Who cares about libraries?

By Christine Sheehy

There was a time when I would have been embarrassed to admit that I love libraries.

A love of libraries has inspired a new book about the importance of the public place. 

As a teenager the library was distinctly uncool, except as a place to check out members of the opposite sex while pretending to study for School Certificate. At least, that was the only socially acceptable excuse.

But deep down I loved the place: from childhood days of Margaret Mahy and Richard Scarry, to pre-teen years when "I have a project to research" was the only excuse capable of persuading Mum that I should be allowed to get off the school bus in Takapuna and hang out by myself for a precious hour or two. I still recall the burgeoning sense of independence and freedom. And believe it or not, most of the time I did actually go to the library.

These days I take my kids to the library most weeks, and usually come away with something for myself. There's almost always a book on the "new release" stand calling out "borrow me", even though I already have far too many on my bedside table.

Now, a love of libraries has inspired The Library Book, a collection of musings on the importance and meaning of public libraries from writers including Zadie Smith, Julian Barnes, Kate Mosse and Alan Bennett.

The book was first published in the UK, where the future of tiny village and suburban libraries is in peril. It's a similar story in the US, where huge public spending cuts threaten the survival of libraries from New York to California.Many write that they would not have become writers, but for the sanctuary and inspiration offered by their local library during difficult teenage years.

In both countries, vigorous campaigns are underway to save public libraries. For one week last year, the shelves of the Stony Stratford library in Buckinghamshire stood empty of all 16,000 titles, after a Facebook campaign encouraged members to borrow their maximum 15 books. The protesters wanted to demonstrate the great void that would be left in the heart of the community if the library were shut down.

Here in New Zealand, proposed reductions in library services also face strong community opposition. A recent petition opposing the axing of Tauranga's mobile library service has gained over 1500 signatures, while last October, Hamilton City Council was forced to back down from aproposal to charge $2 per book borrowed.

The Library Book is a tribute to and celebration of that place in the community. "There really aren't many things in life that can enrich you for free yet ask for nothing in return," writes Nicky Wire, bass player and lyricist for the Manic Street Preachers.

Stephen Fry writes movingly of how discovering his library helped him to understand and accept his homosexuality. It also led him to many great writers, with a side-effect that his own appetite for knowledge caused him to "educate myself to a degree that was beyond anything a school could hope to achieve".

Others note that without well-funded libraries willing to take a chance on new writers, many would never see their work in print. As Lionel Shriver points out, a lot of books would simply disappear from sight within weeks of publication if not acquired by libraries.

There are tales of pointless bureaucracy, formative meetings, a mobile service that became a vehicle for illicit affairs and even a mobility scooter ram-raid. Whoever said the library was boring?

Not me, obviously. I think even I would be surprised by a print-out of my complete borrowing history over the last 30-something years. I've borrowed books on Baltic politics, Steiner education, Rita Angus, macro-biotic cooking, the AIDS crisis, Mary Queen of Scots, round-the-world sailing, meditation, architecture, crochet and all manner of cookbooks and health and fitness fads. And those are just the topics I can remember.

It's an odd mix, but I'm a firm believer that such eclectic reading has the capacity to expand our minds and enrich our lives. One of the bonuses of Auckland's transition to a supercity is that the library catalogues have merged. Auckland readers can now request books from any branch be delivered to their local library at no cost. Books zooming everywhere from Wellsford to Waitakere to Waiuku probably creates all sorts of inefficiencies, but with 3.5 million items on offer, the available range has expanded enormously.

So I write this blog in celebration of the public library, but I couldn't put it better than broadcaster and writer Catlin Moran. "A library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life raft and a festival. They are cathedrals of the mind; hospitals of the soul; theme parks of the imagination. On a cold and rainy island, they are the only sheltered public spaces where you are not a consumer, but a citizen instead. A human with a brain and a heart and a desire to be uplifted, rather than a customer with a credit card and an inchoate 'need' for 'stuff'."

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/christine-sheehy/news/headlines.cfm?a_id=726

Bookworms keep libraries alive

GUWAHATI: With the world now turning to the internet and electronic media for seeking information on all kinds of topics, one would think libraries have almost become obsolete. But going by the increasing number of members joining District Library here, it seems books still hold their away among the residents of the city.

The premier library is registering a steady growth in its membership and with good reason - District Library has more than 50,000 titles in its fold and is considered a Mecca forbookworms in the city as it caters to each and every topic of interest and study besides boasting a substantial collection of children's books as well. At present, it has 36,617 registered members (as of January 30, 2012), excluding those who have joined in the past three months.

"I come to District Library as it provides me with many title options. It is a treasure trove of old and new books. Since many of the books available in the market are quite expensive and one can't buy all of them, I prefer the library. One can't turn to the internet for everything," said Sangeeta Deka, a student who's a member of the library.

"The Interest in books hasn't gone down with the rapid spread of the internet and electronic media as yet. I don't think library membership will be affected adversely in future as well as it caters to the need of thousands of knowledge seekers who want to do indepth study on a topic and want to read real books and not e-books. The registered members have increased and the figures show a positive trend," said Jaya Choudhury, assistant librarian. She added the library has begun computerisation of all the titles and by 2013, the process, which began last month, will be complete.

Consecrated under the scheme of educational development (5th Five Year Plan of 1951-1956), which foresaw the improvement of library services, four district libraries along with the State Central Library in Shillong were set up in 1954. With the shifting of the capital from Shillong to Guwahati in 1972, District Library became the foremost library in the state.

It was in 1984 that the library was upgraded to the directorate of library services under the department of education, keeping in view the importance of library services and the rapid growth of libraries. At present, Assam has a public library system functioning under the directorate, and there are 23 district libraries, 14 sub-divisional libraries and 204 rural ones.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Bookworms-keep-libraries-alive/articleshow/13372577.cms

आजादी का गवाह केंद्रीय पुस्तकालय (गोड्डा, झारखंड)

गोड्डा/निप्र : कभी देशभक्तों की शरणस्थली रह चुकी मुख्यालय की हृदय स्थली पर अवस्थित केन्द्रीय पुस्तकालय आज प्रशासनिक व राजनीतिक उपेक्षा के कारण अस्तित्व बचाने के लिए संघर्षरत है। विशाल भवन के बावजूद बुद्धिजीवियों को इसका लाभ नहीं मिल रहा है।

क्या है इतिहास

प्रख्यात समालोचक श्यामानंद घोष व समाजसेवी सच्चिदानंद साहा बताते हैं कि आजादी के वीर सपूतों ने 1940 में हिन्दी साहित्य परिषद की स्थापना की। स्वतंत्रता सेनानी सह प्रथम विधायक बुद्धिनाथ झा कैरब, शिवशंकर ठाकुर, महादेव परशुरामका, सागर मोहन पाठक व जगदीश नारायण मंडल ने आंदोलनकारियों के बीच संवाद का आदान-प्रदान करने व संरक्षण हेतु भवन निर्माण कराया था। आजादी के बाद यहां पुस्तक व पत्र-पत्रिकाओं का अधिक संग्रह हो गया। इसके कारण इसे पुस्तकालय में परिवर्तित कर दिया गया। तत्कालीन समय में अंचल व अनुमंडल शिक्षा पदाधिकारी के कार्यालय भी थे। जिसे 1980 में तत्कालीन एसडीओ आरएस शर्मा ने दूसरे जगह स्थानांतरित कराया और केन्द्रीय पुस्तकालय का नाम दिया। उन्होंने पुस्तकालय के सदस्य के रूप में पुस्तकालय को बुलंदी पर पहुंचा दिया। रामखेलावन सिंह को पुस्तकाध्यक्ष के रूप में बहाल किया गया। इसके बाद 1985 में ओंकार नाथ ने पुस्तकाध्यक्ष के रूप में योगदान दिया। तत्कालीन शिक्षा मंत्री के रूप में प्रदीप यादव के प्रयास से भव्य पुस्तकालय भवन बनकर तैयार हो गया। लेकिन प्रशासनिक उदासीनता के कारण आजतक इसका विधिवत उद्घाटन नहीं हो पाया है। जबकि अनमोल पुस्तकें दीमककी भेंट चढ़ रही है।

क्या कहते हैं स्थानीय लोग

मिथिलेश कुमार, अमरनाथ साह, विजय साह, बबलू झा आदि का कहना है कि झारखंड राज्य गठन के पूर्व तक केन्द्रीय पुस्तकालय में जिले के विभिन्न गांवों के लोगों ने सदस्यता ग्रहण कर नियमित रूप से पुस्तकें पढ़ते थे। राज्य गठन के बाद नया भवन बना और उसके बाद से फिर नहीं खुल पाया है। जबकि सदस्य आज भी खुलवाने के प्रति प्रयासरत हैं।

क्या कहते हैं नगर पंचायत अध्यक्ष

नगर पंचायत अध्यक्ष अजीत कुमार सिंह का कहना है कि पुस्तकालय के विकास के लिए वे प्रयासरत हैं। इस संबंध में उन्होंने प्रयास भी किया लेकिन स्थानीय लोगों का सहयोग नहीं मिलने के कारण सफलता नहीं मिली है। इस संबंध में वरीय पदाधिकारियों से बात की जा रही है।

Source:http://www.jagran.com/jharkhand/godda-9265699.html

A thriving library

BANGALORE: Whoever thought the habit of reading books was going down surely was mistaken, as the Dayanand Nagar public library of the North Zone seems to prove otherwise. The library’s membership seems to be thriving with 800 existing members and 53,062 reading material, including 137 magazines and 31 newspapers. The visitors seem to be really fond of reading as they seem to be braving a lot to visit the library.

The library which is situated in a BBMP complex on the first floor, has a bathroom on the ground floor at the entrance. The bathroom is extremely dirty and emanates a strong stench as soon as you walk into the complex. When you walk into the complex itself, the first thing that hits you is the foul smell. Added to this, there is water leaking from the ceiling onto the floor which creates a huge puddle at the entrance of the building.

The library seems to be well maintained though it’s a little small in size. The librarian Pradeep BM says, “Since the library is not very big, there is not much space for the storage of books. The expensive books are kept inside the cupboard and is taken out as and when it is needed.” The existing space is well managed with neat stacks of books on the racks and well defined spaces for readers to enjoy their reading time.

The library has proved to be useful in the area specially because they do not charge for reading books inside the library and even the reading charges are not high which starts only from `25. All the books can be borrowed by the public. The library gets new collection of books at least once in three months.

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/a-thriving-library/259798-60-119.html

READ's Community Library and Resource Centre - A ray of hope for rural Manipur -

By:- Nahid Jubair *

The paradigm of community development and people's participation in rural/regional development has been introduced from 1950 onward. However, many development practices have been limited to the trickle down approach. The numerical involvement in community development activities has been in practice due to the poor implementation mechanism of the spirit of the participatory community development approach.

The actual participation requires a participatory decision-making process that enhances the role of local people in the decision and management of community matters of development. Thus, participatory community development has been critically important in the pace of rural community development.

Read India Logo

India is a developing country where the literacy rate is very low. Among the literate people, the women, marginalized and disadvantaged people are only a low percentage. For sustainable rural development, rural community people should be literate so that they can actively participate in community affairs. 

In this respect, Rural Education and Development (READ) India has been adopting the spirit of community development throughout its approach. It empowers rural communities using a replicable model for sustainable educational, economic and community development that pairs non-profit community resource libraries with for-profit ventures. READ's approach mostly focuses on the educational development of rural people through community libraries. 

The READ approach of community development also includes economic development, which is one pillar of educational development of an area. It has accepted an innovative micro-funding approach to sustain financially each library through viable income generating programs that support the library for its regular operation and future development. Often the income-generating projects have risen considerably more than library operational expenses. Surplus revenue of the library goes to other community development projects. 

A community library is more than just a library. The library is defined as a local educational institution, outside the formal educational system in village areas, which is set up and managed by local people to provide various learning opportunities for community development and improvement of people's quality of life. 

The concept of a community resource centre is that of a community owned centre for lifelong access to educational materials. While on one hand, it serves as a storehouse of knowledge and information, on the other hand, it works to create a space for the community men and women to collaborate on a range of development initiatives. 

Library and information centres are vital and powerful national resources for individuals, organizations and governmental agencies. Community libraries help local people to develop sound reading habits. They provide reading materials to all age groups and people from different interest groups. With easy access to the library, technology and information, local people become literate and develop their skills. This turns villages into viable places to live by creating jobs and access to technology, thus balancing the urban-rural opportunity gap. 

The lack of proper transportation facilities (railway, air, etc), special climatic conditions and such other factors are the barriers that are isolating the Manipur from other parts of India. The result definitely affects the overall growth and development of the region. 

The role of the library for all round development of the society is unquestionable, and when the name of the North East India came its emphasis is even more. The community library or rural library or by whatever name we call it, that are located in the Manipur serve as the key institution / gateway to look insight into the rural masses. 

As such they can be vested with different types of responsibilities from government as well as from different NGO's and like other. But the problem is that about them also a very little information is available. 

The use of the term 'rural library', instead of 'community library' or 'community library and resource centre' is always a confusing one, and must need to be abandoned. In justification of the above sentence it can be said that the term 'rural' indicates the places that have a small population size and whose needs are not served by a metropolitan Development Authority. 

The overall definition of the term is always attached with places proximity to a central space, community size, and total population, economic and socioeconomic conditions. But in every state there are a great number of libraries that are grouped as 'rural library' which are in reality serving the urban community or localities. 

The Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur is looking after the 13 (thirteen) government public libraries. Besides the 13 Government public libraries there are 120 (one hundred twenty) libraries that are run by beneficiary club / voluntary organization etc and they are getting regular book assistance, furniture and equipment from the government. 

Again there are over 95 (ninety five) libraries which are yet to receive regular assistance from the state government, some of them already receive financial assistance from the RRRLF for purchase of books, furniture, equipment and also for construction of library building. 

Government public libraries in Manipur 

Sl No	Name of library	No. of libraries
1	State Central Library	1 Nos
2	District Library	9 Nos
3	Branch Library	1 Nos
4	Community	215 Nos
Total		226 Nos

Recently, in Sangaiprou near Imphal READ (RURAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT) India and local community people jointly implemented a Tazei Community Library and Resource Centre (TCLRC) for minimizing Urban Rural opportunity gap. 

Sangaiprou is a tribal village inhabited by Zeliangrong community and also called as Kabui to Zeliangrong. It lays within the jurisdiction of 19 Patsoi Assembly Constituency, Imphal West-1, Sub-Division Imphal West District Manipur. 

And under Lamjaotongba Gram Panchayat, It is about 7(seven) Kms from Imphal and located in between two National High Way NH-53(Imphal � Silchar) and NH-150 (Imphal- Aizawl). The word "Sangaiprou" derived from Manipur mythology. It means that the habitation of Sangai the state animal of Manipur. 

READ India is helping rural communities by establishing community libraries with a sustainable financial strategy. Both the library and the sustainable income-generating projects are used as a developmental vehicle to undertake various other development initiatives in the community. TCLRC has selected two income-generating projects. 

A project site photo under construction

READ libraries create different sustainability projects based on geographic location, resource availability, local interest and demand. Those income-generating projects cover all the expenses of the library's operating budget, and surplus funds go towards future program expansion. 

READ does not implement the project itself, but it regularly monitors the activities of the community libraries. The community itself manages the community library and its services. The responsibility of the project implementation solely falls on the local community. READ activities are flexible and participatory which allows leadership to emerge from any member of the community. 

Support mechanisms are also made available through coordinating and networking. This model also allows volunteers, who are eager to learn about community development, to gather ample experience about community matters. 

To serve the people, it is necessary to go to their doors steps, to provide them service at the levels where they live. When we consider in respect of information or knowledge, Community Library and Resource Centre (CLRC) or Community Development Library (CDL) or Rural Information Resource Centre (RIRC) or Rural Library or by whatever name we call it, doing the same. 

But for how long it will continue without people's own initiatives. They also must come forward to take the benefit, to make it self sufficiency through various provisions like READ library model.. 

Most of the community libraries in the North East India especially in Manipur spontaneously developed as a part of NGO, Societies, and Club etc and after some time they are dying in the same way due to the lack of subsequent management. During present time they are facing major financial crises and the respective state government and RRRLF financial grant are unable to cover even a fraction of the total need of the community libraries. Without full participation / cooperation from the general people the whole system will be vanished. 

Community libraries are very essential for the growth and development of the society and through years it is playing a great role. In terms of community development the common purpose sharing organization / institution like Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) formed on 7th February 2003, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation (RGF) established in 1991, Panchayats, Department of Agriculture of respective state governments, Agricultural Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras, etc. can think to unite themselves, for the maintenance of this system, to serve the rural population as well as to fulfil their individual need.

Source: http://www.e-pao.net/epPageExtractor.asp?src=education.Community_Library_and_Resource_Centre.html

बस एक क्लिक पर आपके सामने होगी दुनियाभर की लाइब्रेरी!

कोटा.एक क्लिक करो और दुनिया की किसी भी लाइब्रेरी में उपलब्ध पत्र-पत्रिकाएं व दुर्लभ पुस्तकें आपके सामने। कोटा के राजकीय सार्वजनिक मंडल पुस्तकालय में दो माह बाद मिलने लगेगी मुफ्त में यह सुविधा। इससे शोधार्थी छात्रों को अपनी रिसर्च के लिए संदर्भ जुटाने का फायदा मिलेगा वहीं आम नागरिक भी इसका लाभ उठा सकेंगे।

अभी यूआईटी कार्यालय परिसर में चल रहा मंडल पुस्तकालय सीएडी कॉलोनी में निर्माणाधीन अपने भवन में शिफ्ट होने के बाद वहां ग्लोबल विलेज लाइब्रेरी की यह सुविधा उपलब्ध होने लगेगी। पुस्तकालय में इसके लिए अलग से कक्ष होगा। वहां पुस्तकालय में उपलब्ध किताबों के साथ ही देश-विदेश की ई-लाइब्रेरी की पुस्तकें भी इंटरनेट पर मुहैया हो सकेंगी।

कई पुरानी व नई पुस्तकें शोधार्थी छात्रों और ज्ञान अर्जित करने वाले लोगों को निशुल्क पढ़ने को मिलेंगी। साथ ही कोई भी नई पुस्तक छपने के तत्काल बाद पढ़ने को मिल सकेगी। दुनिया के विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में जो भी समसामयिक घटनाएं-हलचल होती है, उसकी जानकारी मिल सकेगी। कोटा संभाग में मंडल पुस्तकालय पहली लाइब्रेरी होगी जहां यह सुविधा उपलब्ध मिलेगी।

मंडल पुस्तकालय को इलेक्ट्रोनिक नॉलेज सेंटर बनाने के लिए पांच लाख रुपए लागत के प्रोजेक्ट को मंजूरी मिल चुकी है। राजाराम मोहनराय पुस्तकालय कोलकाता के सहयोग से यह सुविधा मिलेगी। इसके लिए मंडल पुस्तकालय में दस कंप्यूटर लगाए जाएंगे और सर्वर होगा। इस लाइब्रेरी में उपलब्ध सारी पुस्तकें भी कंप्यूटराइज्ड हो जाएंगी। पुस्तकों के लेन-देन का सिस्टम भी कंप्यूटराइज्ड हो जाएगा।

मंडल पुस्तकालय प्रभारी दीपक श्रीवास्तव के मुताबिक दो माह बाद लाइब्रेरी में ये सुविधाएं मिलने लगेगी। नए भवन में आडीटोरियम होगा जिसमें वीडियो कांफ्रेंसिंग सुविधा होगी।
Source: Dainik Bhaskar

इंटरनेट के जमाने ने किताबों से रुसवा किया

करती हैं बातें, बीते जमानों की 

दुनिया की, इंसानों की

आज की कल की, एक एक पल की

खुशियों की, गमों की, फूलों की, बमों की

जीत की, हार की, प्यार की, मार की 

क्या तुम नहीं सुनोगे इन किताबों की बातें 

इटावा। सफदर हाशमी साहब ने किताबों पर लिखी इस कविता में पूरी दुनिया को समेट दिया था। शायद वे यही कहना चाहते थे कि किताबें हैं तो सब कुछ है। पर अब देखने की प्रवृत्ति ने पढ़ने के रुझान को मानों दबाकर रख दिया है। इंटरनेट के जमाने ने लोगों को किताबों से रुसवा कर दिया। लाइब्रेरियों में पाठकों की कभी भरमार हुआ करती थी। अब जैसे अकाल सा पड़ गया है। राजकीय जिला पुस्तकालय को ही लें। यहां पाठकों के रुझान के सिवा वह सब कुछ मुहैया है। कभी दर्जनों की भीड़ रहती थी अब महज 15-20 लोग ही आते हैं।
संसाधन जुटाने में कोई कसर बाकी नहीं
जिला लाइब्रेरी में पुस्तकों के शौकीनों की सुविधाओं का पूरा ख्याल रखा गया है। बिजली चली जाए तो जेनरेटर की व्यवस्था है। पीने के पानी के लिए वाटर कूलर और सबमर्सिबल पंप लगा है। पाठकों के लिए कूलर लगा है। रिजल्ट देखना हो तो इंटरनेट की सुविधा के साथ चार कंप्यूटर रखे हैं। रंगीन टीवी और उसके साथ डीवीडी भी उपलब्ध है।
31 हजार पुस्तकों का जखीरा
लाइब्रेरी की शोभा पुस्तकों और पाठकों से होती है। जिला लाइब्रेरी में 31 हजार पुस्तकें तो शोभा बढ़ाती नजर आती हैं, लेकिन यह शोभा पाठकों के न होने से फीकी पड़ जाती है। यहां बैंक आदि कंप्टीशन की तैयारी के लिए छात्रों के विषय उपयोगी किताबें हैं तो बुर्जगों को ध्यान रखते हुए धार्मिक पुस्तकें भी रखी गई हैं। महिलाआें और बच्चों के लिए भी पढ़ने योग्य काफी मैटेरियल है। चिल्ड्रन कार्नर में कार्टून किताबें भरी पड़ी हैं।
जबकि पाठकों की हकीकत यह है
अब अगर यहां आने वाले पाठकों की हकीकत जाने तो जुटाए गए यह संसाधन बेमानी से लगने लगते हैं। सुबह 10 से शाम 5 बजे तक खुलने वाले इस पुस्तकालय में बुधवार को दोपहर करीब एक बजे तक 8 पाठक पहुंचे थे। मुख्य स्टडी हाल में दो लोग अखबार पढ़ते मिले। इसके बाद एक दो लोग किताबों की अदला बदली के लिए पहुंचते रहे। यहां आए प्राइवेट टीचर ब्रजनीश कुमार शर्मा इस पुस्तकालय के सदस्य भी हैं। बताते हैं कि जब समय मिल जाता है, चले आते हैं। साथ बैठे प्राइवेट कंपनी में कार्यरत अरविंद कुमार श्रीवास्तव सिर्फ अखबार पढ़ने आए थे। वह यहां के सदस्य भी नहीं है। ऐसे ही ग्रेजुएट छात्र अरुण कुशवाह अपनी बहन वंदना के साथ यहां पहुंचे। दोनों को कंप्टीशन तैयारी से जुड़ी किताबें चाहिए थी। अरुण भी यहां के सदस्य हैं। रिजनिंग आदि की चार किताबें खुद ढूंढी और लेकर चले गए। अरुण के मुताबिक विगत 8 माह से जुड़े हैं।
514 पंजीकृत सदस्य है यहां
जिला पुस्तकालय में कुल 514 पंजीकृत सदस्य है। यह संख्या दर्शाती है कि 5 लाख की आबादी वाले इस शहर में महज पांच सौ लोगों में पढ़ने के लिए लाइब्रेरी जाने की रुचि है। पुस्तकालयाध्यक्ष केबी दोहरे व प्रचारक राकेश पांडेय खुद पाठकों में इस अरुचि को लेकर चिंता करते दिखते है। वह कहते है कि सदस्यता शुल्क भी अधिक नहीं है। बच्चों के लिए सुरक्षित निधि 500 व बड़ों के लिए एक हजार रुपए निर्धारित है। 50 रुपए वार्षिक शुल्क है। एक माह तक इश्यू किताब पढ़ी जा सकती है। कंप्यूटर पर रिजल्ट एवं नौकरी आदि से जुड़ी जानकारी इंटरनेट पर देखी जा सकती है। यह सब कुछ निशुल्क है।
पुस्तक मेला लगे तो मिले फायदा
सेवानिवृत्त साहित्य प्रेमी सुरेश चंद्र द्विवेदी मानते हैं कि पाठकों की रुचि बढ़ाने के लिए भागीरथी प्रयत्न जरूरी हैं। पुस्तक मेले समय-समय पर आयोजित हों, जिसमेें आने वालों को पुस्तकालय का महत्व बताया जाए।

Source: Amar Ujala

रणदीप सुरजेवाला ने किया पुस्तकालय का लोकार्पण

कैथल, जागरण संवाद केंद्र :
लोक निर्माण मंत्री रणदीप सिंह सुरजेवाला ने कहा है कि स्वामी विवेकानंद पुस्तकालय के स्थापना से यह क्षेत्र ज्ञान, विज्ञान और अध्यात्म के केंद्र के रूप में उभरेगा। इसके शुरू होने से जहा बाल गोपालों को ज्ञान अर्जित करने की जगह मिलेगी, वहीं शहर के बीचों-बीच स्थित होने से नगर के हर हिस्से के लोग इससे लाभान्वित हो सकेंगे।

सुरजेवाला सोमवार को जवाहर पार्क में स्थित नवनिर्मित स्वामी विवेकानंद पुस्तकालय को लोकार्पित करने के उपरात उपस्थितगण से मुखातिब थे। इस मौके पर किसान खेत मजदूर काग्रेस के अध्यक्ष शमशेर सिंह सुरजेवाला भी मौजूद थे।

सुरजेवाला ने कहा कि एक करोड़ 27 लाख रुपये की लागत से बनकर तैयार हुए इस पुस्तकालय के भूमि तल और प्रथम तल पर विभिन्न कक्षों का निर्माण किया गया है। प्रथम तल पर जिला प्रशासन द्वारा एक कंप्यूटर सेंटर बनाया जाएगा, जिसमें गरीब बच्चे नि:शुल्क कंप्यूटर की शिक्षा ग्रहण कर सकेंगे।

उन्होंने बताया कि लगभग 15 हजार पुस्तकें इस पुस्तकालय में उपलब्ध है। शीघ्र ही इस पुस्तकालय को स्वामी विवेकानंद की शिक्षाओं के अनुरूप अलग-अलग विषयों की पुस्तकों व अन्य जरूरी साजो समान से लैस कर दिया जाएगा। उन्होंने कहा कि इस लाईब्रेरी भवन के भूमि तल पर लाईब्रेरियन रूम, रीडिग हाल, स्टेकिंग हाल, स्टोर तथा महिला व पुरूष शौचालयों का निर्माण किया गया है। प्रथम तल पर लाईब्रेरियन रूम के साथ-साथ बच्चों के लिए स्टडी रूम, बाल गोपालों को ज्ञानवर्धक फिल्में दिखाने के दृष्टिगत आडियो विजुवल रूम, कंप्यूटर रूम, टीवी रूम, सर्वर रूम तथा स्टोर के साथ महिला व पुरूष शौचालय का निर्माण भी किया गया है।

उन्होंने कहा कि इस पुस्तकालय का संचालन नगर परिषद द्वारा किया जाना है, जबकि इसके संचालन में नगर के प्रबुद्ध व्यक्तियों की एक समिति भी पूरी तरह से मदद करेगी। नाथी राम, भारत विकास परिषद के अध्यक्ष डा. जेसी मनोचा, जयपाल मान, सतीश क्योड़किया तथा नगर पार्षद सुभाष जवाहरा पुस्तकालय के संचालन में मदद करेंगे। इस अवसर पर उपायुक्त चंद्रशेखर, दिलबाग मोर, बहादुर सैनी, डा. श्याम साहनी, रामनिवास मित्तल, दरबारा नैन, डा. जगमोहन कालड़ा, बसंत जैन, रणबीर सैनी, सुरेद्र राझा एडवोकेट आदि उपस्थित थे।

Source: Dainik Jagran

पुस्तकालयों को है मसीहा का इंतजार

पुस्तकालयों को है मसीहा का इंतजार

गोड्डा, निप्र : झारखंड गठन के ग्यारह साल बाद भी जिले के पुस्तकालयों की स्थिति बद से बदतर हो गयी है। अगर समय रहते इसकी सुधि नहीं ली गयी तो वह दिन दूर नहीं जब पुस्तकालय अतीत में तब्दील हो जायेंगे।

क्या कहते है बुद्धिजीवी

प्रख्यात समालोचक डॉ. श्यामाचरण घोष ने स्थानीय केन्द्रीय पुस्तकालय की दुर्दशा पर कहा कि इस पुस्तकालय के स्थापना काल से लेकर पंजीकृत कराने व सजाने संवारने में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान दिया है। प्रमुख केन्द्र होने के बावजूद जन प्रतिनिधियों व प्रशासनिक पदाधिकारियों के नकारात्मक रवैया के कारण यह व्यवस्था विहीन हो गई। पुस्तकाध्यक्ष को वेतन नहीं मिलने के कारण हाल में ही काल कवलित हो गये हैं। वहीं कोरका गांव के दीपनारायण साह बताते हैं कि ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों में किसी प्रकार का आवंटन प्राप्त नहीं होने की स्थिति में भवन के साथ अच्छी पुस्तकें भी गायब हो रही हैं। महेशपुर के रवीन्द्र कुमार झा का कहना है कि राज्य गठन के बाद लोगों को उम्मीदें जगी थीं। कुछ चमत्कार नहीं होने के कारण उनकी अरमानों पर पानी फिर गया। प्रशासनिक उदासीनता के कारण पुस्तकालय अतिक्रमण का शिकार हो गया है। अगर समय रहते इस ओर ध्यान नहीं दिया गया तो वह समय दूर नहीं जब पुस्तकालयों का अस्तित्व खत्म हो जायेगा।

जिले के मान्यता प्राप्त पुस्तकालय

संतालपरगना प्रमंडल के सभी छह जिले में मान्यता प्राप्त पुस्तकालय या तो विलुप्त हो चुके हैं या फिर अस्मिता के लिए संघर्ष कर रहे हैं। आजादी के बाद तत्कालीन संतालपरगना जिले के 67 पुस्तकालयों को बिहार राज्य पुस्तकालय संघ से संबद्ध पुस्तकालय में तत्कालीन गोड्डा अनुमंडल में सबसे अधिक 35 पुस्तकालयों को मान्यता प्राप्त थी। इन पुस्तकालयों को संताल परगना जिला पुस्तकालय संघ के तत्कालीन विभागीय मंत्री सागर प्रसाद राय व सभापति गोपाल लाल वार्मा की कार्यकुशलता से सरकारी राशि भी आवंटित की जाती थी। झारखंड राज्य अलग होने के बाद कई पुस्तकालय की किताब, मकान व फर्नीचर रखरखाव के अभाव में नष्ट हो चुके हैं।

मान्यता प्राप्त पुस्तकालय

प्राप्त अभिलेखों के आधार पर सरस्वती पुस्तकालय, गांधी स्मारक,आर्य, रामरेख, शक्ति , वन पुस्तकालय, सार्वजनिक पुस्तकालय, नवयुग, राजेन्द, आजाद हिन्द, बालेश्वर स्मारक, श्रीकृष्ण, दुर्गा पुस्तकालय, आदर्श, जवाहर , आदर्श महुआडीह, रामेश्वर , सेवाश्रम, शंकर, सेवाश्रम कसबा, इस्लामियां दिग्घी, सिंहेश्वर सार्वजनिक , श्रीअखिलेवरी , जनहितैषी, सार्वजनकि पुस्तकालय डांड़ै, सेवाश्रम पुस्तकालय के नाम पर दर्ज है। बहरहाल इन तमाम पुस्तकालयों का समय रहते जीर्णोद्धार नहीं हुआ तो सभी इतिहास के पन्नों में सिमट कर रह जायेंगे।

क्या कहते हैं पदाधिकारी

जिला शिक्षा पदाधिकारी एजाज अहमद का कहना है कि जिले के पुस्तकालयों के संरक्षण की दिशा में अभी सरकार द्वारा कोई दिशा-निर्देश प्राप्त नहीं है। यदि कोई आदेश मिलता है तो भविष्य में इन्हे व्यवस्थित किया जा सकता है।

Source: Dainik Jagran

A library without toilet!

BANGALORE: Agrahara Dasarahalli Public library is one of the branches falling under the Hampinagar City Centre library (West zone of the Department of Public Library) and the visitors seem to be quite content with the library maintenance and the facilities.

Located within the building which also accommodates the Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium (Basaveshwarnagar), this library comprises a single floor with a total of 493 members and a collection of 16, 972 books.

SN Shah, a senior citizen and a regular visitor to this library said, “It is spacious here and it stocks all the dailies/newspapers. There is drinking water facility too. What more can I ask for?” Though he added, “The library shuts between 7 and 7.30 whereas other branches are open till 8. Even though Monday is their weekly holiday, at times they are closed on Tuesdays too. Such unexpected holidays, that too at short notice, gets really annoying.”

Since the library is in a building which is not owned by the Department of Public Library and is rented out by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the main grouse here is that there is no toilet exclusively for the library visitors. There is just one public toilet which is used by everyone and it has poor sanitary conditions.

Mahesh, an KAS aspirant who spends close to nine hours studying here said, “Since I spend most of my day here, I need to use the rest room, which is not very clean. But, whom do we complain to? As the toilet is owned by the BBMP, we can’t complain to the library assistant here.”

Another major issue is the noise coming from outside. Since the library is situated right next to a stadium and a play ground, it generates highly disruptive noise on a daily basis. Hence, it becomes difficult for readers sitting outside the reading room to concentrate. Library Assistant Manjula said, “The glass door is noise proof. So the readers sitting inside the hall do not face any problem. But, in case all the seats are occupied, some readers end up going outside the hall and the noise becomes inevitable.”

The instructions and the subject names on the book shelves are written both in English and Kannada. But, similar to the problems faced by readers in other libraries, there aren’t enough books in the competitive section and the ones available are not updated. Regarding issuing books, one can get only Kannada literature books issued. Deputy Director Venkatesh wasn’t available for any comments.

Source: Indian Express

New Vision for New York Public Library

By JENNIFER MALONEY

New York Public Library officials said they would hire new librarians and curators—positions that had been cut over the years—with the cash infusion from a massive renovation plan that has faced withering criticism.

Noah Rabinowitz for The Wall Street Journal

Some of the stacks that are part of New York Public Library's plans for renovations.

The $300 million renovation would take the sting out of years of budget cuts and help the library's vaunted research division survive with an influx from the sale of two Manhattan buildings and the consolidation of three libraries into one, officials told The Wall Street Journal.

The plan would move two to three million of the iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman building's five million books to a New Jersey storage facility where many of the library's texts are already kept. And it would open vast new public space in the landmark building on Fifth Avenue that has been primarily the domain of scholars and researchers.

Enlarge Image

Noah Rabinowitz for The Wall Street Journal

A view of Bryant Park from the library.

In selling the changes to a skeptical public, library officials said they acknowledged some missteps as they rolled out information about the renovation but stood by the plan. They said the renovation was necessary to maintain the institution as a world-class research center.

"The worst case scenario is, I think we die," said Ann Thornton, director of the library's research division. "I think we die as a research library.…We would have to stop collecting. We'd become a museum."

The library revealed the new details to The Wall Street Journal as it continues a public campaign to stem heated criticism of the plan since it was revived in February.

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Noah Rabinowitz for The Wall Street Journal

Stacks that are part of plans for renovations.

While some scholars support the plan, others have said the changes could turn a place for serious research into something less than that—an "Internet cafe," as some called it.

They say the plan calls for the relocation of too many books and say they are skeptical of the library's promise to provide 24-hour delivery service for off-site books. They also lament the staff reductions the library's research division has seen in repeated budget cuts since 2008.

The detractors have included a wide range of the literary world, from Nobel Prize winner Mario Vargas Llosa to Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Art Spiegelman. The plan was mocked on Garrison Keillor's public radio program, "Lake Wobegon." A public forum on the issue is scheduled to be held Tuesday at the New School.

"We are afraid that the plan represents a transformation of the library in ways that will undermine its classic research function, and pay more attention to superficial aspects of public use of the building and cafes and meeting rooms," said Joan Scott, a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J., and an author of a protest letter signed by nearly 750 scholars and writers.

The disapproval from the literary and academic world has rankled library officials.

"It really couldn't be further off the mark, quite honestly," said Neil Rudenstine, chairman of the library's board of trustees. "I can only assume that there's been a very, very considerable misunderstanding...It's up to us to try to correct it."

Anthony Marx, the library's president, said officials would fan out this summer to speak at community boards in the boroughs it serves: Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island. And they are continuing to meet with scholars and researchers.

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Noah Rabinowitz for The Wall Street Journal

Inside of the stacks at the library.

"We need to make clear to everyone that research at the New York Public Library remains a top priority," he said. "I think we've tried to be clear about the benefits for researchers as well as the benefits for millions of New Yorkers…We have to make smart decisions about the resources we have. We aim to create the single greatest library facility in the world."

Dr. Marx and other officials said the selling of two buildings—the Mid-Manhattan Library and the Science, Industry and Business Library—would generate $10 million to $15 million per year in operating budget savings.

The library has faced budget and program cuts in recent years. Since 2008, the library's research division has seen a 20% drop in curatorial positions. Since 2009, the acquisitions budget has dropped to $11 million from $15 million.

With the new cash, Ms. Thornton said she hopes to hire subject experts to curate the Latin American collection, the humanities collection and the oral history collection at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

Meanwhile, the aging Schwarzman Building doesn't have the climate controls necessary to preserve the three million volumes currently held in the stacks under the storied Rose Main Reading Room, officials said.

And the Mid-Manhattan Library is crumbling, literally. Library officials said they would erect scaffolding around its facade this week or next to prevent pieces from falling onto the sidewalk. Keeping that building open would require a renovation estimated at $150 million—a figure equal to the funding New York City has pledged toward the Mid-Manhattan's relocation to the Schwarzman building.

Library officials said an unfortunate misunderstanding led to the further alienation of a scholar who has blasted the library for lack of transparency.

An outspoken critic of the plan—author and longtime Schwarzman building user Caleb Crain—had been invited to join an advisory panel, but after he asked for permission to write about the meetings on his blog, he was told he could no longer participate. The advisory panel members decided the meetings should be confidential and that journalists shouldn't be allowed to observe, Ms. Thornton said.

Stanley Katz, a Princeton professor and an author of the protest letter, said he still had questions for the library, including how the renovation would generate more operating funds and why the money couldn't be obtained through fundraising.

"My puzzlement has increased as I've learned more," said Dr. Katz said.
Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304192704577406601428081194.html?mod=googlenews_wsj