“No place affords a more striking conviction of the vanity of human hopes than a public library”- Samuel Johnson
Libraries have been playing a fundamental role in society as gateways to knowledge and culture. While institutional libraries are common parts of any educations institution, student-operated libraries are also now emerging. “Alokbortika” of BUET is a best example of that.
In October 2016, some highly enthusiastic fellows of BUET EEE (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) department – Muntasir, Fariba, Shazon, Kimia, Ahona; founded this library. The beauty of this library that it is a complete open library without any single librarian, running solely through the self-service of the people who use it.
The library is being run with a pretty simple rule. Anyone can take a book from the bookshelf by putting another book there, then just have to write some information (name ,student ID, address and book name) on the paper attached to the shelf. Thus any book can gets exchanged here.
Only some books; which have been donated to this library by Dr. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal; can only be borrowed, not exchanged.
Starting in a bookshelf at the ground floor of BUET ECE Building, this library has now a collection of around 270 books. It already has received great appreciation and support from BUET students—teachers-alumni and others from home & abroad. Enhanced wing of this library is planned to be established soon in other corners of BUET campus. “Alokbortika” is indeed a solid example of a successful noble endeavor by some energetic young souls.
