BU's library gets bigger, better with more space

By Shreya Dattatraya Chougule

Bennett University opened its third Library reading room facility on 27^th April to provide students with a comfortable space to study and discuss.

The new reading space was inaugurated by the University’s Vice Chancellor Prabhu Kumar Agarwal in the presence of COO Sudhanshu Varma, Chief Librarian Dr. Sanjay Kataria and excited students. “This library was so necessary, as a law student discussion about clinics committee is important. We couldn’t really talk in the old libraries. Here, discussions will become a lot convenient,” said Raga Shri Nithya, 3^rd year BA LLB student as she expressed her enthusiasm over the new reading space.

The library is made for the convenience of the students. It has a seating capacity of 200, which is more than the combined capacity of the earlier two libraries. The university has also encouraged collaborative learning by introducing group discussions rooms. “The new library has been made by keeping in mind different modes of learning, we have silent rooms, discussion rooms and reading spaces. It is an attractive and interactive space that encourages students to read and learn,” said Dr. Kataria.

Dr. Kataria also discussed the future for this library. “The library is only constructed up to 25% and that has been opened to students for general reading,” added Dr. Kataria. The rest of the library is currently under construction and is expected to begin operations in six months. Then the Library will be able to accommodate more than a thousand students at once. Students will also be introduced to a wider variety of books and journals that will help them academically.

The library was a joint effort by the Learning Resource Center and University’s official literary club Cerebrum. Cerebrum’s Secretary Kushagra Joshi said, “We feel overjoyed by this initiative. The club has been working closely with the Learning Resource Center to bring in larger study spaces for students as the older libraries could not accommodate many students.” Dr. Kataria also appreciated the efforts by the club.

The efforts of Learning Resource Centre inculcate reading was brought forward at the inauguration. “Library is a culture. Times have changed, people have access to e-books however importance of Library stays. I urge students to explore and exploit the learning opportunities at our library,” said Dr. Kataria

(The writer is a Semester II student of BA (Journalism and Mass Communication) programme.)