Net whole wide world of books on the web

Net whole wide world of books on the web


Ashwini M Sripad
First Published : 05 Dec 2008 04:14:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 05 Dec 2008 04:30:49 AM IST

BANGALORE: No more waiting for your friend to get books from his or her college library.

Reading books from any college libraries will soon be a mouse click away.

The Bangalore University (BU) is planning to create the Bangalore University Academic Library Network (BALNET), a network of libraries of all colleges affiliated to the University, which will allow students and faculty members to access books from other college libraries affiliated to the BU.

The BU has more than 530 affiliated colleges. BALNET will include a database of libraries of these colleges, which will be hosted by the university web server. There will be a single catalogue that will help teachers and students get access to any book on the list.

Speaking about the concept, P V Konnur, BU university librarian, said that once the BALNET is launched, students or teachers can get the required book from any other college libraries with just one click. The university will tie up with a courier company, which will do the collecting and delivering of books, he said, adding that a nominal annual fee would be charged from all the colleges for the service.

The University has so far trained more than 150 chief librarians of various colleges affiliated to it. He said that he would put forth the concept before the Minister for Higher Education, Aravind Limbavali.

Konnur said there are also plans to implement and bring all the colleges affiliated to the eight universities in Karnataka under the Karnataka State Academic Library Network (KALNET).

“This will enable every student studying in Karnataka to access books from any library across the state,” he added.