Alliance University Celebrates National Library Week 2025

As part of the National Library Week 2025 celebrations, the Central Library of Alliance University organised a one-day professional development workshop titled “From Shelves to Systems: Building Library Teams for an AI Future”. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Karnataka State Library Association and was sponsored by Emerald Publishing. The workshop aimed to support library professionals in understanding AI-driven innovations and developing skills that prepare them for future library environments.

Inaugural Session

The workshop took place at Seminar Hall–I on the University campus. The inaugural ceremony began at 10:00 AM with an invocation, lighting of the lamp and the Alliance University Anthem. The session was inaugurated by Dr V. Shyam Kishore, Professor and Associate Dean – Academic Affairs and Dean – Alliance School of Law, who delivered the Inaugural Address. His remarks highlighted the importance of adapting to technological change and building capacity within library teams to respond to evolving digital landscapes.

Technical Sessions and Activities

The technical sessions were led by Dr Nagappa Bakkannanavar, Regional Head of the Information Resource Centre at TCS Bangalore. He conducted interactive and hands-on sessions that introduced participants to AI tools, automated systems and contemporary library workflows. The sessions encouraged participants to explore practical ways in which AI could be integrated into their respective library settings.

Alongside the technical discussions, group activities allowed participants to work together in small teams, applying the concepts discussed and demonstrating their understanding of AI applications in libraries. A Q&A segment further encouraged dialogue on the opportunities and challenges associated with digital transformation.

Participation and Support

The workshop received strong participation from the library community, with 51 professionals attending from 43 organisations, including higher education institutions, research centres, public libraries and corporate libraries. Emerald Publishing sponsored the workshop, supporting elements such as workshop kits, certificates, refreshments, lunch and the resource person’s honourarium.

Recognition and Feedback

During the certificate distribution ceremony, two teams received the Workshop Star Awards for their contributions to the hands-on activities. Each team received a Special Appreciation Certificate and a prize. Feedback from participants was positive, with many expressing interest in attending similar workshops with more advanced topics in the future.

Conclusion

The workshop met its objective of equipping library professionals with essential knowledge and skills for integrating AI into library services. The collaboration with the Karnataka State Library Association, the support from Emerald Publishing and the active participation of library professionals contributed to a meaningful and productive event. Alliance University remains committed to organising programmes that strengthen the library profession and foster continuous learning.