- LIS-Forum - ncsi.iisc.ernet.in

Article - Library IT vs. the AI bots
by Shamprasad Pujar 16 Jun '25

16 Jun '25

Dear Members, During the current AI era, AI is creating havoc for library catalogues. Here is an article talking about AI bots overloading library servers. More @ https://library.unc.edu/news/library-it-vs-the-ai-bots/ Thanks and Regards, Shamprasad M. Pujar, PhD Chief Librarian Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research Gen Vaidya Marg, Goregaon (East) MUMBAI-400 065, India Phone: ++91-22-6909 6528 E-mail: pujar(a)igidr.ac.in

1 0

Fwd: NIRF rankings: How reliable are the rankings of India's top IITs and IIMs?
by Subbiah Arunachalam 16 Jun '25

16 Jun '25

Friends, There is much talk about research integrity. Please see: https://scroll.in/article/1083409/how-reliable-are-the-rankings-assigned-to… Both NIRF and NAAS need to win the confidence of the academic community and the taxpayers. With warm regards, Arun http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658 http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009

1 0

Is Google about to destroy the web?
by Vimal Kumar V. 16 Jun '25

16 Jun '25

Google says a new AI tool on its search engine will rejuvenate the internet. Others predict an apocalypse for websites. One thing is clear: the current chapter of online history is careening towards its end. Welcome to the "machine web". Read more at https://bbc.com/future/article/20250611-ai-mode-is-google-about-to-change-t… -- *Vimal Kumar V., PhD* Assistant Librarian Grade II Mahatma Gandhi University Library Kottayam, Kerala-686560 ------------------------------------------ My Home page:www.vimalkumar.info My Blogs:linuxhalwa.blogspot.com kohageek.blogspot.com moovandan.blogspot.com ----------------------------------------------------------- *"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." Alvin Toffler*

1 0

Are not librarians really needed in academic institutions?
by Subbiah Arunachalam 15 Jun '25

15 Jun '25

Friends, The entire library staff (LIS professionals, as we call them now) were asked to go by a US university. The university management decided that they were superfluous. [Please see https://katinamagazine.org/content/article/future-of-work/2025/academic-lib… ]. What is the guarantee that this may not happen in Indian academic institutions? If not all, some institutions may decide to reduce the number of library staff. Is it time that our librarians, at least those in academic institutions, thought about it? With warm regards, Subbiah Arunachalam -- Arun http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658 http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009

1 0

ADINET: Online Workshop on "AI Application in Libraries" from 5th July to 2nd August 2025 on every Staurday
by Adinet Adinet 14 Jun '25

14 Jun '25

Dear Library Professionals, Greetings from ADINET! ADINET announces Online Workshop on "AI Application in Libraries" from 5th July to 2nd August 2025. One session of 90 minutes will be conducted every week on Saturday between 10:30 AM to 12:00 Noon. AI helps in organising, managing and finding the information. Key resource persons are Prof. Parthasarthy Mukhopadhyay, Prof. Nisarg Vyas, Dr. Bharat Chaudhary, Mr. Bhavesh Patel, and Mr. Shivam Moradia. This specially designed online workshop would help participants to explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern library systems and services. Participants will gain insights into the practical applications of AI tools and technologies in cataloguing, user engagement, chatbot creation, digital resource management, and more. The workshop aims to empower librarians, information science professionals, and researchers with cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on strategies to adopt AI in their libraries For registration and workshop fees please click on the below registration link. Registration Link: <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKDa2eF3Rl8I0tPtxtfoep3KxBWrVyJny…> Empowering Libraries, Empowering Librarians. Thanking you & with best regards, Dr. Shailesh R. Yagnik Hon. Director *Advance Information Network of Libraries* *in Gujarat **(ADINET*) Opp. Ramdevnagar Bus Stand Satellite Road Ahmedabad 380015 Phone 079- *2686 0730* Email: alibnet(a)gmail.com

1 0

Goldsmiths Press partners with MIT Press on Direct to Open
by Amy Harris 13 Jun '25

13 Jun '25

Hello, everyone! Apologies in advance for cross-posting but I’m delighted to share this news. Best wishes, Amy MIT Press adds Goldsmiths Press books to Direct to Open The Direct to Open partnership with Goldsmiths Press broadens access to boundary-pushing scholarship and fosters an open, collaborative model of academic publishing The MIT Press<https://mitpress.mit.edu/> is proud to announce that it will be adding Goldsmiths Press<https://www.gold.ac.uk/goldsmiths-press/about/> books to its open access model, Direct to Open<https://direct.mit.edu/books/pages/direct-to-open> (D2O), starting in 2026. The partnership expands the offerings freely available through D2O, and furthers both press’ missions in building a more open and accessible future for academic publishing. Launched in 2021, D2O is the MIT Press’s bold, innovative framework for open access monographs that shifts publishing from a solely market-based purchase model where individuals and libraries buy single eBooks, to a collaborative, library-supported open access model. Goldsmiths Press—which is housed at Goldsmiths, University of London—produces works that cut across disciplinary boundaries and blur the distinctions between theory, practice, fiction, and non-fiction, aiming to revive and regenerate the traditions and values of university press publishing through innovative use of print and digital media. MIT Press has distributed Goldsmiths Press titles since its launch in 2016. “We are delighted to join MIT Press’s innovative and important D2O program,” said Sarah Kember, Director of Goldsmiths Press. “By fostering cross-institutional collaboration, this will do even more to promote a sustainable and ethical future for open access publishing.” “We’re honored to expand our relationship with Goldsmiths Press through our Direct to Open model,” said Amy Brand, Director and Publisher of the MIT Press. “Like the MIT Press, Goldsmiths has a deep passion for open access publishing, and we are proud to work with such a like-minded partner to push scholarly publishing in a more ethical and equitable direction.” With Goldsmiths’ involvement in 2026, D2O will feature multiple package options, combining content from both the MIT Press, Goldsmiths, and Duke University Press<https://mitpress.mit.edu/duke-university-press-to-publish-open-access-monog…>. Participating institutions will have the opportunity to support each press individually, providing flexibility for libraries while fostering collective impact. For details on how your institution might participate in or support Direct to Open, please visit mitpress.mit.edu/D2O<http://mitpress.mit.edu/D2O> or contact the MIT Press library relations team at mitp-library-relations(a)mit.edu<mailto:mitp-library-relations@mit.edu>. About the MIT Press Established in 1962, the MIT Press is one of the largest and most distinguished university presses in the world and a leading publisher of books and journals at the intersection of science, technology, art, social science, and design. About Goldsmiths Press Launched in 2016, Goldsmiths Press aims to intervene at all levels of publishing and push back against commercial and audit-driven constraints on scholarly communication. It is housed at Goldsmiths, University of London in the UK. ________________________________ Learn more about Direct to Open<http://mitpress.mit.edu/D2O> -- Amy Harris Ryan | Senior Manager, Library Relations and Sales Pronouns: She/Her/Hers aeharris(a)mit.edu<mailto:aeharris@mit.edu> | m - 857-331-4265 www.mitpress.mit.edu<http://www.mitpress.mit.edu> The MIT Press 255 Main Street, 9th Floor Cambridge, MA 02142

1 0

Indian universities caught gaming
by Subbiah Arunachalam 13 Jun '25

13 Jun '25

Friends, It is heartening to know that a team of four IISc undergraduate students have done well in PLANCKS, an international contest in solving physics problems and came sixth in the word. [The first two places went to Cavendish in Cambridge and Oxford]. One is also equally happy to know IITM conferred either a 3-year BSc Degree or a 4-year BS Degree on 867 students who have not come through the usual JEE route. This special Bachelor's degree programme aims to make quality education available to all, regardless of age, background, or location. Nearly 150 of the new graduates belong to families with annual income below Rs 1 lakh, while another 100 come from families earning less than Rs 5 lakh. An additional 365 students earned diplomas. Only a few years ago, Prof. Ajantha Subramanian, then at Harvard University, had commented adversely on the elitism in the admission policies of IITs, paying special attention to IITM, in her book *The Caste of Merit*. Kudos to IITM for addressing the concerns expressed not only by those concerned about social justice but also by many citizens of India, especially parents of children who were in the final years of schooling. And then you read the rather disturbing news story of gaming in higher education institutions in India: A research integrity index shines light on how Indian universities have gamed the publishing metrics – Science Chronicle <https://sciencechronicle.in/2025/06/12/a-research-integrity-index-shines-li…> . MHRD UGC, NAAC , NIRF and other agencies and individuals need to be more vigilant. With warm regards, Subbiah Arunachalam http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658 http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009

1 0

Replacing academic journals
by Subbiah Arunachalam 12 Jun '25

12 Jun '25

Friends, ASAPbio is hosting a talk by Prof. Bjoern Brembs, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Germany and a champion of scholarly communication through preprints, on the 28th of July. Here are the details for registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/_q0pigTgS6iMuilivfcSkw#/registrati… . Title of the talk: Replacing academic journals. With warm regards, Subbiah Arunachalam http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658 http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009

1 0

Congrats UCL
by Subbiah Arunachalam 11 Jun '25

11 Jun '25

Friends, Here is a short letter I wrote to the Chancellor of UCL. Congratulations UCL for making available all your publications as open access. I just saw thie news story https://www.stm-publishing.com/ucl-press-celebrates-10-years-of-award-winni… . I value this policy of openness much more than the 32 Nobel Prizes your faculty have won. I wish all major universities around the world follow your model. Arun http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658 http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009

1 0

A new book on Open Universities by an Indian author is not open!
by Subbiah Arunachalam 11 Jun '25

11 Jun '25

Dr Sanjay Mishra wrote in a recent post: "My *magnum opus* entitled "Handbook of Open Universities Around the World" is now available for pre-order at https://www.routledge.com/.../Mishra.../p/book/9781032754055 <https://www.routledge.com/Handbook-of-Open-Universities-Around-the-World/Mi…> With contributions from over 100 individuals, the handbook includes structured discussions about 47 universities promoting open education. It also includes 10 reflections from experts on the field providing global and regional overviews. If you are looking for an authoritative source on open universities, understand how these universities are changing and learn from their innovative practices, here is one source that delivers all you want. Recommend the work in your library. Routledge Books <https://www.facebook.com/RoutledgeBooksPublisher?__cft__[0]=AZXz_QYAczgA7W3…> . I would have expected a book on open universities to be an open access book available to all at no cost. What do you think? Subbiah Arunachalam http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4398-4658 http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-9925-2009

1 0