PESHAWAR, July 2: Central library building of Peshawar University had been revamped at a cost of Rs4.5 million with 105 seats on all its three floors, said Vice-chancellor Syed Zulfiqar Hussain Gillani the other day.

Mr Gillani, talking to newsmen at the library, said the facilities had been upgraded in the building to benefit not only the students and teachers, but also the researchers.

The library, he said, would be connected to all the departments of the varsity via Internet to provide students access to the required material at their departments.

The library was originally built adjacent to the administration block in 1950 over an area of around 17,500 sq ft. Then in 1972 a three-floor block was added to it, thus increasing the covered area to 28,500 sq ft.

It was in June 2001 that the varsity administration decided to revamp 45 per cent of the total area, he said, adding that before the revamping the usable covered area was 8,500 sq ft which was later enhanced.

The three-storey library building housed security and information desks and a stair-case leading to the reading room where seating arrangements for the aged and disabled had also been made, said the VC.

He told the newsmen that the second floor had been reserved for reading only while the third floor was exclusively reserved for reference section. It would also have electronic library for research scholars with lockers.

The library has been provided 5 feet-high 162 book shelves, 4 feet-high 48 shelves, 100 reading chairs, 20 reading tables, 10 sofa seats, 3 officer tables, computer tables, file rack, revolving chairs and three circulation counters. Mr Gillani said the library would remain open from 8am to 10pm.