The Learning and Information Resource Centre (LIRC) of St. Francis Institute of Technology (Autonomous Engineering College) organized a one-day training and library orientation programme for the students of the Department of Library Science, Somaiya Vidyavihar University (SVU) on 16 December 2025 at the SFIT LIRC.
The programme aimed to provide practical exposure to academic library functioning, automation, and professional practices. Seven M.Lib students participated in the programme, accompanied by Ms. Gauri Gothivrekar, Librarian.
The session began with a library orientation by Ms. Chinmayee Bhange, Librarian, SFIT, covering key aspects such as library services, collections, user policies, professional ethics, and plagiarism detection tools. A guided library tour familiarized students with various library sections and workflows.
A live demonstration of the KOHA Library Management Software was conducted by Sister Bhavya, focusing on cataloguing, circulation, OPAC searching, and book maintenance. Ms. Rupali Sawant explained acquisition and technical processing procedures, including documentation and record maintenance.
Students also participated in a practical activity followed by a library orientation worksheet to reinforce learning.
The programme was informative and interactive, successfully bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. The SFIT LIRC team looks forward to organizing more such academic and professional training initiatives.
