East West University Library has organized an online discussion program on "Digital libraries in the pandemic: How EWU library served the community" on the occasion of National Library Day 2022 through Google Meet on 15 February 2022. More than 60 participants were present in the discussion program.The Honorable president and prime minister Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh delivered special messages.In a message President M Abdul Hamid said people’s unrestricted access to public library is playing an important role in developing education, culture and social development as libraries have enormous role in forming a knowledgeable, beautiful and enlightened society.
Meanwhile, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said ‘I believe that the observance of National Library Day will also encourage and inspire people more and also would help realize a prosperous country which was a dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman’.The president and the prime minister wished success of all programmes of the day. Sheikh Hasina declared February 05 as the National Library Day in 2017 and the day was first observed in 2018.
This year’s slogan is “সূবর্ণজয়ন্তীর অঙ্গীকার, ডিজিটাল গ্রন্থাগার”. Mohammed Motiur Rahman, Deputy Librarian (Jr.), East West University delivered the welcome speech by introducing the EWU Library.
Dr. Dilara Begum, Associate Professor and Chairperson, Dept. of Information Studies and Library Management & Librarian (Acting), East West University, presented a PowerPoint presentation on "Digital libraries in the pandemic: How EWU library served the community"
In her presentation she addressed lots of EWU Library services which are providing during this pandemic. From that she highlighted some important services like: Web portal, E-resources, Online article request services, Instant reference service, Online information literacy program, Novel Corona virus content, Evaluating News Sources at a Time of COVID-19, Open Education Resources, Document scanning service, Online counseling service, Online book renewal service, Reference service online, Book lending service, Online membership, Online citation management service, Online career counseling, Subject wise resource portal, Online library orientation, Online awareness raising program, Online national and international day celebration, Online book acquisition and Newspaper clipping service etc. She also addressed the social platform of EWU Library. Recently, the library joined on Instagram. At last she informed that EWU Library has started taking feedback from its users about the EWU Library services and its activities. Md. Murad Hossain, student of the dept. of Business Administration shared his experience about EWU library services during the pandemic.
Dr. Joy Samad, Honorable Member, Board of Trustees, EWU was present in the program and delivered his precious speech.
Dr. Muhammad Ziaulhaq Mamun, Pro-Vice Chancellor, East West University was the Chief Guest and delivered his valuable speech.
Dr. Kazi Mostak Gausul Hoq, Professor, Dept. of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka was the Special Guest and delivered his wonderful speech.
At the end of the program Dr. Dilara Begum, Program Chair delivered her concluding speech.