In order to put a check over incidences of 'theft' and other 'malpractices,' the Dr. B.R Ambedkar Central Library of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is planning to have 'technological intervention'.
The library will now use Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technique and 'Film Strip' to catch those who try to take books outside the library without getting it issued. For this, the books would be implanted with RFID chips which will beep if someone passed the security check with an unissued book. The chip would be 'deactivated' if the student gets the book issued.
"We will put RFID tag/chip on the active collections of books which are in regular use, or are in much demand among students and faculty. We will also put it over costly books. For books which are less issued, and for thesis and bound volumes we are planning to put a Film Strip," said Dr. Ramesh C. Gaur, University Librarian.
Film Strips are not as costly as RFID tags. JNU library is 24*7 with thousands of students accessing it at a time. However, there are several incidences of 'thefts' of books, reading materials, laptops, mouse and other devices causing a loss to both University and students. "We generally do not allow students to carry personal books into the library but after the introduction of RFID tag, we will allow entry to personal books also," said Dr. Gaur. Further, in order to enhance its security check, the central library is also planning to install 'advanced' Closed Circut Television (CCTV ) cameras with high resolution in its reading rooms and passages.
"We have already 1 or 2 CCTVs installed but they are not fully functional or operational and fail to cater to our requirement. We need CCTVs with recording and viewing facility and so we will implant adequate number of CCTVs in all the eight reading rooms of our library," said the Librarian. Also, the library is planning to have 'Occupational Sensor' lights as a part of its energy conservation effort. These specific lights will only glow at the position when it is occupied by someone while for rest of the time they will automatically remain switched off. Also, normal lights would now be replaced with LED lights.