Two Days Workshop on “Effective Library Management”

The second workshop conducted for the Semi-professional library staff was held in Room No. 202, on 8^th and 9^th January 2015. The first one was held on 8 and 9th July 2010.

This workshop enhanced the various aspects of practical knowledge which are necessary for contemporary library. In today’s growing competitive world, competitors are left with no choice but to add value to their academic skills to exhibit their true potential. Performance at the work place depends on how an individual handles in various situations.

The workshop aimed to provide a platform for understanding tools for effective library management by engaging, emerging technologies for better daily routine.

The workshop was inaugurated by our Chief Guest Ms. Sushma K. Karnik, Library Director, The American Library.

Director Dr. Bigyan P. Verma welcomed and addressed all the participants. He shared his experience at XLRI by saying that the library was opened 365 days before Google or internet was invented. He also put new light on why readers are not coming to the library due to the online resources available.

Ms. Sushma Karnik in her keynote said that semi-professional staff should consider themselves as team members of the Library. She also discussed the job profile of the semi-professional staff and how they can improve themselves in their profession. Their job profiles give them an opportunity to know the library collection as well as interact with the library users. Hence, semi-professionals can use their expertise in an effective way to achieve success. Self-motivation to educate, train and stay updated will bring personal growth and success in their profession.

The International e-journal of Library Science was inaugurated by Ms. Sushma K. Karnik, Library Director, The American Library, Mumbai.

Ms. Madhavi Wadkar, Chief Librarian, S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research explained about the different Reference Services, reference resources, online reference resources and the latest trends in the reference services. Giving examples of different libraries, she encouraged the participants to anticipate the user's need in advance and accordingly help the users. She ended her presentation by saying that a trained librarian is a powerful search engine with a heart.

Mr. Ganesh Vatan and Mr. Yogesh Patil explained all the benefits of SLIM21. It is an easy to operate software for the librarians with all the new technological advantage. SLIM21 software helps in creating the 21st century library was discussed in detail. Advanced Module of the software, its various functions were explained by demonstrating the software.

Ms. Mangala Patil, Library Manager, Bombay Stock Exchange Institute Limited explained the different Communication skills (oral and written communication). Ms. Do's and don'ts of communication, tips on improving our communication along with our body language were discussed in this session. The role of Library Professionals depends on having good communication skills whether written or oral.

Ms. Kuljeet G. Kahlon, Library Manager, GNIMS spoke about the Security Systems. Different types of security systems, detail procedure to install the Biometric Attendance System, comparison between Biometric Attendance System and RFID System was discussed. She concluded the session by saying that technology is only a helping tool for providing better services but it can only be implemented through manpower. A dedicated and organized library staff acts like a super human machine.

Mr. Dinesh Sanadi, Librarian, St. Joseph College of Arts and Commerce, gave an overview on how the semi-professional staff can advance in their career. He explained that one can improve themselves by doing distance educational courses from different open universities. He also suggested some websites from where the participants can get Information on the universities and the courses conducted by them. He also distributed the GR.

Mr. Dharmendra Sachan, Chief Knowledge Officer, Export-Import Bank of India discussed Essential Attributes needed for success in the new era of Information Management/ Knowledge Management. What is knowledge; essential attributes for knowledge management, benefits of knowledge management, information resources and knowledge management were discussed by him in detail with useful examples. Sharing of knowledge is most important. One should develop the culture of sharing knowledge and information.

Mr. Ramesh Kamble, Assistant Librarian, G. N. Khalsa college, Mumbai explained the Meditation Techniques to overcome stress in the workplace. He also discussed the benefits of meditation – Physical/ psychological/ mental/physiological/professional and spiritual. Self Satisfaction and happiness in all fields of life can be get through mediation.

Mr. Pralhad Jadhav, Library Officer, Khaitan and Company, Mumbai discussed the design and development of Library Web Portals. The importance and the different features of the library portal were explained in detail by him. He clarified the difference between the library website, library portal and search Engines.

All the Participants visited the GNIMS Library where new technologies like the SLIM21 Software, Biometric System, CCTV Camera, etc. are already implemented.

In the Open House, the panelist were Dr. B. P. Verma, Director, GNIMS, Dr. Kiran Mangaonkar, Principal, G. N. Khalsa College; Dr. Jyotinder Kaur, FIC In-charge for Marketing, GNIMS and Ms. Neelam Chavan, Librarian, G. N. Khalsa College, Mumbai. Dr. Jyotinder Kaur gave a brief review of the two days workshop. Ms. Neelam Chavan gave the concluding remarks. She insisted that consistency is work and that persons working in the library profession should follow Dr. S.R. Ranganathan’s five laws of Library Science.

Certificates were distributed to all the participants by Dr. Kiran Mangaonkar and Dr. Bigyan P. Verma. Dr. Kiran Mangaonkar before distributing the certificates encouraged us to learn new technologies available in our field and to implement them in our libraries.

Ms. Kuljeet G. Kahlon, Library Manager, GNIMS gave the vote of thanks. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Director for his motivation and guidance during organizing this workshop. She thanked all the speakers for their presentations and sharing their knowledge with the participants. She thanked all the participants for making time to attend this two days workshop. She hoped that all of them gained some knowledge and will implement their knowledge in their own libraries.

Few of the participants expressed their views on the workshop.

The workshop reviewed the quality of work required for library and information science, at different levels and to recommend strategies for improving the quality of library work. The workshop was interactive along with presentations, demonstrations and discussions. All the sessions were interactive and the speaker’s solved the questions raised by the participants. Library Professionals should adopt new technologies and implement them in their professional careers.