University of Agriculture Library Faisalabad, Pakistan

The library represents an outstanding facility to meet the dictates of the University’s charter of promotion of education and research in the field of agriculture and related areas. The University unfortunately had a poor beginning with only 24975 volumes, out of which 14657 were books, 3691 journals in bounded form, 1911 reports and 4716 bulletins. The need to expand the library in the number of volumes and space became therefore, imminent. A new library building was planned to effectively help student education and to the faculty to familiarize themselves with current development in their respective fields and to aid research by providing source material.

The new building was completed in 1973. It is functional, simple and modern. Its exterior presents an attractive blend of modern and oriental architecture. It is a double story building and is centrally air-conditioned. It has a covered area of 45000 square ft. The total collection is now 2,34,000 which includes 18,644 manuscripts and 36,500 volumes of national and international research journals covering various discipline taught in the University. It is a depositary library for the FAO and World Bank Publications. The Library has about 8,000 members comprising of faculty members, students and researchers of the University.

The well-known and the latest books are available related to field of agriculture and allied sciences. These are technically processed and placed in the library in such a manner that students feel stimulated to reading. In order to keep the faculty and students informed of the current developments in their respective fields, the library is acquiring about 35 precious scientific periodicals. The library has its own bindery consisting of three book-binders and daily paid workers. The Library is receiving publications of various governments, semi-government, national, foreign and international organizations.

The Library has database under the Oracle based module developed by the University I.T. Team to cater the needs of readers. Online public access catalogue terminals are available for searching. The Global Information Centre is functioning from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. with 30 computers. Approximately 175-250 students, faculty members and research scholars use the Internet services daily. Information Resource Center is also functioning with 20 computers for female students only.

Rules & Regulations

1. Book Bank
   1. Entitlement
      1. All the students of the University are entitled to become members and can draw books from the Book Bank.
      2. Membership to the Book Bank will be granted completing the prescribed application form (obtainable from Book Bank and payment of the non-refundable membership fee as under:
         • Postgraduate classes M.Sc/Ph.D. Rs.35/-
         • Degree classes: D.V.M./B.Sc.(Hons.) Rs. 25
   2. Amount of Rent
      The rent will be charged at the rate of Rs.5/- per month per book
   3. Period of Loan
      Books (prescribed in the course) could be loaned for a period varying from one month to a semester of the prescribed rental charges.
   4. Delay Fine
      A delay fine will be charged from students keeping the book or books beyond the prescribed period at the rate of Re.1/- per day per book to a maximum of the price of the book. However, in case of closure of the University for a period exceeding ten days only normal rent will be charged in lieu of the delay fine.
   5. Use of Books
      The book or books loaned from the Book Bank must be used by the borrowers themselves and not further lent out to others.
   6. Replacement of Books
      If a book is lost or mutilated by the borrowers he would be required to pay its current price plus a fine of Rs.50/- per book.
   7. Clearance
      The examination results/degree of the student not clearing their account with the Book Bank shall be withheld by the University until they obtain clearance from the Incharge Book Bank.
   8. Duplicate Membership Card
      Duplicate membership card shall be issued on payment of Rs.30/- in case of loss of the original card.
2. Circulation Desk
   Textbook recommended book and reference books may be issued for overnight only with the permission of the Librarian Books of which only single copies are available and volumes of periodicals may be issued for three days under the special permission of the Librarian General delay fine of Re.1/- over due volume per day Special delay fine or Rs.2/- per day per volume The duplicate card shall be issued on payment of Rs.10/- to undergraduate and Rs.20 for postgraduate students, whereas, new membership fee for undergraduate students shall be Rs.10/- and for post-graduate students shall be Rs.20/-
   Note: In case of thesis etc. which are not priced publications, shall be charged Rs.1/- per page plus binding charges. In case the staff member lost the card, duplicate card will be issued on payment of Rs.10/-
3. Computer Section
   Rs.5/- will be charged per page for printing charges of CD-ROM search services Rs.5/- per page will be charged for an E-mail Rs.15/- per message will be charged for an urgent E-mail. Students will write their topic in the register and will be charged for printing charges Rs.5/- per page if he gets printout for their relevant material Rs.10/- per hour will be charged for internet services provided in the Information Resource Centre. Rs.5/- per picture will be charged for scanning of pictures. Rs.15/- per page will be charged for printing charges of scanned pictures.

Working Activities

The Library remains open all the seven days of week and functioning from 8.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (without break) and from 8.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon on Friday and Sunday.

In the above said sections, activities like Acquisition, Classification & Cataloguing Circulation (issue & receipt of books), Internet, Audio-visual remain busy in full swing daily. Quarterly News Bulletin regarding new additions in the Library is circulated among faculty members. Book Fair is being held every year and this event is very popular in our University as well as in the city. Briefing about the Library services to new students are given in the beginning of the semester. Activities of students in Reading Hall and staff members in various sections are monitored through a Close Circuit Television System (CCTV) which is consisting of 16 sophisticated cameras and four monitors. All the sections are equipped with intercom facility.