorming issues linked to research, knowledge and innovation .The conference was presided over by JMI Vice-Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar and Ms. Christine Mackenzie, President , IFLA delivered the keynote address.Prof.  Akhtar welcomed the participants and observed that JMI has not only completed 100 years of its foundation but also achieved academic distinction of being one of the top ten universities in the country by NIRF of Ministry of Education. JMI also secured the top position in the assessment of performance of all central universities in the country done by the Ministry of Education.She further observed that research and innovations are integral part of knowledge based economy and society. A large number of start-up companies are being driven by innovative ideas. It is very important that knowledge is constantly updated and new knowledge is generated through research. We not only have to generate world class research output but also use our research findings for the benefit of our society and industry.She further said that today challenge before us is to reach out to a larger number of users in real time. Our libraries need to take up this challenge strongly and come out with new strategies to promote research, knowledge and innovation. Our libraries need to diversify into new areas and undertake activities to help our research scholars. Libraries need to repurpose their huge collection of books and journals for wider reach, they need to repurpose their huge spaces and transform them into academic commons, they need to repurpose their large staff so as to equip them with new technologies and develop their skills and competencies. . Libraries need to go for large scale digitization of local contents and make it available online.Prof. Zubair Meenai, Convener, Centenary Celebration Committee presented a very informative talk JMI completing 100 years.  He said completing hundred years of journey successfully by any institution is a matter of pride and calls for celebrations. It also provides an opportunity to look back , review and reaffirm our resolve to move forward more strongly.Delivering her keynote talk, Ms. Christine Mackenzie , President of IFLA congratulated JMI for completing hundred years of its foundation very purposefully and emphasized the need for wider access of online resources as online teaching is going to be a new normal.  She elaborated on several guidelines being developed by IFLA to meet post Covid challenge by libraries.During the conference total 8 Technical Sessions were held, wherein 8 Invited Talks and 48 Research Papers both from young and senior library professionals were presented. All Invited Talks were delivered by stalwarts of Library & Information Science discipline and were based present day issues and challenges.Talks on topics such as ; Library Services During Covid-19 by Dr. Dilara Begum from East-West University, Bangladesh; Electronic Resources Development: Lifecycle, Contracts & Metrics by Dr. Rama Patnaik, IIM, Banglore; Search, Research, Publication Ethics & Academic Integrity: Changing Role of Libraries & Librarians by Prof. Ramesh C. Gaur, IGNCA; Research Ethics in Social Sciences and Humanities by Dr. P.R. Goswami, Ex- Director ICSSR ; In Pursuit of Academic Excellence: Maximising the Impact of Research by Dr. MG Sreekumar, IIM, Kozikode; Copyright and Fair Use by Dr. Akhtar Parvez, MANUU, Hyderabad; Managing, Measuring & Maximising Research Impact by Dr. Puja Anand Gulati, Librarian, University of Delhi; Covid-19: Library Practices in US by Dr. Jay Bhatt, Drexel University, USA were delivered during the conference.A Panel Discussion on the topic “Learning From Home: Issues and Challenges”was also held on the 2^nd day of conference which was chaired by Dr. Jagdish Arora (Advisor National Board of Accreditation & Ex-Director UGC-INFLIBNET) in which renowned Library and Information Professionals such Dr. R.K. Chadha- Ex-Additional Secretary- Lok Sabha Secretariat; Dr. R.L. Raina- Vice-Chancellor, JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur; Dr. Gayas Makhdumi- Ex- Librarian, JMI, Delhi; Dr. Dr.Sanjeev Kumar, Director, NRC, NIFT, New Delhi;Prof. Jagtar Singh- Punjabi University; Dr. S.K. Naqvi- CIT, JMI; Mr. Kailash Balani- MD- I-Group;Mr. Sanjay Grover- MD- Informatics deliberated on issues like access technologies , content generation, user engagement, credible assessment practices etc.It was concurred during the conference that libraries are integral part of research, innovation and knowledge and have been contributing to the process strongly. Libraries are responding to new challenges adequately and diversifying new areas like web publishing, information customization, research ethics and academic integrity, managing and maximizing of research impact, etc. It was emphasized that for using research material effectively, users need exposure to information literacy programmes and libraries need to reach out to every potential library user.Libraries also need to work hard to promote ethical and fair use of information and also to identify fake and false information being generated through various social media platform.The valedictory address of the conference was delivered by Ms. Tara Murry Grove, the President of Special Library Association, USA who in her address emphasized the need for building strategic collections and also to share and collaborate on a global scale for developing best practices for meeting the challenge of in post covid era.The conference was coordinated by Dr. Tariq Ashraf, the University Librarian of JMI.