PATNA: With most public and academic libraries in the city closing their doors due to the
Covid-19 pandemic, youngsters preparing for competitive examinations are unable to consult relevant books and journals.
There are several public libraries apart from those attached to premier educational institutions in the city and all of them are functioning in a restricted manner. The Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, for instance, is allowing only research scholars with prior permission to enter the premises and consult books or manuscripts.
“The Khuda Bakhsh library is virtually closed for general readers, including students. The regular members cannot issue and return books as the reading section is still shut,” library and information assistant Afroz Ahmad told this newspaper.
Patna University (PU)
Central Library chief Abhay Kumar admitted that the entry of general students into the library was still banned. “Only those pursuing PhD coursework in PU and some registered research scholars are allowed here. We are, however, conducting online classes for the students admitted to the Bachelor of Library Science programme.”
PU students’ union president Manish Yadav, on the other hand, demanded that “the library should be reopened for general students as well as research scholars because those who are poor cannot afford to buy costly books”.
The library of
Nalanda Open University has also not resumed its normal operation yet. Assistant librarian Aftab said, “Only faculty members and research scholars are allowed in the library where complete hygiene is maintained. All of them apply sanitizer and wear masks.”
Officiating director of state libraries, Subhash Sah, pointed out that all the 41 government-aided public libraries had been allowed to reopen. “They, however, have to abide by all the Covid safety protocols,” he added.