DVK Central Library, providing unique services in ecclesiastical learning, is a key academic centre on the campus. The DVK Central library is entering a new phase in its evolution with its fully automated and modern infrastructure. The functions of this library are spread over a multi-storey building with forty-five thousand square feet of space. The concept of the Central Library is a collective form of different libraries and subsidiary facilities. This library, with its functions, features, and structure, is unique among the Indian Ecclesiastical Libraries.
DVK Central Library has many facilities. One of Central Library’s defining features is our collections. A variety of learning spaces and supporting environments for research are attracting scholars for long-sitting to produce more ecclesiastical knowledge at the library.
Book Library: There are around 1,25,000 books in this library. The important components of the book library are Reference Library, Source Book Library, Lending Book Library, Thesis Library, TextBook Library, Reserved Books, Professors’ Library, and Rare Books Library.
Journal Library: We currently have around 25,000 bound volumes, and this library has a collection of 819 journal titles. Some of the journals started in the year 1871. Now, the library subscribes to around 350 titles. In this way, it marks a unique collection of journals. The important sections of the Journal Library are the Current Periodicals Section, Back Issue Section, and Bound Volume Section.
Digital Library: The DVK Central Library offers various types of Databases (Paid and Open Source) for the reference of ecclesiastical research. Here students explore information from the digital world. Other important components are C.D. Rom, Data Bank, Internet Facility, Web Portal, E-Journals, E-Books, and Electronic WorkStations.
Prepaid Print Facility: There is a facility for the students to take their academic printout with a single click with a prepaid digital print account system.
Scanning Facility: We provide a document scanning facility to the students free of cost.
Cut ‘N’ paste and Spiral Binding Facility: The cut ‘N’ paste and the spiral binding facility are set apart to help the students to do their documentation works at the library for the academic assignments free of charge, except for a few stationery items.
Search Centre: This is a spacious counter meant for electronic search. The users can enjoy different search facilities through the OPAC (Online Public Access Catalogue). The library has an inhouse OPAC search facility (with BOOK WORMS software and a remotely accessible OPAC system with KOHA software which is available at the following URL: http://195.201.234.174:8001/
Meeting Spaces in the Library: Multi-media Centre, Programme Corner and Conference Room are well-equipped for short-duration programmes like Classes with multimedia presentations, Seminars, Thesis Defence, “Meet the Author” Programme, Special Training Programmes, Workshops, Conferences, Videoconferences, Video Watching and different types of Academic Discussions, and other Academic Events.
News House: This is an attempt by the library to sensitize library users on current affairs. The important components are News Papers, News Boards, News Channels and News Discussions.
Wisdom Vibrating Scheme: It is an attempt to vibrate wisdom throughout the campus. During main courses in the Athenaeum, the library will facilitate various exhibitions, demonstrations, quiz programmes, etc., with the help of the concerned faculties.
Map and Photo Gallery: It is a visual aid to stamp important figures and maps in the mind of scholars.
Garden Library: To promote a contemplative/reflective reading, we extend our reading environment to the garden/eco-friendly open-air area.
Research Cubicles: The Library facilitates a special compact research environment, “Research Cubicles” These cubicles are available to Professors, Lecturers, Research Scholars, etc., with booking and other formalities.
Collaborative Learning Centre: It is a facility for collaborative learning, especially for Graduates and Postgraduates. The students can conduct serious discussions, presentations, group learning, group project work, etc.
Property Counter: The library will not allow any baggage, books, files and other personal things, except a limited number of blank papers, laptops and electronic writing pads (without any bag) into the restricted area (through the Access Control Door). At the same time, the library facilitates a well-arranged property counter for keeping the personal property.
New Arrivals Display: The newly accessed books are displayed on the beautifully arranged shelves in the entrance area. After fifteen days of exhibition, these books will exhibit at the reference library for further reading purposes.
Membership: All students of DVK are provisional members of DVK Central Library. After getting the DVK Identity Card, they can confirm their library membership. Normally, the membership will expire with the completion of the respective course.
Admission: Without an Identity Card, users are not allowed in the Research Area. If somebody wants to enter without an ID card, they must register their name, time and other details in the “Gate Register” of the library. The users are not supposed to transfer their Identity Cards.
Lending Books: A student may borrow 12 books at a time. A book is issued for 28 days, which can be re-issued twice if no one else demands it. Subsequent renewals will be allowed only after three days. A fine of one rupee per book per day will be collected from students who fail to return the books on due dates. Reference Books, Thesis, Reserved Books, Books in the Professor’s Library, New Arrivals, and Periodicals should not be taken out of the library. Library books are not to be taken out of Bangalore. All books should be returned before the commencement of summer vacation. The special permission of the librarian is required to retain a book during summer vacation.
Thesis Library Use: Thesis Library use is restricted for 1 hour with prior permission/formality.
Silence: In general, moderate silence must be maintained in all areas of the Central Library. The users have to keep absolute silence in the Research Area. After entering the Access Control Door, nobody should use mobile phones or sound-making gadgets/equipment.
Lost Books: When somebody realizes that he/she has lost one library book, the person has to report immediately to the librarian. If it is confirmed that there is no way to get the book back, there are a few procedures to be followed.
Library Timings: Monday – Saturday: 08.00 am to 08.00 pm on academic days. Semestral Holidays and Christmas Vacation, the library will be open from 08.00 am to 06.00 pm.
Holidays: All Sundays are holidays. There are holidays for the library connected to Christmas, Easter and very selected important commemorative days (all the details are given in the “Library and Office Holidays” of the calendar). Except for reading, all other functions and services are available only from 09.00 am to 04.30 pm.
Access to Library Stacks
Monday – Saturday: 09.00 am to 12.00 pm
01.00 pm to 05.00 pm
Table Reservation: The library is giving a special facility for senior scholars to do a special reservation to keep the reference/stack books at their specified tables for a specified period. For this facility, they have to do a reservation at Circulation Counter, and they have to follow the rules:
The DVK Central Library has a good reference culture. User education is the important initiation service offered by the library to nurture and maintain the research culture at the library as well as DVK. User education is the interface to connect the resources to the scholastics through the complex systems to do their studies with a research mind. The library is offering this programme for certificate course students to PhD scholars. To save time, to get the freedom to use, to be a partner of the library, and to create a link between researcher and resources are relevant to this programme. The philosophical reason is to bridge the gap between Recorded Knowledge and Living Knowledge.
Objectives:
Dharmaram Classification Scheme (DCS): Dharmaram Classification Scheme is a special classification system, especially for classifying resources in a specialized library like DVK.
Self-charging System: The students issue the books by the self-charging system.
Non-due Certificate: Those who want to get the Non-due certificates can apply to the library after returning all the books and clearing all dues. The user can approach with an ID card, and the person-in-charge will do some system procedures for producing a ‘Printed Slip of Non-Due Certificate.’ The librarian will sign in the prescribed form of the student after collecting the ‘Printed Slip of Non-Due Certificate.’
Detailed Rules and Regulations are available in the particular manual of DVK Central Library.
Librarian: Dr. John Neelankavil, CMI
Associate Librarian: Dr. Joby Jose Kochumuttom, CMI
Associate Librarian: Dr. Antu Nayangara, CMI