The proposal for extension of Panjab University (PU) AC Joshi Library,which was put forward for approval in last months Senate meeting,but was deferred till the next meeting,has been drawing criticism from various quarters of the teaching fraternity,including a number of Senate members. As per the proposed plan,more than Rs 47 lakh was to be sanctioned for renovation and extension of the outer reading hall of the AC Joshi Library. A separate reading hall was to be built inside the main building,adjoining the existing reading hall. While the university mulls over the extension of the hall,the guidelines of Chandigarh administration have clearly state that AC Joshi Library is a historical building and the original structure of any such building cannot be tampered with. The original plan of the university was drafted by French Architect,Pierre Jeanneret. Though the issue was brought to light by a few members in the Senate meeting too,the major concern was the justification of spending such a high amount on the renovation of the building. The university is already cash-strapped,and there is no urgent need for any such extension, said Professor Shelly Walia,from Department of English and Cultural Studies. Even if the university is concerned about the overcrowding of the outer reading hall,there are other alternatives that should be taken into consideration, he added. The outer reading hall is occupied with outsiders,who are not allowed to read books on the upper floors. The university can allow them to enroll for membership,so that they will also be able to read books on upper floors,which are often vacant, said Professor Walia. Also,students must be allowed to carry their own books inside the main library. This is another reason,why they end up sitting in the reading hall, he pointed out. He emphasised that the library is specifically meant to help students do their research work. Expressing discontent over the proposal Dinesh Kumar,another Senate member,said Students should be motivated to avail the facility of their department libraries,and for that,the departments must ensure that they are up to date with new and relevant books. Also,students must be allowed to visit libraries even after the department closes at 5 pm and also on Saturdays. It remains to be seen whether the proposal will be accepted or not by the Senate in its next meeting,after the Library Committee submits its report. It is evidently clear that a majority of the members feel that the allocation is too high and the money should be spent on modernisation of the existing facilities,instead of bringing new structures in an already crowded place.
