Geology department library known for oldest journal awaits automation

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 17

Panjab University’s geology department library is not only popular among the campus students but students from foreign are also the visitors to access the old journals which the library has in its collection.

In the rare collection of journals, the departmental library has the oldest journal 9of 1845 which is in a good condition and students, especially scholars, use it for some reference in their research works.

The records of the department revealed that the scholars from France and other countries have visited the departmental library to see the journals and rare books related to the geology and environment studies. In fact, the former students of the department, who are doing their higher studies in IITs, also appreciate the collection of the library.

Even though the library have the online catalogue access for the students but the automation system for online issue and return is still in the pipeline. The project which cost more than RS 1 lakh could not be started due to fund crunch. Besides, this fund crunch is also constraining the department to purchase journals which are usually of the foreign publishers.

To facilitate the students, the library has an air conditioner and ample space for book rakes and sitting.

Library assistant Sumer Chand said, “The department is planning to go for automation in coming years but at present the manual system is adopted for the issue and return of the books.”