District Libraries stand alone sans staff
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, February 02 2015: Even though needs for strengthening library in the State have been vindicated to enhance maintenance of quality education, District Library and Club Library set up under Art & Culture Department in different parts of the State have been existing only for namesake with some Club Libraries failing to collect books dispatched for a year despite repeated intimation.

Reliable sources said some of the libraries have been running without any staff to look after.

There was a time when the District Library established in different districts functioned effectively like that of a full-fledged library.

However, some of the District Libraries have been reduced to sorry state following the retirement of its staff.

Sadly, no measures have been taken up by the concerned authorities to fill in the vacant posts in the respective libraries.

Under Raja Ram Mohon Roy Foundation, Kolkata, there are 144 beneficiary Club Libraries in the State.

Amongst them, some are found functioning properly with its names familiar to the people while some fail to function accordingly.

As stated by an official associated with library, District Library stationed in different districts is short of required staff to function effectively.

Recently, the government made arrangement for appointment of 40 staff of Art & Culture Department.

Amongst them, some may be for District Library.

All the Club Libraries are situated in different districts.

A committee christened as State Library Planning Committee was formed to entrust with the responsibility to look after the libraries and select beneficiary Club Library amongst them.

Since the Club Libraries are under Raja Ram Mohon Roy Foundation, they are getting certain facilities like procurement of books on yearly basis.

They are also entitled to get rack, table, chair etc to enhance its functioning, the official claimed.

At the same time, there have been instances where several Club Libraries were removed from the list of beneficiary for failing to function accordingly.

A beneficiary Club Library cannot be established in an area where there is another Club Library within a distance of 5-km.For establishing a Club Library, clearance has to be obtained from State Library Planning Committee.

Comment