Date: Fri, 15 Feb 2013 21:31:27 +0800 (SGT) From: Khalid Nadeem Khan A Gala Opening for ICAL 2013: Glitteringly Serene Ceremony Marked by the Presence of Large Library Fraternity Continuing the rich legacy associated with brand ICAL,  the 2nd International Conference of Academic Libraries opened with style at prestigious GGS IP University at its Dwarka Campus, New Delhi. Marked by the presence of a large number of delegates from across the globe, conference received an overwhelming response. The formal inaugural function of 2nd International conference on academic libraries [ICAL] 2013 started with lighting of ceremonial lamp by the dignitaries’ on the dais and with enchantment of divine Saraswati Vandana. The dignitaries were welcomed with the flower bouquet. This was followed by the release of souvenir and conference proceedings on the theme “Academic Library Services through Cloud Computing: Moving Libraries to the Web”. The organizing secretary, Mr. Subhash Deshmukh welcoming  the guests, emphasized upon the need to migrate the conventional library setup to library services based on Cloud computing. This will provide easier and simpler methods for greater sharing and penetration of library resources to wider community. Predictions are that within five years, all library collections, systems, and services will be driven into the cloud. Inspired by the latest advances in virtualized computing resources on the global network, the 2nd International Conference on Academic Libraries, ICAL-2013 seeks to explore how cloud computing could be applied for library applications, in particular for moving libraries to the Web. Being a new and emerging area of interest to library and information professionals, the Conference will focus on academic library services through cloud computing. In addition, the Conference will seek to explore cloud computing for converting ICAL-2009 roadmap into an action plan for repositioning academic libraries into next generation libraries. Prof. Dilip K Bandyopadhyay, Vice Chancellor, GGSIP University expressed his gratitude to the dignitaries and participants for their over whelming response and described how the idea of holding the conference at IP University was conceived in year 2009 itself.   In his address he dwelt upon the theme of the conference which seeks to explore how cloud computing could be applied to benefit libraries; in moving library data, services, and applications to the Web, in over-coming barriers to sharing library resources on the Web, in collaborating with libraries on new programs and services on the Web, in setting up the required computing resources on demand in the Cloud. He further highlighted the challenges in front of library fraternity in today’s time and emphasized upon the use of web based technologies. He elaborated the catalytic role of technology in solving the problem of resource management. According to Prof. Bandyopadhyay, the conference offers an international platform to all stakeholders in the academic enterprise to network and debate on the theme and topics of the conference and will provide a forum for presentation of issues on virtualized computing resources on the global network through original presentations, and extending opportunities to exchange and present know-ledge and out of box ideas at the highest technical level. Prof. Narendra Jadhav, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, the chief guest in his key note address exhorted the libraries to organize their services through cloud computing in view of increased role of libraries in knowledge economy. Prof. Jadhav in his  very illuminating and illustrious  speech  retraced  the  development of Indian economy  since 1991 and how India has been able to  cope up  with the challenge of recession and  economic  slowdown. However he lamented the fact that India’s research out was very low as compared to China and United States. Prof. Jadhav touched upon the advantage of India’s huge population but cautioned for   sustainable and inclusive growth. Delivering the Guest of Honour lecture, Dr. BK Gairola, Mission Director, E-Governance, Govt of India shared his views about role of technology in disseminating knowledge. He spoke lengthily on ICTs and how same is being leveraged to harness growth and development. Dr. Gairola mentioned how cloud computing has generated much interest recently and developments in this space have revolutionized the way computing infrastructure is used. Instead of installing packaged software applications on their computers, people and businesses will use their web browsers to access a wide range of “cloud services” available on-demand over the Internet. Its success has seen a proliferation in the number of applications which have leveraged various cloud platforms to applications such as Gmail, Wikipedia, Flickr or Twitter on the Web. Mr. Marshall Breeding, former Director for Innovative Technology and Research at Vanderbilt University, USA delivered the keynote address and touched upon several important developments taking place in the world of libraries. It was emphasized that being a new and emerging area, cloud computing has generated much interest in library applications. Predictions are that within five years, all library collections, systems, and services will be driven into the cloud. Cloud Library Management Systems, Cloud OPAC, Cloud Electronic Resource Management Systems, etc. will replace individual and standalone library systems such as LMS, OPAC, and ERMS. In addition, cloud computing will enable libraries to collaborate on the Web. Khalid Nadeem Khan Librarian Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi-110025