In-charge : Dr. R. Sujatha, M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., - Asst. Professor department of Nutrition & Diet.
Encouraging our students to gain additional knowledge beyond the classrooms and textbooks are the general library and the department libraries. Since ours is a government institution, funds are allocated by the state government annually and also by the UGC, from time to time. The allocation for books is decided by the college governing council and the task of purchasing the books keeping in mind the syllabus, the needs of the students and the latest topics is entrusted to the departments concerned. Since it is the staff members from the departments concerned who are the best judges in their own areas of specialization, this method is followed. Once the books are entered in the library general register, they are transferred to the departments where the circulation takes place, with one staff member in charge of borrowing and lending. Books of a general nature, reference books and newspapers are kept in the general library. The database of books has been computerized in the general library and efforts are underway to carry out the same in the departments too. Our library has close to 45,000 books which stimulate and encourage our students to learn beyond the textbooks. The book bank helps poor students meet their requirements for textbooks. Students are issued books from the department libraries and the general library is primarily used as a reading and reference area. Due to paucity of space, students are allowed to take the books to the benches outside and read. The concept of the garden library is being cautiously experimented, but is expected to take off soon.
A new digital library facility has been created and the students are encouraged to make use of this electronic space. Once some more computers are procured, the digital library will be functional within the college too. A photocopying and printing facility has also been proposed. We wish to state humbly that all these activities are carried out by the staff, despite the absence of a regular librarian for the past thirteen years. The activities relating to the library are carried out in addition to the regular teaching duties. As it directly concerns the learning of the students, the staff take it in their stride and cheerfully double up as librarians too.
