The Learning and Information Resource Centre (LIRC), St. Francis Institute of Technology (Engineering College), Mumbai, in collaboration with MKES Nagindas Khandwala College (Empowered Autonomous College), Mumbai, successfully organised a Five-Day Online Librarians’ Development Program (LDP) from 10 to 14 August 2026.
The programme was conducted online from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day and was designed for librarians, assistant librarians, library professionals, and library science students.
The programme provided a professional learning platform for library professionals and students to exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies, understand changing user expectations, and discover innovative approaches to contemporary librarianship.
Libraries in a Changing Digital Landscape
Libraries in higher education are rapidly evolving from traditional repositories of information into dynamic learning, knowledge, and digital engagement centres.
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital technologies, social media, online information resources, and user-centric services has significantly expanded the role of librarians. Today's library professional is increasingly expected to function as a technology facilitator, digital information specialist, knowledge manager, outreach professional, and learning-support partner.
Recognising this changing professional landscape, the five-day programme focused on practical and emerging areas including library visibility, user engagement, change management, Artificial Intelligence, documentation, and digital outreach.
Objectives of the Programme
The programme was organised with the following objectives:
- To provide practical strategies for increasing library visibility and outreach.
- To familiarise participants with emerging Artificial Intelligence tools relevant to library services and professional activities.
- To explore innovative approaches to user engagement and community building.
- To discuss change management strategies for developing future-ready libraries.
- To strengthen documentation practices and promote effective use of social media for library outreach and promotion.
- To encourage continuous professional development and knowledge sharing among library professionals.
- To promote collaboration and professional networking among library and information science professionals.
An Inspiring Keynote Address
A major highlight of the programme was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Vrushali Rane, Director, BMK KRC and Head of SHPT School of Library Science.
Dr. Rane spoke on the changing role of library professionals and the need for continuous professional development in the rapidly evolving information environment.
Her address emphasised the importance of technological adaptability, innovation, user-centric services, and lifelong professional learning. She encouraged library professionals to move beyond conventional approaches and explore emerging technologies and innovative strategies that can enhance the visibility, relevance, and effectiveness of academic libraries.
Her keynote provided an appropriate foundation for the five-day programme and set the tone for the discussions that followed.
Five Days, Five Contemporary Themes
Day 1 – Making Your Library Visible
Resource Person: Dr. Madhura Deodhar, Librarian, IES Management College and Resource Centre, Mumbai
Date: 10 August 2026
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The first session focused on “Making Your Library Visible” and examined the importance of establishing a strong identity and visibility for academic libraries.
The session highlighted strategies for communicating library services effectively to students, faculty members, researchers, and other stakeholders. Participants explored practical approaches for improving library outreach, promoting resources and services, and creating greater awareness of the library's contribution to teaching, learning, and research.
The session reinforced the idea that libraries need to actively communicate their value and demonstrate their contribution to the academic community.
Day 2 – User Engagement Beyond Books
Resource Person: Dr. Ramakant Navghare, JBSPS's Changu Kana Thakur Arts Commerce and Science College, New Panvel
Date: 11 August 2026
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The discussion emphasised the need for libraries to move beyond traditional book-centred services and create meaningful learning experiences and interactions. Participants explored ways of understanding user needs, designing user-centric services, building library communities, and developing engaging activities for students and faculty.
The session highlighted an important principle of contemporary librarianship: the library experience should be centred around people, not merely collections.
Day 3 – Change Management for Future-Ready Libraries
Resource Person: Dr. Appasaheb Naikal, Librarian and Convener of the Indian Business Museum at IIM Kozhikode
Date: 12 August 2026
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The third session addressed “Change Management for Future-Ready Libraries.”
Academic libraries operate in an environment of continuous technological and social change. The session explored the challenges and opportunities associated with change and discussed the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, innovation, leadership, and technology adoption.
Participants were encouraged to view themselves as change agents and to continuously review library services and practices in response to evolving user expectations and technological developments.
Day 4 – AI Tools Every Librarian Should Know
Resource Person: Dr. Sonali Karekar, Librarian, MKES Nagindas Khandwala College (Empowered Autonomous), Mumbai
Date: 13 August 2026
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The session explored the growing relevance of Artificial Intelligence in library and information services. Participants were introduced to emerging AI-based tools and their potential applications in information discovery, content creation, research support, communication, and routine professional activities.
Alongside the opportunities offered by AI, the session encouraged participants to approach these technologies critically and responsibly, with attention to information accuracy, verification, ethics, privacy, and responsible technology use.
The session provided valuable insights into how AI can complement professional expertise and contribute to more efficient and innovative library services.
Day 5 – Essential Documentation for Libraries
Resource Person: Ms. Chinmayee Bhange, Librarian, St. Francis Institute of Technology (Engineering College), Mumbai
Date: 14 August 2026
The concluding session focused on “Essential Documentation for Libraries.”
The session highlighted the importance of systematic documentation of library activities, programmes, services, achievements, and outreach initiatives.
Participants were encouraged to maintain appropriate records that can support institutional memory, assessment, quality improvement, and accreditation-related requirements. The session also discussed digital outreach and the effective use of social media to communicate library resources, services, activities, and achievements.
The session reinforced the importance of documenting not only what a library does, but also the impact and outcomes of its activities.
Key Areas Explored
Across the five days, participants explored a wide range of contemporary themes, including:
- Library visibility and institutional outreach.
- Emerging Artificial Intelligence tools.
- Digital transformation in libraries.
- User-centric library services.
- Student and faculty engagement.
- Community building.
- Change management.
- Future-ready library practices.
- Documentation and record management.
- Social media communication and promotion.
- Professional development and networking.
Learning Outcomes
The programme enhanced participants' awareness and understanding of:
- Strategies for improving the visibility and outreach of academic libraries.
- Potential applications of Artificial Intelligence in library and information services.
- Innovative approaches to engaging students, faculty, and other library users.
- Strategies for managing technological and organisational change.
- The importance of systematic documentation of library activities and achievements.
- Effective use of social media for library communication and promotion.
- The changing competencies expected of contemporary library professionals.
- The importance of continuous professional development in the digital era.
Professional Development and Capacity Building
The five-day programme served as a focused capacity-building and professional development initiative for library professionals.
By covering five interconnected themes, the programme provided participants with a broader perspective on contemporary librarianship rather than concentrating on a single aspect of library management.
The online format also enabled professionals and students from different locations to participate and interact in a shared learning environment.
The programme contributed to:
- Continuous professional development.
- Technology awareness and digital competency.
- Knowledge sharing among library professionals.
- Adoption of innovative library practices.
- Professional networking and collaboration.
- Development of future-oriented library services.
Participation and Certification
The programme received participation from library professionals and students.
The registration fee was:
- ₹500/- per professional participant
- ₹200/- per student participant
Participants who registered for the programme and attended the sessions were eligible to receive an E-Certificate of Participation.
Total Number of Participants: 61 (55 Professional Participants, 1 Student Participant, 5 Internal Library Saff)
A Collaborative Professional Initiative
The collaboration between St. Francis Institute of Technology (Engineering College), Mumbai, and MKES Nagindas Khandwala College (Empowered Autonomous College), Mumbai, demonstrated the importance of inter-institutional cooperation in professional development.
The initiative provided an opportunity for library professionals to share knowledge, exchange good practices, learn from experienced resource persons, and build professional networks.
Such collaborative programmes contribute to a culture of continuous learning, innovation, professional networking, and institutional development.
Supporting Quality Enhancement
An important dimension of the programme was its emphasis on documentation, digital transformation, user-centric services, and continuous professional development.
Systematic documentation of library activities and outcomes can contribute to institutional quality assurance and provide supporting evidence for assessment and accreditation processes such as NAAC and NBA, wherever applicable.
The programme therefore represented not only a professional learning initiative but also an effort towards strengthening practices that support quality enhancement and continuous improvement in higher education libraries.
Looking Towards the Future
The Five-Day Online Librarians’ Development Program reinforced a simple but powerful message:
Future-ready libraries need future-ready librarians.
As technology continues to transform the information environment, library professionals must continuously develop new skills, embrace innovation, understand emerging technologies, and remain responsive to the changing needs of their users.
The programme created a platform for learning, reflection, collaboration, and professional growth while encouraging participants to explore new possibilities for their libraries.
The successful initiative reflects the commitment of LIRC, St. Francis Institute of Technology (Engineering College), Mumbai, and MKES Nagindas Khandwala College (Empowered Autonomous College), Mumbai, towards professional development, innovation, collaboration, and the continuous improvement of library and information services.
Be Visible. Embrace Technology. Engage Users. Manage Change. Document Your Impact.
These principles can help transform academic libraries from traditional information repositories into innovative, connected, inclusive, and future-ready learning and knowledge centres.
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