Library as a Learning Resource

4.2.1 Does the library have an Advisory Committee? Specify the composition of such a committee. What significant initiatives have been implemented by the committee to render the library, student/user friendly?

The library has an advisory committee. The committee is composed of Principal, Head Clerk, Accountant, Liberians and Head of the Departments.

Some initiatives have been implemented by the committee to render the library, student/user friendly. UGC Resource Centre – Inflibnet has been introduced to access e-resources.

New Library Software LS Ease is used to automate the library.

The College Authority is trying to increase seating accommodation by using modular furniture. Book displays are occasionally done in college campus by the publishers.

4.2.2 Provide details of the following:

Total area of the library (in Sq. Mts.) 10.4*14.4=149.76 sq meters Total seating capacity 40

Working hours (on working days, on holidays, before examination days, during examination days, during vacation)

10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Monday to Friday) 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. (Saturday)

Layout of the library (individual reading carrels, lounge area for browsing and relaxed reading, IT zone for accessing e-resources)

INFLIBNET – UGC Resource Centre is available in library to access e-resources.

4.2.3 How does the library ensure purchase and use of current titles, print and e-journals and other reading materials? Specify the amount spent on procuring new books, journals and e-resources during the last four years.

Library

After a fund is allotted, the Principal of the college normally calls a meeting . In the meeting, allocation of the fund is decided for Seminar Libraries and Central Library.

The books for the Seminar Libraries are selected and purchased by the faculty members. The Central Library purchase is done by the Librarians. Before purchasing the books, the Librarians are in consultation with the faculty members regarding any change in syllabus. The new reading lists prescribed by the University are also consulted to prepare the list of books to be purchased. Besides that, the Librarians prepare a list throughout the year on the basis of students‘ demand. So it is only after the book selection procedure is over, that purchases are made.

There is facility for the students to get their prints not only as hard copies but also as downloaded versions in their pen drives and CDs.

Students can also browse and download e-journals in pen drives/CDs from UGC- INFLIBNET Centre.

4.2.4 Provide details on the ICT and other tools deployed to provide maximum access to the library collection?

 OPAC One P.C. for OPAC

 Electronic Resource Management package for e-journals N.A.

 Federated searching tools to search articles in multiple databases N.A.

 Library Website No separate website for Library

 In-house/remote access to e-publications Only through INFLIBNET

 Library automation

Library services are computerized to some extent. New library software package LS Ease (3user) was introduced in the college library on 18^th April 2011.

Previously WINISIS (a free library software provided by UNESCO) was used for creating of databases only. But due to unavailability of barcode scanner, printer, check-in and check-out process cannot be computerized at this moment. This will be done in near future step by step

 Total number of computers for public access 1

 Total numbers of printers for public access Nil

 Internet band width/ speed □ 10 mbps

 Institutional Repository No

 Content management system for e-learning N.A.

 Participation in Resource sharing networks/consortia (like Inflibnet) Resource sharing is done to some extent through INFLIBNET

4.2.5 Provide details on the following items:

 Details of ―weeding out‖ of books and other materials Average number of walk-ins

128

 Average number of books issued/returned 35 books are issued per day

 Ratio of library books to students enrolled 1:33

 Average number of books added during last three years 357 books

 Average number of login to opac (OPAC) 15 (approx)

 Average number of login to e-resources N.A.

 Average number of e-resources downloaded/printed N.A.

 Number of information literacy trainings organized

Information literacy training is given once in a year at the time of new membership.

 Details of ―weeding out‖ of books and other materials

 Some books are weeded out at the time of stock verification and this entire process is done in accordance with the Governing Body of the College.

4.2.6 Give details of the specialized services provided by the library

 Manuscripts No

 Reference Reference service is given on demand

 Reprography One Xerox machine is kept in a room adjacent to library. This service is given from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Monday to Friday and from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. on Saturday.

 ILL (Inter Library Loan Service)

Our College Library is linked with American Library, Kolkata since 2004.

Membership is renewed from time to time. American library issues twenty books and six CDs at a time for one month. These books are all displayed on the library book rack. WCC library users may also borrow these books.

 Information deployment and notification (Information Deployment and Notification)

 Download No

 Printing No

 Reading list/ Bibliography compilation On Demand

 In-house/remote access to e-resources Only through INFLIBNET

 User Orientation and awareness Yes

 Assistance in searching Databases To some extent

 INFLIBNET/IUC facilities INFLIBNET facility

4.2.7 Enumerate on the support provided by the Library staff to the students and teachers of the college.

Sometimes library staff also display the books physically on a book rack.

Library staff also personally take initiatives to assist the students as well as faculty members. They help in searching the less used books taking minimum time.

4.2.8 What are the special facilities offered by the library to the visually/physically challenged persons? Give details.

The library staff is always eager to cooperate with them personally and sympathetically. Visually disabled students are allowed to come with their readers and sit separately in the library.

4.2.9 Does the library get the feedback from its users? If yes, how is it analysed and used for improving the library services. (What strategies are deployed by the Library to collect feedback from users? How is the feedback analysed and used for further improvement of the library services?)

Students used to give their suggestions regarding modern facilities (access to e-resources, CDs, etc.) in the library to the librarians. The library staff in consultation with the College Authority try to provide the service.

The Central Library

4.3 IT Infrastructure

4.3.1. Give details on the computing facility available (hardware and software) at the institution.

 Number of computers with Configuration (provide actual number with exact configuration of each available system)- Laptops 11, Desktops 44

 Configuration

 Core (I) 3 (Intel), Motherboard (Intel),

DDR 3 –4GB RAM – Transcend/ZION (2 Nos.), 500 GB HDD (SATA) – Seagate,

DVD Writer (LG),

ATX Cabinet with SMPS, Mouse & Key Board, 18.5" LG TFT Monitor.

 Computer-student ratio- 700/55

 Stand alone facility- 2

 LAN facility -2 networks

 Licensed software – Windows 7, MS Office 2010, Lybsis, (LSEase) 21^st Century GIS Software, Smart College Software for office work

 Number of nodes/ computers with Internet facility- All computers are internet enabled.

 Any other

4.3.2 Detail on the computer and internet facility made available to the faculty and students on the campus and off-campus?

The institution has made a considerable effort to ensure that it does not lag behind in the use of modern technology for the dissemination of knowledge.

Very recently eight laptops were allotted to the various departments and one to the NAAC Coordinator. The departments of English, Bengali, Sanskrit, Geography, History and Philosophy have been assigned a laptop each while the Departments of Political Science and Sociology have access to a single laptop. Likewise the two closely aligned Departments of Economics and Mathematics have been directed to share one laptop. . Moreover parts of the college ie the Library, the Principal‘s office, the Staff room and the classrooms are covered by a wi-fi connection making it convenient for the teachers to access the net in their free time.

All this has greatly facilitated computer aided teaching as the faculty members now need not use only the audio visual room for any ICT reinforced lecture. These handy devices can be carried to any classroom of their choice and material downloaded from the internet may be displayed and power point presentations used to illustrate important aspects of the syllabus.

4.3.3 What are the institutional plans and strategies for deploying and upgrading the IT infrastructure and associated facilities?

The college has gone out of its way to upgrade its IT resources so as to enable teachers and students to avail of the benefits of modern technology for both knowledge gathering and knowledge dissemination. The teaching learning process as well as governance and administration have all been buttressed with IT support. Computers and laptops are available for use not only by the teaching faculty, librarians and office personnel but by students as well. E classrooms, the INFLIBNET and UGC Resource Network Centre as well as wifi coverage in the college have provided a technological edge to all activities within the institution. The laboratories of the Geography department too have undergone a total overhaul where IT infrastructure is concerned. The Computer Training Centre, recently forged ahead on its own (having disconnected itself from Interface I4U). With an agenda of imparting basic computer skills as well as ensuring a degree of viability in the job market, it devised its own syllabus for its Certificate Courses. However, a future plan of action has been chalked out for the upgradation of the Certificate Courses to Diploma Courses. Talks are on with WEBEL, a Govt of West Bengal enterprise, for working out a new syllabus which would be suitable for Diploma courses. A Diploma instead of a Certificate and the involvement of a reputed concern such as WEBEL would be of greater efficacy in the employment scenario. Some aspects of Web Designing, DTP, Animation, computer Graphics are the emerging areas that may be brought within the purview of the syllabus.

Besides proper upkeep of the IT infrastructure (computer, internet, projectors, e classrooms etc.) happens to be high on the list of priorities of the institution.

4.3.4 Provide details on the provision made in the annual budget for procurement, upgradation, deployment and maintenance of the computers and their accessories in the institution (Year wise for last four years)

The College upgrades its computers according to the need of the hour. The first computer purchased by the college in 1997 was a Pentium MMX. Gradually other computers were purchased such as the Pentium II and later the Pentium IV models and so on. The college has a policy of purchasing the latest specifications available in the market. . It may be noted here that the college purchases computers not only from the UGC funds but also from college funds as well.

Presently most of our computers (Laptops 11, Desktops 44) are Core 2 Duo and of i3 specification. The computers and their accessories are maintained by AMC with Mss. AN SOLUTION who quoted the lowest rates.

Budget for computers is as follows:

2012-13 ---- Rs 30,000/-

2011-12 --- No separate budget for computers 2010-11 --- No separate budget for computers

2009-10 --- Rs 50,000/- Spent for upgrading of computers

4.3.5 How does the institution facilitate extensive use of ICT resources including development and use of computer-aided teaching/ learning materials by its staff and students?

The institution has made a considerable effort to ensure that it does not lag behind in the use of modern technology for the dissemination of knowledge.

Very recently eight laptops were allotted to the various departments and one to the NAAC Coordinator. The departments of English, Bengali, Sanskrit, Geography, History and Philosophy have been assigned a laptop each while the Departments of Political Science and Sociology have access to a single laptop. Likewise the two closely aligned Departments of Economics and Mathematics have been directed to share one laptop. Moreover parts of the college ie the Library, the Principal‘s office, the Staff room and the classrooms are covered by a wi-fi connection making it convenient for the teachers to access the net in their free time.

All this has greatly facilitated computer aided teaching as the faculty members now need not use only the audio visual room for any ICT reinforced lecture. These handy devices can be carried to any classroom of their choice and material downloaded from the internet may be displayed and power point presentations used to illustrate important aspects of the syllabus.

The Audio Visual room and the College Hall double up as E classrooms equipped as they are with state of the art projectors, digital visualizers, lamp projectors and I Beam software facilitating digitized board-work and display, thereby giving the teaching faculty access to the latest computer technology.

The UGC Resource Centre with 8 computers and internet connectivity can be accessed by the students at anytime thereby facilitating information gathering and knowledge sharing.

4.3.6 Elaborate giving suitable examples on how the learning activities and technologies deployed (access to on-line teaching - learning resources, independent learning, ICT enabled classrooms/learning spaces etc.) by the institution place the student at the centre of teaching-learning process and render the role of a facilitator for the teacher.

The computer and Net connectivity certainly acts as facilitator for the teacher. The college has made significant strides in the sphere of ICT aided teaching by providing computer backup to all its members. Often class lectures are conducted in the Audio Visual Room which is fully equipped with computers, LCD projectors OHPs, Projector screens and microphones. Seminars and special lectures are intermittently conducted there. Besides the faculty have been issued a number of departmental computers with internet facility (the

Principal‘s room, the staff room, the library and the classrooms are all wi fi enabled). This dovetailed with the internet room for students set up with UGC Resource Network Centre funds has transformed the college into a hub of information from the virtual world for all to access. The faculty now has the flexibility to use ICT tools not only in the AV room (which involves rescheduling and waiting) but in any classroom of their choice. Of late two E-Classrooms have been set up with state of the art projectors projector lamps and special screens. The I-Beam software installed enables board-work to be saved as power-point presentations, while the lamp projector aids in display of all kind of materials from hard copies on the screen for the benefit of the students. On-line teaching however has not yet been considered as a feasible option.

The students of the Department of Geography have the privilege of using the recently refurbished GIS laboratory and its multiple computers loaded with the latest specialized software whenever they wish to. The Departmental Laboratory is also at their disposal throughout college hours.

The college library has been partially automated with the LS Ease software in place. The office automation is also nearing completion.

4.3.7 Does the Institution avail of the National Knowledge Network connectivity directly or through the affiliating university? If so, what are the services availed of?

The institution has access to books and journals through INFLIBNET.

In document RE ACCREDITATION REPORT OF (Page 122-129)