A Remarkable Experience in Promoting Sustainable Libraries
I had the distinct privilege of serving as part of the organizing team for the International Conference on “Building Sustainable Libraries for Connecting Communities: Librarianship, Technology, and Collaboration,” held on 7th and 8th February 2025 at Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India. The conference brought together distinguished library professionals, academicians, and researchers from across the globe to deliberate on advancing sustainable library practices through technology and collaboration.
As a Session Coordinator, I successfully managed four parallel sessions, ensuring the smooth conduct of discussions across multiple thematic tracks. Collaborating with session chairs, co-chairs, rapporteurs, and paper presenters was both enriching and insightful, as it fostered dynamic exchanges on themes such as library sustainability, digital innovation, and community engagement.
As an Associate Editor for the conference proceedings, I contributed to the editorial review process, ensuring the quality, accuracy, and consistency of published research papers. This role provided a valuable opportunity to engage with a diverse range of scholarly contributions that reflect current trends and innovations in the field of library and information science.
In addition, I had the honour of presenting my research paper titled “Promoting Scientific Heritage to the Public: A Case Study of Archives Exhibitions at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.” The paper highlighted how archival exhibitions can serve as effective platforms for promoting scientific heritage and fostering public engagement with science.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. R. Balasubramani and Dr. M. Surulinathi (Organizing Secretaries), and Dr. K. Elavazhagan (Conference Director) for their exemplary leadership and guidance throughout the event. Their vision and dedication were instrumental in creating an intellectually stimulating and professionally enriching conference environment.
The conference was not merely an academic gathering but a platform that reaffirmed the transformative role of libraries in today’s knowledge society. Being part of this initiative strengthened my conviction that sustainable libraries are built upon the pillars of innovation, inclusivity, and collaboration. The experience also deepened my professional commitment to advancing library practices that connect communities, embrace emerging technologies, and uphold the enduring values of knowledge sharing and accessibility.