Library Advisory Committee (LAC)

1. Purpose

The Library Advisory Committee (LAC) shall serve as a formal channel of communication and consultation between the Central Library and its stakeholders, including the Schools, faculty members, students, and University administration.

The Committee shall provide guidance and support for the effective planning, development, administration, and continuous improvement of the Central Library. It shall serve as an advisory body to facilitate the alignment of library resources, infrastructure, services, technologies, and facilities with the University's academic, teaching, learning, and research requirements.

The Committee shall also advise the appropriate authorities on matters relating to library policies, collection development, budget allocation, infrastructure, technology adoption, user services, staffing, and the overall growth and development of the Central Library.

2. Composition of the Library Advisory Committee

The Library Advisory Committee shall comprise members nominated/designated by the competent authority in the following categories:

Chairperson

Campus Director

Ex-Officio Secretary

Deputy Librarian

Members

• Associate Dean – MPSTME
• Associate Dean – SPTM
• Associate Dean – MPSTME – CTF
• Heads of Departments (HODs), as nominated
• Assistant Librarian
• Student Representative(s)

3. Objectives of the Library Advisory Committee

The principal objectives of the Library Advisory Committee shall be:

1. To provide overall guidance and direction for the effective functioning and development of the Central Library.
2. To review and assess the requirements of various Schools/Departments in relation to library resources and services.
3. To review proposals received from various Schools/Departments for books, journals, databases, e-resources, and other academic resources.
4. To formulate, review, and recommend appropriate policies relating to collection development, resource selection, acquisition, preservation, weeding, and disposal of library resources.
5. To develop an action plan for the continuous improvement of library infrastructure, facilities, products, technologies, and services.
6. To review emerging trends and developments in information technology, library automation, networking, digital libraries, artificial intelligence, information resources, and library cooperation.
7. To formulate and periodically review policies and procedures governing the use of library resources and services.
8. To ensure that library services are responsive to the academic, teaching, learning, and research requirements of faculty members, students, researchers, and other authorized users.
9. To review the adequacy and effective utilization of the library budget and recommend appropriate allocation of funds.
10. To review the requirements for procurement of books, journals, databases, e-resources, and other library materials and recommend budgetary provisions accordingly.
11. To encourage user participation and consider suggestions and feedback received from faculty members, students, and other library users for improving library services.

4. Functions of the Library Advisory Committee

As an advisory and recommending body, the Library Advisory Committee shall perform the following functions:

Review of Proposals

To review proposals and recommendations received from various Schools/Departments of the Shirpur Campus concerning library resources, services, facilities, and infrastructure.

Recommendation and Approval

To consider and recommend proposals within the delegated powers of the Committee and forward matters requiring approval of higher authorities to the competent authority.

Financial Approval

Proposals exceeding the prescribed financial delegation/limit shall be forwarded to the appropriate authority/OB for further consideration and approval, as per the prevailing University financial rules and procedures.

Collection Development

To formulate, review, and recommend a systematic collection development and resource selection policy for the Central Library.

Library Development Plan

To formulate and periodically review a comprehensive development plan for the Library in accordance with the academic and research priorities of the University.

Budget Proposals

To review and recommend annual budget proposals for the development and effective functioning of the Central Library.

Allocation of Funds

To advise the Deputy Librarian regarding the appropriate distribution and utilization of funds allocated for books, journals, databases, e-resources, and other academic/library requirements.

User Feedback

To obtain and review feedback from library users through suggestion mechanisms, surveys, feedback forms, and other appropriate channels.

Annual Report

To consider and review the Annual Report submitted by the Deputy Librarian and provide recommendations for further improvement.

Improvement of Library Services

To consider the views, suggestions, and requirements of library users and recommend measures for improving the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of library services.

Overdue Resources

To review cases involving persistent non-return of library materials and recommend appropriate action in accordance with the University's library rules and regulations.

User Misconduct

To consider cases of serious misconduct, misuse of library facilities, or violations of library rules that require intervention beyond the authority of the Deputy Librarian and recommend appropriate action to the competent authority.

Weeding and Write-Off

To consider recommendations regarding obsolete, damaged, unserviceable, lost, missing, or otherwise unsuitable library materials for weeding, replacement, or write-off, in accordance with applicable University policies and financial procedures.

Loss and Write-Off of Library Materials

To consider cases involving lost or irrecoverable library materials and recommend write-off or other appropriate action on reasonable grounds, subject to the applicable University rules, delegated financial powers, and approval of the competent authority.

Technology and Innovation

To review and recommend the adoption of appropriate technologies and innovative practices, including library automation, RFID, digital services, remote access, discovery systems, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

Monitoring of Decisions

To monitor the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the Committee and review their effectiveness during subsequent meetings.

5. Meetings of the Committee

The Library Advisory Committee shall ordinarily meet at least once during an academic year and may meet more frequently whenever necessary.

The agenda for each meeting shall be prepared by the Ex-Officio Secretary in consultation with the Chairperson.

6. Scope of the Committee

The Library Advisory Committee shall provide strategic guidance and recommendations concerning the resources, services, infrastructure, technology, budget, staffing, policies, user services, and overall development of the Central Library.

All recommendations and decisions of the Committee shall be subject to the applicable University policies, financial rules, delegated powers, statutory requirements, and approval of the competent authority, wherever applicable.