Mangaluru: Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, Mangaluru, observed Librarians’ Day on September 12 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, widely regarded as the father of Library Science in India. The event highlighted the evolving role of libraries as knowledge hubs, bridging print and digital resources to support academia and research.
The programme began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Distinguished guests included Dr. Rekha D. Pai, Chief Librarian and Associate Professor, Department of Library & Information Sciences, MIT, MAHE, Manipal; Dr. S.S. Injaganeri, Principal; Sri Jagannath Chowta, Trustee, Bhandary Foundation, Mangaluru; and Dr. Bharathi K, Librarian of Sahyadri. Faculty members, staff, and students were present in large numbers.
Keynote on the five laws of Library Science
Dr. Bharathi K gave an overview of the programme and emphasised the importance of optimising the use of digital library resources.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Guest Dr. Rekha D. Pai revisited Dr. Ranganathan’s famous Five Laws of Library Science, stressing their enduring relevance in the digital age. She spoke on how libraries have transformed with the advent of online resources and urged students and faculty to make the best use of e-resources for academic and research purposes. Dr. Pai described libraries as “dynamic centres of knowledge” rather than static repositories of books.
Appreciation of librarians’ contribution
Trustee Sri Jagannath Chowta lauded the efforts of librarians, acknowledging their role in fostering academic growth. He noted that librarians’ commitment enriches the learning environment of institutions and inspires students to pursue knowledge more effectively.
In his presidential remarks, Principal Dr. Injaganeri congratulated the library team for its dedication to information literacy and adaptability in the digital era. He called libraries “innovation hubs” within academic institutions and stressed the need to continually strengthen research and knowledge-sharing practices.
Recognition of exemplary users
The event also honoured students and staff who had demonstrated exceptional engagement with library resources, both physical and digital. The recognition was seen as a step to encourage greater use of the library facilities.
Conclusion: Libraries as centres of lifelong learning
The Librarians’ Day celebration at Sahyadri College reinforced the importance of libraries as integral to research, innovation, and learning. By blending tradition with modern technology, the programme inspired the academic community to embrace the library as a vibrant, evolving space for lifelong knowledge acquisition.