PU Central Library connected to 22 digital libraries

PATNA: The Patna University (PU) Central Library, one of the oldest academic libraries in Bihar, has been connected to 22 digital libraries in the
country via Virtual Satellite Aperture Terminal (V-SAT) providing the university faculty members, researchers and students an access to all the important journals of different subjects. Chief librarian R N Mishra told TOI here on Thursday that even though the library had implemented the information and library networking programme of the UGC in 1995 itself, it was linked with V-SAT recently. Consequently, all the research journals made freely available by the UGC through this programme can be now easily accessed by PU teachers and students. At present, only one computer terminal has been linked with the V-SAT programme. But, efforts are being made to provide more computer terminals for the benefit of researchers. They can have access to all the resource materials available at all the 22 digital libraries in the country free of cost. Mishra said that the library had received a grant of Rs 4 lakh recently of which Rs 2 lakh would be spent on the purchase of books. All the postgraduate departments of different faculties have been asked to furnish the list of desired books duly approved by the department council. The library is also planning to purchase some computers with the money received under the UGC grant. The PU library is, however, facing acute shortage of trained personnel, which is hampering its desired progress. More than 50 per cent of the sanctioned posts of library staff are lying vacant for the past several years. There is not a single assistant librarian even though there are seven sanctioned posts. And, surprisingly, this library is kept open round-the-clock for the benefit of students.