Access to books will now be easier as Delhi University (DU) is facilitating digitalisation of libraries in different colleges. Adapting to the "digital India" dream of Prime Minister Modi, DU's Hansraj College is upgrading its library with a mechanism where one can search for a book on a Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) by typing to immediately get to know the status of availability and exact place or the rack number of the concerned book.
"The automation of RFID has been used, which is connected to the chips, which have been stocked to all books by our staff...earlier students had to waste hours manually searching a book but now they just have to enter the catalogue number and all its details would be available on the device installed in the library,' Dr Preeti Dharmarha, Convener of the library Committee at the college.
Dharmarha, who is Associate Professor at Department of Mathematics said around one lakh books in the library have been tagged with the sticker that has the chip from September this year.
"Earlier students had to go to the librarian for issuance and return of the book taken, but now they will be given a smart card for library through which they can collect and drop book to return at the ‘book station’ at several locations across the library,” he said.
The college is also upgrading the library with 20 computers, modifying a sitting place and creating a resource centre for teachers and discussion room for students.
The smart cards would be installed with complete information mentioning the name and roll number of student concerned.
"Suppose a student wants a book, which has been taken by another student, the device will send an automatic message regarding the same, to the one with the book, stating to drop it at a particular drop station...this is the ease that digitalisation will bring for students," he said.
The new system would be in place from January. Students are already showing interest in the new facility at the library, said sources.
Earlier, lakshmi Bai College also provided a similar smart card to students for paying in canteens and fees within college premises. Sources said more DU colleges are in process of digitisation. Hansraj College is also planning to upgrade the payment facility with the college through this smart card that is going to be used for the library for now.