NACLIN 2024 Report
The 27th National Convention on Knowledge, Library and Information Networking – NACLIN 2024 on the theme “Smart Libraries : Inspiring, Engaging, Enabling and Connecting Users, Communities for Building Knowledge Societies” was organised by DELNET-Developing Library Network, New Delhi in collaboration with Medi-Caps University, Indore at Hotel Sayaji, Indore from September 25-27, 2024. Nearly 250 participants from different parts of India including Library experts, Librarians, LIS Professionals, Students, Exhibitors, Product Demonstrators had actively participated in the Conference. It was for the first time in the history of NACLIN that the Convention was held in the state of Madhya Pradesh. The city of Indore, having the proud distinction of being the cleanest city of India had hosted the Conference.
The Inaugural function on September 25, 2024 began with an invocation of Saraswati Vandana by the students of Medi-Caps University, Indore. It was followed by the lighting of the lamp marking the inauguration of NACLIN 2024 by the Chief Guest Dr. Ram S. Shrivastava, Chairman, Maharaja Ranjit Singh College of Professional Sciences (MRSCPS) Indore and a well-known physicist and an academician, in the esteemed presence of Shri K. Jayakumar, President, DELNET (former Chief Secretary, Kerala and Jt Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India); Prof. (Dr.) Dilip K. Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Medi-Caps University, Indore; Dr Sangeeta Kaul, Director, DELNET & Organising Secretary, NACLIN 2024 and Dr. Anurag Kumar Khare, Librarian, Medi-Caps University, Indore & Co-Organising Secretary, NACLIN 2024.
The welcome address was jointly delivered by Dr Sangeeta Kaul and Dr. Anurag Kumar Khare. The special address was delivered by Prof. (Dr) Dilip K. Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, Medi-Caps University, Indore. He lauded the efforts of DELNET in organising NACLIN 2024 at Indore and expressed his gratitude for choosing Medi-Caps University, Indore as its partner for organising the Convention. Prof. Patnaik made an impressive, inquisitive statement “You know what you know, but you don’t know what you don’t know”. He said that Library professionals have to play a crucial role in discovering the unknown and to offer help for the betterment of the society. He further opined that the roles of the LIS professionals are not just only to safeguard the assets but to get themselves prepared for the new emerging roles. He further laid emphasis that professionals needs to do smart work and hard work in the libraries to meet the growing demands of the users community. He also urged the need for sharing the best practices among the professionals. Dr Patnaik said that the world has moved from the technology era to the social era and the Libraries has to become the vibrant places of interaction and places of learning.
It was followed by the release of NACLIN 2024 preconference publication containing 21 papers of the Conference, edited by Dr Sangeeta Kaul and Dr Anurag Kumar Khare and also NACLIN souvenir were released on the occasion by the Chief Guest Dr. Ram S. Shrivastava, Chairman, Maharaja Ranjit Singh College of Professional Sciences (MRSCPS) Indore.
Dr Shrivastava delivered the inaugural Chief Guest address. He dwelt at length the genesis of computing technologies to the World of learning and informed about his long time association with Holkar Science College, Indore. Dr Shrivastava highlighted the difficulties which were encountered by the researchers and scholars some 3-4 decades ago wherein arranging the references through mechanical document delivery only which was highly expensive in those days and times. He appreciated the path-breaking efforts of DELNET in establishing a digital library network which the distinguished Chief Guest felt that it is in line with the vision of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. Dr Shrivastava laid emphasis on the fact that information and technology must reach to each and every citizen in the country. He also shared an interesting fact that 2.5 billion research papers are published last year and the top contributing countries are USA, Russia, China, Japan, Germany, India & France. He said that more than 95 percent of the research papers are in their regional languages whereas in India nearly 99.9 per cent of the publications are in English language only. He urged the need to empower the regional languages in India. The chief guest concluded the address by mentioning that the future is of quantum computation.
It was followed by the Presidential Address by Shri K. Jayakumar, President, DELNET. He said that it is an immensely happy occasion for DELNET to organise NACLIN 2024 as it is growing from strength to strength. He further opined that NACLIN serves an intelligent purpose for Library and Information Science professionals. He appreciated the resounding response received from LIS fraternity with a massive participation of the professionals. Shri K. Jayakumar said that NACLIN is a learning process for DELNET. Every NACLIN indicates the vision and mission of DELNET and DELNET feels extremely honoured that the Library professionals appreciate the functioning and services of DELNET. He further said that we are happy to be in a much celebrated city of Indore as every city in India compares them with Indore for being the cleanest city. He further emphasised that in a world where knowledge is capital and data is treasure, the task of the library professionals is under constant change. He concluded his Presidential address by mentioning that NACLIN urges all of us to be eternally vigilant and innovative and to be constantly aware of the changing contours of technology, challenges of information management, hitherto unknown opportunities, threat of obsolescence and the value of constructive involvement. He wished everyone the great learning experience and exploring the widened opportunities for the benefit of the Libraries and library professionals.
The inaugural function ended with the Vote of Thanks by Dr Sangeeta Kaul, Director, DELNET.
It was followed by the Inauguration of NACLIN 2024 Exhibition wherein a number of leading companies exhibited their products and services. It included Balani Group, New Delhi; Beegees Computers Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai; Cyber Peace Foundation, New Delhi; Drillbit, Bengaluru; Gale, A Cengage Company, New Delhi; New Age International; RapidRadio Solutions Private Limited, Ahmedabad; M/s Spacious Book House, New Delhi and Trestle Labs, Bengaluru
The first tutorial on “Emerging Trends and Technologies in Library and Information Services” was conducted by Dr. Nabi Hasan, Librarian & Head, IIT Delhi. The session was highly enlightening, engaging and empowering and was greatly valued and appreciated by the participants.
Dr. Nabi Hasan at NACLIN 2024
It was followed by product demonstration by Balani Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Conducted by Mr. Anurag Gupta, Territory Manager (West) and Ms. Priyanka Harne, Product Associates. The presentation on Gale, A Cengage Company was conducted by Mr. Utkarsh Shrivastava, Sales Manager, North India and and Mr. Micky Mehta, Digital Product Trainer. The second tutorial on “Redesigning Library Spaces of Smart Libraries” was conducted by Dr. Sangeeta Kaul, Director, DELNET.
DELNET has included a new feature in NACLIN 2024 i.e. NACLIN 2024-Ideathon-Best Ideas on the topic ‘Smart Libraries’, Smart Technologies’ and Smart Librarians’ The session Expert Jury Members were Dr. P. R. Goswami, Former Director (Libraries), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi; Dr. Vivek Patkar, Independent Researcher, Mumbai and Dr. Anurag Kumar Khare, Librarian, Medi-Caps University, Indore. The session witnessed the great participation from the participants and it was truly a knowledge sharing session. The three best ideas were selected in each of the category i.e. Smart Libraries, Smart Technologies and Smart Librarians. The professionals who have shared their best ideas included : for Smart Libraries : Mr Tapesh Sinha, DESIDOC; Ms Sarita Waghate (Brahmos) and Mr Sumit Sundar Ray, IIM Indore. For Smart Technologies – Mr Tapesh Sinha (DESIDOC), Dr K. Adhinarayana (Bharatidasan Institute of Management) and Mr Sumit Sundar Ray (IIM Indore). For Smart Librarians category the best ideas were given by Ms Sarita Waghate (Brahmos), Mr Amitabh Saran (Formerly with Allahabad High Court) and Ms Priyatama Sharma (Azim Premji University, Bhopal).
In the evening, all the participants were taken to Nakhrali Dhani, Indore for cultural evening. It was followed by a networking dinner and a musical evening which was fully enjoyed by all.
On the second day of NACLIN 2024, the first Technical Session was devoted to ‘Emerging Trends & Technologies in Libraries and Cyber Security Concerns. The session was chaired by Dr. J. K. Pattnaik, Scientific Officer ‘F’, Incharge Library, SIRC, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore and Rapporteur of the session was Ms. Sushma Zutshi, Librarian, Centre for Air Power Studies, New Delhi. The first keynote paper entitled ‘Emerging Trends and Technologies in Libraries: An Overview’ was presented by Dr. M. G. Sreekumar, Director Libraries, Jio Institute, Panvel, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra. The second keynote presentation of the session was delivered online by Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President, Cyber Peace Foundation. Mrs Anindita Mishra, Senior Consultant and Master Trainer, CPF was present in-person. The last keynote paper of the session entitled ‘Kibo: Transforming Libraries with AI-Technology to Overcome Barriers of Literacy, Language and Disability’ was delivered by Ms. Akshita Sachdeva and Mr. Bonny Dave, Co-founders, Directors, Trestle Labs, Kibo. The paper entitled ‘Harnessing the Power of Python for Data Mining in Libraries’ was delivered by Ms. Rachna Patnaik, Scientist/Engineer SG and Head, Library & Knowledge Management Division, Space Applications Centre, ISRO, Ahmedabad. Another paper entitled “SciSpace Copilot” Accrediting Research Through Artificial Intelligence: A Case Study conducted’ was delivered by Dr. Bipin B. Nargide, Assistant Librarian, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (Deemed University), Pune. The paper entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications in Libraries: A Bibliometric Analysis from the Indian Perspectives’ written by Dr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Librarian, Digboi College, Digboi, Tinsukia, Assam; Mr. Dulumani Sarma, Librarian, Habraghat Mahavidyalaya, Krishnai Goalpara, Assam and Dr. Tripti Gogoi, Assistant Professor, DLISc, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai was presented by Dr Tripti Gogoi. The paper entitled ‘The Role of Discovery Tools and Technologies in Modern Libraries: Revolutionising Information Access and Review of Discovery Tools Available at DESIDOC’ written by Mr. Tapesh Sinha, Scientist ‘F’; Mrs. Dipti Arora, Technical Officer ‘C’ and Dr. K. Nageswara Rao, Scientist ‘G’ and Director, Defence Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (DESIDOC), DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Delhi was presented by Mr Tapesh Sinha. The paper entitled ‘Metaverse Libraries: Opportunities and Challenges for the Differently Abled Patrons’ was delivered by Ms. Sarika Praveen Agale, Library Incharge, Symbiosis Institute of International Business, (SIIB), Symbiosis International Deemed University, Pune. The last paper of technical session I entitled ‘Smart Library Services: The Impact of QR Codes at TMI Learning Resource Centre, Pune’ was delivered by Dr. Rahul Viswe, Librarian, Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune. It is also to mention that the printed copies of the publication entitled “ CyberPeace Essential : Cyber Security Awareness Handbook“ published by Cyber Peace Foundation and DELNET was also distributed to the delegates.
It was followed by tea and visit to the Exhibition Area.
The second Technical Session II was devoted to the “Innovative Library Services & User Engagement”. The session was chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh C. Gaur, Dean & Director (Library & Information) & Head, Kalanidhi Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi. The session Rapporteur was Mrs. Mayuri U. Kendurkar, Assistant Librarian, Medi-Caps University, Indore The invited keynote presentation entitled “Libraries and User Engagement: British Council Experience’ was delivered by Ms. Neeti Saxena, Senior Manager, Digital Libraries, British Council, New Delhi. The paper entitled ‘Library Space Framework for Academic Libraries’ written by Ms. Melborine Nongspung, M.Lib.I.Sc.Student, Department of Library and Information Science, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal and Dr. Mahabaleshwara Rao, Associate Professor and Deputy Chief Librarian, Department of Library & Information Science and Health Sciences Library, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka was delivered by Dr Mahabaleshwara Rao. It was followed by a product demonstration on DrillBit – Plagiarism Detection Software which was presented by Mr. Jayanna Belavadi, Founder & CEO, DrillBit, Bengaluru.
The post lunch session, Technical Session III was devoted to the “Digital Knowledge Resources & Building Knowledge Societies”. The session was chaired by Dr. M. G. Sreekumar, Director Libraries, Jio Institute, Panvel, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra. The session Rapporteur was Mr. Syed Shuaib Ahmad, Assistant Library and Information Officer, National Medical Library, Directorate General of Health Services (DteGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi. The keynote presentation entitled ‘Indigenous Knowledge Resources of India: A Brief Account with Suitable Examples’ was presented by Dr. P. R. Goswami, Former Director (Libraries), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi. The second keynote presentation entitled ‘ Harnessing Digital Knowledge Resources for Inclusive and Sustainable Knowledge Societies’ was presented by Prof. (Dr.) Ramesh C. Gaur, Dean & Director (Library & Information) & Head, Kalanidhi Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, New Delhi. The third keynote presentation entitled “Indian Knowledge Systems: Preserving the Past for Future” was presented by Dr. Anupam Jain, Professor of Mathematics & Director, Centre for Research in Ancient Indian Mathematics, DAVV, Indore (IKS Centre). The paper entitled ‘Effectiveness of Digital Learning Platforms Amongst Faculties, Librarians and Students of Affiliated Colleges of Goa’ written by Mr. Sunil Madhukar Gauns, Librarian Grade – I, GVM’s Dr. Dada Vaidya College of Education, Farmagudi, Ponda; Mr. Sudhir Baburao Halvegar, College Librarian, Vasant Joshi College of Arts and Commerce, Vasco; Ms. Manasi Dattatraya Rege, College Librarian, VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics, Margao & Ms. Padmavati S. Tubachi, College Librarian, DPM’s Shree Mallikarjun & Shri Chetan Manju Desai College of Arts, Commerce, Science, Canacona, Goa, was presented by Mr Sunil Madhukar Gauns. The another paper entitled ‘Use of Open Access Resources and Software in Library Services in Developing Countries: Comparative Study of Libraries in India and Tanzania’ was written by Dr. Vrushali Dandawate, Librarian, AISSMS College of Engineering, Pune; Mr. Deogratus Daniel, Library Officer Systems Librarian, The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania and Dr. Vishal Gaikwad, Librarian, D.Y. Patil Arts, Commerce and Science College, Pune and was presented by Dr Vrushali Dandawate. The paper entitled ‘Promoting Scholarly Interaction Through Digital Resources: Discovery and Accessibility at Jain University: A Case Study’ written by Mrs. Prathibha D. P., Librarian and Mr. H. N. Manjunath, Chief Librarian, Jain (Deemed-to-be-University), Bengaluru was presented by Mrs Pratibha D. P. The paper entitled ‘Digital Library Services in Government Agriculture Colleges of Rajasthan: A Study’ written by Mr. Mukesh Kumar Menaria, Research Scholar, Dept. of Library & Information Science and Dr. M. Suresh Babu, Associate Professor, Dept. of Library & Information Science, Mandsaur University, Mandsaur, M.P. was delivered by Dr M. Suresh Babu. The paper entitled ‘Preserving Literary Heritage in the Digital Age: A Case Study of the Kerala Sahitya Academy Library, Thrissur’ written by Sr. Jisna Jose, Librarian, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur and Mr. Saji Shaijan, Student,M.L.I.Sc., Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi was presented by Sr. Jisna Jose. The last paper entitled ‘Awareness and Attitude on Plagiarism Among Research Scholars: A Case Study of Selected Private Universities of Indore’ written by Mr. Kishore Kumar Prajapat, Research Scholar and Dr. Anil Kumar Jain Professor, School of Studies in Library and Information Science, Vikram University, Ujjain, M.P. was presented by Mr Kishore Kumar Prajapat.
The last technical session of the second day i.e. Technical Session IV was devoted to “Human Resource Development in Libraries”. The technical session was chaired by Dr. Vivek Patkar, Independent Researcher, Mumbai. The Rapporteur was Prof. Munmun Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor & Librarian, Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, Kolkata. The Keynote Paper entitled ‘Role of the Library and LIS Professionals in the Society 5.0’ was delivered by Dr. Vivek Patkar, Independent Researcher, Mumbai. The paper entitled ‘Use of Soft Skills for Effective Digital Transformation Among New Age Library Professionals’ written by Prof. M. Doraswamy, Professor, Department of Library & Information Science and Vice-Chancellor (I/c), Dravidian University, Kuppam, Chittoor Dist. and Dr. B. R. Doraswamy Naick, Professor & Head, University Library, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh was presented by Dr. B. R. Doraswamy Naick. The second paper entitled ‘Evaluation of Soft Skills Among Library Professionals of Meghalaya (India): A Study’ written by Dr. Jacqueline J. Thabah, Assistant Professor and Ms. Betbhalin Lyngdoh, Research Scholar, Department of Library & Information Science, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong was presented the next day by Ms Betbhalin Lyngdoh as she was unwell on the scheduled day of the presentation. The last paper of technical entitled ‘Issues of Employability Among Library Professionals in India’ was presented by Dr. Deepak Sharma, Assistant Professor and Librarian, Indian School of Hospitality, Gurugram, Haryana.
It was followed by visit to Exhibition Area. The evening of the 2nd day was made more memorable with the Cultural Evening at Hotel Sayaji wherein besides the cultural troupe, the participants wholeheartedly participated in the cultural evening with their wonderful songs, poetry and dance performances. It is an evening which will always be cherished as a most memorable one.
On the last day of the conference the technical session V was devoted to “Public Libraries and Community Engagement Services” The session was chaired by Dr. P. R. Goswami, Former Director (Libraries), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi and Co-Chaired by Dr. G. D. Agarwal, Chairman, Indore Division Library Association. The Rapporteur of the technical session was Ms. Priyanka Jain, Librarian/Documentalist, Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH), New Delhi. The Keynote Presentation entitled ‘Creating Safe Community Spaces in Public Libraries with Strong Community Connect’ was delivered by Dr. Geeta Malhotra, Country Director, Read India, Gurugram, Haryana. It was followed by another keynote presentation on “Government Central Library, Gwalior – the first digital Public Library of M.P.” was delivered by Dr Vivek Kumar Soni, Library Manager, Government Central Library, Gwalior. It was followed by a brainstorming session on Revitalising Public Library Services which generated lot much of deliberations among the expert speakers, participants and have been one of the most engaging sessions of NACLIN 2024.
The last Technical Session VI was devoted to the “Library Resource Acquisition/Library Resource Sharing/Consortium Practices”. The session was chaired by Dr. Nimai Chand Saha, University Librarian, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, Birbhum Distt., West Bengal and Co-Chair by Dr. Rakesh Kumar Khare, Librarian & Head of the Department (Library and Information Science), Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal. The Rapporteur was Ms. Sarita Waghate, Deputy Manager, BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi. The Keynote Presentation entitled ‘Emerging Trends in Consortia Practices and Model for E-Resources Subscriptions’ was delivered by Dr. Sandeep Kumar Pathak, Librarian, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal. The another Keynote Presentation entitled ‘DELNET: Harnessing the Power of Library Networking’ was delivered by Dr. Sangeeta Kaul, Director, DELNET, New Delhi. The paper entitled ‘User-Centric, Evidence-Based Resource Acquisition in DRDO’s Special Library: A Case Study of Information Centre for Armament Technology (ICAT), ARDE, Pune’ was presented by the authors Mr. A. R. Sarode, Technical Officer B and Mr. A. K. Pandey, Scientist E, Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune. The last paper entitled ‘Approaches for Effective Electronic Resources Acquisition in College Libraries of Goa’ writtenby Mrs. Sonia Mukesh Desai, Research Scholar & Dr.Vaijanath Ramchandra Kamble, Research Guide, Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, North Maharashtra was presented by Mrs Sonia Mukesh Desai.
The panel discussion on the theme of the Conference “Smart Libraries : Inspiring, Engaging, Enabling and Connecting Users, Communities for Building Knowledge Societies” was organised after the technical sessions. It was moderated by Dr. Sangeeta Kaul. The panelists were Prof. M. Doraswamy, Professor, Department of Library & Information Science, & Vice-Chancellor (I/c), Dravidian University, Kuppam, Chittoor Dist.; Dr. M. G. Sreekumar, Director Libraries, Jio Institute, Panvel, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra; Dr. Pramod S. Nair, Dean (Engineering) Medi-Caps University, Indore; Mr. Bonny Dave, Co-founders, Trestle Labs, Kibo and Dr. K. Adhinarayanan, Librarian, Bharathidasan Institute of Management,Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
The participants of NACLIN 2024 shared their valuable feedback, appreciating the organisation of the most enriching and memorable conference.
In the Valedictory session, the special address was given by Prof. (Dr.) P. Silavainathan, Registrar, Medi-Caps University, Indore. It was followed by an address by Dr. Pramod S. Nair, Dean (Engineering) Medi-Caps University, Indore. The Presidential Address was delivered by Shri K. Jayakumar, IAS, President, DELNET & Former Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and Chief Secretary, Govt. of Kerala.
The announcement of NACLIN 2025 was made wherein it was declared that the 28th National Convention on Knowledge, Library and Information Networking – NACLIN 2025 will be organised by DELNET in collaboration with C. V. Raman Global University, Bhubaneswar in November 2025. The video-recorded Welcome message to NACLIN 2025 was shown, delivered by Dr Prasanna Kumar Barik, Librarian, C. V. Raman Global University. Bhubaneswar and Co-Organising Secretary, NACLIN 2025.
The vote of thanks was placed by Dr. Sangeeta Kaul, Organising Secretary, NACLIN 2024 and Dr. Anurag Kumar Khare, Co-Organising Secretary, NACLIN 2024.
The Certificates of participation were distributed to all the delegates.
NACLIN 2024 was supported by Balani Group, DrillBit, Gale-A Cengage Company and Cyber Peace Foundation.
NACLIN 2024 Team
We look forward to welcoming you at NACLIN 2025 at Bhubaneswar !