Development Plans And Resource Mobilisation

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Public libraries are most valuable social assets for any country and are empowering institutions. They are repositories of knowledgeand enrich the cultural milieu of the communities they serve. They are pathways to societal developmentand contribute vitally to nation building and lifelong learning processes. Essentially linked with the education and literacy level, public libraries are a barometer of excellence a country has achieved in these areas.The public library is the most powerful and cost-effective wealth-transfer mechanism ever invented.(http://observer.com/2010/06/rescuing-the-stacks/)

India has an illustrious history and rich legacy of librarieslargely patronized by kings and emperors. Nalanda,Taxila,Vikramshila are reported to have excellent libraries in their respective institutions. Mughal kings like Babur, Humayun and Akbar were great patrons of learning and scholarship and established several libraries equipped with books, rare manuscripts and having magnificent and well maintained buildings. Mughal kings were very particular in appointing scholars to the positions of librarians so that libraries may flourish academically.The Muslim rulers made great contributions to Indian culture and libraries played a significant role in the sociocultural development of the nation. The period of Mughal is considered as the golden period of Indian history for its educational, literary, and library activities (Khursid, 2004).

Babur, king of Kabul invaded India and annexed Delhi to his kingdom. He established the first Mughal Imperial Library in 1526 (Barua, 1992). Babur inherited manuscripts from his father and kept in his library and also collected books from different sources of his kingdom. Babur died in 1530 and was succeeded by his son Humayun. (Smith, 1981).Humayun much lived in Agra and established library in his palace. He set up a library at Agra Fort, which was managed by Lal Beg (Sharma, 1987). In his library, he kept books, gilded pen cases, portfolios, picture books and beautiful works of calligraphy. After the death of Humayun, his son, Akbar, succeeded him in 1356. Akbar is regarded as one of the greatest Mughal king. Akbar improved the management of library with some technical works. He appointed Sheik Faizi to manage and control library services. Akbar was very interested in manuscripts and appointed calligraphers to copy good manuscripts. He established a separate library for women at FatehpurSikri and made great improvement to the library. At the time of his death in 1605, the Imperial Library has twenty-four thousand books. (Patel, 2004). Jahangir, another rule of Mughal period, made a law that when a wealthy man died heirless, the property should be used for building and repairing schools, monasteries, libraries, and other institutions.

The British Period (1757-1947)

The arrival of Britishers was a major development in the history of India and had a profound impact on the cultural and educational milieu of the country.VijayaKumari(2010) states that the genesis of the public library movement in India may be traced to the advent of British Raj and the first great land mark in the history of public libraries was visible in 1808 when the government of then Bombay province started a scheme for registering libraries to which copies of books to be published from the "Funds for the Encouragement of Literature" were to be given (VijayaKumari, 2010, pp.21). The mandate of these libraries was distinctly to serve general public and providing materials of their interests.

Establishment of these libraries enlightened the community and may be regarded as the foundation of the concept of public libraries to the Indian people. Some of the important libraries set up in 19th Century in India are Andrews Library, Surat in 1850, Gaya Public Library, Gaya in 1855, Long Library, Rajkot in 1856, Connemara Public Library, Madras in 1860, Government Library, Janagarh in 1867, Adyar Library, Adyar in 1886 and DahiLaxmi Library, Nadiad in 1892 (Sharma, 1987). Apart from these, other libraries, like Gujarat Vernacular Society along with a library, in Ahmedabad 1848 and Barton Library, Bhavnagar in 1882 were also established. Some of the Indian states also established public libraries. Such as Baroda established Baroda State Library in Baroda in 1877, Cochin established Public Library and Reading Room in Trichur in 1873, Dhar established Victoria General Library in Dhar in 1856, Indore established General Library in Indore in 1852, Jaipur established Maharajah’s Public Library in Jaipur in 1899. Others states also established such kind of libraries, viz. Jammu and Kashmir in 1879, Kahtiawar, in 1886, Kolhapur in 1850, Nizam’s Dominion in 1891 and Travancore in 1829 (Patel, 2004). The first significant date in the development of public libraries in India is 1808 when the Bombay Government initiated a proposal to register libraries, which were to be given copies of books published from the ‘Funds for the Encouragement of Literature’ (Bhattacharjee, 2002, pp.82).Maharaja SwaiMansingh of Jaipur, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Maharaja of Tanjur established well stocked libraries in their kingdoms and are largely credited to bring these libraries in public realm albeit to a limited extent.

VijyaKumari(2010) states that the second milestone in the history of public libraries was enactment of Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 provisioning the printer of a book to deliver one or more copies to the provincial government. In 1784, in yet another seminal development, the Calcutta Library established by the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal was thrown open to the public in 1820. In year, 1836, another public library was established for the general people which progressively transformed into National Library of India. It was followed by establishment of Connemara Public Library in Madras, another important city under British control, in year 1860.This trend of establishing public libraries continued and spread to all the provincial capitals and many districts of then Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Yet another profoundly important development towards the development of public libraries was the establishment of a network of public libraries by Sir SayajiRaoGaekwad III of Baroda which culminated into a full fledged public library movement.

The establishment of Library Development Committee in 1939 under the Chairmanship of Shri A.A.A. Fayzee was another milestone and according to Majumdar, committee’s report was a unique report on the establishment of a Central Provincial Library in the City of Bombay and three Regional Libraries for each of the linguistic centers viz. Poona, Ahmedabad and Dharwar. It begins with the terms of reference on the establishment issues, on whether the Royal Asiatic Society’s Library at Bombay should be the nucleus of the Central Library; whether the existing libraries of each region should be given right to receive copyright books under the Central Library; the issues on the establishment and arrangement of the Central Library etc. (Majumdar, 2003).

Thus it can be observed that in the last 500 years prior to independence of India several public libraries had been established by scholarly inclined individual rulersbereft of any policy formulation. It is a matter of debate if at all these libraries can be defined as public as most of them were established for the access of chosen few.Nonetheless these initiatives laid the ground work to a considerable extent for proper development of public libraries in independent India.

After Independence

India’s independence in 1947 was a major development for the country and laid the beginning of enactment of new policies in all areas. Being a country where a majority of population was illiterate, it was a big challenge to move on the path of education and role ofpublic libraries in the furtherance of literacy was duly acknowledged in subsequent policy formulations.

Wani (2008)states that the 1951 census, the first conducted after independence, found 2,483 local governments in the urban and rural areas in India of which 320 were rural district boards. Only about on third of local governments maintained public libraries ie about 950 in all. These were essentially reading rooms with a few hundred books (Wani, 2008).

Delhi Public Library

The establishment of Delhi Public Library in 1951 as the UNESCO pilot project was probably most far reaching development towards the growth of public library movement in the country. The purpose of library was to adapt "modern techniques to Indian conditions" and to serve as a model public library for Asia. DPL proved to be a harbinger of public library movement and the process ofenactment of public library legislations in differentstates was set in. The process of providing fundsthrough five year plans also started in first five year plan in 1951.

An Advisory Committee for Libraries, 1957 was set up under the Chairmanshipof Shri K.P. Sinha. It is the first report of the Post Independent India which dealsextensively with the issues related to the development of public libraries in India.The terms of reference of the Committee was to inquire on the present reading needsof the people, recommend the forms of library structure, function and cooperationand training needs of the librarians. It was also to recommend the administrativeand financial measures necessary to support the future library set-up in India.Compendium of Major Government Reports on Library & Information Services in Indiaxi.

The Report elaborately suggests the structure and functions of publiclibraries in Indiaand had given 27 recommendations related to structure and function of public libraries in India. The Report contemplates the library cooperation through auxiliary serviceprovided by Books and Equipment Bureaus, Library Associations, Local Friendly Groups and Book Bins and recommends them with details. It seeks for librarycooperation between public libraries and other types of libraries. While discussingthe involvement of library personnel the Report classifies different positions ofprofessional staff and elaborates the professional growth and promotion of moraleof library personnel and impositionof a library cess of six paisa foreachrupee of property tax. The Report emphasizes on the training of librarianship as anational scheme to semi-professional staff for village library work and routine workin all types of libraries, for staff of public libraries, and advanced training for theleaders in the professional.

The committee described the overall situation as dismal and called libraries in most case, a "stagnant pool of books". According to report, as of March 1954, there were 32,000 libraries in India, with a little more than, 71,100,000 books and a total circulation of about 37,700, 000.The report observed that genuine public library service was rarity, and that public library service throughout the country was unsatisfactory. The committee recommended creating state library networks based on uniform library legislation incorporating the right of every citizen to have free access to libraries.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation

The establishment of Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) in year 1972 under Department of Culture was truly a leap forward in the direction of boosting up the public library network which both lacked direction and substance. RRLF emerged as sort of a central agency to oversee the growthof public libraries and their appropriate funding and to spread library services all over thecountry in co-operation with state government, unionterritories and organisations working in the field.

Objectives:

RRRLF function as a promotional agency, an advisory and consultancy organisation a funding body for public library development in India. Some important objectives are:

to promote library movement in the country ;

to enunciate a national library policy and to help build up a national library system ;

to provide financial and technical assistance to libraries ;

to provide financial assistance to organisations, regional or national engaged in the promotion of library development ;

to publish appropriate literature and to act as a clearing house of ideas and information on library development in India and abroad ;

to promote research in problems of library development ;

to advise the government on all matters pertaining to the library development in the country.

Thus the primary objective of RRRLF is the promotion of library movement. The foundation has taken major initiatives for the formulation of a national policy on library and information systems and launched several programmes of assistance

RRRLF promotes public library services rendering book and financial assistance to the public libraries under different schemes of assistance in collaboration with Library Department or Department in charge of Public Library Services.

RRRLF has undertaken several promotional activities for qualitative improvement of library services. Besides organisation of many seminars and conferences, it has played a major role in the preparation of National Policy on Library & Information System. It has also issued guidelines on public library systems and services. Raja RamMohan Roy Memorial Lecture by a scholar of eminence is an annual feature of anniversary celebrations for the Foundation. RRRLF also interacts with many national and international professional associations like IFLA, ILA, IASLIC and different state level library associations.

To disseminate innovative, new concepts and ideas for the development of Public Library Services and system in the country through research oriented activities, the Foundation introduced Annual Raja RamMohan Roy Award to the best contributor of an article covering the area of development of Public Library Systems and Services or suggesting measures for promotion of reading habit.

The Foundation has also undertaken a programme of giving seven awards annually - one for the best State central Library and six for the best District Libraries of six regions in the country. Since 2005 the Foundation also instituted RRRLF Best Rural Library Awards - one per each state.

The Foundation institutes "RRRLF Fellowship" to offer fellowship to five eminent men and women in the field of Library Services who have contributed to the library movement in the country through active involvement in the movement, organizational initiative or intellectual leadership or are dedicated to the propagation of reading habit among the masses.

The Foundation has taken long strides in promoting library services in the country. With the expanded activity during the 9thFive Year Plan (1997-2002) the total Plan grant reaches Rs. 3233.00 lakh against Rs. 1175.70 lakh during the 8th Five Year Plan from the Govt. of India with an average annual plan grant @ Rs.646.60 lakh and state contribution reaches Rs. 1977.00 against Rs. 645.97 lakh during the 8th Five Year Plan with an average annual contribution @ Rs.395.40 lakh. During the year under report, the third year of the 10th Five year Plan, the plan grant stepped up to Rs.1150.21 lakh including a special grant of Rs.150.21 lakh for North-Eastern states and contribution received from various state governments also reached Rs.769.59 lakh. Consequently the amount of assistance rendered to libraries during the year under report also reached Rs.1756.29 lakh against the annual average of Rs.701.20 lakh during the 9th Five Year Plan.

Over the last thirty two years the Foundation has covered about a little over thirty one thousand libraries at different levels:

State Central Libraries

28

Divisional and District Libraries

451

Sub-divisional / Taluka / Tehsil Libraries

501

Town & Rural Libraries

30134

Nehru YuvakKendras

272

JawaharBalBhavans

49

Others

128

Total

31563

Public Libraries: Through Five Year Plans

India’s developmental process takes place through five year plans and in every plan provisions have been made for their development summarized below:

First Five Year Plan, 1951–1956

The first five year plan for educational development included a proposal for improvement of library services Rs. 5 million (US$1.05 million) was set aside for establishment of the national central library, but this sum was not used.Improvement of library services was mentioned in this plan for educational development. The essence of the scheme was to establish district libraries in each state, which were to be supplemented by a state central library. The government of India also initiated a scheme, "Integrated Library Service," with the support of the state government. The scheme targeted units in every area selected by the governments for intensive educational development. The experimental project was meant to monitor the impact of a number of educational institutions in areas covering 100 villages. Each area was to have five model community centers, plus a main library with branches to distribute books to 20 villages. This pilot project was implemented in 29 areas in the country. Nine states made plans to open state central libraries, and some others were in the process of setting up district libraries in about 100 districts. This cost approximately Rs. 10 million (US$2.1 million), of which nearly two–thirds was contributed by the government of India. Thus, libraries were considered to be an essential part of the Community Development Program that was launched during the first plan period (Naidu, 1990).

In 1954, the Delivery of Books Act was passed (it was amended in 1956) to include newspapers. The act obligated every publisher in India to deposit a copy of its publication with the National Library in Calcutta; the Asiatic Society Central Library, Bombay; Connemara Public Library, Madras; and the Delhi Public Library. On the basis of books received under this act, India has a national bibliography which is published by the Central Reference Library, Calcutta. The bibliography, however, does not include textbooks, musical scores, maps, and atlases (Venkatachari, 1981).

 Second Five Year Plan, 1956–1961

The second five year plan contained the same provisions as the first plan, plus additional provisions for establishing integrated library service. The library services were to be organized on the basis of legislation and district libraries were to form the link between the state central library and village libraries. As a result, nine states in India established state central libraries and 254 district libraries. But the national central library was still not established. In 1960, the state of Andhra Pradesh enacted library legislation.

During this plan period, a total of Rs. 2.040 billion was spent on educational development, of which Rs. 9 million was spent on library development. Even though Rs. 18.6 million was provided, the state’s only used 48.6 percent of this amount. Thus, the number of libraries nearly doubled in 1964 as compared to 1951, and the expenditure on public libraries in this period increased three–fold. According to a UNESCO report published on the occasion of the Public Library Seminar held at Delhi in 1955, India had 24,086 public library service points at the time. The level of literacy in 1961 increased to 28.31 percent(India, Planning Commission, 1980).

Third Five Year Plan, 1962–1967

The amount of Rs. 5.6 billion was budgeted for education in this plan period, but the amount to be spent on libraries was not clearly indicated in the plan. Of this amount, Rs. 620 million was expected to be available for social education. During this plan period, the system of central government assistance to the states was changed, and funding for libraries was kept to a bare minimum. Thus, it was up to the individual states to take the initiative and develop their public libraries. With the beginning of this plan period, the scheme to assist state governments in establishing state central libraries, district central libraries, and block development libraries was abandoned. The central government decided to let the states decide on the development; the decision was a major setback that hindered the development of public libraries.

During this plan period, four national libraries were to be established at Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras. District–level libraries were to be established in all the states. A sum of Rs. 32.3 million was made available to the states for this purpose.

In 1962 the central government sent a model Public Libraries Bill to those state governments which had not adopted any library legislation, hoping to persuade these states to show an interest in passing the legislation. A Working Group on Libraries was appointed by the Planning Commission in 1964. Group recommendations included:

By the end of the Fifth Five Year Plan, set up libraries at block headquarters and in every village having a population of 5,000;

Encourage the Program of Adult Education to use the services of the public libraries to eradicate illiteracy.

As of January 1, 1965, according to the information received from the states by the Working Group:

Twelve of 18 states/UT had state central libraries;

205 of 327 districts had district central libraries;

1,394 blocks of 5,223 had block (sub–district) development libraries;

28,317 villages out of 566,878 had village libraries.

Library legislation was passed in two states during this period: Karnataka in 1965 and Maharashtra in 1967(India, Planning Commission, 1980).

Fourth Five Year Plan, 1969–1974;

The education budget was estimated at Rs. 7.120 billion (US$949.3 million), of which the social education component was Rs. 100 million (US$13.3 million). Thus, the tempo that had built for the development of library services slowed. However, Rs. 130 million (US$17.3 million) was provided in this plan period for provision of information services, which included information centers, radio transmitters, film production, mobile cine vans, and other media. The literacy level rose to 34.45 percent in 1971.

In 1972, the Working Group on Development of Public Libraries was constituted by the Government of India Planning Commission to make recommendations for library development. These recommendations were to be included in the Fifth Five Year Plan. The group submitted detailed proposals for:

Allotment of Rs. 310 million for the development of public libraries; but the amount actually provided was a meager Rs. 20 million (US$2.66 million);

A network of libraries to cover the whole country, and other recommendations similar to those made earlier by the Advisory Committee (India, Planning Commission, 1980).

Figures provided in 1973 (Kalia, 1974) concerned the number of public libraries, and read as follows:

Fifteen of 21 states/UT had state central libraries;

235 of 376 districts had district central libraries;

1,500 of 3,100 sub–districts had sub–district central libraries;

50,000 villages of 566,878 had village libraries;

1,800 of 2,641 towns had town libraries.

As described above, in 1972, during this plan period, the central government established the Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation(India, Planning Commission, 1980).

Fifth Five Year Plan, 1974–1979

In this plan, steps were taken to strengthen not only the village and block libraries, but also the central and state libraries, and the district libraries. The states were assisted by the Raja RamMohan Roy Library Foundation, which was established in 1972. During this plan period, the amount of Rs. 15.620 billion was allocated for general education, and Rs. 350 million was budgeted for social education(India, Planning Commission, 1980).

The only state that enacted a public library law during this plan period was West Bengal, in 1979. In 1978, the government adopted the National Adult Education Program, but it did not recognize the public library as an agency that could be assigned a role in solving the literacy problem. Rather, the public library was relegated to the role of post–literacy work. This view was also promulgated by the Draft National Policy on Education (NPE), 1979. However, the need for the rural public library system to play a role in continuing education in the villages and rural areas was recognized (Draft NPE, 1979).

In 1979, the Ministry of Education in the Department of Culture established a library section under the charge of an under secretary. The goal: to promote development of public libraries in India. Since then, libraries have not been part of the social education budget. Instead, they have been included in the art and culture component of the budget.

Sixth Five Year Plan, 1980–1985

Sixth five yearplan emphasized minimum essential education of all adults, to be achieved by inter–sectoral cooperation and inter&150; agency coordination. These efforts were to be supported by post–literacy, continuing education through a network of rural libraries as well as instructional programs conducted through mass communication media. The amount allocated for general education was Rs. 21.622 billion (US$2.749 billion). The art and culture component was Rs. 839 million.

During this period (1982 figures):

Twenty–six states/UT out of 31 existing in 1982 had established/designated state central libraries;

Out of 401 districts, 291 had district central libraries;

Out of 5,027 blocks, 1,798 development blocks had block libraries;

Out of 575,936 villages, 41,828 had village libraries;

Out of 2,643 towns, 1,280 had town libraries.

Of the 29 metropolitan cities with a population of 400,000 and above, only four — Madras, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Delhi — have city public library systems with central libraries, branches, and deposit stations. Thus, it is estimated that approximately 20 percent of the literate population has access to public library service(Agrawal, 1985).

A Working Group on Modernization of Library Services and Informatics in the Seventh Plan was appointed by the Planning Commission in 1983. In its 1984 report, the group recommended formulation of a National Policy on Library Services and Informatics in support of similar recommendations made earlier by other committees.

From its establishment in 1972, to 1982, the Raja RamMohan Roy Foundation provided funds of Rs. 250 million (US$31.79 million) to assist 15,000 rural libraries. In 1982, the Delhi Public Library became a copyright library. The level of literacy increased to 43.56 percent in 1981.

Seventh Five year Plan, 1985–1990

During this plan period, the Planning Commission’s objective was to address the needs of 90 million people, ages 15–35, in the Adult Education Program. The network of libraries was to play a role in the development of literature for neoliterates. Library systems were to be strengthened with specific attention given to improvement of facilities at the national–level institutions. The general education budget was Rs. 47,753 million (US$3.860 million); Rs. 4.821 billion (US$389.8 million) constituted the art and culture component (Seventh Five Year Plan, 1985).

An important development during this period was the 1986 adoption of the National Literacy Mission, which emphasized the education of women and also the establishment of rural libraries.

In 1989, there were 7,180 main libraries and 18,000 service points (branches, mobile stops, etc.) (Mangla, 1993). The collections of the National Library of Calcutta were increased significantly. The Central Secretariat Library started creating a database on the epic "Mahabharata." The Raja RamMohan Roy Foundation set up an "Integrated Research Cell–cum–Computer Unit" for promoting research in librarianship, and also started a database of public libraries in the country. A Committee on National Policy on Library and Information System was appointed in 1985 by the Government of India, Department of Culture. The resulting final report (based on two drafts previously submitted by the Raja RamMohan Roy Library Foundation and the Indian Library Association) was submitted in 1986 (Barua, 1992).

This policy stressed the need to establish strong links between a village’s community library and primary school. If the school lacked a library, the community library was to provide the children with adequate resources. Furthermore, a children’s section was to be organized in every public library (Biswas, 1988).

The National Policy on Education–1986 barely mentions libraries. It states that a nationwide movement for improvement of existing libraries and the establishment of new ones will be taken up, provision will be made in all educational institutions for library facilities, and the status of librarians improved. The school library program, "Operation Blackboard," was initiated with the provision of essential teaching and learning materials. The National Book Policy–1986 also had an impact on libraries, as it recommended:

Provision of reading material for children by all the agencies involved;

That 10 percent of the annual education budget of the governments be used to purchase books for libraries.

During this plan period, these states passed library acts: Manipur in 1988, Assam in 1989, Haryana in 1989, and Kerala in 1989.

National Policy on Library & Information System (NAPLIS)

During seventh five year plan, in 1985, a committee was set up under the chairmanship of Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyay to formulate a National Policy on Library & Information System (NAPLIS) (Chatoopadhyay, 1998). The Committee submitted its report in May 1986. Following that, another committee looked at implications of the report and created an action plan for its implementation (Bhatacharjee, 1999). The Empowerment Committee submitted its report in April 1988 and an Implementation Cell was formed to implement its recommendations within a period of six months. Yet another Working Group, under the Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Culture, was constituted to examine its recommendations for implementation. The Working Group submitted its report in July 1993 and suggested implementing only 29 of 60 recommendations made by the NAPLIS,India(Ministry of Human Resources Development,1986).

The following are some of the recommendations of NAPLIS related to public libraries:

Proposals for maintenance and development of public libraries should preferably come from State Legislative Enactment. The Central Government may revise the Model Public Library Bill. Funds for library development should come from each state, either from general revenue or from local taxation. Central Government agencies may provide funds under Plan Expenditure.

Efforts should emphasize rural public libraries. A village or a cluster of villages with an adequate population should have a community library/rural community centre, which will also serve as an information centre. Resources from various agencies engaged in the public health, adult education, State and central government, etc., should be used to build up and maintain this centre.

The central government increases its assistance to state governments in the development of public libraries. The RRRLF, as the national agency for coordinating and assisting the development of public libraries, should be suitably strengthened in order to do this.

Standards and guidelines for library service should be created.

There should be a system of national libraries consisting of National Library, Calcutta (Now Kolkata) as the National Library of India, National Depository libraries in Delhi, Bombay (Now Mumbai), Madras (now Chennai), National Subject Libraries, and others. These national libraries should form part of one integrated system.

A National Commission on Libraries and Information System or National Commission on Informatics and Documentation may be constituted by an Act of Parliament to serve under the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The Commission will have representation from appropriate central and state agencies and could provide guidance and coordinate library development programmes in all sectors. This body will have the primary responsibility for the implementation of NAPLIS programmes.

National Depository libraries; Connemara Public library, Chennai; Central Library (Asiatic Society), Bombay; and Delhi Public Library, Delhi should concentrate on development of collections and preservation of Indian culture produced in the languages of their regions, supplementing and complementing the efforts of the Indian National Library.

The Indian National Bibliography should have a comprehensive coverage of the national output of documents and should be updated regularly. This responsibility should be vested in the National Library.

Government should create a national awareness of the need to preserve the nation's cultural heritage. National libraries should be responsible, with preservation facilities created there. Links between libraries, archives, and museums should be established for the purpose of national preservation.

The Ministry of Rural Development has a plan for one community centre in every Panchayat Centre. The Department of Culture and the Ministry of Rural Development have agreed to provide library services at each of these Rural Community Centres.

An important link should be established between community centre library and primary schools. If the schools do not have libraries of their own, the community centre library should provide children with adequate services.

A community centre library should have an important role in adult education programmes.

A district library should provide facilities and recreation for the disabled and low-income people, e.g., literature in Braille.

Libraries should be built in areas of tribal concentration and in minority communities to help in developing and sustaining their distinctive cultures.

Libraries should be equipped with relevant resources, such as publications covering Open University and vocational educational courses, for their role in support of distance education.

All public libraries within a state should form a part of a network extending from village library through community centre library, district library, and state network, and should be linked to the national information grid (Sahib, 2003).

 Eighth Five Year Plan, 1992–1997

The money allocated for this period for general education is Rs. 168.133 billion; for art and culture, Rs. 7.276 billion has been allocated. Universalization of elementary education, eradication of illiteracy in the 15–35–year age group, and strengthening of vocational education in relation to emerging needs in urban and rural settings are the major thrusts of the plan. These goals are to be achieved by using formal, non–formal, and open channels of learning. The plan states that in those states with an advanced library system, rural libraries should become the focal points for post–literacy and continuing education programs.

Book promotion is also emphasized in this plan, to be promoted by the organization of a National Center for Children’s Literature, which should produce 3,000 titles annually. Important books are to be translated into the various Indian languages, and books for neoliterates published. Publishers and voluntary agencies will be given assistance, and the school library program, undertaken as part of the "Operation Blackboard" scheme of the National Policy on Education — 1986, will continue.

Public libraries of national importance are to be provided funds for improvements/innovations such as the following:

The KhudaBakst Public Library proposed establishment of an Institute of Oriental Studies and open regional units for research on Indo–Islamic and comparative religion;

The Rampur Raza Library would acquire sophisticated equipment for preservation of its collections;

The Asiatic Society, Calcutta, is to open an art gallery, introduce a desktop publishing system, and construct a new building;

The National Library proposed making microfilms available, producing a national union catalogue, and providing book production statistics;

The Central Reference Library is to be reorganized into a National Bibliographical and Documentation Center with a computer center; and,

The Delhi Public Library is to open two new libraries within its service area.

The Raja RamMohan Roy Foundation proposes assisting state central libraries in their quest to obtain reprographic equipment. The Foundation also hopes to assist certain libraries in the processing of rare books, and to provide assistance to rural libraries, and to those public libraries that have completed 100 years of service (Eighth Plan, 1992).

The Model Public Libraries Act is based on the national seminar on this subject, which was held February 14, 1990, in New Delhi. The seminar was organized by the Indian Library Association in collaboration with the Raja RamMohan Roy Library Foundation. This excellent document encompasses all aspects of legislation important to the establishment of public libraries (Venkatappaiah, 1990).

The National Cultural Policy 1993 is the new policy designed by the Government of India. It was created by merging the National Policy of Library and Information Science, the National Book Policy, and other related policies dealt with by the Department of Culture of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

The latest estimate of the number of public libraries in India is 44,205 (Ramaiah, 1993). The financial outlays in each plan have increased, too, as illustrated by the graphic table presented.

Ninth Five Year Plan, 1997–2002

The Ninth Plan treats education as the most crucial investment in human development. The Prime Minister’s Special Action Plan (SAP) has identified the expansion and improvement of social infrastructure in education as a critical area.

To have a forward linkage with the National Literacy Mission, it is imperative that we increase the spread of our public libraries to new areas in rural regions of the country. A scheme for assisting and establishing libraries at Panchayat level is proposed in 9th Plan with initial coverage of the North-East region, as they already have a tradition of village libraries. Later on, the scheme will be spread to other parts of the country. In addition the emphasis will also be on old libraries with rare manuscripts such as KhudaBakst Oriental Public Library, Patna and ThanjavurSaraswatiMahal Library, Thanjavur.

To keep pace with the latest in Information Technology the facilities in public libraries will be upgraded and latest equipment provided. A networking of Central and State libraries is also planned.

For the optimum utilisation of available resources in the computer and communication technology more effectively, a proper networking of all libraries and resource centres will be given due emphasis. For this purpose, the development of a national network of libraries is envisaged.

During the 9th five year plan, the National Library, Kolkata undertook several major initiatives to upgrade and modernize its collection building programme.Funds for modernization and computerization were provided from central grants to Connemara Library, Chennai, ThanjavurSaraswatiMahal Library, and the State Central Library, Mumbai

Tenth Five Year Plan, 2002 -2007

The Planning Commission proposed further modernization of central and public libraries during the Tenth Plan. A national bibliographic database would be developed to encourage resource sharing, networking, and to improve reader services. The Commission resolved to strengthen public library infrastructure through the RRRLF. The Tenth Plan focused on upgrading existing libraries, including private collections, and widening the programme for bibliographic control and documentation. To make readers services more comprehensive and effective, the National Library is expected to act as the ultimate referral centre for various subjects. To keep pace with the latest developments in information technology in public libraries, the upgrading and networking of central and state libraries was also planned (Planning Commission India, 2002).

The National Archives of India (NAI) has been the custodian of Central Government records of enduring value for permanent preservation and use by administrators and scholars. Preservation and conservation of rare books and other documents is oneof the chief activities of the National Library andCentral Reference Library (Kolkata), Central Secretariat Library and Delhi Public Library (NewDelhi), State Central Library (Mumbai), ThanjavurMaharaja SerofjiSaraswatiMahal Library (TMSSML) (Thanjavur) and Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation (Kolkata), which are engaged in digitization of old books and manuscripts and retro-conservation of catalogues. Developing a National Bibliographic Database in electronic format to encourage resource sharing, networking and to improve reader services is the hallmark of modernization activities in the library sector.

It was during the Tenth Plan that attention wasdrawn towards the manuscript wealth of the countryand on the need for special attention on their conservation and upkeep. The National Mission for Manuscripts was launched for inventorization and protectionof Indian manuscripts. The mission has taken up thetask of compiling a national database of manuscripts(being made available online) by initiating a nationalsurvey of about 2 million manuscripts. More importantly, 45 most unique manuscripts recording India’sachievements in science, philosophy, scripture, history,and the arts have been selected by a committee of selectors as national treasure. Software has been preparedby NIC in Visual Basic Net for cataloguing of manuscripts. About 2 lakh illustrated manuscripts have been digitized. Out of the Tenth Plan outlay of Rs 131.05 crore, an expenditure of Rs 121.76 crore was incurred, which indicates a shortfall of 7.1% (India, Planning Commission, 2002).

Eleventh Five Year Plan, 2007-2012

The development of Public Libraries in the Eleventh Plan includes Rural Public Libraries and provision for handicapped and under-privileged in District Libraries. A National Library Mission was proposed to be set up.

Public Libraries: Developmental Issues at State Level& Library Legislation

Since India is a federal country where domains of states and central government are clearlydemarcated, the schemes launched by central government do not necessarily in every case percolate downto state level.Libraries being state subject, state governments are free to formulate their own policies.Accordingly it is important to understand the developmental initiatives taken by different states of India so as to have a nation wide understanding of issues.

The developmental process of libraries at state level takes place in the framework of a legislation aiming atgiving legal provision for establishing a library system, its maintenance, services, functions, right and management under any state or a national government. Library legislation is capable of regulating various organs of public library services. It is an instrument for the development of public libraries in a planned manner to ensure establishment, development and maintenance of libraries in a uniform pattern. It can help in promoting a sense of self consciousness among the people who would feel it obligatory on their part to use services offered by the library.

Library Legislation in India: In ancient India learning was confined to chosen few and upper strata of societyand as a result in ancient India there was no tradition of public library legislation.

a) Before Independence: Pre independence India shows some of the significant steps in implementing the library legislation, which can be summarized as follows

i) The Press and Registration of Books Act (1867): The Press and Registration of Books Act was passed in 1867 for the British India. This Act was for the regulation of printing-presses and newspapers for the preservation of copies of books and newspapers printed in India and for the registration of such books and newspapers. It helped some specific libraries to get some copies of books free of cost and to maintain a continuous catalogue of early printed books in the country. In terms of this Act the publisher or the printer of every book or newspaper was to send a copy of the book or newspaper to the Secretary of state for India, another copy to the Governor General in Council and still another to the local government.

ii) Funds for the encouragement of literature (1898);

iii) Imperial Library Act (1902);

iv) Model Library Act (1930).

Dr. S. R. Ranganathan drafted a "Model Library Act", which was presented at the All Asia Educational Conference held at Banaras in 1930. In 1942 on the request of ILA, Dr. S. R. Ranganathan drafted another bill called ‘The Model Public Library Bill’.

b) After Independence: The major steps in implementing library legislation in the post independence era are as follows

i) Imperial Library Act (1948): In 1948, the Government of India passed the Imperial Library (change of name) Act. By this act the Imperial Library of Calcutta (Kolkata) became the National Library (of India).

ii) Delivery of Books (Public Libraries Act) 1954: In 1954 Indian parliament passed Delivery of Books and Newspaper Act which was further amended as the Delivery of Books and Newspaper (Public Libraries) Amendment Act 1956 to include serials as well.

iii) Model Library Act / Bill (1963): A library bill was also drafted in 1963 by a committee under the chairmanship of Dr. D. M. Sen. Then in 1972 revision was made to the model library act of 1930. Another model public libraries bill was prepared by the library legislation subcommittee of the Planning Commission in 1966.

c) Present Status of Library Legislation in India: The credit of enacting a library act for the first time in India goes to the Kolhapur princely state of the present Maharashtra in 1945.Currently there are twenty –eight states and seven union territories in India having their own structure, pattern and funding system of public libraries.Out of these thirty five states and union territories, nineteen states have so far enacted library legislation and the rest are providing library services without legislation. The list of the nineteen Acts is given below

i) Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad) Public Libraries Act, 1960;

ii) Arunachal Pradesh Public Libraries Act, 2009;

iii) Bihar Public Libraries Act, 2007;

iv) Chhattisgarh Public Libraries Act, 2007;

v) Goa Public Libraries Act, 1993;

vi) Gujarat Public Libraries Act, 2001;

vii) Haryana Public Libraries Act, 1989;

viii) Karnataka (Mysore) Public Libraries Act, 1965;

ix) Kerala Public Libraries Act, 1989;

x) Maharashtra Public Libraries Act, 1967;

xi) Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988;

xii) Mizoram Public Libraries Act, 1993;

xiii) Orissa Public Libraries Act, 2001;

xiv) Pondicherry Public Libraries Act, 2007;

xv) Rajasthan Public Libraries Act, 2006;

xvi) Tamil Nadu (Madras) Public Libraries Act, 1948;

xvii) Uttar Pradesh Public Libraries Act, 2005;

xviii) Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal) Public Libraries Act, 2005 and

xix) West Bengal Public Libraries Act, 1979.

 National Mission on Libraries

One of the most groundbreaking development having long term implications towards the development of public libraries in the country has been the setting up of National Mission on Libraries under the chairmanship of Prof. Deepak Pental, former Vice-Chancellor of University of Delhi.

1. Background

The national mission on libraries has its genesis in NationalKnowledge Commission set up in year 2005 by the Prime Minister with the challenging mandate to transform India of the 21st century into a knowledge society. The objective of NKC was to advise the PM on matters relating to knowledge creation, knowledge dissemination and knowledge application within the diversity of the Indian scenario.

The Prime Minister, in this inaugural speech for the National Knowledge Commission on 2nd August 2005, referring specially to libraries, said "Public libraries are an extremely important element of the foundation of a knowledge economy". NKC recognized that one major pervading area that needs immediate and sustained attention is the Library and Information Service (LIS) sector. The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) in its (Report to the Nation, 2006-2009) made ten major recommendations on libraries. In pursuance of this, a High Level Committee to be called as National Mission on Libraries (NML) has been set up by the Government of India with following mandate: (http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/nml/index.html)

Advising the Government of India on all library and information sector matters of national importance.

Preparing long term plans and strategies for development of the library sector, including conceptualization and approval of projects and preparation of a "National policy on Library and Information Systems for India".

Interacting with State Governments on all library matters, especially on public library matters.

Setting standards, including quality standards, for library collections, services, technical work and infrastructure, and devising in-built mechanisms to ensure compliance for all types of libraries.

Encouraging and promoting partnership with corporate sector, philanthropic organizations, as well as bilateral and international agencies in the development of the library and information sector.

Reviewing and assessing current status of library and information service education and in-service training facilities, and working with agencies such as the UGC and universities to address the identified issues.

Coordinating with stakeholder Ministries such as the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Ministry of Information Technology, Department of Panchayati Raj etc., to ensure effective implementation of the NKC recommendations and management of the post-implementation scenario.

Coordination with other national stakeholders of the library and information sector, such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), the All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE), Raja RamMohan Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Council for Social Science Research (ICSSR) and so on, to ensure effective implementation of the recommendations and management of the post-implementation scenario.

Collaborating with counterpart agencies in other countries to explore areas for cooperation which will lead to strengthening of India’s library and information sector.

Securing public support through advocacy and media by providing evidence of delivery, usage, outcomes and impact.

Helping State Governments (that do not yet have library legislation) in formulating State Library Acts.

CO-OPT EXPERTS

The Mission would be free to co-opt experts to associate with it in the management of its tasks.

TENURE OF THE MISSION

The tenure of the National Mission on Libraries will be three years.

METHOD OF OPERATION The Mission will address its Terms of Reference through Working Groups to be constituted for the purpose of formulating elaborate plans of action.

MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

The Management Support to the Mission would be as follows:

Raja RamMohan Ray Library Foundation, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture will be the nodal agency for the National Mission on Libraries for administrative, logistic, planning and budgeting purposes.

The composition of the Committee, terms of reference, tenure, management support and method of operation has been elaborated in the Gazette of India (Part I Section I Number 20) issued by the Government on  4th May 2012. Raja RamMohan Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture will be the nodal agency for the National Mission on Libraries for administrative, logistics, planning and budgeting purposes.

The first meeting of the NML was held on 18th May, 2012. In this meeting certain decisions have been taken for improvement in the library sector. These include: national census of libraries, content creation and setting up of community information centres, up-gradation of the existing public libraries, school and college libraries and use of school libraries as community libraries, and improvement in library and information science education training and research facilities.

NML has also decided to set up Working Groups with domain experts to prepare an implementation plan. The Mission would be primarily an advisory body to endorse the plans and programs prepared by the Working Groups. The following Working Groups have been set up by the Mission.

Working Group on Up-gradation of the Existing Public Libraries, School/College libraries and use of school libraries as community libraries.

Working Group on Library and Information Science Education, Training and Research Facilities.

Working Group on the Setting up of the National Virtual Library, Networking and ICT applications in libraries

Working Group on National Census of Libraries, Content Creation and Community Information Centers.

The National Mission on Libraries is an important and empowered institution set up by government of India and has the capacity and potential to transform the limited landscape of public libraries’ growth in the country which despite several initiatives has failed to establish any mark. There is acute shortage of public libraries in the country and their current strength isnegligible given the size and population of the country. Most of the public libraries we once had have long fallen into disrepair — books unreturned, buildings in a ramshackle state and no provision of regular funds.

If funded properly and utilised rationally, the mission can play crucial rolein retrieving the situation and develop public libraries to some extent at least.

Public Libraries: Issues, Challenges and Resource Mobilisation

Public libraries play a vital role in disseminating existing knowledge and promote the creation of new knowledge; but this very important public library system in India has almost become "defunct" and lost its erstwhile glory. There are many reasons attributed to this stagnation; the foremost being lack of adequate funds and support from the Government.  Although there are various acts, policies and institutions for the promotion of public libraries, they are in an "irreversible state". What is most unfortunate is despite legislation in majority of the states, Library cess was not being spent on improving libraries by the local bodies, even though it was being collected from the public, the present public library system needs a total revival and transformation for which we need to adopt a different approach and resources to "bridge" this gap. The cost of printed matter such as books and magazines has risen over time, while funding has remained static or declined The cost of creating, maintaining, and upgrading electronic hardware, networks, and resources has further put a strain on many library budgets.

Vaidyanathan has placed the challenge before public libraries beautifully in the context when he states that "despite Internet, the experience of being in a public library is irreplaceable. The hushed reading rooms that feel cool even on a hot day, the murmuring quiet broken only by occasional whispering, and browsers lost in dark book stacks. Can we, as a community of book lovers across the country, raise consciousness about the importance of public libraries and restore them to the great places of learning and entertainment they once were"?

National Knowledge Commission has created awareness as well as a debate among the scholars and planners on how India can move towards a knowledge society. A recent book provides some kind of a ‘roadmap’ towards achieving overall socio-economic development of communities through corporate support by creating or improving Public Libraries in and around the industries. If extended to public libraries, the concept of CSR can help public libraries to stand on their feet. "Just like corporations adopting villages and schools, they can also adopt local public libraries and serve the community at large. CSR mainly focuses on grassroots approach through public-private partnerships for a sustainable development". It is felt that Public libraries, if any are given the required inputs, resources and infrastructure, can become useful in helping the country to become a Knowledge Society.

What is needed is a strong advocacy on the part people of learned societies of the country to put pressure for strong and urgent steps. The voluntary orrganisations working in the field of education, literacy and social empowerment must launch a massive campaign for larger government spending and mobilization of special funds through special cess and duties. Public libraries are social institutions and produce informed public opinion which is a major requisite for aworking democracy.

Module

1. Component of an e-Content Module

Each e-content module would consist of seven components described below. Content writer is expected to provide all the components using template made available by the INFLIBNET Centre as PPT, RTF / MS Word file.

1.1 Component-I (A) - Personal Details: Provide personal details of content writer along with other members of Content Development Team including their name(s) and their affiliation in the format given below. This information is required essentially to give due credit to the members of Content development Team for writing the content.

Role

Name

Affiliation

National Coordinator

<National Coordinator Name>

Subject Coordinator

<Subject Coordinator Name>

Paper Coordinator

<Paper Coordinator Name>

Content Writer/Author (CW)

<Content Writer/Author Name>

Content Reviewer (CR)

<CR Name>

Language Editor (LE)

<LE Name>

Technical Conversion

<Technical Conversion Name>

Component-1 (A) – Module Structure: Detailed content structure of each module in the format given below.

Structure of Module/Syllabus of a module (Define Topic of module and its subtopic)

<Topic name1>

<Sub-topic Name1>, < Sub-topic Name2>

<Topic name2>

<Sub-topic Name2.1>, < Sub-topic Name2.2>

Example

Structure of Module/Syllabus of a module (Define Topic of module and its subtopic)

Development Plans and Resource Mobilisation

Introduction, Key factors to Public Libraries, Development Plans and Resource Mobilisation, Issues, Challenges

1.2 Component-II - Description of Module: Describe of module in the format given below:

Items

Description of Module

Subject Name

<Subject Name>

Paper Name

<Paper Name>

Module Name/Title

<Module Name>

Module Id

<Module Id>

Pre-requisites

<What the users is expected to know

before learning this module>

Objectives

<Objectives of this module>

Keywords

<Keyword1>,<Keyword2>,<Keyword3>

Example

Description of Module

Subject Name

Library and Information Science

Paper Name

Public Libraries

Module Name/Title

Development Plans and Resource Mobilisation

Module Id

LIS/PL/1

Pre-requisites

Public Libraries, Development

Objectives

To Study About Library Movement in the country

Keywords

Public Libraries, RRRLF, Five Year Plan, NAPLIS

1.3 Component-III - Main Content or e-Text: Textual document consisting of at least 6-8 pages with detailed write-up on the topic of module.

Start with the core of the topic, then develop ALL its main aspects briefly, then develop them

FULLY

Examples & Applications from day to day life

Illustrations (Images, Maps, Graphics (2D & 3D), Video & audio clips, Animation(2D & 3D), Simulation): The Content Writer can provide the illustrations himself or may request INFLIBNET Centre to create illustrations

Latest Developments and Trends

Summary: The summary will help a learner to quickly review of the module.

Text Format: The text may be divided into sections, subsections and, where necessary, sub-subsections.

a) Fonts: Please format the text using a "Times New Roman" or "Arial" font (size 11). Provide fonts in separate folder in case of font in regional language. Maintain uniform font size and style through-out the text with single line spacing. Assign sequential page numbers to the module.

b) Formatting Sections, Subsections and Sub-subsections: The first section is normally an introduction, which should state clearly the objective of the work, its scope and the main advances reported, with brief references to relevant work.

c) Style, Spacing and Numbering: The preferred format for numbering the sections 1.,2.,3., etc. with Times New Roman Bold. The subsection should be numbered as 2.1.,2.2.,2.3., etc with Time New Roman Italics and the sub subsection should be numbered as 2.3.1.,2.3.2., etc. with Time New Roman Italics.

1.4 Component –VI - Assessment & Evaluation: Content Writer should provide minimum 10-15 questions for each module in one or more formats given below:

1.4.1 Multiple Choice Questions Answer

Correct Option

<Question Number>

<Write Question>

A

<Ans 1>

<Correct Ans>

B

<Ans 2>

C

<Ans 3>

Feedback for Correct Option

<Correct Feedback>

Feedback for Incorrect Option

<Incorrect Feedback>

Example

Correct Option

<Q-1>

Which Libraries are most valuable social assets for any country and empowering institutions?

A

Academic Libraries

<Correct Ans>

B

Public Libraries

C

Digital Libraries

Feedback for Correct Option

Feedback for Incorrect Option

Wrong Answer

1.4.2 True & False Statements

Correct Answer

<Question Number>

<Write Question/True false statement>

True

<Correct Ans>

False

Feedback

<Feedback>

Example

Correct Answer

1

Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation was established in 1972 under Department of Culture

Correct Answer

True

False

Feedback

1.4.3 Sequencing: State items in correct order, the LMS will put them in random order.

<Question Number>

<Write Question>

Order Number

Answer

1

<1st order answer>

2

<2nd order answer >

3

<3rd order answer >

4

<4th order answer>

Example

Q-1

Please arrange this Act in descending order

Order Number

Answer

1

Maharashtra Public Libraries Act

2