Libraries
turn over a new leaf
Book smart
College are doing away with old rules. Silent zones are becoming hubs for
networking and discussion, digital archives allow students unlimited access,
there are even phone-friendly zones
The SIES
College in Sion has revamped its library to include cyber cell research
cubicles for students, and is digitising old and rare books.TISS’s library has
been divided into designated zones for reading / research, socialising, and
even phone use. The library at IIT-Bombay has a spacious lounge where students
get together, network, brainstorm. The library also hosts creative writing
workshops, storytelling sessions and book exhibitions.
Mansi Joshi
htspecialprojects@hindustantimes.com
As libraries on Indian campuses adapt in an effort to stay
relevant, they’re becoming unlikely spaces for students to network and
socialise too. These new hybrid offerings call themselves workstations — you go
there to browse or draw on reference books, but also to network, make friends,
attend events, or just hang out and chat.
For one thing, the no-talking rule has been lifted in institutes
such as TISS, IIT and SIES.
“We spend a lot of our free time here. It’s no longer a space of
prohibition on phones and working alone and in silence,” says Jit Hazarika, 28,
a second-year PhD student at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).
TISS has the four-storey, air-conditioned Sir Dorabji Tata
Memorial library that combines physical books with digital volumes. A
conference room within often hosts speakers and events. Students say it’s so
comfortable, they often feel they have nowhere to go when it shuts in the
evenings.
“The cyber cell within the library helps us research a range of
topics at a touch,” says Muhammed Afsal, a second-year MPhil in social work. He
further adds, “We recently had a public lecture by the president of the
International Association of Schools of Social Work in the library conference
hall.
We have academic talks held in the library and also events where
international universities come to promote themselves and reach out to
students.”
A library should be a collaborative learning space where all the
academic needs of the students are met, says TISS librarian Satish Kanamadi.
“We have designated the space in zones—there’s a discussion zone,
a silent study zone, a mobile-friendly zone, etc, to help students use the
library based on their needs. And we’re happy to see that this creative
approach to the space and to our services has turn it into a preferred place
for students to socialise and network.”
community hubs
The two-storey Central library and lounge at the Indian Institute
of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) is a meeting place too. It’s designed to be that
way, with comfy couches rather than old-school table-chair formats.
“I found a really good campus friend at the library,” says Aditya
Maitri, 20, a chemical engineering student. “He approached me asking if I could
explain a concept to him. We’ve been friends ever since and we keep helping
each other out.”
Students also bond over the events and workshops held in the
Indian Institute of Technology- Bombay’s (IIT-B) library.
“There are creative writing workshops, storytelling sessions, book
exhibitions, essay and quiz competitions and other activities, all organised in
the library,” says chief librarian Manju Naika.
“We want the library to be a neutral point where like-minded
students can meet, network and collaborate, since education and research are
collaborative in nature.”
no holds barred
The South Indian Education Society (SIES) College of Arts,
Commerce and Science has revamped its entire library, added digital volumes and
new ‘cyber cells’.
“When we revamped, we made it more colourful and inviting. We no
longer restrict the use of cyber cells to research students only. Students can
now issue as many reference books as they want. It made no sense to have a
limit of three per student, when we really want them to read,” says
vice-principal Rashmi Bhure.
The changes, students say, have made them feel more welcome.
“A library is indeed one place where I am sure to find my tribe.
In the last year we usually witness an influx of students from colleges across
Mumbai.
“I remember how I instantly struck a chord over an author’s ideas
with a girl whom I might never have otherwise talked to,” says Ankita Suresh,
19, a final-year psychology student.
Source | Hindustan Times | 18th September 2019
Regards
Mr. Pralhad Jadhav
Master of Library &
Information Science (NET Qualified)
Research Scholar (IGNOU)
Senior Manager @ Knowledge
Repository
Khaitan & Co
Twitter Handle | @Pralhad161978
Mobile @ 9665911593
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