International Conference on ‘Marching Beyond the Libraries 2025’ Inaugurated at KIIT-DU
Bhubaneswar, Dec 19: The three-day International Conference on Marching Beyond the Libraries 2025—jointly organised by the Management Libraries Network (MANLIBNET) and ICMBL 2025—was inaugurated at KIIT-DU, marking the beginning of a significant global dialogue on Talent, Technology, and Transformation in the domain of Library and Information Science (LIS). Renowned professors, academicians, information scientists, researchers, and library professionals from India and abroad joined the event to deliberate on the evolving role of libraries and the integration of emerging technologies in the contemporary digital age.
In his inaugural address, Prof. (Dr.) K. D. Raju, Pro-Vice Chancellor, KIIT Deemed to be University, emphasised the changing role of librarians in the country. He observed that librarians are no longer confined to the role of bookkeepers but are rapidly transforming into technocrats, digital curators, and academic collaborators.
Professor B. Ramesh Babu, Conference Director, highlighted the expanding dimensions of advanced information technologies and their practical utility in the management and control of information systems. He stressed the importance of adopting innovative tools to enhance the efficiency and reach of library services.
Dr. M. G. Sreekumar, President of the Management Libraries Network (MANLIBNET), described MANLIBNET as a dynamic movement aimed at building smart networking among libraries across the country. He noted that libraries are increasingly becoming community-centric information spaces and said the profession is witnessing the emergence of “Library 4.0,” driven largely by artificial intelligence.
Dr. Akhtar Parvez, General Secretary, MANLIBNET, stated that this was the third occasion the conference was being hosted at KIIT. Tracing the journey of MANLIBNET since its establishment in 1998 and registration in 2000, he noted that the organisation has completed 25 years of its association with KIIT and expressed confidence that future milestone editions would also be hosted by the university.
Offering an international perspective, Edgar Makowe, Principal Librarian at Harare Polytechnic, Zimbabwe shared his experiences in contemporary librarianship and expressed delight at visiting India for the first time.
Dr. Bijayalaxmi Rautaray, Director, Library and Head DLIS at KIIT, highlighted the significance of the conference while Dilip Kumar Swain, Faculty, DLIS proposed the vote of thanks.
