The English Department of SUMCTE visited the Dr. Hermann Gundert Central Library at Kannur University to explore its facilities, resources, and services. The library, centrally located on the university campus, is easily accessible to students, faculty, and staff. Upon arrival, we were welcomed into a spacious, well-lit, and ventilated reading hall with comfortable seating, providing an ideal environment for study and research. The library boasts an extensive collection of books, journals, and other academic resources, including textbooks, reference materials, and research publications. Additionally, the library offers access to a variety of digital resources such as e-books, e-journals, and online databases.Notable databases and resources include Science Direct, Scopus, EBSCO Academic Search Ultimate, Springerlink, Project Muse, IEEE, EPW, Indiastat, Proquest Ebook Central, Oxford Scholarship Online (LS and Economics), Sage Journals, DELNET Proquest Management Collection, JSTOR, CMIE Economic Outlook, ProwessIQ, EPW-RF(ITS), Nature Journal, eShodhsindhu, eShodhganga, DELNET, and KALNET.
During our visit, Mr. Gireesh, Mr. Muhammed Najeeb, Dr. Priya, and Ms. Reeja, Mr Saju P.J Professional Assistants at the library, provided us with valuable insights into the library’s services and resources. They explained the various online platforms and digital tools available for users, enhancing our understanding of the library’s offerings.The library also features a computer lab with internet access, facilitating online research and resource usage. We were introduced to several special collections, including Thaliyola, Malabar, Career Corner, and Russian and German collections. These unique resources add significant value to the library’s holdings.
Moreover, the library’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its dedicated section for differently-abled users. This section is equipped with the “Kibo Device,” a text-to-speech tool supporting multilingual reading, along with talking books for visually impaired users. Readers can also download zip files and utilize applications like AMIS (for desktop) and Easy Reader (for Android) to access materials.The library’s services extend to circulation, allowing users to borrow materials, and reference assistance, guiding users in locating and utilizing resources effectively.
A highlight of our visit was the opportunity to view historical documents, including ancient writings on palm leaves, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage.Based on our experience, we highly recommend that the library continue to expand its collection and digital resources to cater to the evolving academic needs. Additionally, implementing more information literacy programs would further educate users on effectively navigating and utilizing the library’s extensive resources.
We are grateful for the informative visit and the chance to deepen our appreciation of the library’s role in supporting academic and research pursuits at Kannur University.
