KATHMANDU: At a time when the nation is struggling to rebuild its infrastructures following the devastating earthquake of April 2015, Tribhuvan University Central Library is yet to begin its reconstruction, operating in a frail state. The central library has more than 11,000 members and houses at least 400,000 books including rare books, archives and manuscripts; and is a sought-after library for academicians, diplomats and researchers in the nation. Indra Prasad Adhikari, Chief of the library said, 'Lack of staff, damaged infrastructure including book racks, chairs, tables, study rooms, and political interference, among others have crippled one of the oldest libraries and have prevented it from returning to its old state.' 'It will take ample time for the central library to regain its past glory,' Adhikari added referring to the condition of washrooms and drinking water system in the library. TU Vice-Chancellor Tirtha Raj Khaniya said, 'I have not received any proposal from the library administration nor the TU Rector, Sudha Tripathi, seeking internal reconstruction of the library so far. If such a proposal does come to my table, I will immediately give green light to the project.' He further said, talks have been ongoing with the Indian Embassy for the reconstruction of the library. According to Adhikari, as many as 90 staff members are deputed there but TU has provided 40 staffers and among them, only 30 staffers come to work on a regular basis. With few volunteers and acquisition of 150 iron-racks and 300 chairs, the library is trying to manage books scattered during the earthquakes. Due to lack of manpower, we have been unable to upload more than 35,000 master's degree theses in the archives, Library Chief Adhikari shared. TU Service Commission official Parshu Ram Koirala said, the hiring process is ongoing and will be completed in due time, however, he was unsure about the time-frame as hiring in large number would require more time. Nepali Congress sister organisation, Nepal Students Union (NSU) TU's secretary Ganga Ram Neupane urged the library to bring in volunteers from the Insitute of the Science and Technology (IoST), TU instead. Majority of study rooms in the main building are unsafe for library goers as it has many cracks and leaks during the rainy season and most notably vulnerable to after-shocks, putting lives at risks. Regarding filling in vacant posts we approached TU Service Commission after completing the formal process a year ago, but the authorities have turned their backs, Adhikari vented ire against irresponsible work ethics. He further added, interestingly, TU's high ranking officials make a visit during high profile arrivals and show keen interest to address the problems surfacing in the university, but to no avail. 'Lack of will-power in authorities has deserted them from being responsible and accountable,' Adhikari lamented. It takes at least two hours to clean pigeons' litter in the hallway. We have coordinated with the Japanese and UK Universities to provide us with machines to keep pigeons away. University Commission Grant (UGC)'s member secretary, Professor Dev Raj Adhikari told THT Online, 'After completing the process, we will release the funds to the central library.' NCP (NCP)'s All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) TU in-charge Bhusan Subedi said, they have been continuously pressuring the service commission to fill the vacant positions at the central library. Despite all odds, the library is planning to introduce ISBN (International Standard Book Numbers) and will go online from April 15, according to Adhikari.