University of Mysore library goes hi-tech

With On-line Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), public can access more than 2.5 lakh bibliographic records on UoM library’s URL. The library patrons can search for any book available in the university library and any of UoM constituent colleges,Centres,PG Centres, writes S Shivaranjini

In spite of having a rich collection of books and records, the library of University of Mysore at Manasagangothri has been a bit late in adopting new technologies, but promises of providing quality services to students. 

With On-line Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), public can access more than 2.5 lakh bibliographic records on UoM library’s URL. The library patrons can search for any book available in the university library and any of UoM constituent colleges/Centres/PG Centres. OPAC provides a glimpse of books available on either side of the book selected by providing virtual shelf. 

OPAC is searchable on mobile at URL http://mopac.mysore-univ.org, the UoM has become one of the few universities in the country to adopt the mobile technology for library services. Probably this is the first university library in the country to use cloud hosting facility for automation related activities of all its constituent libraries situated in different cities that too by creating union catalogue.

The University of Mysore has nurtured its library with rich document collection since its establishment in 1916. The library building measuring 1,15,000 sq. feet on Manasagangotri campus was formally declared opened in 1966  by S Radhakrishnan who was the then President of India. 

Apart from the main library, the UoM Library system has more than 50 libraries including University Graduates Library at Maharaja’s College campus, libraries at three post-graduate centres, different college/institutes and departmental libraries. 

More than a million documents including books, journals, thesis, reports, apart from rare and specialised collections covering history of Mysore, Administrative Reports of the Princely State of Mysore and contemporary collections like Ambedkar, Gandhi, etc are housed here.

Vice Chancellor of UoM Prof V G Talawar, himself with Library Science background  has taken initiative of providing necessary technological-based services to students of UoM and public. Ex-scientist and head of information centre at National Aerospace Laboratories of Bangalore I R Nagana Goudar who serves as a advisor to the library said, “The Varsity has worked out a mechanism to allow public, especially the senior citizens to use these resources owned by its library by collecting a nominal fees.”

Digital Information Resource Centre (DIRC), set up in June 2010 has around 120 computers and more than 500 users per day. In-charge librarian Ramashesh claims that it has brought an IT awareness among majority of students with rural background. 

“Apart from searching the e-resources, students can prepare their project reports and power point presentations. This increasing popularity of DIRC has encouraged the University authorities to construct another floor on the library building,” he said.

The ultimate aim of student community is to make up a bright career. With the fore-thought Career Information Resource Centre (CIRC) is set up separately within the library premises. It holds the collection of books on general knowledge, general aptitude, functional English and question bank series apart from specific to different career related examinations which include resources for competitive examinations.

‘Special’ grant

Learning Resource Centre for visually handicapped and partially sighted persons is being set up and would be complete within a month, says Talawar. 

The Library is in the process of acquiring a variety of technology and software including JAWS Pro-Talking software, a screen reader that works with a computer to provide access to software applications and the Internet.

“The useful library and information technologies along with necessary infrastructure to facilitate and deliver information services to the user community have been implemented innovatively and appropriately by UoM  Library.  

Thus the library has taken a big leap in realising its informally defined vision and mission in providing seamless access to information to users in a networked environment by creating and acquiring digital content useful for its patrons to support and enrich their research, teaching and learning activities,” said Goudar.

Explaining his further ventures regarding library, Talawar told Deccan Herald that second floor of library would be coming up in few days extending of DIRC with more than another 250 computers. Affiliated colleges and hostels of University would be made avail of using OPAC. Undergraduate library would be upgraded and priority would be the text books for students. Regarding the funds allocated for books and journals in UoM budget, he said, more than Rs one crore has been made use for journals, textbooks, e resources etc.