Bhubaneswar, June 30: Utkal University students prefer not to visit Parija Library on the campus as it lacks several facilities. The premier university’s authorities are yet to upgrade its only library to suit to the needs of the changing times.

Established in 1946, the library contains a total of 2,37,695 books. However, students complain that the university’s only library (apart from various departmental libraries) does not provide state-of-the-art facilities.

“We are living in an era of digitisation. But, unlike other reputed universities of the country, we do not have an e-library facility here,” said Nitya Sundar Panda, a final year student of sociology. He said the library could not also subscribe to the latest journals and buy recently published books on various issues related to academic subjects.

The library’s main building is an old one where the walls seep during monsoons. Rainwater forms a puddle on the entrance passage which leads to the extension wing (new building) of the library. Students usually have to hop on bricks to reach this part. Unlike the new building, the study room located in the old building is not air-conditioned, where the heat condition becomes unbearable during summers.

“One can not concentrate on reading if the atmosphere inside the study room remains hot and humid,” said Mukesh Kumar Sahoo, a student of history. He also said that in times of power cuts, there were no alternative measures in terms of an inverter or generator.

Many books lie neglected in the library and some of those do not even have covers. “We have to face a lot of difficulty to figure out the title of the books which do not have cover. Also, a proper catalogue should be maintained and books of each category should be placed together,” said Bindulata Sandha, a student of Oriya.

The students were also unhappy about the unhygienic condition of the toilets in the university’s main library. “The library’s infrastructure needs to be developed urgently as the university is a reputed institution,” said Satyananda Mallick, another student.

Surprisingly, students enrolled under different self-financing courses that are being run on the university campus are not allowed to enter into the library. “Though we study in the same institution, we are deprived of the library facilities which is very unfair,” said Soumitra Panda, a postgraduate student of finance.

Chief librarian P.K. Mohanty attributed the lack of supporting staff as the main reason for most of the problems. “The number of staff members has come down from 60 to 30. But, the library’s timing has remained the same. We have to look after the entire management for 12 hours but with less manpower,” he said.

He added that in the present circumstances, many students avoid coming to the library and prefer looking up for information on the internet.

Raghunath Panda, library in-charge, said steps were being taken for automation of the library and it would be implemented soon. “We have formed a committee, comprising four professors, to find out ways to improve the condition of library. We are working on their recommendations,” he said.