Srinagar, July 7: Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdul Wahid Qureshi Saturday underscored the need for automation and modernization of libraries across Jammu and Kashmir.
 “The libraries of all the Universities, Educational Institutions and those coming under the public domain in the State should switch over to the automation for the benefit of the people, particularly the students, researchers and candidates aspiring to participate in various competitive examinations,” said Prof Abdul Wahid while inaugurating the one-day workshop on Library Automation (e-Granthalaya).
 The workshop was organized by the Department of Information Technology, Central University of Kashmir in collaboration with National Informatics Centre (NIC) (Government of India) J&K State Unit in the varsity campus.
 Ram Kumar Matoria, Technical Director, Library and Information Services, NIC, New Delhi, Saleem Khan Technical, NIC, J&K State Unit, CUK Registrar, Dr Abdul Gani, Head of the Department, Department of Information Technology and Workshop Coordinator, Prof A M Wani, faculty of other departments and employees of the varsity were also present on the occasion.
 Prof. Wahid described libraries as the cornerstone of the educational institutions, an abode of knowledge and storehouse of information.
 Ram Kumar Matoria said that as many as 54000 public libraries were functioning across the country. “Out of these only 10 per cent are fully automated and the other 10 per cent are partially automated,” Kumar said.
 He said that 2500 libraries across the country were using the e-Granthalaya software designed by the NIC. “The NIC is developing a new e-Granthalaya, which would be web based,” Kumar revealed. He said the Government should modernize the libraries and develop the infrastructure of libraries across the country.
 Prof A M Wani stressed on the need for classification of books in the libraries across the state. “There is a dire need to link the libraries with the internet as the advent of mobile phones has totally changed the way people conduct research on various topics and search information,” Prof Wani said.
 Welcoming the guests, CUK Registrar, Dr Abdul Gani said the libraries are resources of knowledge and should be maintained and updated frequently. Assistant Professor at IT Department, Zahoor Ahmad Najar presented the vote of thanks.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 7 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST