The Library served generations of students
Osmania University Library was established with the inception of Osmania University and today stands testimony to the 100 year service to the knowledge seekers.
Its structure, near Arts College building in the University is as old as Arts College. The Osmania University Library has been disseminating knowledge to several generations of students in the university.
The library was physically shifted in the current building on August 3, 1963 when its construction was completed. Earlier, it was in the Nizam College where the Osmania University was functioning.
Librarian Dr R K Pavan Kumar said that the Digital Library section of the library has digitalized about 45,000 books so far (2019). He further said that Osmania University Library has a total of 5,50,000 books and 6000 Manuscripts.
The yearly expenditure on Journals is Rs 10 lakhs, Rs 6.62 lakhs for Seminar Library (SL), and Rs 14.2 lakhs for University Library (UL) are sanctioned in the current year, he informed.
There are 60 employees in the library and thousands of students use the services of the library every month. The huge and majestic façade of the library building welcomes the students seeking knowledge and education.
The building is constructed on a hillock near Arts College. It has two ways of approach one is from Arts College and the other one by steps from road side.
Controversy over name
A controversy is raked up with one of the members of seventh Nizam Mir Osmani Ali Khan family raising objections to the alleged circular of Osmania University authorities to change the name of the Osmania University Library.
Great grand son of Nizam, Mirza Mohib Baig strongly objected to the secretive approach to change the name of library. The university authorities are reportedly intending to rename the library as Dr B R Ambedkar Library.
Mohib Baig has submitted a representation to the Governor and Chief Secretary of the state in this regard. He also sent a legal notice to the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Director Academics of Osmania University.
In a press statement, Mohib Baig asked the sanctity and necessity to rename the library. He questioned as to why authorities were trying to wipe out the name and signs of the very founder of the University Mir Osman Ali Khan.