On Russian-Indian cooperation in librarianship

The International Conference on Academic Libraries, dedicated to the development of the concept of next-generation libraries, was held at the University of Delhi on April 5-7, 2023. The main goal of the event is to become an international forum with the participation of all parties concerned to discuss the diverse and enormous role that academic libraries can play in improving higher education in developed and developing countries.

The conference discussed various approaches to library services in the digital age, including the use of artificial intelligence, which is essential for unlocking the library's holdings. Vadim Duda, Director General of the Russian State Library, participated in the event as a representative of Russia and expressed his thoughts on the subject. "We have been working with neural networks and artificial intelligence for a long time, and I think that this experience will also be in high demand in India," he said.

Duda also noted that Russia has a unique experience in managing large national projects and has successfully modernized a large number of municipal libraries. "The library network in Russia comprises about 40,000 libraries across the country," he added.

The rapid development of digital technologies makes the problem of preserving existing paper-based library holdings particularly relevant. Duda underscored the importance of preserving the traditional paper-based holdings, which contain vital information for future generations.

"We are at a very interesting stage of development, where new technologies, primarily digital ones, have shifted the focus away from traditional paper-based book collections to digital sources. However, this contributes to an even greater need to care for the legacy, the holdings we have at our disposal. The first thing we will do for many years to come is to make efforts to restore, conserve, and ensure the preservation of library and archival holdings," said Duda.

The Russian State Library’s Director General also emphasized the importance of exchanging experience and working together with Indian colleagues, who have great libraries and museums. "We are very interested in understanding what is happening in the Indian librarianship. We want to exchange experiences and work together to ensure that the history and cultural identity of our countries are presented adequately for future generations," he concluded.

The conference was a success in fostering discussions and exchange of ideas on the future of academic libraries and their role in advancing higher education. The next edition of the conference is scheduled for next year, and it promises to be even more insightful and engaging.