Tag Archives: New Delhi

Transforming Public Libraries in India: Envisioning the Future

Participants at the Building Stronger Library Associations workshop.

Participants at the Building Stronger Library Associations workshop.

New Delhi was the setting for the inaugural India Public Libraries Conference 2015  which was held
on 17-19 March. The Conference was attended by more than 400 participants comprising of international and national speakers, delegates from national, state, district public library domains and other public library professionals.

The program focussed on discussions around how public libraries can be recognised as public places for seeking information and knowledge. The three day event comprised a two day conference on the theme Transforming Public Libraries in India: Envisioning the Future and a  day of  parallel  workshops and tours for library officials and professionals.

The meet was a part of a comprehensive initiative launched by non-profit Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and Developing Library Network (DELNET) with support from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen and upgrade public libraries in India along with a host of public library stakeholders and partners. The IPLC 2015 was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India.

The draft recommendations of the IPLC 2015 have been finalised and are now open to public library stakeholders for comments and suggestions for wider representation of views and innovative ideas to make the public library ecosystem better in India. Already, a lot many suggestions and recommendations have been received during the IPLC 2015 conference.

The final set of recommendations shall be submitted to the national and state library authorities including the Ministry of Culture, State Education Departments in charge of public libraries, grant making agencies and other key policy and implementation agencies.