The Department of Library & Information Science at VVM’s Shree Damodar College of Commerce & Economics, in collaboration with the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Goa, organized a Two-Day National Workshop on “Trending Technologies and Research Tools in Library & Information Science” on 16th and 17th December 2024 at the Ganesh Daivajna Auditorium. The workshop was attended by 56 participants (41 females, 25 males).The event commenced with an Invocation, Deep Prajwalan and a floral tribute to Lord Damodar and Dr. S.R. Ranganathan (Father of Library Science), led by the Chief Guest, Shri Bhushan Savoikar, Director of Higher Education, Goa. The Officiating Principal, Prof. Sanjay P. Sawant Dessai, delivered the welcome address, followed by a detailed event overview presented by the Workshop Coordinator, Mrs. Manasi Rege.
Shri Bhushan Savoikar, in his address, emphasized enhancing student engagement with libraries and leveraging technology to improve processes without replacing human roles.
The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Pralhad Jadhav, presented on “Shaping the Future of the LIS Domain with Technology-Driven Information Retrieval,” exploring emerging trends like prompt engineering and modern library research. The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Workshop Co-Coordinator, Mrs. Swati Bhat.
The first technical session on “Innovative Resources for Research” was conducted by Mr. Pralhad Jadhav, Associate Professor at Khaitan & Co., Library Mumbai. Mr. Jadav addressed the challenges of data explosion and emphasized the importance of effective resource management in the evolving research landscape. He introduced strategies for becoming a “smart researcher” by utilizing tools like Everything (desktop search app), Windows Gadgets, and Snipping Tools to simplify research tasks.
The second session on “Google and AI Tools for Research” was also conducted by Mr. Pralhad Jadhav. He introduced essential Google tools such as Google Scholar, Google Classroom, Google Drive, and Google Translate for efficient information retrieval and organization. Tools like Google Custom Search Engine and Google Reverse Image Search were also highlighted for specific research needs. He also introduced Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and its five stages, emphasizing its role in enhancing research capabilities.
The third session, titled “A.I. Tools for Research,” was conducted by Dr. Gopakumar V, Head of the Knowledge Centre at Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation, and Technology. He began with an engaging analogy comparing ChatGPT to a human, highlighting its ability to learn and adapt through interactions. The session covered key features of ChatGPT, such as simulating human-like communication and performing tasks like data management and Excel calculations, along with an introduction to the Bricks AI tool as a complementary technology.
The fourth session of the workshop, titled “Literature Search and Reference Management”, was also conducted by Dr.Gopakumar. The session focused on leveraging ChatGPT as an AI-powered tool for academic tasks, particularly in literature searches, reference management, and content creation.
Day 2 began with the 5th session which was presented by Dr. J. Shivarama, Chairperson of the Center for Library and Information Management Studies at Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, on “Innovative Technologies for Building Future Libraries”. The session explored advancements like the Koha Integrated Library System (ILS), marking the shift from traditional to modern libraries, and emphasized the emerging role of Blended Librarians. Dr. Shivarama discussed the development of digital libraries, highlighting the integration of AI tools, content management systems like WordPress, and AI-based conversational agents. He stressed the importance of ICT skills and the need for librarians to adapt to technological changes.
The sixth session, titled Internet of Things (IoT) and Emerging Technologies in Library Science, was conducted by Dr. J. Shivarama. The session provided practical insights into modern technological tools relevant to library science. Dr. Shivarama demonstrated command-based installations, including steps for setting up LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP), and explained the database creation process with practical utility. He highlighted the applications of Lynx for library management and showcased Drupal software for database configuration and web design. The session concluded with an overview of web designing and an engaging Q&A session where participants clarified their doubts.
The seventh session, titled “Research Platforms: Tools to Enhance Your Research Effectiveness,” was led by Dr. Satish Kanamaddi, Librarian at Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Dr. Kanamaddi highlighted the importance of research for learning and personal development, addressing key questions—what, why, and how. The session covered essential research platforms, including Scopus, Web of Science, Indian Citation Index, J.Gate, Google Scholar, and Microsoft Academic Search, with practical demonstrations. It concluded with an online quiz to reinforce participants’ knowledge.
The eighth technical session, titled “Researcher ID: Manage and Enhance Research Validity,” commenced at 2:15 PM and was conducted by Dr. Satish Kanamaddi. He highlighted the importance of unique identifiers for researchers to establish a strong digital identity and enhance credibility. Dr. Kanamaddi discussed digital author identifiers like ORCID and their role in ensuring accurate attribution of research work. He also addressed the relevance of digital identity in India’s higher education, the growing volume of research, academic leadership in a digital environment, and the use of Moodle as an open-source platform. The session concluded at 3:30 PM with an online quiz to reinforce key concepts.
The Valedictory function concluded the Two-Day National Workshop on “Trending Technologies and Research Tools in Library & Information Science”. The session began at 3.45 pm with a welcome address by the Principal Prof. Sanjay Sawant Dessai, highlighting the workshop’s significance. Assistant Professor Ms. Swati Bhat summarized the workshop’s key sessions, and participants shared positive feedback on the engaging sessions and practical knowledge gained. Dr. Satish Kanamadi, the Valedictory Guest, was introduced by Assistant Professor Ms. Sheryl Sanches and welcomed with a floral tribute by Ms. Pooja Gaonkar. Dr. Kanamadi commended the workshop’s impact and encouraged participants to explore the new technologies discussed. Prof. Sanjay Dessai presented Dr. Kanamadi with a memento, and Mrs. Manasi D. Rege delivered the Vote of Thanks. The event concluded with the National Anthem, marking the formal closure of the workshop.
Expected Outcome of the Activity:
The Two-Day National Workshop on “Trending Technologies and Research Tools in Library & Information Science” equipped participants with advanced skills in LIS technologies, AI tools, research platforms, and digital identity management. Expert-led sessions emphasized practical applications, fostering professional growth, blended librarianship, and adaptability to modern advancements in the field.
