Call to keep abreast of changes in library science

Guntur: Andhra Pradesh has a distinctive position in the library movement as renowned writers, poets and freedom fighters had taken part in the movement, Andhra Pradesh Library Association general secretary R Sharada said. Speaking at the one-day national seminar on 'Exploiting Online Resources' held at NTR-Vignan Library in Vignan University of Guntur district on Sunday, she recalled the services rendered by Gadicharla Harisarvottama Rao, Chilakamarthi Lakshmi Narasimham, Kasinathuni Nageshwara Rao, Pathuri Nagabushanam and Madapati Hanumantha Rao for the library movement. Credit goes to freedom fighters and litterateurs as they were instrumental in setting up of libraries across the State, she pointed out. The Andhra Pradesh Grandhaylaya Sangham, which was set up 100 years ago, was conducting workshops for librarians to improve their work, and it also publishing 'Granthalaya Sarvaswamu', the first vernacular library journal, which was launched in 1915, she said. The seminar was organised jointly by Vignan University and Puducherry University. In all, 250 librarians across the State, APLA joint secretary PV Malleshwar, Vignan University teaching and non-teaching staff participated in the seminar. Andhra University library science department head Dr C Sashikala said, "By conducting these seminars we will know about online resources and keep abreast of information and changes in library science. Hence, everybody should know the importance of online resources." Librarians should have knowledge about online resource information, or else they would lag behind others, Puducherry University librarian Dr R Samyuktha said. Vignan University Vice Chancellor Dr MSC Bose observed that knowledge can be gained very fast through online and one should give utmost importance to online resources.