The history of Dr M.D. Patel Library dates back even prior to our Independence. In 1942, this Library was an accessory to the then SMC School of Dairy Science. After the inception of the B.A. College of Agriculture in 1947, it grew as the Central Library, merging the collections of BACA and SMC College of Dairy Science. In 1983, it was named after Dr Maganbhai Dahyabhai Patel (Dr.M.D.Patel Library).

Launching of NATP/NAIP:

Looking to thestriking advances made by the Information Technology Center at Anand campus in the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University for the development of Agricultural Education as per SAU model under ARIS and ISD, ICAR had taken Dr M.D. Patel Library to be an integral part of its 18-Regional Library Consortium project and selected Dr M.D. Patel Library as the Regional Library in the western zone.

The launching of National Agriculture Technology Project by ICAR, New Delhi, on Library Improvement and Networking (LIS O&M) drastically altered not only the fiscal statistics, but also the Library’s status as well, as the Library became an inextricable part of a nation-wide consortium, towards digitization, automation and establishment of modern Cyberary and 2 mbps Internet and 27 work-stations, thereby obtaining the esteemed position of Regional e-Library.

Library Council:

Collection:

Presently, the Library is in possession of 229  Foreign and Indian Journals, and Eight  CD Rom database AGRIS, AGRICOLA, J-GATE,  INDIAN HARVEST (CMIE), AgECON, Biological Abstracts, Annual Review and  CAB Abstracts.  Science Direct and J-Gate are e-journals full text package for AAU users.  AAU has become partner of CeRA (Consortium e-resources in Agriculture) NAIP, ICAR project under which the JCCC ,Springer collection, Annual Review & CSIRO Australian journals are access able through aau.in web.

The e-Domain:

With the Installation of the LibSys Software, the process of automation was complete, and the old manual process of circulation through library cards is totally replaced by e-cards and e-circulation, which enables the users to preview the entire information of circulatory material as well as their own e-account status.

Altogether 70403 entries consisting of books, and reports (9410) has been  electronically catalogued.  M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses abstracts (3091) , and 132 rare books are digitized and installed along with the online services of Database on the LINUX Server, and monitored by the Director, Information Technology Centre, AAU, Anand. A Union Catalogue of 173 journals was prepared and deposited with NATP, ICAR, New Delhi

The Cyberary with its 27 work-stations is  a excellent facility as  a part of e-Library. Altogether, 8 CD ROM Database are being monitored online on LINUX Server with the help of 2 mbps(BSNL) & 2 mbps /GSWAN connectivity in the Cyberary. This facility is being extensively utilized by both faculty and students on an average of daily 120-140 users for 14 hours per day (approx. 3300 users per month). Online database access is available to other Agricultural Universities of Gujarat State through www.aau.in web page.

Services:

The Library renders its services to the users from 08 00 hrs. to 22 00 hrs. The e-Circulation Counter, Reprography Service, and the Cyberary is remain open to the readers through the working hours and also on regular Institutional holidays like second and fourth Saturdays. In addition, the Library extends ILL (Inter Library Loan) service.

Impact Assessment :

The Internet access through BSNL and GSWAN and existing Database facilities and other IT enabled services have helped aspirant students to update their General Knowledge along with latest information in their respective disciplines, besides providing the much-needed impetus to the on-going research programs of the University as well as in formulating and executing newer projects. It also boosted the competitive spirit in the scientist community, alerting them to the day to day technological progress, while the e-mail has almost zeroed the global distances, making rapid and effective interaction possible.    In the Education field, several course curricula are being restructured, due to which it would be possible to transmit latest knowledge to the students, making them via media to reach grass root levels.