JnU rushes to complete library automation amidst concerns

Md Abdur Rakib, JnU Correspondent :
The Jagannath University Central Library is hastily finalizing its long-awaited automation and digitization project, prompting concerns over the software’s effectiveness due to the lack of specialist assistance.

Initiated in 2021 by the late Vice-Chancellor Imdadul Haque, the Library Automation and Digitization Committee has faced numerous setbacks, leading to significant delays and incomplete work.

For years, students at Jagannath University have demanded modernized library facilities, including remote access to a wide range of books and journals.

The existing cataloging system has made it difficult for students to locate desired materials, highlighting the urgent need for an automated solution.

In 2021, three months after assuming the position, the late Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University, Imdadul Haque, formed the Library Automation and Digitization Committee.

The committee was tasked with submitting a project proposal. Professor Dr. Mohammad Salim from the Department of History was appointed as the convener, while Md. Anamul Haque was appointed as the secretary.

Additionally, Associate Professor Dr. Md. Abu Layek and Associate Professor Dr. Md. Zulfiker Mahmud from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and Md. Nur Alam, Assistant Computer Programmer of the IT Department, were included as members.

In the beginning, committee members visited libraries of several government and non-government universities, including Dhaka University, BUET, and BRAC University, to inspect their library systems.

Afterward, the committee members contacted several foreign institutions to collaborate on creating library software.

These foreign institutions claimed funding requirements ranging from 5 to 20 crore taka for developing a comprehensive and fully functional software.

However, due to financial constraints cited every time, the project was consistently postponed, according to the Library Automation Committee.

Eventually, the committee was compelled to develop a website with in-house management and at nominal cost.

In this regard, under the supervision of committee member Dr. Abu Layek, Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the initiative was taken to involve students of the same department to complete the project.