With a vision of becoming an interesting interactive and technology rich space for learning, collaboration and information discovery, the restored Vikram Sarabhai Library (VSL) at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad was inaugurated today.
The Vikram Sarabhai Library, at IIM-A’s Louis Kahn Plaza, is a landmark structure that leaves visitors awestruck. Its design and grandeur are striking. The iconic Louis Kahn buildings have witnessed years of academic lives on campus and even withstood the Gujarat earthquake, but had aged and needed upgrading on a priority basis. So, IIM-A had initiated a programme for the painstaking process of restoration of these structures in 2016.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading global IT services and consulting organisation funded the restoration of the Vikram Sarabhai Library located at IIM-A’s iconic Louis Kahn Plaza for a future-ready knowledge hub for digital learning and collaboration.
At the inaugural, Prof Errol D’Souza, Director, IIM-A said: “The Vikram Sarabhai Library is the epicentre of the IIM Ahmedabad campus, and is not just a location for preserving books but is intended to provide a workshop for readers and for conversations that expand our horizons. The architecture of the library expands on the theme of the interplay between light and darkness and is a representation of how academics is the emergence from darkness into the light. The users of the library at IIM Ahmedabad are indebted to the TCS Foundation for its contribution to the restoration of this enriching experience.”
Tata Consultancy Services, through its CSR arm TCS Foundation, is engaged in promoting and funding projects under corporate social responsibility, and supported this landmark project with funding of ₹20 crore.
“The Vikram Sarabhai Library at IIM Ahmedabad has witnessed the confluence of students and faculty ever since its inception. The TCS Foundation is proud to have associated with transformation of this iconic library to be future-ready, integrating leading-edge digital learning technologies and flexible collaboration spaces while creating a vibrant experiential learning environment. We hope this library will set a benchmark for knowledge management among academic institutions globally,” said Milind Lakkad, Executive Vice-President & Global Head-Manufacturing Business Group and Deputy Head, HR, TCS.
Somaya & Kalappa Consultants, Mumbai, were appointed as the restoration and conservation architects for this project and led the entire reconstruction work.
The reimagined library provides a technology-rich learning environment that includes intelligent identification technologies, and seamless discovery of digital content. There is an emphasis on digital collections, while print collections retain their importance. Open and flexible spaces provide an environment of collaboration among students, academics and visitors.
In addition to funding, TCS has been actively engaged with the library team in developing a VR app, that was also launched at the inaugural.