The ultimate aim behind enriching the collection of information resources and in establishing the state-of-the-art library infrastructure is to render smooth, satisfactory and efficient services to library users and ensure optimum utilisation of the valuable resources acquired against huge investment of money and manpower. Library is purely a service centre and as a matter of fact the library professionals devout most of their duty hours towards rendering information service to scientists and students both on demand and in anticipation to their demand. The core services rendered by the Library System are highlighted as under:
Selective Dissemination of Information
More than 4300 queries were received and timely addressed by the technical staff of the Library System. The queries included searching and delivery of research articles, book chapters, review papers, excerpts from electronic theses and dissertations, research abstracts, etc.
Issuance of Theses CD Resemblance Certificates
This assignment is regularly carried out by the professional staff of the library on case to case basis as and when the case arrives from all constituent faculties/colleges of the University..
Remote Access to e-Resources
The library system has a good collection of e-resources comprising of e-books with lifetime access, consortium based access to e-journals, ETDs and some individual e-journals which are accessible through online mode to the registered members of SKUAST Kashmir. In order to provide off-campus and anytime anywhere access to these resources, we have subscribed to Off Campus Access Facilitating Software of M/s. Knimbus Online Pvt. Ltd. The software is robust in facilitating off-campus access to users on anytime anywhere basis and allows us to derive the required user statistics and generate various graphical reports. 435 users were registered in the current year to avail this remote access facility taking the total number of Scientists and PG Students who are currently availing this service to 2033.
E-Resource Centre
The Library's E-Resource Centre is a modern, technology-enabled facility designed to provide seamless access to digital academic content. The centre is equipped with modular computer tables and ergonomic, deluxe-type moving chairs to ensure user comfort during extended study or research sessions. The centre also facilitates wireless internet connectivity through Wi-Fi enabled environment for users wishing to operate and browse on their personal devices.
Digital Scanners, Printers, and Photocopiers (reprographic services)
The library is equipped with a range of high-end multifunctional devices to support robust reprographic services. The availability of these digital facilities enables students, researchers, and staff to efficiently carryout high-quality printing, scanning and photocopying services. These machines are strategically placed within the library premises to ensure easy access for users.
Library Automation
The library is fully automated through the integration of Koha, an open-source Integrated Library Management System (ILMS) which runs on a dedicated Linux Server, and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system pushing data through a dedicated Middleware. Through Koha all core library functions, including acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, serials control, and OPAC access are efficiently managed, thereby providing a seamless user experience for both library staff and patrons. Complementing this, the RFID system brings advanced automation to circulation services with features such as self-check-in/check-out kiosks, smart card-based user identification, and theft detection through RFID-enabled security gates.
Guest Membership
SKUAST-K Library System is pleased to announce the introduction of a Guest temporary membership service for external users who wish to utilize its resources and peaceful learning environment. The initiative has been designed especially for competitive exam aspirants, students and general aspirants who seek a quiet and conducive environment for study and research. With this initiative Library remains committed to fostering a culture of reading, research lifelong learning in the community.
Competition Success Corner (CSC)
SKUAST-K Library System has established well equipped study centres for students aspiring to crack various career related competitive exams in the Central library as well as in all Faculty Libraries. It is a single stop arrangement for preparing to pass different competitive exams like JRF/SRF, IAS/KAS, NET/SET, CAT/GATE/GMAT, and the like. The main objective is to enable our students to achieve success in these exams and thus avail respectable career opportunities and bring laurels to the University. Highly specialized and quality study material has been kept available in print form in these centres in a good quantity. The Library System is in the process of enriching these centres with more print and electronic resources. Efforts are on to subscribe to a high quality e-resource base offering not only the study material but also lecture series of reputed/skilled trainers/teachers/experts and result oriented test series in each main domain. Recently a Philanthropic initiative has taken by the faculty of Horticulture lead by the Prof Shabir Ahmad Wani Director Planning And Monitoring by procuring 470 Books for Competition Success Corner (CSC).
Book Bank Service
SKUAST-K Library system maintains a book bank mainly for undergraduate level text books to help students belonging to economically and socially weaker sections of the society. Students can borrow up to 5 books from this collection for a period of one semester. The library issues a Circular in the beginning of every Semester and the eligible students may apply to avail the benefit as per the schedule announced by therein. A total of 1600(sixteen Hundred) Books were procured recently for the said purpose.
Digitization Centres
High end digital scanners are available in the Library System for high resolution digitization, scanning and image creation of Theses and rare books. Library system has thus established 4 digitization centres, one each at CL, FVSc, FOA and FOFy. Theses, reports, pamphlets, leaflets standing out as copyrighted information resources of the University are being digitized in the digitization centres