Awantipora, Nov 10: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) convened the 7th meeting of its University Library Committee on November 9 to deliberate on measures for strengthening the Rumi Library and enhancing its role in supporting the university’s academic and research ecosystem.
The meeting was chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo and attended by Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir (Dean Academic Affairs), Prof. Shamin Ahmad Shah (Registrar, IUST), Prof. Sumeer Gul (Head, Department of Library and Information Sciences, University of Kashmir), Dr. Nazir Ahmad Bhat (Librarian, Central University of Kashmir), Finance Officer Mr. Sameer Wazir, Dr. Sheikh Shueb (In-charge, Rumi Library, IUST), deans, heads of departments and other officials of the Rumi Library.
At the outset, the Vice Chancellor emphasised the importance of institutional committees in ensuring periodic review, policy refinement and effective institutional functioning. He mentioned that convening the Library Committee is a regular affair in the university, and that sustained deliberations and collective decision-making have ensured that institutional systems remain responsive to emerging requirements.
Prof. Romshoo underscored that libraries are the vital engines of academic institutions and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to strengthening the Rumi Library as an important academic and research resource. He observed that the rapidly changing knowledge ecosystem, particularly with the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), calls for libraries to move beyond their traditional role as repositories of information and evolve into dynamic spaces that facilitate innovation, critical thinking, research and lifelong learning.
The In-Charge of the library gave a detailed presentation on the progress made by the Rumi Library over the years and highlighted the state-of-the-art facilities that the library has to support reading, research, collaboration and scholarly engagement. The proposal to establish a dedicated Rumi Heritage Corner was also discussed as an initiative to preserve, promote and showcase the rich literary, intellectual and cultural legacy of Rumi.
The deliberations focused on strengthening the Rumi Library’s academic and research support infrastructure through enhanced print and digital collections, wider access to specialised research resources and the integration of emerging technologies into library services. The committee emphasised the need to sensitise students, research scholars and faculty members to contemporary research methodologies, digital platforms and scholarly communication practices, with particular focus on enhancing research visibility, promoting quality research publications and facilitating contributions to high-impact journals. Several proposals aimed at advancing scholarly activities were approved, including subscriptions to essential academic and research software, alongside measures to ensure greater stakeholder participation in identifying user requirements and strengthening library services.
The committee also emphasised the need to make the library a more vibrant and user-friendly space by improving reading and interaction areas and providing essential amenities such as air-conditioning, coffee, photocopying and printing facilities to encourage greater engagement and longer user visits.
