The Department of Library and Information Science, Gauhati University organized IASLIC XXVI National Seminar on “Roadmap to Usher in Knowledge Society” on 25^th November at Phanidhar Dutta Auditorium of Gauhati University. The event was chaired by Dr. Barun Kumar Mukherjee, former MP (Rajya Sabha) & President, Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC). Dr. H K Sharma, Rector of Gauhati University inaugurated the seminar and Prof. Alaka Buragohain, former Prof & Head, Dept of Library and Information Science, Gauhati University and Dr P Y Rajendra Kumar, Director General, National Library, Kolkata participated in the opening ceremony as Guests of Honour. Sri K K Banerjee, former Director General, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation and presently Advisor to the National Mission of Libraries, Dept. of Culture, GOI attended the event as keynote speaker. Hundreds of delegates from the fields of Library &Information Science, Information Management, Communication and Knowledge Workers and Academicians of allied fields throughout the country attended the event. At the outset, Dr Narendra Lahkar, organizing secretary as well as the HOD of Library and information science welcomed all the dignitaries, delegates to the seminar. On the occasion, Dr H K Sharma in his inaugural speech spoke about the trends in librarianship and changing New Formats with the advancement in science & technology. People’s life style has been changed due to such advancements. But to gather real knowledge, one has to make the habit of reading valuable books. Prof Pijushkanti Panigrahi, General Secretary of IASLIC in his speech spoke about the plan and programmes taken up by IASLIC for enhancing the profession. Dr Barun Kumar Mukherjee in his presidential speech talked about the importance of libraries in channelizing knowledge to the public. He also said about the importance of National Knowledge Commission in streamlining the knowledge based society and proposed for an Indian Institute of Library & Information Science as recommended by NKC. Prof Alaka Buragohain wished that outcome of the deliberation will bring a true roadmap of a knowledge society. Dr P Y Rajendra Kumar was very delighted to talk about the planning of opening e-resource centre in the North-East India. He further said that even though library legislation is implemented in 17 states of India but there is no uniformity among them. In the keynote address Mr KK Banerjee gave stretch on social, economic, technical, academic developments of library professionals in order to achieve full fledged growth of librarianship. The meeting ended with the vote of thanks offered by Prof Rajani Kanta Barman.

Photo Credit: Mr. Gautam Kumar Sarma, Assistant Librarian, Gauhati University Institute of Distance & Open Learning

Report Prepared by: Ms. Zabeen Ahmed, Librarian, Cotton College