Defunct CCTV cameras aid book lifters at library

By Srinivas Reddy

HUBLI: A total of 16 CCTVs were installed at the Central Library in Lamington Road here in 2009. But within a year of installation, the cameras stopped working and have not been repaired ever since. 

This has led to the stealing of new books by some "readers" and has also become troublesome for girls who frequent the library. 

Despite repeated complaints to the department of public libraries, which is responsible for the maintenance of these cameras, no action has been taken to rectify the problem. Knowing well that the CCTV cameras are not functioning, some readers have started stealing books and creating trouble for other readers. In the absence of cameras, monitoring readers' activities and preserving the 18,000 odd books in the library has become a challenge for its staff.

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Eve teasers, book lifters at KUD library come under CCTV scanner

HUBLI: Using the Karnataka University library in the evening hours used to make girl students of the PG department jittery. Going to the first and second floor of the building was especially scary, as they faced lewd comments and advances from eve teasers. But this will not be the scene any more. To keep an eye on trouble making students, the university has installed CCTV cameras inside the library building. 

The trouble-makers also used to lift books from the library. With no enough supervisors around, they would slyly slip one or two books in their bags and trouser pockets and walk out. This would hopefully come to an end now that the varsity has installed CCTVs in all the floors of the library building. 

About 10 cameras have been placed at several points including the luggage centre, circulation section, reading hall, magazine section, periodical section and entrance of the library to keep an eye on the students' activities. 

Speaking to TOI, SB Patil, chief librarian, KUD Library, said, "After installing the CCTVs, we are now relaxed as we need not worry about what is happening inside the library. We can monitoring all activities of students in all the floors from the counter." Cases of book theft have come down considerably and also girl students have been able to go to all the floors fearlessly. Besides, students have stopped using mobiles in the library. Plans are afoot to install more cameras by utilizing the funds under the ICT, he added. 

Vikas Nidagundi, a final year MA student said: "I was finding it difficult to concentrate on my studies when some mischievous students used to play music on their mobile and talk loud. But after the cameras have been placed, there is silence in the library as wrong-doers fear action." 

A girl student of MSc, who did not wish to be named, said, "I had stopped going to the library after I was subjected to eve-teasing by some students a few months ago. But now, I am regularly going to the library and staying even late evening for studies." 

A TREASURE TROVE 

The Karnatak University library was started in 1950 on a single floor and was named as Prof Basavanal Library. Popularly known as KUD library, it is now housed in a 3-storey building with more than 4 lakh books catering to the students of all the 48 departments. It is said to be the second biggest library in Karnataka next to the Mysore University library. It opens at 8am and close at 8pm.

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