'Akshara' library started humbly in a small room of Physiotherapy College in the SDM Dental College campus in the year 1996. Since its inception, it has grown rapidly into a vast database of knowledge with a well-equipped information center housed within it. Now it stands on the ground floor of Physiotherapy and Nursing College building occupying a total area of 3690 sq. ft. with books and other information materials catering to the needs of physiotherapists, nursing community, paramedical faculties & students. It provides a calm, quiet and friendly atmosphere. It subscribes to national and international journals in health sciences to provide the academic & clinical community the knowledge of the latest research findings. The Library is kept open throughout the year every day. Equipped with dedicated computers for Library users & a photocopying machine, the Library is growing every year by updating and adding new books & other materials in health sciences.

Objectives
The objectives of the Akshara Library are:

1. To develop a comprehensive and up to date collection of information resources required for teaching-learning, practice, and research in physiotherapy, nursing, and allied sciences.
2. To establish and provide services to optimize the use of information resources available/accessible.
3. To create the infrastructure necessary to offer services to the satisfaction of Library users.
4. To deploy the latest information and communication technology that would enable users to access information resources from their workplaces.
5. To develop a team of motivated and well-trained staff.

Timings & Holidays
Monday to Friday: 8 AM to 12 midnight
Saturday: 8 AM to 5 PM
Sundays and Public holidays: 9 AM to 12 midnight
The Library remains closed on the following days: Ganesh Chaturthi and Deepavali Festivals

Member Staff
A well-trained team of staff comprising of professional, semi-professional, and support staff assesses, acquires the information resources required, and provides efficient service to the Library users.

Advisory Committee
The functioning of the Library is guided by an advisory committee constituted for the purpose. The committee under the chairmanship of the Medical Director meets once in three months.

Aim
Development of the Personality of Students through Community Service

Objectives
The broad objectives of NSS are to

1. Understand the community in which they work
2. Understand themselves in relation to their community
3. Identify the needs and problems of the community and involve them in the problem-solving process
4. Develop among themselves a sense of social and civic responsibility
5. Utilize their knowledge in finding practical solutions to individual and community problems
6. Develop competence required for group-living and sharing of responsibilities
7. Gain skills in mobilizing community participation
8. Acquire leadership qualities and democratic attitude
9. Develop capacity to meet emergencies and natural disasters
10. Practice national integration and social harmony

The Motto
The motto or watchword of the National Service Scheme is: 'NOT ME BUT YOU'. This reflects the essence of democratic living and upholds the need for selfless service and appreciation of the other person's point of view and also to show consideration for fellow human beings. It underlines that the welfare of an individual is ultimately dependent on the welfare of society on the whole. Therefore, it should be the aim of the NSS to demonstrate this motto in its day-to-day programme.

NSS Symbol
The symbol of the National Service Scheme, as appearing on the cover page of this Manual is based on the 'Rath' wheel of the Konark Sun Temple situated in Orissa. These giant wheels of the Sun Temple portray the cycle of creation, preservation and release, and signify the movement in life across time and space. The design of the symbol, a simplified form of the Sun-chariot wheel, primarily depicts movement. The wheel signifies the progressive cycle of life. It stands for continuity as well as change and implies the continuous striving of NSS for social transformation and upliftment. NSS BADGE The NSS symbol is embossed on the NSS badge. The NSS volunteers wear it while undertaking any programme of community service. The Konark wheel in the symbol has eight bars which represent the 24 hours of the day. Hence, the badge reminds the wearer to be in readiness for service of the nation round the clock i.e. for 24 hours. The red colour in the badge indicates that the NSS volunteers are full of blood i.e. lively, active, energetic and full of high spirit. The navy blue colour indicates the cosmos of which the NSS is a tiny part, ready to contribute its share for the welfare of mankind.

NSS Volunteers
Since National Service Scheme is aimed at developing the personality of NSS volunteers through community service, hence, all NSS activities provide an opportunity for NSS volunteers to involve themselves in community service.

Participation in NSS Programme/Training
A student enrolled as an NSS volunteer will have to put in 120 hours for community work in a year for a period of 2 years. He/she is likely to participate in different programmes and projects under NSS. The distribution of 120 hours on NSS activities is given as under:

Orientation

• Each NSS volunteer who joins NSS will undergo an orientation in NSS Programme for 20 hours out of 120 hours. The 20 hours meant for orientation will further be divided as general orientation - 2 hours; special orientation - 8 hours and Programme skill learning - 10 hours. During the general orientation, the NSS volunteers will get to know the history and growth of the NSS programme, aims, objectives and other basic concepts of NSS
• After the general orientation is completed the students will be given special orientation where information regarding the realities of life pertaining to community and its problems will be given. Volunteers will be encouraged to know more about the problems of village/urban slums and will be oriented for the schemes which are sponsored by the Government agencies and voluntary organizations in the field of community service
• The 3rd part of orientation will consist of developing programme skills that are essential for community work and completion of NSS projects

Duties of NSS Volunteer

• To establish rapport with the people in the project area
• Identify needs, problems and resources of the community
• Plan programmes and carry out the plans
• Relate learning and experience towards finding solutions to the problems identified
• Record the activities in the work diary systematically and assess the progress periodically and effect changes, as and when needed

Code of Conduct for NSS Volunteers

• All volunteers shall work under the guidance of a group leader nominated by the Programme Officer
• They shall make themselves worthy of the confidence and cooperation of the group/community leadership
• They shall scrupulously avoid entering into any controversial issues
• They shall keep a day-to-day record of their activities/experience in the enclosing pages of the diary and submit them to the Programme Officer for guidance
• It is obligatory on the part of every volunteer to wear the NSS BADGE while at work

Certificate
NSS volunteer who has completed 240 hours of regular activities in the period of 2 years and attended one annual special camp, will be issued an NSS certificate by the SDM University