12th International Library and Information Conference concludes at Galgotias University

2nd Dec, Greater Noida: The three-day “12th International Library and Information Conference” concluded today at Galgotias University.

The chief guest of the closing ceremony was Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur, Dean (Academic) and Director (Library & Information), Head of Kala Nidhi Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, Government of India. He honored the winning participants with mementos and certificates.

This conference witnessed the participation of 300 delegates from various countries, including France, Germany, Japan, the UK (London), New York (USA), the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and others.

84 research papers were presented during the conference, and the winning participants were also felicitated. Delegates from abroad, after observing the campus’s beautiful infrastructure, smart classrooms, advanced laboratories, and smart library, praised the university. They remarked that the campus itself reflects Galgotias University’s commitment to the holistic development of its students.

Speaking on the theme of the conference at the closing ceremony, Professor Lee Chukeyong from NTU Singapore emphasized that librarians should explore and experiment with generative artificial intelligence to understand its potential and limitations.

Professor Jean-Charles Lamirel from the University of Strasbourg, France, highlighted that while recent advances in AI tools are promising, questions remain about whether they are sufficiently developed to be directly applied as tools to enhance library services.

Dr. Labibah Zain, a university librarian from Indonesia, stressed the importance of integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into library activities to address societal challenges through library initiatives.

Dr. Emily Drabinski, President of the American Library Association, shared insights based on her 7,800-kilometer tour of American libraries. She stated that libraries preserve cultural memories, expand literacy, provide food and entertainment to children, and connect people across boundaries.

Dr. Leo Applenton from the University of Sheffield, UK, discussed the need for a strategic approach to working with and developing Generative AI (GenAI) in academic libraries. He suggested that such strategies should complement other technological advancements like Open Science, Open Education, and Digital Collections development.

Dr. Saori Donkai, Director of the Education Bureau of Laboratory Schools, Library, and Information Science at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, emphasized the establishment of dementia-friendly libraries to reduce stigma and provide support as social tools.

Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, congratulated all participants and organizers for the successful event. He stated, “Our libraries are the foundation for knowledge, learning, and the preservation of cultural heritage, and their development in the digital age is crucial. With new technology, we will accelerate growth globally.”

Dr. Debal C. Kar, Librarian at Galgotias University, expressed gratitude to all participants. Dr. Maya Devi, Deputy Librarian at Gautam Buddha University, delivered the vote of thanks, officially announcing the conclusion of the program. Dr. Pawan Tripathi from Daulat Ram College, Delhi University, played a pivotal role as the session coordinator.