ANALOG TO DIGITAL

THE TRANSFORMATION

at French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP)

31st October 2025

Organised by

Institut Français de Pondichéry (IFP) / French Institute of Pondicherry

in association with

Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS), Puducherry Chapter

Registration

Digitization of Library Materials

Mr. K. Ramesh Kumar
Head - Photo Archives, IFP
Digitization converts physical resources into digital formats, expanding global access, preserving fragile collections, and enabling advanced research through searchable texts and metadata—making it a vital strategy for today’s hybrid libraries.

Preservation of Library Materials

Dr. R. Narenthiran
Former Librarian, IFP
Understand the importance of preservation activities of a library. Learn different strategies to take preventive care of historical and cultural value materials.

Metadata for Digitized Resources

Mr. Gopinath Sricandane
Project Manager, IFP
Explore how effective metadata design improves discoverability, retrieval, and ensures the long-term usability of digitized collections.

IFP'S Digital Collections

Since 1955, the French Institute of Pondicherry has built and preserved unique collections at the crossroads of research and heritage. Today, through digitization and open platforms, these collections—including a manuscript collection of over 8,000 bundles of palm-leaf manuscripts, a photo archive of more than 135,000 photographs, and extensive herbarium and pollen collections—are made accessible to researchers and the public, ensuring long-term preservation and discovery.

The Digital Collections portal brings together these diverse resources in one place, serving as a gateway to the IFP’s rich cultural and scientific heritage.

About the Workshop

This workshop will focus on efficient methods for preserving physical collections, ensuring their long-term accessibility. It will outline the main steps of the digitization process and discuss practical approaches to implementation. Sessions will also emphasize the importance of metadata schemas and their role in organizing, storing, and retrieving information. In addition, participants will be introduced to IFP’s expanding digital collections, with insights into how these resources can support research and academic work.

French Institute of Pondicherry

French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP)

The French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP), UMIFRE 21 CNRS-MAE, is a financially autonomous institution under the joint supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). It is a part of the network of 27 research centres under the MAE. It also forms part of the research unit 3330 “Savoirs et MondesIndiens” of the CNRS, along with the Centre de Sciences Humaines (CSH), New Delhi. It works primarily in the fields of Indian cultural knowledge and heritage (Sanskrit language and literature, history of religions, Tamil studies…), contemporary social dynamics and the natural ecosystems of South India.

IFP Library

The library of the French Institute of Pondicherry is a multidisciplinary research library with a rich and varied collection comprising nearly 76,000 books, 480 theses, 1,700 articles, and 770 journals, 70 of which are currently received. Its holdings cover diverse aspects of India’s culture, society, and environment. The library catalogue is available online (https://library.ifpindia.org/) and allows users to search and display Indian-language records both in the original scripts and in Roman transliteration.

Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science

Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS) is a registered national professional body, actively involved in the development of all spheres of LIS. It organizes various programmes such as conferences, seminars, workshops and training programmes on emerging topics throughout the year in various parts of the country through its chapters located in many places. SALIS publishes national and international journals, proceedings and newsletter for exchange of information and knowledge among LIS professionals. SALIS instituted many awards to encourage and motivate LIS professionals. One of the objectives of SALIS is to train LIS professionals in the country to handle the latest IT tools and techniques more effectively and efficiently and adopt the best practices in order to provide high quality library service to the users.

SALIS Puducherry Chapter (est. 2013) fosters regional collaboration and professional development in Library & Information Science in the union territory of Puducherry.

pEOPLE

CHIEF PATRON : Dr. Renaud Colson, Director, IFP

PATRON : Mr. Norbert Delahaye, Secretary General, IFP

ORGANIZING SECRETARY : Dr. G. Saravanan, Librarian, IFP

JOINT ORGANIZING SECRETARY : Dr. M. Leeladharan,

Associate Prof., Dept. of Library & Information Science, PU

Working Committee

Ms. Anurupa Naik, Librarian, IFP
Mr. K. Ramanujam, Librarian, IFP
Dr. R. Narenthiran, Librarian, IFP
Mrs. Anna Poorani, Librarian, IFP
Dr. Nayana Nair, Librarian, IFP
Mr. D. Jayakumar, Logistics in-charge, IFP
Miss. S. Saranya, IFP
Mrs. R. Bharathi, Asst. Librarian, EFEO

SALIS Core Committee

Dr. A. Hariharan, (Rtd.), CSIR-SERC, Founder President
Dr. S. Surianarayanan (Rtd.), SPC, Alwarkurchi
Dr. S. Muralidhar, CVRE, DRDO, Chennai
Dr. S. Swaminathan, SRMVCE, Coimbatore
Dr. J. Dominic, Karunya University
Dr. M. Mandhirasalam, CIT, Coimbatore
Dr. K. Elavazhagan, IIM Trichy
Dr. K. Karunai Raghavan, NEC, Kovilpatti
Dr. A. M. Venkatachalam, KSRCT, Thiruchengode
Mr. S. Manikandan, Anna Centenary Library, Chennai
Dr. S. Thanuskodi, Alagappa University, Karaikudi
Dr. R. Sevukan, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry
Mr. A. Sankaran (Rtd.), The Hindu, Chennai
Dr. Anup Kumar Das, JNU, New Delhi
Dr. Ch. Narayana Reddy, D. K. Govt. College for Women(A), Nellore, A.P.

Dr. T. Raja, St. Xavier's College of Education, Palayamkottai
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (Rtd.), NPOL, Cochin
Dr. Major. T. Magudeeswaran, CNC, Erode
Dr. D. Mercy Lydia, Karunya University, Coimbatore
Dr. O. Seshaiah, PBR VITS, Kalavi, A.P.
Dr. T. R.Sridevi, R V College of Engineering, Bengaluru
Dr. R. Balasubramani, Bharathidasan University, Trichy
Mr. R. Arikrishnan, Anna Centenary Library, Chennai
Dr. J. Arumugam, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
Dr. E. Gajalakshmi, National School of Drama, New Delhi
Dr. J. Franklin, Bishop Heber College, Trichy
Dr. S. Dhanavandhan, CUTN, Tiruvarur
Dr. G. Karthikeyan, AU BIT Campus, Trichy
Dr. L. Radha, Thiaygarajar College of Engineering, Madurai

Local Advisory Committee

Dr. R. Sevukan, Dean, SMC, PU
Dr. M. Baskar, (Rtd.), DL, PU
Mr. S. Durai, (Rtd.) AL, PU
Mr. R. Anebajagane, (Rtd.), ALIO, DAC, Karaikal
Dr. J. Vasanthi, (Rtd.), Librarian, PKIET, Karaikal
Dr. V. R. Rajan, (Rtd.) DL, PU
Mr. T. N. Pasad, (Rtd.) LIA, Museum Library
Mr. C. Kumaravel, Librarian (SG), MTPG & RIGS
Dr. V. Sudhakara Rao, Librarian (SS), MGPGIDS
Dr. K. Saravanan, AL, CC, PU
Mr. B. Sambandam, (Rtd.), ALIO, DAC, Puducherry
Mrs. S. Santhi, (Rtd.), AL, PTU
Mr. A. Sampath, Librarian, AVMC
Mr. A. S. K. Kavanamani, (Rtd.), LIA, DAC, Karaikal
Dr. Madan Mohan, Librarian, VMMCH
Mr. M. A. Krishnan, (Rtd.), LIA, DAC, Mahe
Mr. M. G.Vijaya Rao, (Rtd.), LIA, DAC, Yanam

Registration

Working Professionals: Rs. 350

Retired / SALIS members / Students: Rs. 250

Payment by NEFT to “Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science ”

Ac.No: 1024343557

Bank: CENTRAL BANK OF INDIA

Branch: Nandambakkam, Chennai

IFSC Code: CBIN0282740

Payment by UPI Id to 12439601@cbin

Registration

Address for Communication

Dr. G. SARAVANAN

(Organizing Secretary)

Chief Librarian

French Institute of Pondicherry

Treasurer, SALIS, Puducherry Chapter

Ph: 0413-2231661, Mob: 9443702868

E-Mail: saravanan.g@ifpindia.org

Dr. M. LEELADHARAN

(Joint Organizing Secretary)

Associate Professor

Dept. of Library and Information Science, PU

General Secretary, SALIS, Puducherry Chapter

Mob: 9443103805

E-Mail: mleeladharan@gmail.com

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