Leaky roof dampens literary spirit in Utkal University, Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: Thousands of priceless books run the risk of being damaged at the state's second largest Parija library in Utkal University due to a leaky roof, in urgent need of repairs. 

Library insiders said they have to relocate the books every now and then to save them from exposure to seepage while rainwater on the floors has to be cleared manually. The top-floor of the six-storied building, dedicated to English language and literature, is the worst hit as moisture has already ruined several collections of books. Head of post graduate department of English Dr Kalyani Samantray, however, declined to speak on the matter. 

Sources said the leakage is largely due to lack of repair work for the past 15 years. Besides the top floor of the main building, the inner walls and roof of the reading room, which is an annexe to the main structure, are almost always damp during the rainy season. In the absence of repairs and maintenance, several saplings can be seen prospering on the rooftop, threatening to damage the building further. 

The rainwater collected on the roof seeps right down to the front of the library gate and down the staircase to various floors even when the weather is dry. It may also be mentioned here, the elevator in the building is lying defunct for years. The upper layer of the concrete structure of the study room was taken out two years ago for refurbishing, the debris of which is still lying close to the library, adding to the mess. 

"The pitiable condition is discouraging students to go to the library. The roof should be repaired urgently," said Ajay Kumar Pani, a student. 

University authorities, however, said the varsity is taking steps to protect the library. "Somehow the repair work was not done for many years. But the central public works department will start it now very soon. A CPWD team visited the library last week. They will soon submit an estimate of the repair cost," said U N Sahoo, professor in-charge of the library. 

Sahoo said the elevator will also be repaired soon by the agency concerned. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for the renovation of the library, he said. 

The varsity has also taken out a tender for automation of the library, the last date of which is September 30. The automation will make it more reader-friendly and will help in better upkeep of the library, Sahoo said. 

Inaugurated in 1976, the Parija library, named after former Utkal University vice-chancellor Pranakrushna Parija, is the second largest library in the state after the state library in Bhubaneswar. It has a collection of around 3.5 lakh books, text books and reference books, and study material useful for post graduate and post doctoral study. A 'pothi' section on the ground floor, which houses old manuscripts on palm leaves and cloth, is one of the salient features of the library.

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