The icing on the cake is that students can issue and return books any time.

An Auto Issue system will be set up to facilitate 24-hour issue and return of books.

The A-I system will require students to punch in their identification proof (the campus ID-card) for issuing a book.

For return, drop boxes will be placed outside the library.

PU authorities said the library would be the first in the country to adopt an upgraded security system — Radio Frequency Identification Technology (RFIT) — to ensure that no book is sneaked off the premises.

Librarian V K Anand told Newsline: “A chip will be inserted in every book, which will store the book’s description including author and title. Once the book is issued, the chip will be rendered non-functional. Otherwise, the chip will start beeping if taken out of the premises.”

As a part of the RFI technology, the library will have a digital library assistant to help locate books.

“Books kept on the inappropriate shelves can be located in no time at all. Otherwise, it takes us around 45 minutes to rectify the stock,” added Anand.

The library houses nearly 7 lakh books.

A chip will be inserted in every book, which will store the book’s description including author and title. Once the book is issued, the chip will be rendered non-functional. Otherwise, the chip will start beeping if taken out of the premises

V K Anand