CU Punjab Hosts National Seminar on “Shifting Paradigm of Public Libraries in the Artificial Intelligence Era”

Bathinda, August 2, 2025: The Department of Library and Information Sciences at the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, organized a one-day National Seminar on “Shifting Paradigm of Public Libraries in the Artificial Intelligence Era” on Friday, 1st August 2025. The seminar was held under the patronage of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari and sponsored by the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

The programme commenced with a Welcome Address by Dr. Bhaw Nath Pandey, Dean, School of Information and Communication Studies, and Head, Department of Library and Information Sciences. He highlighted the importance of embracing AI tools to revamp public libraries into dynamic, knowledge-driven institutions aligned with contemporary user needs.

The Chief Guest Prof. Roshan Lal Raina, Vice-Chancellor of Jaipur National University, Jaipur, addressed the gathering virtually. In his Inaugural Address, he stressed the urgent need for Indian libraries to integrate AI-driven technologies to become more intelligent and user-responsive. He advocated for the re-skilling of library professionals, development of AI-integrated services, and adoption of data-informed approaches to enhance accessibility and engagement.

The Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Shilpi Verma from the Department of Library and Information Science, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. She discussed the paradigm shift in public libraries through innovations such as AI-powered cataloguing and classification, access to cloud-based digital collections, improved search efficiency through Natural Language Processing (NLP), and virtual assistance via chatbots. She also highlighted the ethical dimensions of AI deployment and its implications for service personalization and automation in libraries.

Among the invited speakers, Prof. Rupak Chakravarty from the Department of Library and Information Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh, presented impactful case studies on the use of AI in metadata management and intelligent information retrieval systems. He also emphasized the importance of ethical frameworks in the implementation of AI technologies in libraries.

During the valedictory session, Dr. Neeza Singh, the Librarian at TS Central State Library, advocated for the inclusive adoption of AI, with a special focus on extending its benefits to rural libraries.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kiran Hazarika commended the initiative and called for greater collaboration between academia, policymakers, and technology experts. He stressed that such collaborations are essential to prepare libraries for the future and to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat. On this occasion, Prof. Hazaria along with other dignitaries released a book titled FESTSCHRIFT – Navigating Higher Education Through NEP 2020: Metrics of Excellence and Digital Virtues edited by Prof. Sonal Singh and Dr. Bhaw Nath Pandey.

The seminar included parallel technical sessions conducted in both offline and online modes, where participants presented their research findings and discussed best practices on AI applications in cataloguing, user behavior analytics, virtual reference services, and information access.

The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Rishabh Shrivastava, the Organizing Secretary, who acknowledged the valuable contributions of all speakers, participants, sponsors, and the university's research scholars and students. The event was also graced by the presence of Dr. Sukhdev Singh, Somesh Rai, Dr. Florence Guite, and other faculty members of the university. The seminar brought together leading academicians, library science professionals, and research scholars from across the country to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the functions, services, and role of public libraries. The event served as a platform for sharing insights into emerging technologies, innovative practices, and future strategies for libraries in the digital era.