Denial of government grants choking libraries

The statutory grants is to be paid under provisions of the Kerala Public Libraries (Kerala Grandhasala Sanghom) Act, 1989, in four instalments spread over April, July, October, and January every financial year. However, the government has not released even a single instalment so far this year and this has resulted in the libraries across the State being denied their annual grants and the librarians their allowances.

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Library law 'fails' to take off

BERHMPUR: The "poor implementation" of a law on public libraries has affected an initiative to build a network of such institutions in the state, experts said on Sunday.

"The Odisha Public Libraries Act was enacted to establish a network of the public libraries from block level to the state level. But even after 10 years of its enactment, the Act was not implemented fully," said RK Mohapatra, a professor of library science at Sanjay Memorial Institute of Technology ( SMIT).

Mohapatra was speaking at a function to celebrate the birth anniversary of SR Raganathan, the father of library science in India, at Chhatrapur in Ganjam district. The meeting was organised by the district library.

"The scenario is equally bad in several other states. Beside Odisha, 17 states have enacted legislations on building of public libraries. But only 10 states have implemented the law in the right spirit," Mohapatra added.

The Act also called for formation of a public library council to monitor the initiative. "The government has failed to set up the body. Even now, most of the blocks lack the proposed state-run Gandhi Pathagar," said Ashok Choudhury, former MLA of Chhatrapur.

More News at :http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Library-law-fails-to-take-off/articleshow/15471981.cms

Manipur MLA moots implementation of Public Library Act

Imphal, May 24 2012: With a view to create awareness on the importance of Public Library and also to mend the shortage in connection with public library, the Manipur Public Library Act will be brought up in the floor of the House during its Monsoon session, K Shyam, MLA, Langthabal A/C has assured.

MLA K Shyam was speaking as Guest of Honour of the Silver Jubilee celebration of Manipur Library Association (MALA) at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound here today.

The MLA observed that library plays an important role in the development of a society.

So, we need to bring about development in the Library system of the state.

For this, it is high time for MALA to take the initiative towards spearheading a public movement in the state.

The MLA further informed that since he has been newly elected, he has a lot to learn with regard to politics.

However, he is not going to leave any stone unturned in bringing about development in the society.

He also appealed to the general public to give him suggestions in this regard.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, Laishom Ibomcha, MLA of Keishamthong A/C pointed out that since the government has failed to take up measures for promotion of library in the state, the sorry state of library has prevailed in the state.

According to the Manipur Public Library Act, 1993, every district of the state should have a library.

However, no proper library has been established in all the districts so far.

He further lamented over the attitude of the state government in missed out from preparing a separate budget for the Library in the annual budget of the state government.

Even the Department of Art and Culture never tried to develop and promote the library movement in the state.

As such there is no likelihood that a separate Directorate of Library will be set up in the state as is seen in other states of India.

MLA Ibomcha also pointed out that since the State Central Library is located in a parking zone, the people find it difficult to concentrate in reading books of their choice peacefully.

So, either the parking or the Central Library needs to be shifted from the area, he proposed.

Padmashree Dr M Kriti, RK Jhalajit and N Inaocha, President of Manipur Library Association were Guests of Honour of the function during which annual report of MALA and a souvenir were also released.

Eminent columnists, critics and publishers were also awarded certificates of appreciation on the occasion.

Source: http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=22..250512.may12