IFLA International Conference on
Convergence of Libraries, Archives and Museums (ICLAM) 2011
Organized by NIFT, New Delhi
Platinum sponsorship by C-DAC Pune

Summary of Panel Discussion on
WHAT STAKEHOLDERS THINK OF LAMs CONVERGENCE?

Benefits and challenges

  • The panelists unanimously supported and acknowledged the reality of convergence between Libraries, Archives and Museums due to penetration of information technology and the possible benefits of knowledge resources becoming accessible to the masses across the globe
  • Lack of awareness, skills, mandate, adequate funding, infrastructure, consistent policies were identified as the main hurdles in this process. Digital obsolescence is identified as the common threat across all domains.

Possible solutions

  • A unified forum of professionals from Libraries, Archives and Museums should be formed for evolving an integrated approach.
  • Department of Culture and Department of Electronics & Information Technology together should define an encompassing policy transcending the boundaries of the intersecting disciplines and departments considering that the proposed convergence is essentially the digital convergence as part of digital preservation.
  • Information technology should be incorporated as a mandatory component across Libraries, Archives and Museums with continuous funding, professional partnerships and staff training.
  • Consortia mode projects with stakeholder involvement should be supported for wider impact.

ICLAM

Panelists

  • Dr. Dinesh Katre, Associate Director & HOD, Human-Centred Design and Computing Group, C-DAC Pune, India
  • Rolf Kallman, Head of Department for Heritage Resources, Swedish National Heritage Board, Sweden
  • Dr. P. R. Goswami, Director of Central Secretariat Library, New Delhi, India
  • Martin Flynn, Head of Information Services, Word & Image Department, Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK
  • Dr. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Director of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum, Mumbai, India
  • Dr. Mukul K. Sinha, Managing Director, Expert Software Consultants Ltd, New Delhi, India