Library Sections

Circulation Desk

• Property Counter

• Security Desk

• Circulation Counter

The circulation counter is automated. Members are requested to bring their RFID Membership Identity Card (single multipurpose card) whenever they visit the library. Books are issued on loan and received back in this counter. The borrowers tickets method is abolished and the members can borrow the books by producing the RFID membership identity card. The maximum number of books that can be borrowed is available in the Identity Card. Self Check in / Check out with touch screen kiosks are being used in the circulation counter for issue/return of books. If the books are not returned by the members in time, the overdue charge slip based be given to the members by the staff in the circulation counter.

Acquisition Section

Receiving requests from Heads of Departments for new books, duplicate checking, ordering, accessioning of books and processing bills for payment are the main functions of this section. Suggestions and recommendations for the purchase of new books can be submitted to this section. All the books received from vendors/publishers and the donated books are physically processed and accessioned in this section. The section also has the responsibility of scrutinising and passing the bill for books received. Since this section is automated, the manual accession register was discontinued and presently pre-printed accession register is used.

Technical ProcessingSection

• Classification

Dewey Decimal Classification scheme is used for classifying books according to the subject. Each book is assigned a Call Number which consists of a class number and Book Number. Class Number is assigned to a book according to its subject matter. Book Number individualises a book among others having the same Class Number. The Call Number is written on the spine label of the book.

• Cataloguing

The bibliographic details like edition, year of publication, subject, keywords, etc. are prepared by this section. The details entered in this section are indexed on various fields like Author; Title, Subjects, Classification Number, Keywords, etc., and can be retrieved through the OPAC service.

Journal Section

Both Indian and Foreign journals(print) currently subscribed and journals received as gift are displayed on the shelves. Newspapers and popular magazines are also available for reading. At present, 242 plus print journals subscribed by the Library. A journal, on completion of its volume will be processed for binding. After the binding is over, the volume will be accessioned and added to the Back-Volume shelf. Necessary reading tables and chairs are provided for reading and reference. Access to about 2.5 laks of eresources (e-books, e-journals, e-databases, e-theses, Academic Online Videos, Video Talks etc.) is available 24/7 and also by Remote Login facility.

Digital Library Services Section & Information Technology Section

Automated and Digital Library Services are provided from these sections. All sections of the Library have been connected through LAN. Computer Data Base of the holdings of the Library has already been created using the Library Management Software LIBSYS. Maintaining Hardware and Software, Providing Internet Service, E-resources Access Services, WEBOPAC Service, Remote Login Service, Document Delivery Service, Maintaining Library Databases, Preparing RFID Identity Cards, Barcode Labels for books, etc., and Spine Labels for books, Creating Membership Details, Maintaining ETD Lab, etc. are some of the activities of these sections. The following Servers are maintained by these sections.

1. Library Management Server
2. Web Portal
3. Scifinder Scholar-NAT Server
4. EZ Proxy Server
5. Institutional Repository Server
6. Maintaining RFID devices and components

Library is having more than 125 desktops to cater various needs of the users and Library staff. More than 50 desktops are provided for the users for browsing the e-resources, 10 desktops for OPAC service, 20 desktops for training and orientation and 3 desktops equipped with book scanner and Audio/OCR software for Visually Challenged.

Reference Section

The library has a good reference collection consisting of various encyclopaedias, dictionaries, year books, almanacs, atlases, biographies, etc. of the national and international coverage and ereference sources.

Stack Section

This is the most important section of the Library. Its function is the display and maintenance of books that are issued on loan. The whole section is arranged in three floors. Members have the facility of open access to most of the collection available in this section.

Books are arranged on the shelves according to Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme. Each book is assigned a Class Number and Book Number. Class Number is assigned to a book according to its subject and Book Number individualises a book among others having the same Class Number. In this arrangement books on the same subject are kept together. Members are advised to check the availability of the books through the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) Service. After obtaining relevant information through OPAC, the users can proceed to the respective stack area to take the books of their choice.

U.N. Depository Section

Pondicherry University Library has been recognised by the United Nations Organisation, New York, as its Depository. Publications of the United Nations are received by the University Library and arranged according to the subject in this section. The documents are available for reference only. The documents are available in CD-ROMs and On-line also.

Theses/Dissertation Section

Ph.D. Theses and M.Phil. Dissertations of the University and affiliated colleges are received and maintained by this section. The bibliographic details of the Theses and Dissertations are available on OPAC. The required Theses/Dissertations could be searched through OPAC and referred. The digitize full text of theses is availabe in the Institutional Repositiory as well as in Shodhganga – a national level open access ETD repository of Indian electronic theses.

Louis Braille Centre

A state of the art facility for visually impaired / differently abled students, scholars and faculty is located at the ground floor of the Library Annexe. The computing facility with assistive technologies enabled them with their learning and research processes.

Scholars Hub

An exclusive space for the research scholars for information access to support their research, is open from 8.30 am till midnight.

PG Reading Room

Modern furniture with facility to use laptops and other devices and an aesthetic ambience is provided at the PG reading room which is kept open for use from 8.30 am till midnight.

Competitive Exam Book Section

This section is located in the first floor of the Library Annexe and its stocked with learning materials for Competitive exams.

Discussion Rooms

Discussion rooms are available in the first floor of the Library Annexe for groups to discuss and study without disturbing the readers in the Reading Rooms. Those interested to use them may reserve for time slots by contacting intercom no. 864