Governor: Modernise libraries in Bihar

PATNA: Governor-cum-chancellor

Lalji Tandon

has directed the vice-chancellors of different universities in the state to expedite the process of modernization of libraries of all the colleges and universities as part of the recent Raj Bhavan initiatives for strengthening infrastructural facilities in the institutions of higher education.


Tandon has pointed out that the importance of updated libraries has increased all the more after the introduction of semester system and choice-based credit system (CBCS) in the universities. But, the libraries of most of the institutions in the state are not up to the mark and they fail to cater to the academic needs of students, he said.

The recent meeting of the vice-chancellors and the workshops of newly recruited teachers at Raj Bhavan made it clear that libraries are not in good shape. Either they lack latest books and journals or they do not have the trained library personnel. Any improvement in higher education is not feasible without improving the condition of libraries.

Hence, with a view to providing the much needed relief to students and faculty members Tandon has constituted a committee headed by

Aryabhatta Knowledge University

pro-VC S M Karim. Other members of the committee are the librarians of

Patna University

, Khuda Baksh Oriental Public Library and Sinha Library, and two newly recruited teachers, Sanjeev Kumar Jha of MLT College-Saharsa and Sheela Yadav of MRM College-Darbhanga.

The committee has been directed to submit its report to the chancellor within a month, giving concrete suggestions on proper upkeep of books and journals, requirement of almirahs and book racks, lighting and electricity, purchase of new books and journals and digitization of old and rare books and manuscripts already in the possession of libraries.

Only a few days back, the chancellor issued similar instructions to the VCs for strengthening and modernizing the laboratories of science and social science departments. He also constituted a committee headed by Patna University pro-VC for suggesting measures for improvement.