Vadodara: A controversy broke at the district court after hoardings stating that the bar library would operate from the lobby of the court building on Friday.After lawyers decided to sit on the floors in the lobby because they were not allowed to bring in their tables, library members have now decided to make it operational in the lobby.The bar library, an integral part of the court, had not become operational despite two rooms being earmarked for it when the new court was inaugurated on March 17. At the inauguration, because the issue of seating arrangements was pending, the library rooms were given to the bar association for temporary seating facilities.Later, the bar allowed a group of Muslim lawyers to offer prayers there during Ramzan. Recently, the room was converted into a ladies room, while thousands of books remained there packed in pieces of cloth.“We got more than 150 complaints from members about starting the library, because it is important for the profession. We made several representations, but when it seemed that the problem would not be resolved, we have decided to start the library in the lobby near gate number two,” said Tushar Vyas, honorary secretary of the Baroda bar library.“We were waiting patiently for five months because there were more pressing issues like the seating arrangements. No issue is getting resolved so we had to resort to this,” he added.Of the 4,000-odd books of the Baroda bar library, half are lying packed in the new court while the other half are still at the heritage Nyay Mandir building. Recently, water entered the library room due to the heavy rain, causing the the books at the bottom of stack to be soiled, Vyas said. The library has more than 600 members including life members, yearly members and donors.Go-to place for lawyersThe bar library is an important place in the court because it is the go-to place for lawyers for any reference or citations. Modern day bar libraries even have internet-connected computers that lawyers can use to refer to the latest judgements and orders of any court of the country. “Senior lawyers can afford all the books and internet connections, but junior lawyers find it difficult. In such a scenario, the library is the only place where a lawyer can come,” said Tushar Vyas, honorary secretary of the Baroda bar library.

Stay updated with all the Latest Vadodara headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.