The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Digitisation at varsity library yet to take off

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Thursday, Jul 03, 2008
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Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Digitisation at varsity library yet to take off

G. Mahadevan

Rs.3-crore modernisation scheme was taken up in March 2007
Rs.60 lakh was allocated for purchase of books

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two months after Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac ‘switched on’ a scanner for digitising select documents in the Kerala University Library, the costly machine remains non-functional — thanks to the tardiness of the university administration in giving sanction to procure a computer server, a UPS and some electric sockets needed to make the scanner operational.

The scanner was purchased from the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) at cost of Rs.24 lakh. Even before the machine was purchased, the library had forwarded the request for a server and UPS.

According to sources in the university, the file was held up by one official for ‘technical reasons’ and it required an intervention by the Vice-Chancellor himself to get the file moving from the official’s desk.

The issue relating to the installation of 11 electric sockets is another instance of red-tape.

While the University Engineer reportedly claimed that such an electrical facility could be installed only at a cost of about one lakh rupees, officials of the C-DIT reportedly told the library that they could do the job for less than one-third the amount. “Both these claims are not wholly true. We are trying to find a way out,” Vice-Chancellor M.K. Ramachandran Nair said.

On March 31, 2007, Rs.3 crore was transferred to the library account to take up a modernisation scheme. This included construction activities — civil and electrical — the establishment of a digitisation facility, augmentation of the book collection and the installation of solar lighting inside the library.

The project was drawn up in early 2007 after Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac offered money for developmental activities there.

It was perhaps for the first time in the history of the library that the government had handed over funds with such promptness.

The ‘go-slow’ attitude of the university started with the setting up of an expert committee to decide on how to utilise the money. It was on the basis of a project submitted by the then deputy librarian-in-charge that the money was sanctioned. Finally, in April 2008, the university organised an ‘inauguration’ ceremony for the modernisation scheme.

It was decided that a private company (Kumar Group) would act as consultants for the civil and electrical work. Only after a major portion of such works are completed can the solar lighting team can begin their job, the retired Deputy Librarian-in-charge J. Usha told The Hindu.

Included in the modernisation package is the purchase of books worth Rs.60 lakh. This project too appears to be sinking in the quagmire of endless discussions at the varsity office. Such tardiness would not look good on the university’s resume which would be ‘scanned’ by a peer team of the NAAC that would arrive in a few weeks to re-accredit the university.

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