Dr. Deepak Shrivastava's Vision for Inclusive Libraries

Dr. Deepak Kumar Shrivastava, Nodal Officer (Public Libraries-Kota Region), Divisional Librarian, and Head of the Government Public Divisional Library, Kota, delivered an inspiring keynote at the two-day residential training program for librarians on December 19-20, 2024, at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Kota.

Dr. Shrivastava focused on the theme of “Library Services for the Visually Impaired, Assistive Technology, Government of India’s Digital Initiatives, National Education Policy 2020, National Digital Library, and Story Weaver.” He highlighted the transformative role libraries play in the modern era.

He emphasized the importance of using advanced technologies to offer accessible services to visually impaired and differently-abled readers. Dr. Shrivastava detailed various digital platforms, including SWAYAM, NROER, e-PG Pathshala, DIKSHA, Shodhganga, Shodhgangotri, SHERNI, INFED, and INFISTAT, describing them as key tools in democratizing education and knowledge dissemination across India.

In his address, Dr. Shrivastava urged librarians to focus on upskilling and reskilling to stay relevant in the rapidly changing knowledge landscape. He emphasized the need for libraries to evolve from traditional book repositories to dynamic hubs of innovation, education, and research that meet the diverse needs of readers.

Dr. Shrivastava’s keynote outlined a roadmap for librarians to enhance their institutions' reach and impact, aligning them with the National Education Policy 2020’s goals while ensuring inclusivity in library services for all.