Brief Introduction

The library was established in 1908 with the start of Agricultural Experiment Station and Agricultural School at Sabour. It continued with its basic activities of information resources development by collecting, processing, organizing, storage and retrieval of information; maintaining liaison with other related University libraries for resource sharing and exchange of information; providing need based current awareness, reference and bibliographic services and facilitating online access to wide range of information resources in print and electronic versions.Open access system is followed in the Library and the books are arranged as per Dewey Decimal Classification scheme and catalogued as per A.A.C.R.-II.

During every financial year library makes collection of about 4,000 / 5,000 titles under different schemes of University / ICAR. Library provides services like: E-Access, CD-ROM Search, Photocopying, Circulation, Reference, Book Bank, Resource Sharing and Clipping, etc. 

The library has the rare privilege of possessing, some unique books which are over 300 years old and were procured in the year 1913.

• HORTUS MALABARICUS: 12 VOLS.

 It had been published during 1686-89-1703 by Henry Southern Company, Piccadilly West. These publicationsare original in nature and very rare and scripted in Latin, Arabic, Brahmi (Sanskrit) and Malayalam with 794 beautifully engraved black and white plates. These booksdeal with different horticultural plants located at Malabar Hills in peninsular India. There is a separate commentary on all the 12 Vols. for its description written by Francis Hamilton published in 1821 in English language for the benefit of the users who are not conversant with above 4 languages.

• MUSEUM RUSTICUM ET. COMMERCIAL: 6 VOLS.

It had been published during 1764-1766 by R. Davis, London. These books deal with marketing of agricultural products along with the art, commerce and manufacturing. These are available in the form of letters from various experts in their own field narrating experiences to the editor MUSEUM RUSTICUM ET. COMMERCIAL on the topics mentioned earlier.

• PLANTS OF COAST OF COROMANDEL: 3 VOLS.

It had been published by George Nicol, Book Seller to His Majesty, Londonduringthe period 1795-1819. Thesevolumes deal with coastal plants of Coromandel contains 300 beautiful coloured engraved plates of different plants with their generic characters, description and observations in English. These coloured engraved plates are still intact with no sign of fading of their colours and are very lively and beautiful for the benefit of botanist and allied subject’s users.

• Mahatma Gandhi:

Above is collection of 500 photographs gathered from different sources scattered throughout the world brought out by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to enshrine the life and work of Father of the Nation and published in 1954.

Library Resource Developments

E-Resources

During the period of 2018-2019 to 2022-2023, the following number of Theses were added:

 Membership

All students, faculty members and employees of the University are member of the library.

Timing

The library hours are 07:00AM to 07:00PM in all working days, 09:30 AM to 01:30 PM on Sundays and remain closed on holidays.

Modernization

The library has fifty computer systems with internet facilities. We have acquired IP addresses and eight Wi-Fi systems have been set up to online access of the e-resources. Modernization of University Library for setting up an e-library and digital library are available for the users.

All College Libraries of the University have also been given online access of all the e-resources.During COVID-19 period, all the students and faculty members of the University have been provided online access of e-resources through remote access facility.

Automation and Digitization

Automation of University Library with RFID Systems and Technology has implemented.  Digitization of library documents has been implemented and till date most of new arrivals have been entered in database. Web-OPAC of University Library including all Six College Libraries and Digital Repository of BAU publications are available at BAU web site for end users. Our University has been included in Krishikosh for digital repository of BAU publications. For this, University had also been included in the NAIP Sub-project entitled: “Strengthening of Digital Library and Information Management under NARS (e-Granth)”. Also, our University has been included in Shodhganga@INFLIBNET portal for uploading the Ph.D. Theses and all the Ph.D. Theses have been uploaded on Shodhganga@INFLIBNET Portal.

A two – day National Workshop on “Library Automation and Access to e-Resources in Agriculture” under NAIP e-Granth Project, was held during 20 – 21 March, 2014 for agricultural scientists and library personnel. A number of resource persons from premier institutes like IARI, New Delhi, delivered lectures on the theme area of the workshop.

Consortia

 The University Library is a member of Consortium for e-Resources in Agriculture (CeRA) and Krishikosh. E-Journals of American Society of Agronomy, Annual Reviews, CSIRO, Elsevier, Oxford Journals, Springer Link, Taylor & Francis and Wiley are available through CeRA.

Teaching Programme

 Under P.G. Programme an introductory course of Library and Information Services has been introduced as Compulsory Course for Master’s Programme in all disciplines and optional for Ph.D. scholars.

Looking Forward

E-resources and the subscription of Indian / Foreign Journals for University Library will be enhanced.

Library Staff

Brief CV of Dr. Rajesh Kumar:

Dr. Rajesh Kumar, M.Sc. (Math.), M. Lib. & Inf. Sc. (Gold Medalist), Ph.D., Associate Librarian, University Library at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, had served as Librarian / Information Scientist at Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) (formerly State Observatory), Manora Peak, Nainital for 17 years. He received advanced training in Computer Application, Library Software, Library Automation and Digitization. He has 5 research papers to his credit besides several academic reports. He has guided Master of Philosophy in Library & Information Science and several students have completed dissertation of M. Lib. & Inf. Sc. and training of professional works under his guidance / supervision. He has participated in the several National and International professional workshops, seminars, consortium and conferences. He is also teaching post-graduate course Library and Information Services for M.Sc. & Ph.D. students of the University.