History :
The Cotton College Library,
presently known as Dr. Surya Kumar Bhuyan Library
was started in the year 1901, with the very inception
of the college itself. It was initially housed in
one of the two large halls of the spacious single
storied College Building (presently belongs to Chemistry
Department). During 1909-1910, the library contained
2,200 books. By 1915, the number reached more than
5,000 and in 1920, it was over 8,000. During the
next twenty years, the number of books in the library
had more than doubled itself and reached the figure
of 16,891 in 1939-40. During the years 1907-1912,
a Librarian was appointed. In 1913, the management
of the library was rested on a committee formed
with the members from the faculties. It is worth
mentioning that, the Calcutta University Commission,
formed by the British Government under the chairmanship
of Dr. Michael Sadler, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds
University, England (therefore known as the Sadler
Commission), which visited the college on 18th March,
1918 recorded in its report as - "The library
of Cotton College though not large was better organized
and better used by the students………"
When the volume of books
started increasing, the Library was shifted to an
independent building which was earlier known as
the Old Curzon Hall, once used by Physics Department
of the college (presently known as Bhuban Ram Das
Bhawan that houses the Coffee House). In 1924, the
then Principal F. W. Südmersen attempted to
introduce the "Open Shelf System", in
the library. But a year later the system had been
closed due to frequent theft of books. It was again
attempted in 1972 but discontinued after two years
for the same reason.
In 1950, Prof. Tirtha Nath Sarma, an eminent scholar
served the Cotton College Library the Deputy Librarian
till 1954, followed by Sri Azad Hussain who served
the library till 1984. He was the first professionally
qualified person to serve the library. In 2001,
the post of Deputy Librarian has been re-designated
as Librarian.
In the year 1986, the Cotton College Library glorified
itself with the name of Dr Surya Kumar Bhuyan, a
versatile genius who served this institution in
the status of Professor of English and also the
Principal for few years. He was the first native
of the State of Assam to be appointed as a regular
teacher in Cotton College.
In 1992, the then Hon'ble
President of India Dr Shankar Dayal Sharma laid
the foundation stone of a three storied library
building, which was inaugurated by the present Chief
Minister of Assam Sri Tarun Gogoi on 29th May, 2001
as the 'Centenary Building'.
The present library building is located centrally
within the campus. It is conveniently accessible
by the user community. The building is situated
just east of the administrative building and behind
the Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha Hall (Union Hall) that
houses the college auditorium. The entrance of the
library building is north facing and 100 meters
away from the main road. The planning of the building
is made by Architect Sri Ashanka Sarma and constructed
by PWD, Govt. of Assam. Interior was designed by
Architect Sri Ritul Sarma. The total area of
the building is 13,000 sq. feet.
Library Timing
| Library
remains open |
Monday to Friday |
10-00 AM to 7-00 PM |
| Saturday |
10-00 AM to 3-00 PM |
| Book
Issue Hours |
Monday to Friday |
11-00 AM to 1-30 PM |
| Saturday |
11-00 AM to 2-00 PM |
Number of cards issued:
 |
Higher Secondary Students :
2 each |
|
TDC Students : 2 + 2 ((for Major)
each |
|
Post-Graduate Students : 2
each |
|
Faculty members : 10 books
at a time |
Two extra cards are issued
to the student of degree & PG of some subjects
where the number of students is limited. A student
can borrow books for a maximum period of 15 days
from the date of issue. If he/she fails to return
the same within that stipulated period, a fine of
10 paisa per day to the next 15 days and Rs. 1.00
per day thereafter will be imposed.
|
