Space crunch hits UIET library users

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 22 

The University Institute of Engineering and Technology of Panjab University is soon going to have its own outer reading hall for its students adjoining the departmental library. The space for the outer hall is earmarked and it can accommodate around 60 students. 

Amit Kaushik, a student of the department, said: “It is good that the department has initiated efforts to set up an outer hall for the students, but the space is still not as per the requirements of the students. At present, 2,500 students are studying in the department and the hall can cater to only 60 students at a time which is not sufficient at all.”

Another proposal which is coming up for the students is digital library where the students can access the journals. Eleven systems will be installed in this section which the members can access. Renu, another student of the department, said: “It will be a big relief for the students after this section is opened to them. They have to go to the main library every time they need to access the digital journals.” 

Assistant librarian, UIET, Reena Soni, said, “Space constraint is an issue which the students bring to the notice of the authorities. At present, the number of students is 2,500 but the seating capacity in the library is for 150 only. The authorities are planning to create space by using rakes instead of almirahs for storing books which can create more space for seating students.”

History of the library 

The library was set up in 2002 when the department was established and the library had a collection of approximately 1,500 books. 

Know your library

• Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
• Staff: 13 
• Membership: 2,500 students, 250 teaching and non-teaching staff 

Facilities for students

• Drop return box machine for books outside the library 
• Access to 5,000 online journals  
• SMS alert service for students after return and issue of books  
• Wi-Fi -facility  
• Online renewal of books 

Proposals in pipeline

• Increase number of seating areas
• Open digital section
• Installation of CCTV camera
• Resources
• The library has a collection of approximately 20,000 print and e-books nMore than 5,000 national and international journals through UGC infonet