Information Literacy Skills are very important skills one should posses in order to make progress in life. If the people in society possess the Information Literacy Skills, they can engage in independent learning and make themselves aware of various developments happening in and around the world. When they have the clear knowledge about the things that are happening in the world, they can suggest effective solutions to them and help the society and the nation to adopt right path towards progress. Information Literacy Skills are also helpful for individuals in making decisions about their own lives which derives them a complete satisfaction and personal fulfillment.

The Public Libraries, being a Community Information Centres, have a larger and crucial role to play in promoting Information Literacy Skills among people in our society. The Public Libraries are the places which the people in society can access easily as there are no restrictions in terms caste, economic status, age, gender etc. 

Through their vast collection of books, journals and audio-video materials, the Public Libraries strive hard to make all citizens as information literates. The learned and well informed citizens demonstrate social responsibility and actively participate in community development programmes.

Keeping in mind the important role the Public Libraries can play in creating a progressive and healthy society through its information literacy programmes, we at Shri Sangameshwar Shikshan Samstha’s Shri Sangameshwar Arts and Commerce College, Chadchan, thought of organising a National Seminar on the theme, “Role of Public Libraries in Promoting Information Literacy Skills” to discuss and deliberate on the issue. 

The papers related to the main theme and several sub themes were invited for presentation during the seminar held on 15^th February 2020. Some of the selected papers were collected and published in the form of a book.

We hope that the book will help the LIS professionals, students and general public who are interested in the libraries and their services. Happy reading!