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The Tamil Nadu government’s move to roll out mobile libraries for schools in 12 districts scripts a new chapter in the State’s impressive history of promoting public and school libraries, especially for the poor and marginalised communities, and sets an example for other States to emulate. This comes at a time when India’s library movement stares at a crisis thanks to factors including shortage of funds and government apathy. With more than 4,000 public libraries in 32 districts and dedicating a significant share of public funds to improve infrastructure and other facilities, Tamil Nadu sends out a strong message to peers such as Uttar Pradesh, which, despite its sizeable population and geography, reportedly has only 75 public libraries.
There are reportedly about 70,000 public libraries in India, many already or nearly defunct. The Centre and State governments must share the blame for this plight. It has been some time since a Union or State budget set aside a meaningful amount for improving library infrastructure,unsurprising considering the paltry outlay for education.
Governments must understand that libraries help build an enlightened citizenry. Fiscal constraints are no excuse. This is an area where private parties may not necessarily be interested in investing given the non-profit nature of libraries, so the onus falls squarely on the Government to make sure its people, especially students and the poor, have enough avenues to sit together, read and learn. If it can encourage private players to earmark and channel CSR funds into building and promoting public libraries, that can solve fund shortage and efficiency issues to some extent — and there are a few NGOs engaged in this, in pockets. India’s corporates can take a leaf out of the Global Libraries initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which wants to reach the one billion ‘information-poor’ people by 2030 by improving the world’s 320,000 public libraries and enabling them as critical community assets.
Jinoy Jose PDeputy Editor
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