The library of Sri Sashi Bhusan Rath Government Women’s College here has been closed. Earlier, the heritage college remained in public anger for delay in opening of Commerce at Plus II and Plus III levels and on closure of self-financing courses but now, the closure of the library and the students’ reading room has ruffled the feather of the students and guardians alike.
Over a year, the students reading room has remained sealed. lack of coordination between the college staff members has resulted in the closure of the reading rooms, sources revealed.
Notably, the main library of the college too remained closed, as a result of which the students are deprived of getting books from the library over about a year. If the library and the reading room do not function and the learning resources remain uncirculated, the 55,000 valuable collection of books and other materials in the library may be spoiled soon, said a student.
According to information, the library committee entrusted with the probing of some irregularities had sealed the student’s reading room.
It may be recalled here that Junior librarian of the college Rita Naik had been on leave on February 29 last year and when she returned, she found that the reading room and the library were under locks and keys.
The committee instead of entrusting the responsibilities of the librarian to someone else preferred to seal the library and the reading room apprehending their misuse, said sources.
The successive principals reportedly have written several letters to the Government for appointment of a librarian, but in vein, said an insider. It is also understood that Assistant librarian of Khallikote College Meenakshi Sabat was transferred to this college as librarian in March this year to look after the library work. Ironically, shortly after her transfer, she got superannuated from the service. Even though currently, there is one assistant librarian and one attendant posted in the library, still, both have remained defunct.
The situation in regard to teaching programme in the college is equally alarming. Notably, the college opened Commerce discipline at Plus II and Plus III levels last year without considering the number of faculty to cope up with the present teaching load. Currently, there are only ten faculty members for Plus III courses as against the actual requirement of 30. Not a single teacher has been provided by the Government for the newly opened Commerce classes, sources informed.