Haryana & Punjab Governor and Administrator of UT Administration Prof Kaptan Singh Solanki today inaugurated the 60th Indian Library Association (ILA) International Conference at Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh.

PU A.C. Joshi Library in collaboration with United Nations Information Centre (UNIO), DRDO and ICSSR is organising the three days long international conference on the topic of "Embedded Librarianship and Technological Challenges of the Digital Age". PU Vice Chancellor Prof. Arun Kumar Grover presided over the function, while Director Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, Gandhinagar, Prof. Jagdish Arora was the Key note speaker.

President ILA, Prof Asho Shaukin, Conference Director, Prof IB Malhan, PU Librarian, Dr. Raj Kumar, Secretary ILA, Pradeep Rai also spoke on the occasion. All the previous Librarians of PU AC Joshi Library were also honoured on the occasion.

As many as 400 participants and experts from different states of the country would discuss and deliberate subthemes like Change Management and Leadership, User needs, resource planning, capacity building, Environment friendly libraries. Library & Information Science professionals from Academic, Special, and Public Libraries, IT Professionals, Publishers, Teachers, Research scholars, Students and all users of libraries, Public Library authorities/personnel, Policy makers, Information providers, Vendors and others are participating in the event.

        On this occasion, Prof Solanki launched the “Summon: Web Scale Discovery Service” at PU. The service would be very helpful for the users of the PU Library and help in increasing the service delivery of the PU Library and provide an unprecedented research experience. The new service is more than a single-search box as it would make the books and journal collection more discoverable and provide unique ways for users to connect with Librarians.

        In his address, Prof Solanki said that the libraries have played a huge role in the field of education. He underlined the importance of libraries in education dissemination from one generation to the other. He said that the libraries should be equipped with the latest technology, subjects and communication techniques so that we do not lag behind in the fast evolving 21st century.

        Prof Solanki also appreciated the contribution and role of PU’s AC Joshi Library in keeping pace with the evolving technologies. He also congratulated the ILA on its Diamond Jubilee. He called upon ILA to play a key role in the field of research and reference.

        Prof Solanki also called upon the Universities to bring changes in the library science education so that the latest education and science were taught to the students.