Renovate RU Library

The demand for quality libraries in universities across Bangladesh has never been more urgent. Without well-equipped and efficiently managed libraries, our higher education system remains incomplete and incapable of fostering the much-needed transformation in academic excellence, innovation, and research capacity.
Take, for instance, the University of Rajshahi, whose central library houses a vast collection of books and has recently begun installing RFID gates-an initiative that deserves appreciation. Yet, despite this progress, students continue to face a host of longstanding challenges. These include inadequate seating capacity, outdated and limited book collections, lack of air conditioning and comfortable study spaces, and a general absence of a knowledge-friendly atmosphere. Even more concerning is the neglect in updating information science and library management systems, which continues to hamper both service quality and professionalism within the library staff.
Students and researchers frequently struggle with limited access to academic journals, delays in procurement, and overly complex purchasing procedures. The slow pace of adopting e-resources and digital infrastructure, the absence of real-time online catalogs, and the lack of remote access facilities have caused our university libraries to fall far behind global standards.
To remedy this, a holistic approach is required-one that includes timely and adequate budget allocations, expansion of IT-enabled resources, and modernization of library services through digital automation. Equally important is the recruitment of qualified librarians, provision of ongoing professional development, and the creation of an environment that actively encourages reading, research, and critical inquiry.
Libraries are the intellectual heart of any academic institution. Upgrading them is not a luxury but a necessity for national progress. A quality library at Rajshahi University would set an example for others, helping to reshape the future of higher education in Bangladesh.

Md Tarek Ali
Student, Department of Sociology
University of Rajshahi