MU hosts capacity building programme on 'National Mission on Libraries'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 31 2026: A five-day Capacity Building Programme on the "National Mission on Libraries for Public Library Personnel" was inaugurated today at the Court Hall, Manipur University.

Organised by MU's Department of Library and Information Science and sponsored by the National Mission on Libraries, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the training aims to strengthen public library services.

Prof Sumitra Phanjoubam, Vice Chancellor in charge, MU, attended as chief guest.

Dipanjan Chatterjee, FA, National Mission on Libraries, was special guest.

Prof Ch Ibohal Singh, Head, Department of Library and Information Science, presided, while L Pramod Singh, Chief Librarian, State Central Library.

Imphal, was guest of honour.

Speaking at the inaugural, Prof Sumitra Phanjoubam said libraries are sacred gateways to knowledge and lifelong learning.

She stressed that in the digital age, libraries need competent professionals to manage information and provide user-centric services.

Capacity building, she added, is vital to equip staff with digital and technological skills.

Dipanjan Chatterjee said that the MU programme is the 57th such training nationally, with over 2,500 professionals trained so far.

He informed that Rs 2.23 crore has been given to State Central Library, Imphal and Rs 87 lakh to District Library, Senapati under the model library component.

The training will cover KOHA automation, ICT tools, services for Divyangjan, Google Sites for library websites, and social media promotion.

Prof Ibohal Singh noted Manipur had public library legislation early but it remains poorly implemented.

He urged participants to use the training to improve services.

Librarians, students and stakeholders from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are participating.

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