The students alleged that they are deprived of proper facilities under the programme launched 10 years ago.

The first phase of the programme started with 27 computers. Last year three more PCs were installed. At present 16 computers out of the total 30 are usable and the rest are out of order.

Eight more PCs will be added within a year, library officials said.

Khandaker Fazlur Rahman, librarian in charge of planning and development of the Central Library, said they are aware of the problems of the students and currently trying to resolve them.

The problem will be solved after setting up of a new cyber cafe, he said.

The students said the internet browsing facility at the library is inadequate. Each student can browse internet for only 15 minutes.

"All the books we need are not available here. You cannot find more than two books if you look for five," said Raisul Islam, a third-year student of Economics Department.

When asked about the computers that have gone out of order, library officials said the PCs are ten years old and it is very difficult for them to manage the automation programme with these obsolete PCs.

"If a motherboard or a hard disk of a computer doesn't work, it has to be replaced by that of same model but these old versions are not available in market," an official of the computer section said.

A teacher of the Department of Information Science and Library Management said professional librarian, advisor and efficient staff are needed for the smooth running of the automation programme.

"A large number of students are completing their graduation from this department every year. They are performing very well in job. DU authorities can appoint them to run the programme effectively," he added.

DU launched the library automation project in 1995. It was renamed as library automation programme in November 1998.

"The programme is not running effectively due to lack of proper management. Employees of the library are not accountable for their activities," Samina Haque, a fourth-year student of Anthropology, said.

The students said the Central Library can follow the example of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research which is offering sufficient computer and internet facilities for the students.

Besides, there is a cyber centre at the DU Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) where the students, teachers and staff of the university can browse the web buying a prepaid internet access card at Tk 60.

Work on setting up another cyber centre has already been completed, officials said.