THE YOUTH LIBRARY-

CUM-MODEL CAREER
CENTRE (MCC),
BATHINDA

Resources for
Competitive

-AN INITIATIVE OF BATHINDA Examination

ADMINISTRATION
 THE CONCEPT
.
A floor of DBEE, Bathinda covering approx. 4000 sq ft area converted
into a Modern Library-cum-Model Career Centre with seating for
Around 70 Students at one time
.
Equipped with over 10,000 selected Books in English and Punjab
Language.
.
Provided with facilities for helping students prepare for various
Competitive Examinations including UPSC, PCS, IELTS by utilizing E-
Learning through Latest Computers, Fiber Internet, Software's, E-Readers
etc.
.
Specially designed by a team of Architects and Interior Designers to be
appealing to the younger Generation
.
Sufficient Space allocated for Leisure and Social Activities including
Pool Table, Soccer Table, Music Area, Cafeteria etc.
 CONCEPT-2

. Thousands of Students especially underprivileged Youth/ Students appearing for Competitive Examinations can
benefit from such Public Libraries-cum-Model Career Centres which can be used as Platforms for Learning as
well as Socialization with like minded people, enabling Youth to gather employment related information/guidance
readily
. Equipped with Modern modes of Learning and Digital Content, these type of Libraries can be utilized for skill
Development and enhancing the employability of the Youth.
. The MCC can also be utilised as Co-working space for Budding Entrepreneurs.
. Counselling -cum-Career Guidance can be provided to the Youth by the Professionals in DBEE, and accordingly
they can work through Books on the area of their interest.
. The modern Design to be appealing enough to attract the Youth, with spaces for Leisure and Learning in tandem.
 THE HARD PART

. First Floor of the DBEE Building being used then as a store room was
identified as suitable space for the Library-cum-MCC.

. A Design was prepared through a team of Architects/Interior Designers and

necessary modifications made in the buildings.

. Care was taken to provide as open a space as possible with as much

natural lighting as possible through the use of Large Glass Windows.

. Funds from some Government Schemes including SANKALP, MCC and

voluntary Donations, totaling over Rs. 80.00 lacs was spent on the project.

. The completion took better part of 4 months to complete transforming the

building and making into a more welcoming place.
 FACILITIES
.
COMPUTERS WITH

HI-SPEED INTERNET
.
E-READERS
.
MUSIC ROOM
.
POOL TABLE
.
TABLE SOCCER
.
BOARD GAMES
.
COFFEE MACHINE
.
CAREER COUNSELLING
ROOM
 MANAGEMENT

. Also designated as the District Library, Bathinda by the

Department of Higher Education, Punjab
. Administered by a Registered Society including both
Government and Civil members.
. Used Funds from SANKALP Project of GOI, and Model
Career Centre Funds to create the necessary Infrastructure.
. Donations and CSR Funding being channelised to support the
initiative.
. Operational from 9 a.m to 9 p.m at the Present with help
from a Contractual Librarian in addition to full participation of
the Staff from Skill Development and Employment
Generation.
 MANAGEMENT-2

. Modern Systems of Library Management being utilised including the Software E-GRANTHALAYA, developed
by the NIC for Cataloguing, Issue/Return of Books and Maintenance of Records.

. Bar Code & QR-Code equipped ID cards being issued to the Members for easy Issue/Return.

. Coaching Classes through the District Team of IAS/IRS/IFS Officers in the process of being rolled out

. Skill Development Targets already sought from PSDM in association with the Red Cross, Bathinda to be
conducted as per Skilling needs of the Students, and as identified through their Career Counselling.
.
 THE SATISFACTION
. Overwhelming Response of Students from Bathinda and nearby Districts with a daily footfall of over 200 students.

. The Library is usually bustling with students from 9 a.m in the morning to 9 p.m in the evening. The Library is
being opened even on Sundays with the help of Student Volunteers.

. The Career Counselling is provided not only by the Hired Professional but People from different Professions who
are associated with the Project, and students are able to continuously share Career Related information with each
other.

. Job Vacancies related information also to be updated on the notice board periodically.

. After open membership for 3 months, in order to prevent over-crowing, a monthly fee of Rs. 500 was introduced
and Refundable Security fo Rs. 1000. Initially. only 100 membership seats were opened but they filled up quickly
and in view of huge demand from students it stands at 160.

. New students can use the premises for career counselling and Library complementary for a period of 3 days or
exempted from fees if from a underprivileged background.
 SELF-SUSTAINABILITY
. The Library-cum-MCC needs to be continuously update its stock of books and provide facilities such as High-
Speed Internet, updated software access including E-Learning Modules, to attract the Youth and cater to their
changing needs. Also needs to provide Books for competitive Examination as per the changing syllabus.
. Experience shows that Public Libraries have come to disuse because they could not keep up with changing
technological advances and new Methods of Learning, and that is why a revolving fund for Maintenance and
Updation was created.

. Access to E-resources for Learning, Journals and Connecting Youth to Professionals to guide
them and keeping them engaged with various hobbies including Music etc. is the need of the
hour.
. A network of such Libraries-cum-MCC can be created and inter-connected within the District with access to each
other’s resources and Remote Counselling through the use of IT.
. The emphasis was thus placed on Generation of sufficient Revenues through User Fees from those who are able to
afford it, so that the MCC doesn’t become outdated.
 WHAT NEXT

. Keeping with the Huge Demand of Students, an Entire Floor of the Zila Parishad,
Bathinda is being converted into “YOUTH LIBRARY-cum-MCC-PART 2”
covering an area of over 15,000 sq feet.
. In association with MY STEM LABS, DELHI a Science Corner for Children being
set up to spark their creativity and interest in Learning through Experiments.
. A target to create 100 Village Libraries-cum-MCC has been set by the District
Bathinda by the end of this year, out of which approx. 30 such Centres have already
been completed. They will be connected using the Cloud Software for Library
Management, E-Granthalaya and accessible through a common Entry Pass System.
. Remote Career Counselling/Coaching can be provided to all the Centres
throughout the State through the use of this Platform.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”

–Benjamin Franklin