Central Library Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

Delhi University is likely to soon inaugurate the construction works for the expansion of its central library. Simultaneously, the University has launched an e-book collection and digital archive system.

On June 6, Delhi University sanctioned a fund of Rs. 110 crore for the expansion of its central library, whose construction is expected to commence soon. The announcement was made at the launch of The Centenary E-Book Collection and Digital Archive by Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the University, which aims at digitizing library resources and making them more accessible. According to DU officials, the collection has been expanded to include more than 83,000 e-books, digital archives, and subject collections from nine eminent publishers.

When the concept of e-journals came, many educationists were not comfortable with it, but now the mindset has changed. Today students find it very comfortable to read e-books and supplement it with their reading of printed books.

– Prof. Yogesh Singh, DU Vice Chancellor and Chief Guest at the e-book collection launch.

Adding that similar changes are required in the library system, the Vice-Chancellor also advised librarians of the University and colleges to undertake the organization of workshops to create awareness and knowledge about these updated amenities. He asserted that the internet has significantly altered workplace practices over the last 20–30 years, which requires complementary changes in the system.

India has emerged as the leading country in the world in UPI transactions. Things have to be changed in the system, similarly so that the library resources are accessible from anywhere.

-added the Vice-Chancellor

As stated by Dr. Rajesh Singh, the University Librarian and Head of the Delhi University Library System (DULS), the library system is a distributed system of resources and services spread across both campuses of the University possessing a remarkable collection of over 17 lakh documents consisting of books, print periodicals, monographs, theses, and other resources. He also mentioned that the University has acquired subject collections and digital archives from publishers such as Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Bloomberg, SAGE Publishing, Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Wiley Online Books.

As reported by the Hindustan Times, Prof. Rajeev Gupta, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Institution of Eminence (IoE), and Prof. Neeta Sehgal were also present during the centenary e-book launch.

Featured Image Credits: Aaj Tak

Manvi Goel

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The University of Delhi’s long-time pending demand for the construction of two hostels has finally bore fruit with the University ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). This stands as one of the key developmental issues that will take place in the University.

The University of Delhi (DU) along with the CPWD is planning to construct two hostels in the North and South Campus. A ‘400 bed capacity with double accommodation’ hostel is to be constructed in Mukherjee Nagar and the one in South Campus is yet to be finalised.

Currently, there are only 17 hostels in the University with a total capacity of 3,215 students whereas the total number of students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and certificate courses stands above a staggering number of 2,23,000 students. Having more hostels will bring better and safer living alternatives for the students of the University.

Along with the construction of the hostels, DU is also planning to preserve the century old Central Library as a ‘heritage building’. The Central Library is a host to a collection of 1,380 gifted books and functioned as a shifting space, until it found the present location at the Faculty of Arts in 1950. According to the plan, the library will be renovated and preserved along with the addition of another new block to it. The plan includes the construction of smart class rooms, seminar halls and an auditorium.

These two projects are spearheaded by CPWD along with the construction of a fully ‘digitalised Academic Block’ which will be located at the Maurice Nagar. The academic block will only be used for teaching purposes and will be constructed with digital and world class technology.

The University is working on more interesting plans and new technology for the students. As reported by The Pioneer, Mr. Tarun Das, Registrar, DU, said, “With the CPWD as the executing agency of the project, an estimated budget cost of the entire project is said to be 200 crores.”

The environment angle will duly be kept in check while all of these construction projects take place. Mr. Das also quoted, “Permissions need to be sought from environment department for felling trees.”

All of these projects stand as great stepping stones in bringing world class facilities to the university and making the spaces more accessible and centres of learning and ease for the students.

Feature Image Credits: Niharika Dabral for DU Beat

Amrashree Mishra

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