Mysuru: – The Regional Workshop on ‘Strategies for Transforming Libraries: Growing Trends and Technologies’  was jointly organised by DELNET — Developing Library Network, New Delhi and the Library and Information Centre, National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysuru, at NIE campus recently.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. C.P. Ramasesh, former University Librarian, University of Mysore.

Y.S. Harish, Librarian, NIE, welcomed the participants. Dr. Sangeeta Kaul, Network Manager, DELNET, dwelt on major contributions being made by DELNET and spoke about the relevance of the workshop.

Dr. M.S. Ganeshprasad, Chairman, Library Committee, said that in this day and age it was necessary to make the information available in a significant manner. He further said that management of web resources was becoming important. He also reiterated the need to have the e-resource managers in the libraries and that the librarians needed to remain updated with quality information.

Dr. G. Ravi, Principal, NIE, stressed upon the importance of open access library from the limited access that used to be the position  in the past.

Dr. C.P. Ramasesh, in his inaugural address, gave an overview of the changes taking place in libraries. He felt the need to introduce new innovative technologies in the libraries for the visually-impaired users. He felt that refreshable braille display technology was becoming relevant for the visually impaired. He also gave an overview of the menace of plagiarism taking place in academic institutions and how it should be stopped.

Dr. H.K. Kaul, Director, DELNET, who presided over the inaugural function, spoke on the growing challenges of information explosion and the role librarians should play in offering value added quality information services to the students, faculty, researchers and scholars.

Dr. Kaul said that DELNET networks more than 6,300 libraries in all States in India and eight other countries. He said that DELNET wants to empower librarians with information resources, training, etc.  He also said that more than thirty million records of books, journal articles and a large resource of e-books and e-journals are accessible through DELNET.

Omkar N. Safapori, Consultant, DELNET Centre in Bengaluru, proposed a vote of thanks.

The sessions covered academic integrity, plagiarism, DELNET: Discovery Portal, open source software, enhancing users satisfaction etc.