Arul Anandar College

Library

History of Library

Arul Anandar College library started functioning from 1970, the year in which the college was founded. The library started with a volume of 1500 books on 18.8.1970. Till 1985, the library functioned in the Britto Block with an area of 1200 Sq. Ft. From 1985 to1995, the library functioned in the extended building of the science block. The area at this juncture is 1730 Sq. Ft. In 1995, a new library building with an area of 8000 Sq.Ft. was inaugurated in view of the silver jubilee celebration of the college. Today the library has a record number of 59000 books and 117 Journals.

The main objectives of the Library are to cater to the needs of the student community who pursuit higher studies and research. The library also responds to the needs of the teaching staff for effective teaching and research. To the credit, the library has attracted many research scholars from the neighborhood colleges in and around Madurai for reference.

The documents available in the library is divided into nine sections such as magazine and periodical, INFONET e- access point, Reference, Book stack, Competitive corner, Theses and back volumes, Technical Section, Reprographic and Internet section.

As the open access system is in force all the library readers are free to enter the library and can choose there own books for reading at home. U.G. students are given three documents, P.G. Students are given five documents and M.Phil. and Ph.D students are given eight documents. Documents are lent to students for a period of 15 days and if preferred it can be renewed for a further period of 15 days. Staff members are given ten documents.

A mile stone in the college history is the automation of the library. The inauguration of its digitalization was held on 22th April, 2006 by Dr. T.A.V Moorthy, Director INFLIBNET, Ahmedabad. A new software SOUL and its latest version was purchased exclusively for the college library automation. Two OPAC systems was installed to facilitate the students for easily accessibility. At present a new web based software Lips.i.Net 5.0 has been installed.

INFONET e- access centre and browsing centre was established in 21.09.2011 It has 8 computer systems with one printer. The e-learning resources available in the library are CD, Spoken language video and Audios, Thesis index, periodical back issues index and online modern question bank. All this can be accessed freely by the members of the library.

Statistical records are maintained in the library showing the records such as the number of books issued per day and the number of readers visits the library per day. E-gate register is made available in the entrance for e- registration.

One of the highlighting aspect is that the library issue books till the last day of the summative examination which is rare phenomenon in college libraries.

Measurement about the Utility of the Library

With the available statistics an attempt was made to measure the usage of the college Library. The average student?s entry in the library is about 452 students per day. The average number of books exchanged per day is approximately 100. Each students or reader refers minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 documents per day. This means that a minimum of 1400 documents are referred per day.

Total Area

Sections	Area
Reading Hall	1705 Sq. ft.
Reference Hall	1730 Sq.ft.
Stock Room	1730 Sq.ft.
Librarian Room	140 Sq.ft.
Xerox	120 Sq.ft.

Objectives

»  To facilitate student community for Higher Education and Research.
»  To facilitate teaching staff for effective teaching and research.
»  To extend facilitate for the development of the neighbourhood rural community in upgrading knowledge.

Working Hours

On Working Days	» 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Without Lunch break)
Saturday (Holidays)	» 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Before Examination Days	» 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
During the Examination Days	» 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
During the Vacation Days	» 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Library Rules

»	Strict Silence should be observed in the library.
»	Personal belonging such as Bugs, Tiffin-boxes, Notebooks, etc., should be left at the property counter in the library entrance.
»	Books are lent to students on all working days.
»	Books are usually lent for a period of two weeks and many be renewed for a further period if those books are not in demand by other students.
»	Books should be returned on or before the due date indicate in the issue slip of the book.
»	Over due fine of Rs.1 per day will be charged if the book is nor returned on time.
»	If the book is lost you will be pay three time of book cost and fine also.
»	The librarian may ask for the return of any book even before the expiry of the due date.
»	Reference books such as dictionaries, year books, encyclopedia, General knowledge books and books labeled as Reference will not be lent.
»	Students are forbidden to make any marking or underlining in books and periodicals
»	Students are advised to examine and ascertain the conditions of the book at the time of borrowing itself. If there is any damage it should be immediately brought to the notice of the librarian. Otherwise the borrower will be held responsible for the damage book.
»	If a book is damaged or lost, the cost of replacing it with a new copy along with fine will be recovered from the borrower. If one book is a set of books is damaged or lost, the cost of replacing the whole set will be recovered.
»	All the students should produce their identity card at the time of borrowing library books.
»	All the students should return all the library books a week before the last working day of the academic year.
»	Students are forbidden to use of unless website in the browsing centre.
»	No outside / personal books are allowed in the library for reading purpose.
»	Using of mobile phone is strictly prohibited.

Membership

All the students, faculty embers and employees of the college are eligibility the membership of the library. The registered members are issued barcode Identity card for access the library documents. The College ID card is provided with barcode facilities to use the library service to all the staff and students of our college

Document Eligibility

Members	No. of Books	Duration
Teaching Staff	10 Books	One Semester
Non-Teaching Staff	5 Books	One Semester
Undergraduate Student	3 Books	15 Days*
Postgraduate Student	5 Books	15 Days*
M.Phil. Student	5 Books	15 Days
Research Scholar	8 Books	One Month
* On need basis the student can renew further for 15 days.