Books at the Patna University central library. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Jan. 21: Patna University central library is a booklover’s nightmare. Not only are rodents and termites taking a heavy toll on the texts, university teachers who borrow the books hardly ever return them.

The central library has also not received funds for its upkeep for the past two years and it is functioning with less than half the sanctioned employee strength.

Result: Students, who have no access to rare or expensive books, suffer.

There is one consolation though. The university central library is not the only victim of such vagaries. Such conditions are prevalent in almost all the libraries of the constituent colleges of Patna University.

“We hardly get the books we need at the central library. The librarians plead that books have been issued to teachers and have not been returned,” said Rakesh Kumar, a student of Patna University.

Aruna Kumari, another student, said: “It is very frustrating when we do not get the books we need. Some of the books are very expensive and not available in the market. The library is the only place where we can get these books.”

Only, they do not get the books.

A senior teacher said since there is no rule for teachers, most of them do not return the borrowed books on time.

“Students suffer as teachers keep the borrowed books with them for an inordinate amount of time,” said Atul Aditya Pandey, the principal of Arts and Crafts College, Patna.

There may be some light at the end of the tunnel, though. The university authorities do sit up at times and demand the books back from the teachers, said a source. A teacher of Patna University was recently served a showcause notice, for failing to return books worth Rs 8 lakh.

Rabindra Kumar, the chief librarian of Patna University central library, said: “We are going to issue a circular to all the teachers who have failed to return the books on time.”

The library also maintains a register of books issued to teachers, who are fined at the time of their retirement.

Books that are in the library are suffering from lack of upkeep. Library officials claim they have not received the required funds.

“The last time the library got funds was 2008, from the University Grants Commission. But that was for purchasing books. No funds are available for the upkeep of books,” said a library employee on condition of anonymity.