172 university libraries now using SOUL

INFLIBNET Director Devika Madalli integrates SOUL into open-source model, empowers academic research and launches Library ChatBot at conference.

Director of INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network Centre), Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Devika Madalli has said that SOUL (Software for University Libraries) has now been integrated into an open-source model and is now being used by 172 university libraries.

Inaugurating and delivering the keynote address at the two-day national conference on “Envisioning the Future: AI Tools for Libraries” organised by Dnyanprassarak Mandal’s College and Research Centre at Assagoa in Goa recently, Prof. Devika said that the participation of Goan colleges in INFLIBNET’s initiatives has been commendable.

SOUL (Software for University Libraries) is a state-of-the-art integrated library management software designed and developed by INFLIBNET Centre, which is an autonomous inter-university centre of the University Grants Commission.

In her keynote address, Prof. Devika deliberated on INFLIBNET’s contributions, including initiatives like Shodhganga, INDCAT, ePgPathshala, BharatCat, ShodhaChakra and Sherni, which, she said, have empowered academic research and women researchers in India.

Prof. Devika also launched “Library ChatBot”, an advanced virtual assistant designed to enhance user interaction with library services developed by the college, and released the conference volume.

Organising secretary of the conference and librarian Jayaprakash G. Hugar elaborated on the conference theme, tracing the evolution of library science from traditional print media to AI-driven digital repositories.

Principal of the college D.B. Arolkar said that the conference is a significant milestone in the institution’s golden jubilee celebrations.