National Librarian Day Celebrated at PES’s College of Pharmacy & Research Center, Phaltan
PES’s College of Pharmacy & Research Center, Phaltan, celebrated National Librarian Day 12 August 2026 with enthusiasm and academic spirit in memory of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, widely regarded as the Father of Library Science in India. The celebration highlighted the importance of libraries in education, the valuable contribution of librarians, and the role that reading plays in the academic and personal development of students.
The program brought together the Principal, librarian, faculty members, B. Pharmacy students and D. Pharmacy students. Various activities during the celebration focused on the life and contribution of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, his famous Five Laws of Library Science, effective use of library resources and the importance of developing regular reading habits among students.
Students Take an Active Role in National Librarian Day Celebration
Preparations for the National Librarian Day program began a day before the celebration. Students of B. Pharmacy and D. Pharmacy actively participated in the decoration and management of the event.
Their involvement helped create an appropriate academic atmosphere for the occasion while also providing them with an opportunity to develop teamwork, coordination and event-management skills.
Student participation is an important part of institutional activities at PES’s College of Pharmacy & Research Center, Phaltan. Events such as National Librarian Day encourage students to take responsibility beyond regular classroom activities and contribute to the academic culture of the institution.
Opening of the National Librarian Day Program
The program was anchored by Prof. Nikhita G. Kale, who conducted the proceedings and delivered the introductory remarks. She welcomed the dignitaries, faculty members, staff and students and introduced the significance of the occasion.
The introductory session helped students understand why National Librarian Day is observed and how the contribution of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan continues to influence libraries and education.
The celebration formally commenced with a floral tribute to the portrait of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan.
Principal Dr. Vikram Tanaji Deshmukh, Librarian Mr. Ajit Shendge, faculty members and staff of the college paid floral tribute to Dr. Ranganathan and remembered his remarkable contribution to the development of Library Science in India.
Remembering Dr. S. R. Ranganathan
A major part of the National Librarian Day celebration was dedicated to remembering the life, ideas and contribution of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan.
Principal Dr. Vikram Tanaji Deshmukh addressed the gathering and shared information about Dr. Ranganathan and his contribution to Library Science. He explained the importance of libraries in the academic journey of students and encouraged everyone to make effective use of the resources available through the college library.
During his address, the Principal also explained the renowned Five Laws of Library Science formulated by Dr. S. R. Ranganathan.
These principles emphasize that books are meant to be used, every reader should be able to find an appropriate book, every book should reach its reader, the reader’s time should be saved, and a library should continue to grow and evolve.
Although these principles were formulated many years ago, they remain highly relevant in modern education. Today, libraries extend beyond printed books to include digital resources, reference materials, journals, databases and other forms of academic information.
The Principal’s address therefore helped connect Dr. Ranganathan’s ideas with the present-day educational environment and highlighted why libraries continue to be an essential part of quality higher education.
Importance of the College Library for Pharmacy Students
A library plays an especially important role in pharmacy education. Students need access not only to textbooks but also to reference books, pharmacopoeias, journals, research publications and other learning resources.
Regular use of the library can help B. Pharmacy and D. Pharmacy students strengthen their subject knowledge, improve their understanding of pharmaceutical sciences and develop habits of independent learning.
Libraries also provide students with an environment where they can read, study, explore topics beyond the classroom and develop curiosity about new areas of knowledge.
The National Librarian Day celebration at PES’s College of Pharmacy & Research Center, Phaltan therefore served as an opportunity to remind students that a library should not be viewed merely as a place for obtaining textbooks. It can be an important centre for learning, research, intellectual development and lifelong reading.
Librarian Mr. Ajit Shendge Encourages General Reading
During the program, Librarian Mr. Ajit Shendge addressed the gathering and shared information related to Dr. S. R. Ranganathan and the Padma Shri honour associated with his distinguished contribution.
He also reviewed the library-usage patterns of students and highlighted the importance of making greater use of the resources available in the college library.
An important suggestion made during his address was to expand opportunities for general reading beyond the academic curriculum. Mr. Shendge requested the Principal to make books for general reading available in the library in addition to curriculum-oriented resources.
Such an initiative can encourage students to develop a broader reading habit. Reading literature, biographies, general knowledge books, career-development resources and other non-curricular material can help students improve communication, awareness, creativity and overall personality development.
Faculty Members Share Their Thoughts
The celebration also included valuable contributions from faculty members.
Prof. Amruta Kavitake, Academic Coordinator for D. Pharmacy, shared key information and insights regarding Dr. S. R. Ranganathan. Her remarks further helped students understand the importance of his work and the influence that his ideas have had on library services and education.
Faculty participation added an academic dimension to the event and reinforced the message that libraries form an important connection between classroom teaching and independent learning.
Prof. Surekha Shegar, Academic Coordinator for B. Pharmacy, also addressed the gathering and introduced an encouraging initiative for students.
She announced that during the next Librarian Day celebration, prizes would be awarded to students demonstrating the highest use of the library.
The initiative is intended to motivate students to visit the library regularly and make productive use of available books and learning resources. Recognition of active library users can also help create a healthy reading culture among students.
Encouraging a Strong Reading Culture on Campus
One of the key messages emerging from the National Librarian Day celebration was the importance of developing a strong reading culture among pharmacy students.
Academic success in higher education requires more than classroom attendance. Students benefit when they explore reference books, compare different sources, read about developments in their subjects and develop the ability to learn independently.
For pharmacy students, regular reading is particularly valuable because pharmaceutical sciences involve continuous developments in areas such as medicines, drug delivery, pharmaceutical technology, pharmacology, healthcare and research.
Encouraging students to use library facilities regularly can therefore contribute to their academic development as well as their future professional careers.
The proposed recognition of students with the highest library usage and the suggestion to introduce more books for general reading are positive steps toward making the library an even more active part of campus life.
National Librarian Day: Promoting Knowledge Beyond the Classroom
The celebration of National Librarian Day was not limited to commemorating an important personality in Indian Library Science. It also provided an opportunity to encourage students to appreciate books, libraries and independent learning.
Dr. S. R. Ranganathan’s work reminds educational institutions that libraries must continuously respond to the changing needs of readers. In the modern academic environment, this means supporting students through appropriate books, reference resources, digital learning materials and an environment that encourages exploration.
For students of PES’s College of Pharmacy & Research Center, Phaltan, the program provided an important message: the library is an essential partner in their academic journey.
By combining classroom education with regular library use, students can deepen their understanding of subjects, strengthen research skills and develop the habit of lifelong learning.
Vote of Thanks and Conclusion
At the conclusion of the program, Prof. Samruddhi R. Nale proposed the vote of thanks.
She expressed gratitude to the Principal, librarian, academic coordinators, faculty members, staff and students whose participation and efforts contributed to the successful organization of the National Librarian Day celebration.
Special appreciation was also due to the B. Pharmacy and D. Pharmacy students who had been involved in the preparation, decoration and management of the program.
Following the vote of thanks, the National Librarian Day program was formally concluded.
A Meaningful Celebration at PES’s College of Pharmacy & Research Center, Phaltan
The National Librarian Day celebration at PES’s College of Pharmacy & Research Center, Phaltan successfully paid tribute to the contribution of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan while promoting the importance of libraries, reading and independent learning.
The active involvement of the Principal, librarian, academic coordinators, faculty members, staff and students made the program meaningful and informative.
Through discussions on the Five Laws of Library Science, student library usage, general reading and recognition for active library users, the celebration reinforced the institution’s efforts to encourage students to make effective use of academic resources.
The event concluded with an important message for students: books and libraries remain valuable companions in education, research, professional development and lifelong learning.