Bhubaneswar: A three-day international conference, ‘Marching Beyond the Libraries 2025’, focusing on Talent, Technology, and Transformation in library and information science, will conclude at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Deemed to be University on Sunday.
The event, jointly organised by the Management Libraries Network (MANLIBNET) and the International Conference on Marching Beyond the Libraries (ICMBL) 2025, saw participation of renowned professors, academicians, information scientists, researchers, and library professionals from India and overseas to discuss the evolving landscape of libraries amid rapid technological advancements.
In his inaugural speech, Pro-Vice Chancellor of KIIT Deemed to be University K D Raju highlighted the shifting responsibilities of librarians in India. He noted that they are moving beyond traditional roles as mere custodians of books to become technocrats, digital curators, and key partners in academic endeavours.
Conference Director Professo
r B Ramesh Babu underscored the growing impact of advanced information technologies on managing and controlling information systems. He advocated for the adoption of cutting-edge tools to improve the effectiveness and accessibility of library services.
President of MANLIBNET M G Sreekumar described organisation as a vibrant platform for fostering intelligent networking among libraries nationwide. He emphasised that libraries are evolving into community-focused information hubs, with the profession entering the era of “Library 4.0,” primarily powered by artificial intelligence.
MANLIBNET General Secretary Akhtar Parvez pointed out that this was for the the third time that KIIT hosted the conference.
Reflecting on MANLIBNET’s history, founded in 1998 and formally registered in 2000, he celebrated the organisation’s 25-year partnership with KIIT and expressed optimism that the university would continue to host future landmark events.
Adding an international dimension, Edgar Makowe, Principal Librarian at Harare Polytechnic in Zimbabwe, shared insights from modern librarianship practices and expressed his excitement about his first visit to India.
Director of the Library and Head of the Department of Library and Information Science at KIIT, Bijayalaxmi Rautaray, spoke on the importance of conference, while Dilip Kumar Swain, a faculty member in the department, delivered the vote of thanks.