Wnl `155 evaluation characteristics-operations and space by s k mandal

SAROJ K MANDALCentral Library, Assam University, Silchar

Mail: [email protected]&

AK SHARMALibrarian, Assam University, Silchar

Mail: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION

Any library earns reputation because of its services provided to theusers. Any Library has advantages and disadvantages in terms ofavailable physical facilities (Location, Building, Layout and furniture)and online/offline information services. Library and information centersupport any academic organization to achieve its aims and objectives.But, the scenario of the college libraries are not rightly so. Since theinception, university/special libraries have been modernizing theirphysical facilities and services to fulfill the information needs of theirusers; while college libraries still have been ignored only by thegovernment but also college authorities. However in Assam, collegelibraries have not lost their position and fame and they are still servingtheir users with their limited fund and support. These libraries haveadapted according to the changing times. The present paper covers theareas of Assam and describes about the current status of the collegelibraries buildings. Also, in the present paper authors tried to evaluatethe physical facilities, characteristics, operations and spacemanagement of the college libraries in Assam.

AREAS OF STUDYThe present paper covered the areas of Assam anddescribes about the current status of the college librariesbuilding.Also,the present paper covered physical facilities,characteristics, operations and space management of thecollege libraries in Assam.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDYI. To know about the objectives, functions and services of college

libraries in Assam.ii. To know general information about the college libraries in

Assam including open/close time,Collections, manpower and total no. of users.

iii. To analyze the current status of the college libraries building inAssam.

iv. To find out the real scenario of Automation status in collegelibraries of Assam.

v. To highlight the ground level problems of college librariantowards maintenance of collegeLibrary building in changing environment.

General Information about College Libraries of Assam

Here general informationabout college and theirLibraries and contains Library’sname, location and foundationyear. The table also representsopen/close timing andapproximately building areasof respective college libraries.At the end, table illustratednos. of library users and theirseating place, total nos. oflibrary staff and the totalcollections of college libraries

General information about college libraries of Assam

Sl.No. Name of the

college

Name of the

Library

Location Year of

Foundation

Timing Is it new building, a

restoration, an

adaptation of an

existing space or

extension

Library

Building

area

(sq ft)

No of

Staff

Collectio

n Size

No of

Users

No of

Tables &

Chairs

Library

Building

Cost

Yes No

1 Abahayapuri

College

Central

Library

Bongaigaon 1955 9.00A.M-4.00

P.M

√ 5640 4 25284 3000 50 N.A

2 Women’s

College

Central

Library

Silchar 1963 10.00A.M-

5.00 P.M

√ 2000 4 19000 1658 100 N.A

3 Madhabdeb

College

Madhabdeb

College

Library

Lakhimpur 1964 10.00A.M-

4.00 P.M

√ 2400. 5 16545 1576 100 N.A

4 Radha

madhab

College

Bipin

Ch.Memorial

Library


4.30.00 P.M

√ 4000 3 17000 700 50 Rs.2.50La

c

5 Madhab

Ch,Das College

Central

Library


4.30.00 P.M

√ N.A 3 N.A 1550 100 N.A

6 Pub Kamrup

College

Pub Kamrup

College

Library

Baihata

Chariali

1972 9.00A.M-

4.30.00 P.M

√ N.A 5 27500 2300 90 N.A

7 S.B.Deorah

College

S.B.Deorah

College

Library

Guwahati 1984 9.00A.M-5.00

P.M

√ 500 4 1500 1400 50 N.A

8 Girls College

kokrajhar

Girls College

kokrajhar

Library

Kokrajhar 1990 10.00A.M-

4.30.00 P.M

√ 3300 3 10000 1100 40 N.A

Table 8.1: General Information about College Libraries of Assam

Accessible Facilities of College libraries

Name of the College

1. Abahayapuri College Library

2 .Women’s College Library

3 .Madhabdeb College library

4. Radha madhab College Library

5. Madhab Ch,Das College Library

6. Pub Kamrup College Library

7. S.B.Deorah College Library

8. Girls College kokrajharLibrary

Yes

No0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

Can thelibrary be

reached bypublic

transport

Are theresufficientparkingspots for

users

Have theBuildingdesignedwell to

permit theautonomyof disabled

people

Are theinteriorSpacesflexible

enough toallow forchange

Is itpossible toextend the

librarybuilding at

a futuredate

87.50% 87.50%

50%50%

75%

0%

12.50%

50% 50%

12.50%Yes

No

Data related to Entrance area of following college LibrariesName of the College








8. Girls College kokrajhar Library

87.50% 87.50%

62.50%

87.50%

12.50% 12.50%

37.50%

12.50%

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

Is the entranceto the library

visible enough

Is the doorsystem adequateand functional

for all users

Is the size of theentrance area

adequate

Is there propertycounter for users

personalbelonging

YES

NO

Information about equipped furniture of college Libraries

Name of the College









0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

37.50%

75%

62.50%62.50%

25%

37.50%

Yes

No

Automation facilities of the college librariesName of the College









75%

25%

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

Automated Partially Automated

DOES YOUR LIBRARY AUTOMATED

Shelving facilities of the college libraries

Name of the College1. AbahayapuriCollege Library


3 .MadhabdebCollege library

4. Radha madhabCollege Library

5. MadhabCh,Das College Library

6. Pub KamrupCollege Library

7. S.B.DeorahCollege Library


0.00%

62.50%

0

37.50%

0

50%

0

37.50%

00.00%

37.50%

0

62.50%

0

50%

0

62.50%

00.00%

20.00%

40.00%

60.00%

80.00%

100.00%

120.00%

Is theshelving

suitable forstoring thecollection

Do youhave theright mix

of shelvingfor the

kinds ofcollectionsyou have

Do youhave

special/gift

collectionsstacks

Is compactshelvingused forstorage

No

Yes

Users Areas of the college libraries





5. Madhab Ch,DasCollege Library


7. S.B.DeorahCollege Library


Yes

No

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Is there sufficient no. of user’s seating placesAre there quiet areas designated for

concentrated reading/studyingIs it possible for users to rearrange furniture asrequired?Is there suitable separation between the

different types of seating areas

25%

37.50%

12.50%

50%

75%

62.50%

87.50%

50%

Yes

No

Staff Areas of the college libraries





5. Madhab Ch,DasCollege Library




75%

62.50%

87.50%

50%

25%

37.50%

12.50%

100%

50%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

Are the staffs properly located to provideservices

Are the staff working spaces ergonomic/FunctionalDoes the staff area have natural lights?Is there a separate staff entranceDoes the library provide parking space for

staff

Yes

No

MAJOR FINDINGS

1. It is observed that Abahayapuri College is theoldest college library in Assam, founded in 1955.

2. Maximum number of staff were engaged inMadhabdeb College & Pub Kamrup Collegelibraries.

3. Pub-Kamrup college library having largecollections 27500 of books.

4. 3000 no. of users are found in AbahayapuriCollege library.

5. Libraries of college like Women’s College,Madhabdeb College and Madhab Ch,DasCollege has 100 no of reading tables and chairs,where as 50 no. of reading table chairs wasfound in Pub Kamrup College library.

6. Only 4 no. of college libraries were designedwell to permit the autonomy of disabledpersons.

7. 6 college librarians agreed that their building is possibly extended if required so.

8. Property counter is existed in 7 college libraries for users’ personal belonging.

9. 3 college librarians are agreed that their libraries well equipped with new furniture

10. 6 college libraries were found computerized. On the other hand, Abahayapuri College and Women’s College are partially automated.

11. It is also found that none of college libraries had enough adapted toilets for disabled persons.

12. Centralized loan services were found in 5 college libraries.

13. Majority of college libraries were responded that their staffs were properly located to provide services.

CONLUSION

Though Radhakrishnan Commission of 1948 did not stress the important ofthe college libraries in their reports yet UGC gave more importance to thecollege libraries. The UGC played a significant role in the growth anddevelopment of the college libraries since 1953 by giving various grants forbooks, equipments, staff and library buildings, and also has done remarkablejob in salary improvement of the college librarians. The UGC’s contribution tothe college libraries is at the rate of Rs.15 per student with a maximum of Rs.10,000 with some additional grants for text books when a new subject isintroduced in the curriculum. On the other hand, State government and thelibrary authority have failed to provide their equal share, as a result most ofcollege libraries neither properly structured nor organized. The UGC is awareof the slow progress of the college and their libraries. Hence in addition toproviding financial help for library development, it has also from time to timeorganized seminars to keep the college librarians aware of the newdevelopment in this field. But, these seminars have made only limited effectson the progress of the college libraries. In Assam, college libraries have beenfacing the similar problems not only by the govt. but also by the libraryauthority. In spite of said troubles, college libraries of Assam were not losestheir position and fame and continues with their limited fund and support hadadapted them according to the changing time. But, the effects of the collegelibrarians were not enough; there should be need of more development.Similarly, the state govt. and library authority has to be made college librariesan intellectual hub of the institution. This is all the more necessary becauseabout 90% of the students in higher education in India pursue their studies incolleges.

SAROJ K MANDAL

Education

Wnl `155 evaluation characteristics-operations and space by s k mandal