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“Khaaaamooosssshhhh…” (Silent) ! As the commanding
voice reflects through every corner of the hall, it brings the pin drop
silence among people sitting and induces them to get busy in their work
again. It was neither a scene at 3D Cinema Hall nor it was a classroom,
it is the usual spectacle of the central library of Mehran University of
Engineering and Technology Jasmhoro where an infuriated librarian – as
perceived by some students – usually command students to remain
tight-lipped. To be realistic, it lies in his professional obligation,
not least to keep the library in order.
For making an access to the library, some use the reference of
university’s public relation officer as those not possessing the entry
card are barred from entering. Two guards are also always deployed
outside the entrance on account of surveillance.
The central library of Mehran University is also known as Mehran MUET
Library and Online Information Center. It piles up more than one lac
books, related to Engineering Science and Technology and access to
15,000 plus electronics journals is available on-line within the
university campus under Digital Library Program.
Around 1000, or 15 percent students of MU use to visit the central
library daily for their academic purposes and they hail this service. It
provides a silent studious environment for those willing to study in
isolation and with full concentration. The library is divided in three
portions, under ground section, ground section and top section.
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The under ground section consists of Digital Library where internet
facility is available having around 100 PCs. After going through the
entrance of the library on way leads to the underground section where
students frequently seen enjoying with computer operations while some
others queued up in waiting for their turn to surf the internet for
academic purposes in an air-conditioned room.
In Digital Library section each student can operate maximum three hours
and minimum one hour during a rush hour so that the majority of students
could be facilitated. The MU’rians believe that the internet facility in
the library and access to e-journals is no more than a blessing for them
which really help them in their studies. There is a ban on using
facebook, twitter and other social networking websites so that students
could only concentrate on their studies.
After visiting underground section , this scribe entered in ground
section of the library where the students were busy in study books, some
were reading the newspapers and some others were issuing books through
their digital membership card. More than 10 leading newspapers
publishing in three languages Urdu, Sindhi and English were also present
there.
Now when it comes to the first floor, the students were issuing books
related to their technologies through computerized ID card and assistant
librarian Abdul Waheed had been helping them out. As the assistant
librarian put the ID card on the scanner machine the record of the
student appears on the screen. The librarian then issued the required
books after inspecting the students record but if the student already
have five books in his account he would not given more books because
according to the rule he could possess only five books at a time. In
library separate shelves have been set up for each of the technologies
so that the student can easily collect his required book. Beside that
the assistant librarian also guides the student if he could not access
to his required books. The same episode was also seen there.
The librarian Azam Ali Putho told The News Tribe that the library of the
Mehran University Jamshoro is one of the latest libraries of Asia which
is altogether digital. The librarian said the books were issued to the
members of library only through their ID card and no one could bring the
book out of library premises without going through the process because
he would have to pass to the walk through gate of library which
indicates by siren. He said that the students were given each of the
text books on rent of Rs.10 rupees for per semester and if he did not
return the book during this period he would have paid the extra charge
of one rupee for one day.
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Azam said that the library was founded in 1977 and was upgraded and
shifted into the new building in 2009 because the old building had not
enough space for the students. The library is heavily used by the
students, faculty members and researchers and is open from 8:00 am to
9:00 p.m. throughout the year with professional staff available at
service points to meet needs of the readers, he said.
He said around one thousand students used to visit the library on daily
basis in routine days and the figured also increased during exams days.
A student of 1st year Software Engineering Faheem told The News Tribe
that he used to visit the library on daily basis and stay there for two
hours. He said text books related to his trade were available in the
library and access to various electronics journals, Catalog of books and
internet facility really helped him in studies.
Asad, student of Electronics 2nd year suggests that the library timings
should be extended in order to facilitate the students living in the
hostels till late night.
The student of Chemical Engineering 1st year Jai Kumar says. I prefer
library for study rather than home as it provides a better studios
environment. There is a complete AC environment from which I also amuse,
says Kumar.
A student of Textile 2nd year Anika said that she really enjoy studying
at the library because there was no disturbance in it while studying.
She said there are separate and combine desks available in library.
Another student Zainab said the library staff was very supportive. She
said that there were books related to the course and refrence books
available in the library and the student did not have to purchase most
of the books. She said she used to visit the library on daily basis with
her classmates and stayed there for three hours.
A student of Electrical 1st year Mussab said that after attending
classes he went to the library and study there till the final point of
university came. He said he had also read various news papers that keeps
him update of the national and international happenings.
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