Library in the age of Internet- Celebration of National Library Day 2019 at CIRDAP

Md. Rezwanul Haque (Himel), 9 February 2019

CIRDAP Library, CIRDAP, Email:   [email protected]

To celebrate “The National Library Day 2019”, CIRDAP (The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific) organized a National Seminar highlighting “The importance of library in the age of internet” in collaboration with the BALID on Saturday, 23 February 2019 at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre (CICC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The seminar was chaired by the Mr Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Taginavulau, DG, CIRDAP. Architect Yafes Osman, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Science & Technology, the Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest. Dr Omar Jah, VC, Islamic University of Technology (IUT) and Mr Abdullah Al Hasan Chowdhury, Add. Secretary, Secondary & Higher Education Division, Education Ministry, the Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh were as special guests.Dr. Mirza Mohd Rezaul Islam, Chairman, BALID was as program coordinator.

At the beginning, Dr. Mirza Mohd Rezaul Islam, Chairman, BALID welcomed the participants and introduced the programme to all. Dr. Usharani Boruah (Librarian, CIRDAP) has given a speech with a good presentation on CIRDAP Highlights & the importance of E-library.

Dr. Md. Nazim Uddin (Senior Manager and Head, icddr,b Library) has presented a keynote presentation on History and chronological development of library from manual  to Digital/e-library format. Mr. M. Monirul Islam Kanok (Librarian, PM Office) has given an excellent presentation on “why the library is important though we have internet” with some real examples which gave joy to the audience. After the keynote presentation, there was an asking question & giving answer session. In this session, participants asked and got there expected answers from keynote the speakers.

Afterword as discussants Prof. Dr. Kazi Mostak Gausul Hoq (Chairman, Dept. of ISLM, DU) has given a speech on the importance of E-library and spreading out the E-library system everywhere. There also Special guests Dr. Omar Jah (Vice-Chancellor, IUT) has addressed. He said about the authenticity of information and danger of corrupted knowledge with some examples. Mr. Abdullah Al Hasan Chowdhury (Add. Secretary, Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Division, Ministry of Educaiton, Bangladesh) spoke about the importance of the library & Mr. Muhammad Hossam Haider Chowdhury (Librarian, Independent University Library, Bangladesh) expressed short comments.

Then, the chief guest Architect Yafes  Osman, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Science & Technology, the Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh addressed in a live video conference.

Finally, the chair of the meeting Mr. Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Taginavulau, DG, CIRDAP delivered his speech. In his speech, he said “……..Library and Internet, they have different purposes, you have the purpose behind the library then you have the purpose behind the internet. What I have heard, Library is the organization & dissemination of knowledge in a particular place or digitally. Internet what I have heard is networking. So, they have their own branch but not they complement each other not the replace of each…….” And he mentioned some key indicators which will help to understand the importance of the library in the age of internet & again he said that “internet cannot be the replace of the library.” He ended his speech with thinks.

At the end, Mr Md. Humayun Kabir (Deputy Librarian, Independent University Library) concluded the event with a vote of thanks to all guests. In the end, participants were captured in a group photograph.