In 21st century of digital technology, libraries need to change, says DU V-C Yogesh Singh

New Delhi: Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Tuesday said in this era of ever-changing processes, libraries also need to change.

The government is going to set up a digitised central library and soon all the libraries in the country will be connected through it, Singh said at the curtain-raiser for the International Conference on Academic Libraries (ICAL-2023).

The theme of the conference is 'Transforming Academic Libraries: Evolution, Innovation, Quality, and Transfiguration'. The conference is going to be held from April 5 to 8 next year at the Conference Centre, University of Delhi.

President of the conference and South Delhi campus director Prakash Singh addressed the gathering. He underlined that libraries have a huge role in student life. Also, conference director Shailendra Kumar shared details about the theme and sub-themes of the conference.

The DU Vice-Chancellor also said that the 21st century is the century of digital technology. "In this era of ever-changing processes, libraries also need to change," the DU V-C said.

"Universities cannot be imagined without libraries. The changing technology and digital medium have made things accessible to the common man. In such a situation, the physical and digital forms of libraries also have great importance in the lives of teachers and students.

"The government of India is going to set up a digitised central library, through which soon all the libraries of the country will be connected," he added.

Through this, new ideas and tools for libraries will emerge. He also urged that along with books, e-books should also be discussed at this conference. The next generation is more attracted to e-books. The launch of the conference also witnessed an announcement of a massive expansion programme of the Central Library Complex.