**Executive Summary**
The 55th Capacity Building Programme for Public Library Personnel, organized by the National Mission on Libraries (NML) under the Ministry of Culture, commenced on June 21, 2026, at Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik. The five-day programme, concluding on June 25, 2026, aims to modernize library services and enhance the professional skills of approximately 70 participants from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. Key objectives involve adapting to technological advancements, such as Artificial Intelligence, to strengthen community engagement and knowledge dissemination.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Program Overview and Objectives**
* **Event Details:** The five-day training workshop is a collaborative effort between the NML and the Knowledge Resource Centre of YCMOU.
* **Core Purpose:** To provide continuous professional development for library staff to meet changing technological and societal needs.
* **Strategic Focus:** Transforming libraries into centers for lifelong learning, community engagement, and authentic information in the digital age.
**Institutional Initiatives and Infrastructure**
* **NML Mandate:** Established in 2014, the NML works on developing model libraries, conducting surveys, and managing the National Virtual Library of India.
* **Implementation:** The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation plays a central role in executing initiatives for public library development.
* **Technological Integration:** Emphasis was placed on utilizing emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, for innovation and improved service delivery.
* **Progress in Maharashtra:** The state has completed geo-tagging of its public library network to facilitate enhanced planning, monitoring, and service delivery.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Public Library Professionals (Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa)**
**Impact**
Participants receive specialized training to enhance their professional skills and learn how to integrate modern technologies like AI into library services.
**Action Required**
Attend the five-day session at YCMOU and apply the acquired knowledge to modernize service delivery in their respective libraries.
**Stakeholder: National Mission on Libraries (NML) and Ministry of Culture**
**Impact**
The programme serves as a key component in fulfilling the national mandate to strengthen the public library system and improve service quality across the country.
**Action Required**
Continue overseeing the implementation of capacity-building initiatives and collaborate with state-level bodies and foundations for infrastructure development.
**Stakeholder: Government of Maharashtra (Directorate of Libraries)**
**Impact**
The completion of geo-tagging provides the state with one of the most technologically tracked library networks in India, allowing for precise administrative oversight.
**Action Required**
Utilize the geo-tagging data for better resource allocation, monitoring, and strategic planning of the state’s library network.
Key Entities Referenced
National Mission on Libraries (NML): A central initiative launched in 2014 to modernize and strengthen the public library system in India through capacity building and technological integration.
Ministry of Culture: The primary central ministry responsible for overseeing the National Mission on Libraries and public library development across India.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation: A key implementing body that plays a vital role in executing initiatives for the development and modernization of public libraries.
National Knowledge Commission: The advisory body whose recommendations led to the conceptualization and establishment of the National Mission on Libraries.
Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik: The host institution and collaborator for the 55th Capacity Building Programme for library professionals.
Ministry of Culture
Capacity Building key to strengthening Public
Library Services: Shri R. S. Bora , Additional
Mission Director, NML
Capacity Building Programme of National Mission on
Libraries begins at Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open
University (YCMOU), Nashik
प्रव तथ: 22 JUN 2026 4:10PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 22 June 2026
The 55th Capacity Building Programme for Public Library Personnel under the National Mission
on Libraries (NML), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, commenced on June 21, 2026 at
Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nashik, in collaboration with the
Knowledge Resource Centre of the University. The programme will continue till June 25, 2026.
Addressing the inaugural session virtually, Shri R. S. Bora, Additional Mission Director, National
Mission on Libraries (NML) and Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India,
emphasized the importance of continuous capacity building and professional development for
library professionals. He said that public libraries must adapt to changing technological and
societal needs while continuing to serve as centres of knowledge, learning and community
engagement. He noted that training programmes such as these help enhance professional skills
and contribute to improving public library services across the country.Speaking on the occasion, Shri Dipanjan Chatterjee, Financial Adviser, National Mission on
Libraries, said that NML, established in 2014, is working towards strengthening the public library
system through initiatives such as model libraries, surveys of public libraries, capacity building
programmes and the National Virtual Library of India. He added that the Raja Rammohun Roy
Library Foundation has been playing a key role in implementing these initiatives for the
development of public libraries.
In his address, Prof. Sanjeev Sonawane, Vice-Chancellor, YCMOU, stressed the need to
modernize public libraries in line with contemporary technological developments. He observed
that emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, offer new opportunities for
innovation and improved public service delivery.
Prof. Shalini Lihitkar, Department of Library and Information Science, Rashtrasant Tukadoji
Maharaj Nagpur University, highlighted the evolving role of public libraries as centres of
learning, community engagement and lifelong education. She emphasized the need to promote
reading culture and guide citizens towards authentic information in the digital age.
Shri Ashok Gadekar, Director of Libraries, Government of Maharashtra, informed participants
that Maharashtra has one of the largest public library networks in the country. He also noted
that geo-tagging of public libraries across the State has been completed, facilitating better
planning, monitoring and service delivery.
The Capacity Building Training Programme is one of the major components of the National
Mission on Libraries, launched in 2014 by former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee on the
recommendation of the National Knowledge Commission. Around 70 participants, primarily
public library professionals from Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa, are attending the programme.
Ms. Abhilasha Batho compered the inaugural session while Prof. Prakash Barve proposed the
vote of thanks. Among the dignitaries present were Prof. Sanjeev Sonawane, Vice-Chancellor,
YCMOU; Shri R. S. Bora, Additional Mission Director, NML (virtual participation); Prof. Shalini
Lihitkar; Shri Dipanjan Chatterjee, Financial Adviser, NML; Shri Ashok Gadekar, Director of
Libraries, Government of Maharashtra; Dr. Rashmi Ranade, Director, School of Health Sciences;
and Dr. Prakash Barve, Director, Knowledge Resource Centre, YCMOU.
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