Jagdish Arora
Dr. Jagdish Arora** (born 1956) is a distinguished Indian library and information scientist, known for his significant contributions to the field of library and information science (LIS) in India, particularly the development of digital libraries, open access initiatives, and library consortia. Currently, he is working as an advisor at the National Accreditation Board (NBA) in New Delhi. Dr. Arora has held important positions in various premier academic and research institutions during his career, with his long tenure as the Director of the Centre for Information and Library Networks (INFLIBNET) being particularly noteworthy.
- Early Life and Education
Dr. Jagdish Arora was born in 1956. He received his higher education from two prestigious universities in India. In 1977, he obtained a Master of Library and Information Science (M.Lib.ISc) degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Delhi. This degree was instrumental in providing him with a deeper understanding of library management, information organization, and recovery systems, laying the foundation for his future career.
Continuing his academic journey, Dr. Arora completed his Ph.D. from the University of Rajasthan in 1992. Done. His doctoral research work helped him gain in-depth expertise in the theoretical and practical aspects of library and information science, leading him to emerge as a leading thinker and researcher in this field. His education provided him with a strong foundation to understand and apply traditional library practices as well as emerging information technologies.
- Academic and Professional Career
Dr. Jagdish Arora's professional career began in 1983 and since then, he has held significant roles in several premier institutions in India, contributing significantly to the modernization and digitization of library and information services in the country.
His first important position was as a library-cum-documentation officer at the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi from 1983 to 1991. In this role, he used his expertise to meet the information needs of a specific scientific research institution, providing him with initial experience in scientific documentation and information management.
In 1991, Dr. Arora joined the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), New Delhi as Deputy Librarian. He served in this position until 2002. At a premier technical institution like IIT, he played a crucial role in upgrading library services and integrating information technology. In this period, he gained significant experience in library automation and the management of digital resources.
In 2002, he was appointed as a Librarian at the Central Library of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), Mumbai. This one-year stint (from 2002 to 2003) provided him with the opportunity to lead library services at another top engineering institution, where he focused on streamlining the library's operations and user services.
In 2003, Dr. Arora returned to IIT Delhi, this time as a librarian of the Central Library, where he served until 2007. In this position, he played a pivotal role in transforming the IIT Delhi library into a state-of-the-art information hub, catering to the evolving information needs of students, researchers, and faculty members. He emphasized on the acquisition of digital resources, providing access to e-journals and databases, and modernizing the library infrastructure.
The most influential phase of Dr. Arora's career was as the Director of the Information and Library Network Centre (INFLIBNET), Gandhinagar from 2007 to 2018. INFLIBNET is an autonomous inter-university centre of the University Grants Commission (UGC), dedicated to promoting the modernization and networking of libraries in Indian universities. As Director, Dr. Arora spearheaded several national-level initiatives that transformed the academic and research landscape in India. Under his leadership, Inflibnet developed and implemented flagship programs such as Shodhganga, a digital repository of dissertations and short dissertations from Indian universities, promoting open access. He was also instrumental in the expansion of the N-LIST consortium, which gave access to e-resources to thousands of colleges. Additionally, the development of e-content portals such as the Vidwan Expert Database and e-PG Pathshala took place during his tenure, promoting digital education and research in India. He also promoted the sharing of e-resources and cost-effectiveness through the INDEST-AICTE Consortium, making it easier for Indian academic institutions to access high-quality research materials.
Since 2019, Dr. Jagdish Arora has been working as a consultant at the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) in New Delhi. The NBA is responsible for quality assurance and accreditation for technical and business programs in India. In this role, Dr. Arora utilizes his extensive LIS expertise in evaluating library and information resources in higher education institutions and setting quality standards, ensuring that institutions provide adequate and up-to-date information infrastructure for students and researchers.
- Research Contributions and Expertise
Dr. Jagdish Arora has made significant research contributions in the field of library and information science, and his expertise spans several key areas:
- **Library and Information Science (LIS):** He has demonstrated in-depth knowledge and experience in both theoretical and practical aspects of LIS, including library management, information organization, information retrieval, and user services.
- **Library 2.0:** Dr. Arora has advocated for the integration of Web 2.0 technologies and user-centric services in libraries. This includes using tools such as social media, blogs, and wikis to make library services more interactive and collaborative, enhancing user engagement.
- Union Database:** He has played a key role in the creation and management of union databases at the national level. His work at Inflibnet helped create a centralized platform for bringing together and sharing the resources of Indian libraries, improving the discovery and accessibility of resources.
- **Digital Repository:** Dr. Arora has been a strong proponent of the development and implementation of digital repositories. Through initiatives such as Shodhganga, he helped establish a national digital repository for Indian dissertations and short dissertations, ensuring long-term preservation and widespread accessibility of scholarly works.
- **Digital Libraries:** He has played a leading role in the development and management of digital libraries in India. Their efforts have helped academic institutions access, organize, and distribute digital resources effectively, promoting distance learning and research.
- **Consortia:** Dr. Arora has successfully implemented the concept of Library Consortia, particularly during his tenure at Inflibnet. Consortia such as INDEST-AICTE and N-List have enabled institutions to purchase e-resources en masse, thereby reducing costs and increasing access to high-quality scholarly content.
- **Open Access:** He has been a strong supporter of the Open Access movement, which aims to make research results freely available to everyone without any barriers. He has played a key role in promoting open access policies and facilitating open access publishing through platforms such as Shodhganga.
His research and practical work have had a profound impact on the modernization and digitization of library and information services in India, revolutionizing access to information for the Indian academic community.
- Notable Publications
While details of specific publications are not provided, Dr. Jagdish Arora has authored several research papers, articles, and possibly books in the field of Library and Information Science based on his extensive experience and expertise. His publications will likely focus on topics such as the development of digital libraries, the implementation of open access initiatives, the management of library consortia, and the application of information technology in India. He has presented his research at national and international conferences and published in prestigious journals, leading to the dissemination of his ideas and innovations in the LIS community. His writings have played a crucial role in shaping the future of libraries in India, particularly regarding the adaptation of information services in the digital age.
- Awards and Recognition
Dr. Jagdish Arora has been honoured with several prestigious awards and honours for his outstanding contribution in the field of Library and Information Science:
ILA-Kaula Best Librarian Award:** He has been awarded this prestigious award by the Indian Library Association (ILA). The award is one of the highest honours bestowed on library professionals in India, recognising exceptional leadership and innovation in library services and management.
- **Young Librarian Award:** Awarded to him
