13^th International CALIBER 2022 inaugurated in BHU.

Varanasi: “Libraries can die, if we don’t work pro-actively,” said Professor Sudhir K. Jain, Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University during the inaugural session of 13th International CALIBER 2022 on Thursday. To highlight the importance of digital transformation of libraries in the world, Sayaji Rao Gaekwad Central Library (Central Library) and INFLIBINET Centre, Gandhinagaris jointly organising the three-day Convention on Automation of Libraries in Education and Research Institutions (CALIBER) from November 17 to November 19 in SwatantrataBhawa of Banaras Hindu University. The theme for this year’s CALIBER is “Envisioning Digital Transformation in Libraries for NextGen Academic Landscape.”

During the inaugural session of the programme, Vice Chancellor of BHU, Professor Sudhir K. Jain chaired the session and shared his college days experience when they used to face many challenges to access a single publication in the physical mode due to the limitation of resources. However, with the changing technological era, he emphasised on being useful and said that the focus should be on “what library means today and what library will mean tomorrow.” Professor Pramod Kumar Jain, Director IIT-BHU was the chief guest of the inaugural session of CALIBER 2022. He talked about the challenges faced by libraries in day-to-day lives. Addressing the session, he said that libraries are the backbone of any institution.

However, due to many constraints, cost being a major one, libraries are losing their importance. He even asked the library staff to upgrade themselves with the emerging technology to make libraries good enough for the multi-dimensional work. The special guest for the event was Professor JP Singh Joorel, Director, INFLIBINET. Calling the event ‘an inspiring and exciting opportunity’ for all stakeholders. Prof. JP Singh Joorel introduced the event to all after informing about the CALIBER convention. The welcome address of the inaugural event was given by the Librarian of Banaras Hindu University, Dr.Dewendra Kumar Singh who is also the Organizing Secretary of the CALIBER 2022. He introduced the event to all the delegates and invited guests. He told about the complete schedule of the three-days event.

After the inaugural programme Keynote Address was made by Mr. Prashant Mishra who is Director of Library Service at Flinders University of Australia. He informed about the need of various aspects of digitalization and introduced the audience about the library service digitalization in his university. During the convention, 434 delegates will be participating from approximately 10 countries out of which 76 sponsors have come forward to make the event a successful one.

After the inauguration, three technical sessions were held in which four invited speakers gave their presentations about various aspects of digitalization of library services. During the three technical sessions of the first day today, 19 research papers were presented. The first day of the event was concluded with a cultural evening in which various students of Faculty of Performing Arts, BHU gave mesmerising performances.