Report on Reading Inspiration Day - 2025

 

The Learning and Information Resource Centre of St. Francis Institute of Technology celebrated Reading Inspiration Day on 15th October 2025 in remembrance of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, our beloved former President and visionary scientist, fondly known as The Missile Man of India. The event aimed to honor Dr. Kalam’s inspiring legacy by spreading the light of knowledge and the joy of reading among students and faculty members.

Overview of Activities

The celebration was organized over four days, featuring a variety of engaging and educational activities designed to promote reading habits and creativity:

In-House Book Exhibition (13th October 2025): The event commenced with an exhibition showcasing a diverse collection of books available in  English and Marathi languages. Students were encouraged to explore new titles and genres, fostering curiosity and a love for reading.

Digital Library Treasure Hunt (14th October 2025): Participants enthusiastically took part in an interactive treasure hunt within the digital library system, aimed at creating an awareness on the seamless access to a treasure trove of information on e books, e journals from Knimbus M Library portal and a plethora of books in Indian languages from AICTE E KUMBH.

Best Library User Award (2024–2025) (15th October 2025): To recognize dedication and consistent engagement with library resources, the “Best Library User Award” was presented to the most active readers of the academic year 2024-2025. Congratulations to Dr. Sunil R. Pansare (HOD, Department of Mechanical Engineering), Mohsin Dalvi (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Varsha Thandasarry (Department of Electrical Engineering), Dhammapal Gaikwad (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Owais Shaikh, Student at Department of Information Technology at SFIT, RAJAN Zagade Student at Department of Electrical Engineering), Om Kate, Student at Department of Electronics and Telecommunications.

Old Book Sale (16th October 2025): The celebration concluded with a sale of old books at nominal prices, encouraging participants to take home books and continue nurturing the joy of reading.

The celebration of Reading Inspiration Day successfully honored Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s vision of a knowledgeable and enlightened society. The series of activities encouraged students to read, learn, and lead towards a brighter tomorrow. The event not only paid tribute to a great leader but also reinforced the institute’s commitment to promoting lifelong learning and intellectual growth among its members.

Orientation of Digital Resources @ SFIT LIRC for the Department of Computer Engineering

Participants with the Librarian and Asst. Librarian of the Session

Date: October 1, 2025

Conducted by: Ms. Chinmayee Bhange, Librarian, SFIT LIRC
Participants: 24

On October 1, 2025, the Department of Computer Engineering at SFIT hosted a comprehensive Orientation on Digital Resources, aimed at familiarizing faculty and staff members with the extensive digital collections and tools available for academic and research purposes.

The session, conducted by the Librarian, was attended by 24 enthusiastic participants eager to enhance their research capabilities through digital means.

Overview of Digital Resources Covered:

1. AICTE E-KUMBH e-Books
   The orientation began with an introduction to the AICTE E-KUMBH platform, a vast repository of e-books available in multiple languages. Participants learned how to access and utilize this resource to tap into diverse academic literature conveniently.

2. DSpace Institute Repository
   The Librarian then demonstrated the usage of the DSpace Institute Repository. This institutional repository provides access to theses, dissertations, research papers, and other scholarly works generated within SFIT, facilitating knowledge sharing and academic visibility.

3. IEEE ASPP (All Society Periodicals Package)
   Next, attendees explored the IEEE ASPP collection, which offers an extensive archive of journals and periodicals spanning multiple disciplines in engineering and technology, supporting cutting-edge research.

4. IEEE CSDL (Computer Society Digital Library)
   The session included detailed insights into the IEEE Computer Society Digital Library, a specialized collection focusing on computer science and related fields, providing access to conference proceedings, journals, and standards.

5. MAGZTER
   Participants were also introduced to MAGZTER, a digital magazine platform offering a wide array of magazines across varied topics, supporting both academic and general interests.

6. NDLI (National Digital Library of India)
   Finally, the Librarian showcased the NDLI platform, a flagship initiative providing access to millions of digital resources from Indian and international sources, including books, articles, audio-visual materials, and more.

Key Takeaways

The orientation successfully equipped participants with the knowledge to efficiently navigate and utilize these digital resources, significantly enhancing their research and learning experience. The Librarian emphasized the importance of integrating these digital tools into daily academic workflows to stay current and competitive.

Feedback and Future Plans

Participants expressed appreciation for the detailed walkthrough and practical tips provided during the session. Requests were made for more frequent workshops and hands-on training to deepen understanding of these valuable digital platforms.

The Orientation of Digital Resources at SFIT LIRC was an insightful initiative that bridged the gap between users and digital academic resources. Such efforts are vital in empowering the SFIT community to leverage technology effectively in their educational and research endeavors.

Many thanks to Dr. Dakshata Panchal, HOD, Department of Computer Engineering for this initiative and Ms. Rupali Sawant, Asst. Librarian for the constant help and support throughout the session!