8 Feb : "Automation of departmental libraries, centers, directorates of University with Dhanvantri Library"Jammu, February: To add another feather to the University of Jammu’s Cap, Dhanvantri Library of University of Jammu is working out to open an Resource Cell for Visually Challenged persons besides automation of all the departmental libraries, Centers, Directorates of Jammu University with Dhanvantri Library.
The Dhanvantri Library which remains open for the students for 24 hours except national holidays is one of the best Library of Northern India with all the latest facilities for Students and up-to-date books of all the courses being run in the University of Jammu and its allied Campuses.
Resource Cell for Visually Challenged people will comprise separate software which have been imported and be used for conversion of hard text to soft copy form while the other form of the software will convert text to voice through JAWS talking software.
Dhanvantri Library was established since the inception of University of Jammu in the year 1969 and named as central library. It was renamed as Dhanvantri Library in 2002 to recognize the work of Dhanvantri , who was the son of the Soil and a freedom fighter beside a social reformer.
The Library is centrally located and constructed on modular plans and has a total areas of 93000 sq ft, which includes a stage areas of 36000 sq ft. The library has a text book , periodical. JK Section for Jammu and Kashmir, reference and documentation sections for research Scholars and students.
According to the In-charge Librarian Dhanvantri Library Prof. Naresh Padha "There is a need for the use of top most technology in Library usage." Prof. Padha further emphasized on online access and full test research articles through University network.
Prof. Padha said that the online access of the University Publication comprising books by local authors thesis , desertion and browsing of the old soft copies of News Paper archives.
Giving details of the automation initiative Prof. Padha said that it the next goal before the Library authorities to achieve total automation of all departments, Centers and Departmental Libraries with the Dhanvatri Library and their interfacing with Dhanvantri Library resources for optimal usage of the resources. "All these resources are to be put on the University Website for global access," Prof. Padha added further saying that Website of the Dhanvatri Library in also in the pipe line.
About Resource Cell for Visually Challenged People , Prof. Padha said that this would be a unique facility for Visually Challenged Persons presently available in the reputed Institutions of the Country. "In the last few years Dhanvantri Library has entered in the UGC INFOR Net /J-GATE and J-STORE online resources which provides online access to about 14ooo research Journals of Various disciplines," said Prof. Naresh Padha
The Dhanvantri Library has a separate Internet Lab. For University fraternity and Vedio Conferencing Lab. The Library has also executed Satellite Educational Programme for Information Communication launched by ISRO for the Universities in an interactive mode.
International Resources Cell (IRC) has been executed in Dhanvantri Library in collaboration with British Council . It has fine collections of DVDs, hard bound Journals, Magazines, News Papers with a facility of Audio-Visual room fitted with Plasma Digital TV and free reprographic facility for the resources of the IRC.
In his maiden visit to the Dhanvantri Library Vice Chancellor University of Jammu Professor Varun Sahni showed keen interest to the initiatives taken by the Dhanvantri Library and desired for the optimum utilization of these resources through organizing various activities time to time. Vice Chancellor Prof. Varun Sahni also appreciated and assured that Dhanvantri Library will get full support for the existing activities and future proposals.