International Conference on Academic Libraries (ICAL-2009) started on 5th October 2009 at the University of Delhi. Dr. Ellen R. Tise, President, IFLA, delivered the inaugural address. Dr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Knowledge Commission, India was the Chief Guest of the event. He released the conference volume (Globalizing Academic Libraries, Vision 2020 (two parts)) and souvenir.
Prof. Deepak Pental, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, chaired the function. Welcome address was by Prof. S.K.Tandon, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Dr. S. Majumdar, University Librarian, Delhi University proposed the vote of thanks.
Indian Institute of Library and Information Science
Constitution of the National Library Commission, National Census on Libraries and the establishment of Indian Institute of Library and Information Science were the main recommendations on libraries given by the National Knowledge Commission in 2006, said Dr. Sam Pitroda. After much deliberations, it is going to be materialise. The Government has accepted the recommendations. He elucidated the prime role of libraries in the making of India as a knowledge powerhouse of the future. He observed that as the IT initiatives which took place in 1980s revolutionized the country to made it a telecom major, the recommendations by the National Knowledge Commission will change the face of Indian education and information sectors by the next twenty years.
Pre-Conference Programme
Tutorial on Virtual Reference
Ms.Susan McGlamery, QuestionPoint (24/7 Reference services), Senior Product Manager, OCLC, Ohio, USA,
Short video recordings show on QuestionPoint
Hands on Practice on the software
Panel Discussion and Question Hour (Ms.Susan McGlamery and Dr. Ratnakar)
