VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NAMAKKAL

Genesis

The Library was established on 02.01.1987 soon after inception of the institution in Namakkal. It started with a small collection of books mainly transferred from Madras Veterinary College, Chennai and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. Over the years the Library has accumulated a vast collection of literature on Veterinary Science.

Objective

The main objective of the Library is to support the educational and research programs of the Veterinary College and Research Institute by providing access to information consistent with the present and anticipated educational and research functions of this institute.

Building

The Library is functioning in a separate two-storeyed building from 24.01.1995. The total area of Library is 10,830 sq.ft. There are two stack rooms and two reading halls of 3,146 sq.ft respectively.

Infrastructure of Library

Administrative Section, Book bank, Book Section, Reference Section, Circulation Section, Computer section and reading hall are functioning in the ground floor. Journal – cum back – volume Section, Reprography Unit, Archival Library Section and Video Library are functioning in the first floor.

Working Hours

The Library is open on weekdays from 09.00 a.m to 08.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) and from 10.00 a.m. to 5.45 p.m. on Saturdays.

Administration

A Professor is nominated as Officer-in-charge Library supported by one Assistant Librarian, one Library Assistant, two administrative staffs and other supporting staff members.

Library Committee

The Library Committee consists of the Dean, Professor and Head of Various faculties of the College and Assistant Librarian. The Dean is the Chairman of the Library Committee and Officer-in-charge of the Library is Convenor of the Library Committee. The functions of the Library Committee are:

• Collection development of books, journals and other items,
• Implementing the modernization of the library to serve the needs of the users. The Library Committee meeting is being organized every three months to develop and improve the entire Library activities.

Institutional Membership

The Library has an institutional base of 469 members.

• UG Students : 358
• PG Students (M.V.Sc., & Ph.D.,) : 8 (2 + 6)
• Staff : 101 &
• Non – teaching Staff : 1

Privileges of Borrowers

In addition, technical personnel from the poultry industry, veterinarians from various parts of the state are also permitted to utilize the library for reference. Research scholars from nearby institutions are also permitted to avail the Library resources for reference.

General Rules

• No person shall be admitted to the Library unless he/she is
• Properly dressed.
• Readers desiring to use the Library shall enter their names and addresses legibly in a register which is kept for the purpose. Such signature shall be taken as an acknowledgement that the person agrees to confirm to the rules of the Library.
• Readers shall not write upon, damage or make any marks upon, any book, manuscript or map belonging to the Library.
• No tracing or mechanical reproduction shall be made without the express permission from the Assistant Librarian / Officer-in-charge Library.
• Silence shall be strictly observed in the Library.
• Readers shall be responsible for any damage or injury done to the books or other property, belonging to the Library and shall be required to replace such books (s) or property, damaged or injured or pay the value thereof.  If one book of a set (Multiple Volume) or one issue of an Unbound volume is injured, the whole set shall be replaced.
• Cases of inactivity or other failure in the service should be reported immediately to the Assistant Librarian / officer-in-charge Library or in his/her absence, to the senior member of the Staff present.
• While entering the Library all members are requested to deposit their belongings (over coats, rain coats, umbrellas, brief case, bags, Vanity bags, manila folders, note books and books, etc., not belonging to the Library ) with the counter staff.   They may be collected while the member leaves the Library.  On no account the library staff could be held responsible for any damage or loss to the property of the member while in temporary custody of the counter staff.  The member should switch off their mobile phone and other electronic devices while entering into the Library.

Note: The member will be allowed to take with him/her only loose sheets of papers inside the Library for writing purpose.

• Before taking books (s) on loan, a member shall satisfy himself/herself as to whether the books(s) lent to him/her is in sound condition.  If not it shall be brought to the notice of the Assistant Librarian/Officer-in-charge Library.  Senior Library staffs on duty about such defects as are observed in the book(s). Otherwise, he/she is liable to be held responsible for all the   defects, if noted when returning the book(s) back to the Library and may have to replace in books(s) by a sound copy /copies.
• The Assistant Librarian / Officer-in-charge library can categories temporarily any publication as reference book if that helps better service during the period and can permit any Special or overnight loan under special circumstances.
• Replacement of books by the members in the racks is strictly prohibited and members should leave the books consulted by them on the Readers table/desk.
• Books of the types listed below are not available on loan except under special circumstance for which the permission of the concerned Assistant Librarian or Officer-in-charge Library.
• Encyclopedias’ , Dictionaries and Directories
• Government rules, regulations, act and manual
• Atlases and maps 
• Old and worn out books and books which are out of print and cannot be replaced.
• Heavy and oversize volumes
• Costly publication with full of plates
• Annual Reviews
• Loose issues of periodicals or unbound volumes
• Spitting and smoking within the premises of the Library are strictly prohibited
• Dogs and other animals shall not be allowed into the Library
• New book(s) (latest additions / editions) received will be kept in the Library for one month after receipt and before that time they will not be issued on loan.
• The use of fountain pens in the Library is permitted but no ink should be spilled on   the floor or furniture of the Library.
• Members who disregard the Library rules are liable for the appropriate disciplinary action by this College.

Rules and Regulations for Using Library

• Chairs and tables should not be disturbed from their position.
• Users should avoid resting their feet on tables, chairs, shelves, window sills.
• Books and bound volumes should be handled with great care.  Please avoid keeping the volumes open on the table or putting with their faces down or inserting note books or pencils in between the pages and closing them.
• Pages must not be folded to serve as book marks.
• Books loaned should be protected from RAIN, DUST, INSECTS, etc.
• Loss of Borrower’s cards to be reported immediately in writing.
• Change in Department, Status, Address etc. to be informed.
• Documents should be handled with great care as they are costly and valuable, particularly loose issue of periodicals.
• Should not mutilate documents.
• Personal papers and non-library materials should not be left unattended on tables.
• On violation of Library Rules or misconduct of any reader the Library authorities can withdraw the Library facilities to that particular individual.
• When the members have any complaint about the services provided by the    Library they should not enter in to argument with the Library staff.  Instead, they are advised to bring it to the notice of the Officer-in-Charge, Library / Assistant Librarian.
• Members should follow all rules decided by the Library authority from time to time.  And copy of the same will be made available to the members.
• Your valuable suggestions are always welcome.
• Your co-operation in providing smooth and efficient Library service will be highly appreciated.

Rules and regulations for Handling Library Cards

• Library cards are not transferable
• Members are responsible for the books borrowed on their cards
• Students/Members should produce their Library card at the time of borrowing books.
• Students/Members should return all books before getting the no dues certificate.
• Library cards should be surrendered in the event of the student completing the course or leaving the College, for other members at the time of resignation/transfer.
• Loss of card is to be intimated to the Officer-in-Charge, Library/Assistant Librarian immediately in writing.
• Duplicate card will be issued against penalty.

Rules for Maintaining Discipline in the Library

• Library staff should monitor discipline of members in the Library.
• Entry into the Library is permitted with proper dress code.
• Any misconduct or misbehaviour to be brought to the notice of the disciplinary committee.

Activities

Collection Development

In accordance with the objectives, the Library aims to develop a comprehensive collection of documents useful for students, faculty and research community of the college. The rich and valuable collection built over a period of about two decades has some rare reference materials and several important journals. This reservoir of knowledge, on a conservative estimate is worth over 5 crores of rupees.

Following is the detailed statistics of the collection as on date:

Books : 8840

Periodicals

Books

The Library has a collection of over 8800 books including reference books. More than 100 books are added every year for the users of the Library.

Journals

Current Periodicals

The Library subscribes to 20 foreign and 61 Indian journals every year. (Appendix – 1)

Back Volumes

The old journals are hardbound and kept as Back Volumes for reference. So far, the Library has built up over 2570 back volumes of journals.

CD-ROM Database

The Library has 97 CD-ROMs for the users to retrieve necessary scientific data.

Video Library

A Video Library has been established in the Library. Two Colour Television set with two VCP and other accessories are available for viewing the cassettes of Veterinary Importance by the Undergraduate student, Postgraduate students and staff of this College. A total of 48 video cassettes on various aspects of Veterinary and Animal Sciences are on stock and the same has been converted into DVDs for preservation and better utilization purpose.

Digitization of Theses

The Ph.D. and M.V.Sc. theses available in the Library are being scanned and saved in PDF with search provision. These digitized theses are available in 304 CD-ROMs and floppy disks.

Reprographic Facilities

Four photocopiers are available to the Library users at nominal charges. Two scanners are also available for the use of students and staff.

SC/ST Book Bank

An SC/ST Book Bank comprising of 221 nos. of basic books has been established in the Library for the benefit of SC/ST students.

Browsing Facility

Broadband facility with 12 nodes is provided to the staff, PG & UG students of this College at free of cost.

System, Classification and Cataloguing

• Open Access system
• Colon Classification system
• Classified catalogue
• Machine Readable Catalogue

Library Automation

The circulation activities of the Library automated using “Software for Universities Libraries” (SOUL) developed by UGC – INFLIBNET, GUJARAT is now being used. Necessary equipments for automation of the Library viz., computers, barcode scanner and barcode label printer have been procured under ICAR Development Grant 2007-08.

Issue of Books

Issue of books is based on Library automation software SOUL.

Renewal of Books

A book can be renewed on physical production for a further period of loan only if this renewal is advised prior to the date of expiry of the original loan and there is no other request for the same book. Only two consecutive renewals can be done for each book on loan on each occasion. Further renewal can only be done at the discretion of the Assistant Librarian/ Officer-in- charge Library.

Reservation of Book

Members can reserve the document through Library automation software for the documents which are already issued.

Overdue Document

If a member fails to return the book taken on loan on the due date, he/she is liable to be charged an overdue charge of Re. 1 per day per volume. In case the book is lost, the member will not be required to pay the over due charges, if any, from the date of actual written report received at the Library.

Loss of Book

• Loss of book taken on loan should be immediately brought to the notice of the Officer-in-charge Library in writing.
• The actual value of the book with the centage of 10% and other charges with overdue charged if any will be collected for the lost book.
• If one book of a set is lost (Multiple volumes) then the cost of the entire set will be collected with the centage and other charges.

Please take care of the following

When any document is returned to the Library, member should make sure that his/her documents are cancelled against his / her name. Before leaving the circulation counter the member should satisfy himself / herself that the book is in good condition, if not should be brought to the attention of the counter staff. Otherwise he is liable to be held responsible for the damages noticed at the time of returning.

Writing, marking and tracing on the library document is strictly not allowed. If a document is mutilated or damaged when it was in possession of the member, library can demand for a replacement with new.

Web-Based Online Public Access Catalogue

The resources of the library in terms of books, back volumes of the journals, M.V.S.C and Ph .D theses and other reports through web based Online Public access Catalogue (OPAC) of the Library is under process for online access.

Electronic Surveillance System of CCTV Network

A surveillance system with CCTV network had been installed at the Library to enhance and tighten the security system. In this network, 16 Nos. of cameras were installed at appropriate places of Library for recording the movements which will occur during working hours of the Library on all working days. The backup facility of Digital Video Recorder (DVR) has more than 60 days. The recording of 16 Nos. of cameras are being displayed on the screen of Desktop computer at a time with 16 slots which is placed at the counter section to monitor the movements of users and the same is being recorded in DVR also. The same display is also projected through TV kept at the reading room.

Archival Library Section

Archival Library section has been established with 118 Nos. of very old publication and rare books which were transferred from MVC Library, Chennai for reference by Staff and Students.

Library Services

The services provided by the Library include:

• Books Lending
• Reference
• Reprography
• Video Library
• SC/ST Book Bank
• Current Awareness Services
• Selective Dissemination of information
• Internet
• CD Writing (Articles and information download)
• Archives
• Placement cell
• New arrivals display
• User guidance service

Funding

The annual budget of the Library is around Rs.18 Lakhs. Most of the funding is by the University. The Library was also funded by NATP and ICAR for modernization of Library like automation, digitization and journal subscription.

Library Utilization

Average per month

Faculty

Tmt. M.Sithi Jagannara, Assistant Librarian.