Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:36:46 +0530
From: Ragaavendra R
In a bid to enable readers to easily access books and information, the
Centre has decided to digitally link nearly 9,000 libraries across the
country under the National Mission on Libraries (NML) at a cost of Rs
1,000 crore.
Director of DELNET (Developing Library Network) and NML member H K Kaul
told this at Vadodara on Monday.
He was speaking on the eve of the three-day 15th national convention on
'Knowledge, Library and Information Networking' beginning here tomorrow.
"There is a plan to modernise and digitally link nearly 9,000 libraries
across the country in a bid to provide readers access to books and
information," he said.
Under the plan, libraries in several cities, towns and villages of the
country would be linked in the next three years, he said adding that a
proposal to spend Rs 1,000 crore on this project is pending before the
Planning Commission for its approval.
According to Mr. Kaul, a survey of reading habits of Indians and revival
of community libraries and reading rooms has also been planned.
He pointed out that Gujarat figures in the list of Indian states that lag
behind in library development, "despite enacting Library Act in the
respective States."
"Library is a State subject and 16 States including Gujarat out of a total
of 32 states, have enacted Library Act after getting passed in respective
state assemblies," he said.
However, library movement is not picking up in these States due to various
reasons, one of which is non-allocation of sufficient funds, he said.
"Therefore, the National Library Mission has decided to focus on improving
the public library system of the country, focussing on the States where
library development is lagging behind," Mr. Kaul said.
A national census of libraries, upgradation of infrastructure of reading
resources and work of modernising and promoting the networking of
libraries would be taken up, Mr. Kaul said.
Mr. Kaul also underlined the need to change syllabus of library courses
being run by various universities and institutions for meeting challenges.
About 250 delegates and experts from 32 States would take part in the
three-day convention, which is being organised to mark the completion of
100 years of library movement in India, Mr. Kaul said.
According to him, the convention coincides with the 150th birth
anniversary of Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III, late Maharaja of erstwhile
princely state of Baroda, who, he said, had taken a lead in establishing
and opening libraries in towns and villages in Central, South, North
Gujarat and Saurashtra regions, which fell under his jurisdiction.
The theme of the convention, hosted by the Maharaja Sayajirao University
of Baroda, is 'Libraries for the future: collection, competencies and
cooperation'.
REF LINK:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rs-1000-crore-plan-to-link-9000-librar...
Best Regards,
Raghvendra R
