Padma Shri Dr. S. R. Ranganathan's 134th Birth Anniversary Celebrated on 15th August 2026

Dear All, 

We are delighted to share you that the Department of Library & Information Science, Central University of Tamil Nadu (CUTN), Thiruvarur in association with the Indian Association of Special Libraries and Information Centres (IASLIC), Kolkata (Zone 1), organized a national webinar to commemorate National Librarians’ Day 2026 on 15 August 2026 at 4:00 PM via Google Meet. The webinar was organized on the theme “Library and Information Science Education in India at Crossroads.” The programme was presided over by Prof. S. Thanuskodi, Head, Department of Library and Information Science, CUTN, and coordinated by Dr. K. G. Sudhier, Vice President, IASLIC.

The eminent speaker, Prof. N. Laxman Rao, UGC Emeritus Fellow and Former Head, Department of Library and Information Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad, delivered the keynote address. He discussed major issues and emerging needs in Library and Information Science (LIS) education, with particular emphasis on curriculum reform, digital integration, faculty development, industry collaboration, open access, continuing professional development, employability, and research orientation. Following the keynote address, Prof. P. G. Tadasad, Department of Library and Information Science, Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University, Vijayapura; Dr. K. P. Vijayakumar, Former Head, Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kerala; and Dr. S. Ravi Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, CUTN, shared their views, observations, and suggestions on the theme. 

The webinar concluded with the concluding remarks by Prof. Akhandanand Shukla, Department of Library and Information Science, CUTN. Dr. S. Ravi Kumar, Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, CUTN, proposed the formal vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the keynote speaker, dignitaries, organizers, and participants for their valuable contributions and active participation.

Overall, the webinar was an informative and meaningful academic programme that provided a valuable platform for discussing the present challenges and future directions of Library and Information Science education in India. The deliberations emphasized the need to continuously adapt LIS education to technological advancements, evolving professional requirements, employability needs, and the rapidly changing information environment.