The Odisha Library Academy (OLA) hosted its 9th webinar series on July 11 on the theme “Developing Next Generation Library Leaders”. Dean and Head - Kalanidhi Division, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) Prof (Dr) Ramesh C Gaur was the Chief Speaker of the theme.
Prof Gaur talked about present state of libraries and librarians in India. He mentioned that most of the senior level positions in libraries are either lying vacant/downgraded or being occupied by non-library professionals. Along with library administrators some librarians and library associations are also responsible for such a situation.
Prof Gaur presented a roadmap to young library professionals to take up future library leadership roles.
Along with Prof Gaur, Dr Sunil Satapathy from NIT Raipur, Dr Neeraj Kumar from Punjab University, Chandigarh and Dr Meenal Oak from Maharastra Education Society, Pune also joined as guest and interacted with Prof Gaur and the participants.
Dr Banambar Sahoo from ICMR Bhubaneswar and president, OLA, presided. Dr Bibhuti Bhusan Sahoo from IIT, Bhubaneswar along with Dr Basudev Mohanty from IOP Bhubaneswar coordinated.