Library Details

Campus Network:
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSUB) has laid down fibre optics of 26 kms on its scattered six campuses with more than 2000 nodes on the campus, to facilitate its fraternity to keep pace with the research and academic activity.
Our University is fortunate to be identified in the first 50 Universities by the UGC under the UGC Infonet project for V-SAT connectivity through ERNET bandwidth of 512 KBPS over and above this, on the campus, 2 mbps bandwidth of Technology Promotion Trust is also available for effective Information communication across the campus. More than 216 kms of Structured Cabling (Copper) for connecting Computers @ 100 MBPS , connecting over 85 Departments and Institutes, Structured Cabling for over 2000 Nodes, Network Logically divided into 5 Segments based on Geography, 24 x 7 Internet Services (2 MBPS + 512 KBPS) , Linux based Active Firewall, Centralized Worms (Virus) Detection, Total and Per Department bandwidth monitoring (MRTG), Per IP Bandwidth Usage Monitoring (Squid Logs Analyzer), Web based Online Network Monitoring.
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Smt. Hansa Mehta Library (University Library):
Foundation Stone:	Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the then President of India laid down the Foundation stone of Smt. Hansa Mehta Library of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda on 16th November 1954.
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Library Building:
The existing building of the Smt. Hansa Mehta Library (University Library) was designed with great foresight and a high level of structural marvels. The library is housed in a modular structure building having different sections. The total built up area of the Library is 80,025 sq. ft. The readers can enter from both the sides of the building and pass through the circulation counter to get into the Library’s Reading Room and stacks where the books are housed. The first floor of the building is the prime functional area. To have proximity and coordination among various sections, the service areas viz. Circulation section, Reading Room with Curricular collection, Reference Section and Journal Section are all on the Northern part of the building. Administrative wing and behind the curtain sections viz. Acquisition, Technical Processing Unit and Computer console are housed on the South portion of the building.
Ground floor is used for books, bound journals collection and photocopying and cloakroom facilities for the readers. The mezzanine floor accommodates about 500 readers, books and in-house binding unit.
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Reading Room:
It has a single largest Reading Room of 10,600 sq. ft. which can accommodate about 1100 readers at a time and is open to readers from 8.00 am to 10.00 pm i.e. 14 hours a day throughout the year except National holidays. It is situated in the whole North Side of the building, in order to have a continuous natural light throughout the year.
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Stacks:
The books are stacked on the two floors. These Stack Rooms have the same dimensions as the Reading Room with an additional sitting capacity of 500 plus readers.
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Library Services:
Libraries are known in the society by the services it renders to the academic community and the society. Library services are of two types - behind the curtain and reader’s services.
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Behind the curtain services:
Service/ operations, which are undertaken by the libraries to better, serve its clientele in more efficient way. They are:
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Acquisition Section:
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda’s University Library System acquires books for all its constituent Libraries comprising of 77 teaching Departments of 13 Faculties and 3 constituent Colleges at Smt. Hansa Mehta Library (University Library). The acquisition procedure is simple wherein respective teachers and head of the Departments have to send their requisition in a prescribed Performa to Smt. Hansa Mehta Library. Acquisition Section maintains a chronology register of the various requisitions and after verifying the duplication, grants etc. it places the order to the recommended vendor or otherwise. After the receipt of the books, it is being physically checked prior to accessioning.
Every fortnight, information of acquired books are being made available on the website under the heading ‘New Arrivals’. This facilitates the clientele that a specific document has already been procured by the Library and will be available shortly at the respective Library which will make the user aware about their request process and fulfill the motto of Library services i.e. right book to the right reader at the right time; which accelerates the technical process.
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Technical Processing Unit:
With the introduction of the unique University Library System in Western part of the country, there was paucity of trained library professionals; has resulted in to need of great skill, passion and technique to trained, untrained library staff for the professionally skilled oriented activities like classifying the document and catalogue them for the readers inventory. These challenges were well handled by the then doyen of the Library profession - late Dr. C.P.Shukla (then University Librarian) by delivering lectures and providing them a practice to classify the documents according to Colon Classification, Dewey Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Classification. Interestingly, the then, library staff and the users found themselves more comfortable with Library of Congress Classification compared to other two schemes of classification.
Technical Processing Unit of Smt. Hansa Mehta Library undertakes the responsibility of classifying all the documents received for University Library System and maintains its catalogue for the users inventory. Till the computerization of the Library, Smt. Hansa Mehta Library used to maintain a Union Catalogue, which facilitated to locate the document in the University Library System. By adopting a Centralized Distributed Database Management System for the entire constituent Libraries under the University Library System facilitates to borrow a book from any of the Library.
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Readers’ Services:
Libraries are the Service institutions, which cater to the intellectual needs of its clientele, are to be known as the reader’s services or clientele services. The efficiency of any library is measured not only by its collection, building and other infrastructure facility, but it is being well judged by its services to the clientele. Smt. Hansa Mehta Library plays an effective role among the academic fraternity to cater to their intellectual needs through the following reader- oriented library services.
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Circulation Section:
Out of 14 constituent Libraries under the University Library System, 8 Libraries offer Library operations through a smart card using bar code technology are fully automated.Circulation Section is one of the prominent sections, which facilitates the users to borrow books for their home reading on the basis of their category of patron privilege.
Presently, University Library System as a whole offers the following categories of patrons:
Students Under Graduates & Post Graduates Research Scholars Ph.D. Student, JRF, SRF etc Ex- Students Those who are desirous to complete their respective degrees Academic staff Full time, Visiting, Temporary Faculty members of the University Administrative staff University Officers including Class IV Individual Membership Learned representatives of the Society and former Teachers and Administrative Staff of the University Corporate Membership Industries to have better Industry / University coordination and cooperation Temporary Library Membership Non M S University fraternity - research scholars and others strived for intellectual needs
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Inter Library Loan Services:
No Library can stand alone to be able to cater to all academic needs of its clientele. In order to render assistance and support from other Libraries to facilitate them, Smt. Hansa Mehta Library is actively engaged in providing and offering Inter Library Loan facility to its clientele and clienteles of other Libraries too, by way of effective Inter Library Loan service. This facility is extended to all the category of patrons.
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Document Delivery Service:
Library also provides on request, to any distant user, photocopy / hardcopy / softcopy of the document on their way of demand without violating the copyright and IPR. We do extend Document Delivery Service either through mail or e-mail as desired by the users, of course on payment.
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Curricular Section:
Curricular Collection consists of recommended textbooks, which facilitate the readers to use them within the Library premises.
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Reference Section:
Reference Section has a collection of all types of ready reference sources, which are being procured regularly at least, after a interval of a year to keep this collection updated. It also provides Bibliographic Service, Extract, Newspaper Clippings, Literature Search and Long Range Reference service including Referral Service. We offer value added service on request through this rich collection and special collections. Reference Collection consists of Reference books, Rare Books, Baroda (State) Collection and Dissertations & Theses. This Section serves from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm from Monday to Saturday except Public Holidays and offers following other services.
1. Referral Service to its clientele. 2. Access to University Research Reports and other material. 3. Access to Rare books and Special books Collection and related services 4. User Orientation programme to   > New entrants   > Visitors from outside The M S University of Baroda 5. Compilation of Bibliographies and Webliographies 6. Services to Visually Disabled users 7. Assistance to readers in the use of Library resources 8. Information service based on CD and web databases 9. Document Delivery Service
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User Education:
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda is having a unitary structure where all its teaching Departments impart education right from Undergraduates to Research; to satisfy and for better usage of the Library, we regularly undertake a User Education Programme. In the beginning of every academic year, in all the Faculties, the Library staff initiates a Library User Education activity by delivering lecture, multi media presentation and at the time of the visit to the Library, an Orientation is also imparted for better use of the Library.
Special Collections:
Baroda (State) Collection
BARODA (STATE) COLLECTION of Smt. Hansa Mehta Library is a unique historic collection of Administrative, Legal, Educational & other documents and publications of the Baroda State of Pre-Independence Era. The collection is rich in books on History, Economics, Education, Law and Public Administration etc.
Special publications like Maharaja’s visit to District and to Foreign countries and visit of foreign dignitaries invited by the Maharaja, all administrative developments of the State, Laws and Acts passed by the Baroda Government, Inquiry Committee Reports, Government Orders, facilities provided by the Baroda Government for industries, rules of Business of the Council of the State, public lectures of eminent people, Rituals to be followed in the Temples, King’s Silver Jubilee Celebrations, Judicial system in Baroda State, Archaeology Department of Baroda State etc.
This collection is of prime importance for the study and research of the history and functioning of the various States of the Pre-Independence period, especially the Baroda State of Gaekwads. It contains some of the rare Administrative documents of the British Era. The available books are in printed form from early 19th century to the 1950’s.
Rare books Collection
Rare books include books as old as dated back to Sixteenth Century. Approximately 3,500 books are preserved in this precious collection, which comprises of some noteworthy titles, which are Out of Print.
Prof. Balvantrai Kalyanrai Thakore (B.K.T.) Collection
It is unique collections of 3985 titles of Prof. Balwantrai Thakore, an eminent literary figure in Gujarati Literature. This collection includes variety of literary forms such as Bhasha Shastra, Old ejoyanati, Kavya, Natak-Natika, Novels, Lekh-nibandh, Criticism, Vivechan, Praveshak, Charcha-Patra, Avlokan, Nivedan, and letters etc. by Prof.B.K.Thakore.
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Presently, University Library System in all subscribes to 815 print journals excluding gratis out of which Smt. Hansa Mehta Library subscribes to more than 512 journals out which 60% are foreign and approximately 200+ are received as gratis.
One may make use of the recent articles / developments in one’s subject field and if required, can also get the article photocopied during 8.00 am- 8.00 pm.
The Library has a rich collection of bound journals of more than one lakh out which some are as old as Nineteenth Century available till date, a few illustrative are as under –
1. Journal of Royal Asiatic Society, Volume 1 ; 1834 onwards 2. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Volume 1 ; 1890 onwards 3. Economic Journal, Volume 4 ; 1894 onwards 4. Geographical Journal, Volume 1 ; 1893 onwards 5. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, Volume 1 ;1890 onwards
Some noteworthy Indexing and Abstracting Journals are also being subscribed.
Biological Abstracts – 1942 to till date Current Contents: Life Sciences – 1963 to till date Dissertation Abstracts International Section A – 1973 to till date Chemical Abstracts – 1912 to till date International Political Science Abstracts – 1952 to till date Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews Section A – 1976 to till date Nutrition Abstracts and Reviews Section B – 1976 to till date Physics Abstracts – 1910 to till date Psychological Abstracts – 1946 to till date Physical Reviews A – 1970 to till date Physical Reviews B – 1970 to till date Physical Reviews C – 1970 to till date Physical Reviews D – 1970 to till date Sociological Abstracts – 1955 to till date
All the back volumes of the journals are stacked on the ground floor and are made available for reference within the Library premises.
Over and above these, more than 24,000+ online journals are also accessible across the campus including the journals, which are available under the UGC Infonet Programme.
Binding Section:
Smt. Hansa Mehta Library maintain in house binding section where repairing of the books, binding/rebinding of books and journals and binding of newspapers are being carried out with all the required equipments.
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IT infrastructure at Smt. Hansa Mehta Library (University Library)
The University Library is equipped with a well equipped Air-conditioned Seminar Room with internet, multi media, wireless audio system and with revolving executive chairs. It also has the following infrastructure of computers, peripherals and network facilities.
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Servers
1. Pentium – I Server :   > Pentium-I 133 MHz CPU, 64 MB RAM, 2 GB SCSI HDD, 32X CD-ROM, 4/8 GB DAT Drive > Operating System : Novell Netware 4.11 > Software : CDS/ISIS 2. Tulsient FISC-CDH Server :   > Pentium CPU, 64MB RAM, 3 x 80GB HDD, 52X LG CD-ROM Drive > Operating System : Proprietary OS > Software : Proprietary Software to manage files. > Various CD-ROM Databases like ERIC, EconLit, Wilson Social Science Abstracts etc. are mirrored on this server, which can be accessed across the campus. 3. Compaq Proliant 800 Server :   > Dual CPU P-III 500 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 8GB SCSI HDD, 48X CD-ROM Drive, 4/8 GB DAT Drive > Operating System : Windows NT 4 (SP6) > Library Management Software : SOUL developed and distributed by INFLIBNET Centre, Ahmedabad. 4. HP Proliant ML 350 Server   > Dual CPU – Xeon : 32 Mhtz, 1 GB RAM, 38 SCSI HDD,52 X DVD Combo Writer, > Operating System – MS Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition 5. HP 180 G-6 Series (for Soul 2.0 server)   > Intel® Xeon® X5650 2.67 GHz(2 processor) ,16 GB RAM, 1200GB HDD > Operating System –Windows 2008 server R2 Standard > ASK Proxima C170 LCD Projector   ASK Proxima Projector - digital projection with PC-free playback- stand-alone projector, connection options — wired or wireless, computer or video sources, with USB flash drive. It has a bright 2000 lumens (standard mode; 1500 lumens in whisper mode), a contrast ratio of 1000:1, native XGA resolution, as well as a multitude of connection options, including M1-DA and VESA for computers, 3.5mm stereo audio input and loop, S-Video and component (RCA) video.
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Desktops & Nodes :
Pentium-4 Nodes (60 No.) :
HP/Compaq uT – Pentium-4, 3.2 GHz, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HDD, 52X DVD Combo Writer (2 nodes have CD-RW Drive) Operating System : Windows XP Professional with Service Pack-2 (SP2) Software : SOUL Client, Internet Ready.
Pentium-III (1 No.) ; Pentium Nodes (10 Nos.) :
HP/Compaq Presario – Pentium-III 1.8 GHz, 128MB RAM, 20 GB HDD, 52X CD-ROM (3 nodes have CD-RW Drive) ROM (3 nodes have CD-RW Drive) Operating System : Windows 98 SE Software : SOUL Client, Internet Ready.
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Peripherals:
UPS: APC make UPS: 2 No. - 2 KVA with 4 hours backup capacity and 2.2 KVA with 5.5 hours backup Laser Printers: 8 (HP LaserJet 6P, HP LaserJet 1005, HP LaserJet 1010, HP LaserJet 1022) Ink Jet Printers: 2 (HP DeskJet 710C, HP DeskJet 840C) Dot Matrix Printers: 7 (Epson LQ 1070+3 Nos.; Epson LQ 300+-3 Nos.; Epson EX 1000-) Flatbed Scanner: HP Scan Jet 5300C Barcode Printers: 3 - Zebra TLP 2844 Barcode Scanners: 6 Zebra make External Zip Drive: 2 iomega 250MB External Zip Drive External CD-ROM Drive: 1 Creative 48X CD-ROM
Global Information and Communication Centre (GICC):
This Centre was inaugurated on 8th December 2005 for the academic fraternity of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara in Smt. Hansa Mehta Library with 20 nodes to access Internet and E-Resources. This centre also provides CD writing and print facility to the users.
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Seminar Room :
Smt. Hansa Mehta Library has a well equipped air-conditioned seminar room with multimedia facility, LCD, corldless microphone system having a capacity to accomodate 35 participants, revolving chairs and a pantry adjacent to this room.