Jadavpur university will allow undergraduate and postgraduate students to access the central library on a limited scale from Friday after a year-long Covid-induced closure.

Students will be able to use the library for borrowing books.

The reading facility is being discouraged as of now to avoid any assembly at a time when the pandemic is still on.

A notice issued by the officiating chief librarian, Srabana Ghosh, mentions the “protocols/guidelines” that will be applicable in the library till further notice.

All the users/staff have to wear masks and sanitise their hands before entering. Users/staff are required to strictly follow physical distancing norms, the guidelines states.

Only a limited number of users at a time will be allowed to enter the library circulation counter between 11am and 5pm. The number would be announced later.

A university official said students are being allowed to use the library as they need to access books as the odd semester exam is approaching.

“Many don’t have the resources to access the digital library services,” he said.

The library that had reopened last December with the university asking employees to resume duties in-person, so far allowed access to the research scholars on a limited scale. “The volume of research scholars is much less. But that at the level of undergraduate and postgraduate, it is huge” he said.

A library staff said they have plans to let the undergraduate and postgraduate students use the library on a limited scale in near future.

“We are likely to reopen the reading room for all in small numbers,” said an official.

JU had launched “Accessible Library” for persons with disabilities in September 2018. It produces books in Braille and audio books to help students encountering visual impairment.

The university has ensured PG accommodation for these students so that they could frequently access to the library.

The library on the university’s Salt lake campus will also reopen for students.

Presidency University has also begun allowing students to visit the library for drawing and returning books.

Students have to enrol themselves on book issue form.

“For issuing of books, you are requested to submit the form at least four days prior to issuing date. Students will be informed the date of issuing of books at least one day in advance,” reads a notice posted on the university’s website.

Other details like the timing are posted on the website.