History of the Library

The D.G.college library was established in 1952 and was then situated in the science building. Library had a collection of 4952 books and could  accommodate 75 students and staff member in its Reading Room

The first book entered in the library accession register was

• • Title Science at your service.

  • Author Huxley, Julian S. & others.

  • Acc No. 1

  • Year 1952

In October 1954 the library was shifted to the Arts Building. Reading hall had capacity to accommodate 225 students, with separate accommodation for girls and staff members. Following note was published in college Miscellany (Feb.1955 p.no.118):

"The college library formerly housed in the science Building. The modest stock of 4000 books with it started has increased to one of 12000 in the last two years. The library is open from 7.30 am to 9.00 pm on all days. The college welfare committee has recently opened a Book-Bank through which text books and recommended books are lent to poor students for use throughout the year. To bring the latest advances in knowledge to the notice of our student. The library committee has arranged to see that contents of some academic and technical journals are regularly displayed on the notice board. These displays have gained wide popularity. During the last three years the library has received donation of nearly a thousand books"

The 'Mutual Aid Fund and Book-Bank' was instituted in 1955 to help needy students in the form of book and remission of fees. The collection in the book bank formed a section in the library was 3364 books. In 1957 the University centenary committee gave a grant for the purchase of book.

The university Grant Commission gave a donation of Rs.15000/-for the purchase of books in 1964.In 1965. Some staff members from the physics Department of the college donated a cupboard for books on Military Science and allied subject. This was at a time when war between India and Pakistan was imminent.

Dr. R.V. Sathe, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bombay, university a full size oil-panting in the library hall of our college to us, in their touching speeches. The real greatness of Principal Joag in various spheres.

In 1966 ESSO Standard Eastern Inc. requested the college authorities … permit them to open section of the ESSO Science Club Project Reference Center on the campus. The proposal was readily accepted and it has become a part of the college library.

In the month of November 1966, the college library was shifted to its new. Separate building where it is now functioning.

Shri. Neville N. Wadia President of Modern Education Society declared open the new library on 8TH February,1967 The library he said, is not only well-equipped and spacious, but also beautiful in its visual concept.

The note published in the editorial of college Miscellany (March 1967Pg. iv) was as follows : "A good collection of books said Carlyle is the true University of our day. The remark emphasizes on essential truth which should be borne in mind. None the less, in cities like Mumbai where many a student does not get a suitable place for reading in his house not to speak of "a room of one's own" the importance of a spacious building for the library cannot be over estimated. Thanks to the UGC for giving the grant to the tune of Rs. 1,15000, because of which there has sprung up satisfactory from both aesthetic and utilitarian point of view. The reading hall on the first floor of the library accommodates 600 students. While the cubicles on the mezzanine floor and the facilities provided for study on ground floor meet the long felt needs of the members of the staff interested in reading and research. The library has besides a seminar room which reminds us that mere lectures are not enough."

Some Memorable Events

• In 1966 Shri G.D. Apte, Curator of our library, returned from the U.K. after a short session of first-hand experience of library, management.

• In 1968-69 Shri Balasaheb Desai visited the library.

• On 4th February 1975 Shri Vasantrao Patil , Minister for Irrigation Maharashtra State visited the library.

• In 1976 Padma-bhushan Shri Laxamanshastri Joshi unveiled the cupboard of books Mathematics donated by friends and admirers of the late Prof. B.S. Nagarkatte.

• Mr. K.S. Damle Joined the library department of this college in 1952. He later completed his studies for M.A. in History and diploma has made his mark in the exacting field of library work. He is a great lover as a Librarian of our library up to 31st Dec. 1984.

• On 6th July 1985, Mr. Pradip Karnik took charge of the library as a librarian.

In 1998 Library department tried to give an aesthetic outlook to the library arrangement. Lending section was shifted over to the separate room, catalogue cards cabinets and display boards were put up at corridors, teachers reading room were made spacious, periodical display cupboards were introduced, flower plants show pieces were placed to welcome the entrance.

In 2002 library started Open Access Section for students on the 2nd floor and separate Reference section on the ground floor.

In the Golden Jubilee celebration year the library has started an Educational Museum for rare books and materials.

On 17th January 2002 the library received three computers for library work with SOUL software. In January 2003 separate section was introduced for Internet with 6 new computers. Thus with the introduction of computers, Internet facility and library management software the library started moving towards ICT century by stating automation of the library. Librarian Mr. Pradip Karnik did great efforts to established our library in current ICT era.