By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The visitors to the Reading Section of the State Central Library (SCL) in the city are facing photocopying problem that needs attention from the department. These readers said that the reading section of the library has a good collection of books and journals but there is no scope for photocopying in the section.
A visitor who frequents the library said that he wanted to photocopy certain portion of a book recently but could not do so for want of a photocopier. “Photocopiers are essential as it will not only help the readers but also generate revenue for the library,” he said.
Another such reader said that he wanted to photocopy an entire book on Khasi tradition recently but could not do so. “The book is an antique one as there are very few copies available since the book is no longer in circulation. I hope the library department will hear our plea for a photocopier,” he said. A college student said that he had to write pages after pages from a particular book in the past which could have been avoided if there is a photocopier.
These readers also said that the reading section staff doesn’t allow the readers to take the books out from the section for photocopying since the section is meant only for reading, which otherwise is also acknowledged by the readers. But in some emergency cases the staff allowed the readers to do so provided they keep some genuine documents in original with the section, said few readers.
Meanwhile, the Librarian of the SCL said that if the number of pages is less then the reader can use the photocopier of the office. “If the number of pages is more, we allow the books to be taken out on the condition that the reader deposits his/her identity card in original. We also allow the reader to keep the book for a day or two provided that the identity card is deposited with us and the reader returns the book after use,” she said.
However, readers have requested the librarian and other staff to furnish these instructions in the notice board of the reading section so that it becomes easier for the readers.
“I don’t know how many readers know that a book/journal is allowed to be taken out at the mortgage of an identity card,” said a reader when he came to know about the rule. It may be mentioned that the reading section is visited by numerous visitors on a daily basis out of which many are school, college and university students.