Berhampur University

The Central Library, named R. P. Padhi Library, was established in 1968 to meet the growing needs of the University’s students, teachers, and research scholars. R. P. Padhi Library plays a vital role in disseminating different types of information resources and services to support the academic and research needs of the user community. Presently, the library is functioning in two four-story buildings, comprising one newly constructed extension library building that can be used as a reference source by faculty members, students, and research scholars. It offers an open-access facility to all the university stakeholders. The well-furnished, air-conditioned reading room with Wi-Fi facility accommodates 280 students simultaneously, providing a peaceful ambience for study and research. The library is designed to be accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, with the necessary facilities like ramps and adaptive technologies. The library has a unique facility for visually impaired students, scholars, and teachers called “Talking Library”, which helps them with study and research. The Central Library developed a Faculty Lounge for its faculty members of the University to create a peaceful ambience for study, discussion, and research. R.P. Padhi Library has more than 1.5 lakh volumes of books, 64 subscribed print Journals, 2999 Ph.D. theses and other resources like popular magazines, Newspapers and reports in Science & Technology, Management, Humanities and Social Sciences. The R. P. Padhi Library is fully automated using the Integrated Library Management System (ILMS) “Koha” with an RFID-based automation system. An information KIOSK machine is installed in both buildings of the R. P. Padhi Library for online public access catalogue (OPAC). The library has a well-maintained website that allows users to search for resources, access e-resources, and use library services remotely. The R. P. Padhi Library has a state-of-the-art Digital Library cum E-Resource Access Center, with 60 computers provided to users for access to digital resources. A dedicated ILMS studio has been developed to capture lecture videos. The library introduced the QR Code for online membership registration & fine collection as part of the Digital India Initiative, Govt. of India. As part of the One Nation One Subscription initiative of the Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, the Central Library of Berhampur University has access to various e-resources such as e-books, e-journals and other electronic reading materials from 30 publishers. Besides these, R. P. Padhi Library has provided online journals and databases of EBSCO, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, EPW, and EPWRFITS as well as research support tools like Grammarly, Turnitin and DrillBit to facilitate the faculty members and research Scholars in their study and research. As a DELNET (Developing Library Network) member, the library can access a wide range of Networked Library Resources such as e-books, e-journals, theses, dissertations, etc. Berhampur University is a member of the Shodhganga initiative of the INFLIBNET Centre and contributes soft copies of PhD theses to the INFLIBNET repositories. Additionally, the library took the lead in handling the university’s research information by launching the Indian Research Information Network System with assistance from the INFLIBNET Centre. The library periodically conducts different programs such as user orientation programs, academic writing workshops, and training programs on e-Resources, Turnitin, and Grammarly for its users. The library has clear guidelines for how students and faculty can borrow books, access digital materials, and use other resources. The library conducts regular surveys or feedback mechanisms to gauge user satisfaction and gather suggestions for improvements to the library infrastructure and Services. The University provides adequate funding for purchasing new reading materials, maintaining infrastructure, supporting ongoing services, and plans for long-term financial sustainability to ensure continuous growth and access to up-to-date resources. The library has a team of professional librarians with expertise in various subjects, research support, and information management who can assist with resource discovery and research support. Additional staff who maintain the library’s operation, from circulation to technical services.