Dr. Alka Rai

PROFILE

Dr. Alka Rai has been awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Professional Fellowship 2021-2022 at Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, London, UK. During her fellowship, she worked on the project “ Inclusion of Girls in ICT: Closing the digital gender divide”. Dr Rai is currently working as Deputy Librarian Dr B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi. She has extensive experience in library management, technical expertise, and a commitment to delivering exceptional services.

Over the past 14 years, she has cultivated a deep understanding of library operations, research trends, and innovative technologies. At Dr B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi (AUD), She has successfully established libraries across multiple campuses, implementing and managing library management software systems such as LIBSYS and KOHA.

Under her leadership, the AUD Library transformed into a hub of digital resources, boasting a collection of 300,000 e-books, 20,000 e-journals, and 38 databases. Additionally, she has conducted extensive training sessions for over 6,000 library users, empowering them with essential research tools and fostering digital literacy. Her dedication to user-oriented services and ability to adapt to changing circumstances were evident during the COVID-19 lockdown, where she swiftly implemented innovative measures such as online sessions, select and collect book facilities, scanning services, and video tutorials to ensure uninterrupted access to resources.

Furthermore, Dr Rai’s doctoral research work on the digital divide, with a focus on gender and lingual perspectives, showcases her commitment to addressing barriers faced by library users. She has actively contributed to the global library community, serving on review committees and advisory roles for international journals and conferences. These experiences have enhanced her expertise and instilled in her a passion for creating inclusive and equitable library environments.