From September 26 to 28, 2024, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur successfully hosted the 25th IIM Library Consortium, bringing together over 40 delegates from 20 IIMs and premier management institutions.
As per a Hindustan Times report, the event marked a pivotal gathering of experts and academics to share knowledge, explore emerging trends, and foster collaboration in the rapidly evolving landscape of library services.
Themed "Redefining Library Services in the Digital Era," the three-day consortium was aimed at reimagining how libraries operate and serve academic communities in today’s digitally driven environment. The event included keynote speeches from industry leaders, panel discussions, workshops, and research paper presentations, all focused on leveraging the latest advancements in technology to enhance resource sharing, digital libraries, and knowledge management.
Prof. K N Badhani, Director of IIM Kashipur reflected on the broader objective of the event, which was to ensure that libraries at these prestigious institutions not only keep pace with technological advancements but also actively drive innovation in academic services.
A major outcome of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for resource sharing among IIM libraries. This agreement will facilitate the exchange of digital and physical resources, allowing students and faculty from various IIMs to access a wider range of academic materials. In addition, the consortium established a knowledge-sharing platform designed to enhance communication and collaboration among library professionals across the institutions.
Delegates also proposed recommendations aimed at further improving library services, with particular focus on digital libraries, artificial intelligence-based cataloguing systems, and expanding access to global research databases. Workshops during the event delved into best practices in the management of digital libraries, data analytics for library services, and methods to enhance user experience in an academic setting.
The 25th IIM Library Consortium has reinforced the importance of collective learning and innovation, ensuring that IIM libraries remain at the forefront of academic excellence. This event has set the stage for a future where libraries are not only repositories of knowledge but also hubs of technological innovation, driving forward India’s higher education ecosystem.
