WORKSHOP

National Workshop on Open Source Technology for Library Automation & Content Management sponsored by The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Govt. of India, New Delhi held at DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand from 1st to 3rd April 2017. Mrs. Savita Devi (Assistant Librarian) from Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurgaon attended the workshop.

The main purpose of the workshop was to provide training with adequate practical knowledge to the library professionals enabling them to initiate for modernization of the libraries with advanced technological facilities like Library Automation & Networking and Design & Development of Library Website etc. by using Free / Open Source Software. The workshop was focused on the proper applications of Koha and Joomla in the integrated library System.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. S. S. Swaminathan, Pro-Chancellor, DIT University Dehradun, UK. He expressed that the libraries have to reinvent their new roles and their professionals have to make themselves aware of the emerging trends in Library and Information Services. Dr B. K. Joshi, Director, Doon Library and Research Centre, Dehradun, UK delivered the presidential address and stressed upon the need to provide the knowledge based services to the users. Dr. D. P. Tripathi outlined challenges academic libraries face today, including resistance to new solutions, physical books being replaced by e-books and media labs and the vast number of researcher, government and vendor solutions. Dr. Sanjeev Sen, the Librarian of DIT University, Dehradun welcomed all distinguished guests and participants.

Dr. Mahaveer Singh from ICSSR New Delhi, Dr. Anil Singh from NCERT, New Delhi and Dr. Sourabh Joshi, a representative of Jivesna Tech. Pvt. Ltd, Ghaziabad Area Sales Manager - North also elucidated New Trends in Managing Libraries; ICSSR: Resources, Services and Facilities; Access to E-Resources; Management System; E-Journals Consortium etc. Around 35 library professionals from various parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, J&K, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab actively participated in the programme.

The participants came to know the concrete applications of Koha which is the first open-source integrated library System. Further a practical session was held on Koha’s modules for circulation, cataloguing, acquisitions, serials, patron management, branch relationship, and many more features. The seasoned speakers demonstrated the use of Joomla which is an open source (Free) Content Management System that help to build and manage state-of-the-art websites and other powerful online applications. In addition to this, the CDs containing free Koha software was also distributed to the participants.

The workshop was useful as the participants got an opportunity to learn about making effective use of the ICSSR resources and other software’s for making their libraries richer. Moreover, the participants also gathered knowledge about the ways of helping the library users to access e-resources for their higher studies and research work and also to develop adequate skills for catering to the growing information needs.