St. Xavier's University, Kolkata

Fr. Arrupe Central Library
Organizes

A Two-Day National Level Conference on “Bridging Knowledge, Technology, and Society through Libraries"

25-26 September 2026

Fr. Albert Huart Hall (Auditorium)

About SXUK

St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata (SXUK) was established through the vision of Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., and the St. Xavier’s College Alumni Association under the “SXC Vision 2020.” With support from the Government of West
Bengal, 17 acres of land were allocated at Rajarhat, and the SXUK Act was passed in 2016. The University officially began in February 2017, with Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj as its first Vice-Chancellor, and was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in July 2017. SXUK offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. programmes across Commerce & Management, Arts & Social Studies, and Science. Specialized schools include Xavier Business School (MBA, AICTE-approved) and Xavier Law School (integrated law, BCI-approved). Guided by Jesuit values, SXUK emphasizes academic excellence, innovation, and social responsibility, aiming to form ethical leaders and “men and women for others.”

About SXUK Library

The Fr. Arrupe Central Library at St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata is a modern, centralized, air‑conditioned facility spread across 21,870 sq ft with seating for 350 users. It operates an Open Access System and is organized into specialized sections: a lending library on the ground floor, a reading library on the first floor, a Law and MBA library on the second floor, and a Ph.D. library on the third floor. The library houses a rich collection of 28,173 books, 3,20,557 e‑books, 6,769 e‑journals, 103 printed journals, 30 magazines, 15 newspapers, 183 CDs/DVDs, and 27 theses, alongside subscriptions to 15 databases such as JSTOR, EBSCO, Project MUSE, Lexis Advance India, ProQuest, HeinOnline, and more. Fully automated with the KOHA Library Management System and RFID technology, it offers self‑issue/return kiosks, OPAC/Web OPAC search, and digital signage for updates. It is a member of E‑ShodhSindhu, NDLI, British Council Library, USIS Library, and DELNET, enabling inter‑library loans. To support research integrity, it provides Turnitin and DrillBit plagiarism detection tools, and maintains an institutional repository via DSpace. The library actively implements MoE‑UGC‑INFLIBNET projects like Vidwan, IRINS, Shodhsuddhi, Swayam, and ShodhChakra. With its advanced infrastructure, digital resources, and global memberships, the library serves as a world‑class knowledge hub fostering teaching, learning, and research excellence.

About BKTSL - 26

The “Bridging Knowledge, Technology, and Society through Libraries (BKTSL-26)” Conference is designed as a collaborative platform for library and information science professionals, researchers, and community stakeholders to explore the evolving role of libraries in the digital age. Its purpose is to advance scholarly exchange, integrate emerging technologies, and strengthen society by promoting equity, inclusion, and lifelong learning. The conference will empower professionals with new skills, foster institutional collaboration, and generate actionable policy recommendations to ensure equitable access to information.The key objectives include: facilitating dialogue on innovative practices and trends in LIS, exploring the impact of AI, big data, and digital tools on library services, promoting inclusive access to knowledge, strengthening professional development through workshops and training, and shaping policy through collaborative recommendations. Ultimately, the conference reaffirms libraries as vital institutions that bridge knowledge creation, technological innovation, and societal progress in the 21st century.

The Conference

Call for Papers

Sub-Themes

Digital Transformation in Libraries: Exploring AI, automation, and smart systems in library services.

Open Access and Scholarly Communication: Policies, platforms, and challenges in democratizing knowledge.

Information Literacy and Data Literacy: Teaching communities to evaluate information and data critically.

Community Engagement and Social Inclusion: Libraries as agents of equity and inclusion.

Digital Preservation and Cultural Heritage: Safeguarding archives and heritage in digital formats.

Knowledge Management Practices: Organizing, curating, and disseminating knowledge effectively.

Library Spaces and User Experience: Designing inclusive, accessible, and innovative library environments.

Policy and Governance in LIS: Shaping regulations for equitable access to information.

Emerging Technologies in LIS: Blockchain, big data, and cloud computing applications.

Professional Development and Training: Building skills for future-ready librarianship.

Libraries and Sustainable Development Goals: Aligning library initiatives with global sustainability agendas.

Ethics in Information Science: Addressing privacy, bias, and ethical use of data.

Collaboration and Networking: Strengthening partnerships across institutions and disciplines.

Innovative Outreach Programs: Creative strategies to connect with diverse communities.

Future of Libraries: Reimagining the role of libraries in a rapidly changing world.

Innovative ideas beyond the sub-themes mentioned above are welcome.

About

Author Guidelines

All submissions will undergo peer review, and accepted papers will be published in the open-access conference proceedings, in print/ebook format with an ISBN. Authors are encouraged to highlight innovative practices, theoretical insights, and policy recommendations that demonstrate how libraries can serve as bridges between knowledge, technology, and society.

Submission Guidelines

Paper Length: Full papers should be between 4,000 and 6,000 words.

Paper Size: A4 size with 1 inch margin on all sides

Font Size of the actual content: 12, Font Style: Times New Roman, Line Spacing: 1.5, Alignment: Justified

Title: Font Size: 14, Bold, Font Style: Times New Roman, Line Spacing: 1.5, Alignment: Justified.

The author's details - Full name, designation, and affiliation must be mentioned below the title.

Formatting Style: Manuscripts must follow APA (7th edition) style guidelines.

File Format: Submit papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) format only.

Plagiarism: 10% Similarity, AI score below 20% (All papers will be tested in Turnitin Feedback Studio).

Review Criteria: Submissions will be evaluated on originality, relevance to the theme, clarity of writing, and contribution to LIS scholarship or practice.

Submission Process: Papers should be submitted electronically via the conference submission Google Form.

If you are facing any difficulties while submitting a paper, you can email the paper to lawlibrarian@sxuk.edu.in

Important Dates

Full Paper Submission Deadline: September 05, 2026

Last Date of Registration: September 10, 2026

Conference Dates: September 25–26, 2026

Registration Link: For paper presenter fill out after the acceptance letter.

For Active participants register before the deadline.

Registration Fee

For Professionals - Rs. 1,500

For Research Scholars - Rs. 1,200

For Students - Rs. 1,000

Bank Account

Beneficiary Name: ST. XAVIER’S UNIVERSITY KOLKATA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Branch IFSC Code: CNRB0019721

Account Number: 97212010001155

Bank Name: Canara Bank

Branch Name: St. Xavier's University Kolkata Rajarhat Campus Branch

Contact

Dr. Stephen. G

Organizing Secretary / Assistant Librarian

Fr. Arrupe Central Library

St. Xavier's University, Kolkata

Mail - lawlibrarian@sxuk.edu.in

Mobile - 9436811297

Paper Submission Link

Registration Link

Guest Speakers

Dr. John Felix Raj, SJ

Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, SXUK

Dr. S. Thanuskodi

Professor & Head, DLIS,

Central University of Tamilnadu

Dr. Siva Prasad Senapathi

Principal Library & Information Officer,

National Library, Kolkata

Invited Speakers

Proud to bring inspirational speakers from across India

Speakers

Sponsorship Opportunity

Platinum Sponsor

15-minute presentation about your company/product after the inaugural session
Logo & hyperlink placement on the event website and all conference communications
Multiple standees inside the conference premises with the conference theme
Distribution of promotional materials to delegates in kits
Acknowledgment as a Platinum Sponsor at the inauguration and valedictory session
A two-session webinar (1 hour each) will be organized with a sponsoring organization on leading products for the academic community, held before and after the conference.

Gold Sponsor

10-minute presentation in any one of the technical sessions
Logo placement on the event website and all conference communications
One standee inside the conference premises with the conference theme
Distribution of promotional materials to delegates in kits
Acknowledgment as a Gold Sponsor at the inauguration and valedictory session
1hr webinar session collaboration with a sponsored organization about any product to the academic community after the conference.