Periyar EVR Central Library

Ever been to the VIT campus? You have missed something if you haven't seen the library then. Yes. We are proud of our library. 

Periyar EVR Central Library (Central library previously) is one of the best things the University has given to its students. 

The first fact is that the VIT central library is a truly good place as far as books are concerned. There are more than 1.3 lac copies of almost 50k books out of which a hopping 15k is added in the last year and thus the library has a good collection of almost all sorts of books ranging from the technical ones to English novels.

Another truth is that the Library is a well built structure and is one of the most beautiful spaces in VIT. In fact according to many people it used to be the best place where every person felt good.

There are MANY rules in the library and you wont get tired of listing them and the rules are applicable to Indians only and foreigners can always talk something out of them if ever somebody catches them by mistake.

Now come to the rules.

1. Library is not for discussions and teaching. As a consequence of this rule, if you are seen with your lips moving, (especially in case of two people with opposite sex) then whether sound came out of your mouth or not, you are sure to get a warning from the staff, which is never going to be less than 20 decibels, since they need everybody to know they have caught someone talking. Of course, it does not disturb anybody sitting there.

The staff members discussing with their discussions audible at all the seats on the ground floor is a matter that you are not supposed to talk about.

2. You are supposed to keep your cellphones switched off (Indians only, again) and anybody who is seen even reading a message under the table must be punished. But if the library staff members' cellphones ring, from the librarian to the attender, may be it's for students' entertainment.

3. You must wear an ID card. In case you are not wearing the card, staff members can not only bully you, they do not have problem even humiliating you with their fillips. Of course, it does not disturb the students of the library. It's just discipline which needs to be kept.

4. You cannot take more than 3 notebooks or notepads inside the library. Actually it's something that totally depends on the mood of staff sitting there.Also issued books are not allowed inside the library. Why ? If we are taking a book from the library and bringing it back to the library then what is the problem ?

There are some small things too, like you cannot get into the library clad in 'casual' dress, or even jackets. But foreigners are allowed inside with half-pants (probably half-pants made outside the country are formal) and bottles of soft-drinks. But I do not want to bother you with petty things like these and in-time details. Or may be I did. Anyways, long live the library.

Adhirath Sikand (11bbt0179)