Bhubaneswar, 8 August 2022: Odisha Library Academy in collaboration with Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University) Bhubaneswar celebrated National Librarian’s Day and 7th Annual Day of Odisha Library Academy. On this occasion a seminar followed by a panel discussion conducted on the theme “User Engagement in New Normal”. Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mohapatra, Vice Chancellor, SOA (Deemed to be University) was the chief guest on this occasion.

Prof. Mahapatra elaborated on the role of the Library in the value of education in society as well as for the mental growth of human beings. Guest of honour of this programme Dr. Sanghamitra Pati, Director, ICMR-RMRC, Bhubaneswar appreciated Odisha Library Academy (OLA) and stated that OLA is vibrant like other associations of the country. Dr. Pati has viewed that the significance of reading books can never replace by digital technology.

Professor (Dr.) P.K. Nanda, Pro-Vice Chancellor, SOA (Deemed to be University) was also the guest of honour. He opined that the Library is a knowledge hub where information is shared and disseminated. Dr. Bijay Kumar Choudhury, retired Professor of the Department of Library and Information Science, Sambalpur University and Mr. Gangadhar Kar, retired Librarian of Harekrushna Mahatab State Library were felicitated by Odisha Library Academy this year. Dr. Ashok Krish, Sub-ISU Head, TCS, Chennai presented during the technical session of the seminar and termed Library as a knowledge preserver. He mentioned four transforming ways of user engagement. Dr. Kishore Chandra Satapthy, Chief Librarian, ISI Kolkata explains the four transforming ways of user engagement such as agility, collaboration, learning space, virtualisation and remarks the librarians should think out of the box.

A panel discussion on “User Engagement in New Normal” was moderated by Sri Bijoy Ketan Panda, TCS Bhubaneswar. The topic was discussed and deliberated by the following panelists Dr. Satyajit Rath, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar; Dr. Srikanta Kanungo, Senior Scientist, ICMR-RMRC; Dr. Pranay Swain, Associate Prof. & Dean, NISER, Bhubaneswar and Dr. Soobhankar Pati, Assistant Prof., IIT Bhubaneswar.
More than 150 participants from different parts of the country participated and contributed to the knowledge economy for the society. Dr. Prangya Das, organising secretary started the programme with the welcome address followed by the presidential speech by Dr. Banamber Sahoo, President of Odisha Library Academy and Smt. Nirupama Mishra coordinated this event. During the valedictory function Dr. P.K. Sahoo, Dean, ITER was the Chief Guest with presence of OLA Vice-President Dr. Kamal Lochan Jena, Organising Secretary Dr. Prangya Das. Seminar Rapporteurs Dr. Manoj Mishra and Dr. Sambhunath Sahoo summarised this programme.