‘Libraries play a vital role in promoting digital, information, and data literacy’

Libraries are essential for fostering digital, information, and data literacy in today's rapidly evolving academic landscape.

Libraries play a vital role in promoting digital, information, and data literacy, said Kolitha B. Wijesekara, senior professor and Vice-Chancellor of Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.

Speaking at a two-day conference on “Transforming Libraries: Innovation, Management, Smart Technologies, and Creative Knowledge of Society for the Future”, that concluded at Periyar University on Sunday, Mr. Wijesekara highlighted the role of academic libraries in supporting research, digital transformation, and knowledge dissemination in the global academic ecosystem.

In a world where information is abundant but not always reliable, guiding people to evaluate and use information responsibly has become one of the most important responsibilities. Artificial intelligence is increasingly used to improve information discovery and assist users in navigating large digital collections. Cloud-based digital repositories now allow institutions to preserve and share vast amounts of digital knowledge with a global audience. Building partnerships with universities, research organisations, and communities also strengthens the impact of libraries and contributes more effectively to research and knowledge creation, he said.

Anandamurugan, Librarian of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, shared insights on the evolving role of librarians in the era of digital knowledge, artificial intelligence, and open access resources.

Devendra Kumar Singh, Librarian of Banaras Hindu University, in his keynote address, emphasised the integration of AI, data analytics, and research metrics in library services. Libraries around the world are undergoing a profound transformation. Their continued relevance will depend on ability to embrace innovation, thoughtful leadership, and responsible use of technology, he said.