Rural libraries in peril

VADODARA, Feb 18: For more than 400 libraries in the tribal belts of Vadodara district, government-aided' is fast becoming a meaningless...

VADODARA, Feb 18: For more than 400 libraries in the tribal belts of Vadodara district, government-aided’ is fast becoming a meaningless attribute. According to official records, 182 libraries in Jetpurpavi, 117 in Naswadi, 72 in Chhotaudepur and 63 in Sankheda have received no financial assistance whatsover from the State in the past two years.

Said District Development Officer Anju Sharma, “We’ve sent them reminders, but we haven’t received the grants.”

That there is little coordination between the district development office and the Commissionerate of Youth Services and Cultural Activities, however, was evident from CYSCA secretary S D Sharma’s words: “The grants have been released, but if I am provided with a specific list of those that have not received them, I will look into it.”

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Asked how the libraries were functioning if they hadn’t received any funds for the past two years, a reliable source in the Panchayat said that buying of books had been put on the back-burner. “The librarians — most of whom work part-time for Rs 75 a month — just stay away”, he said.

“Even if the libraries did get the annual grant, how far can Rs 2,000 sustain a library?”, asked Gujarat Pustakalaya Sahayak Sahkari Mandal Limited president Ambubhai Patel. “Full-time library in-charges are paid Rs 200-Rs 300. Where does that leave money for books or reading material?”

Patel alleged that changes introduced in the library system by the Bharatiya Janata Party ever since it came to power were responsible for the dismal condition of libraries today in the State that pioneered the library movement under the stewardship of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

In comparison with the Tamil Nadu State government’s grant of Rs 20 crores for its 1,500 libraries, the Gujarat government earmarks just Rs 4.5 crores for the 7,500 government-aided libraries in the State. The amount is said to be enough only to cover administrative and staff expenses.

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Despite this, however, no additional funds seem to be forthcoming for the libraries. Said State Minister for Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs Mahendrabhai Trivedi, “There’s no question of increasing the grants.”

In a recent resolution, the GPSSML decided to ask the government for Rs 30 crores for all the libraries, with Rs 25 crores for public libraries and Rs 5 crores for government-run libraries.

It has also demanded the promulgation of a Library Act, library science training class and inclusion of libraries in the department of education.