The following Editorial in the Rising Kashmir sees hope in a recent meeting to rejuvenate the library system, but first we need to recover nearly 10,000 loaned books in default mostly borrowed by state gazetted officers
Ignored Treasure Troves
Libraries are considered as treasure troves of knowledge. However, the state is lagging far behind as far as the upgradation of libraries and their utility is concerned.
A review meeting of the Department of Libraries and Research on 2 February 2010 deliberated on the measures needed to upgrade the state libraries as per modern requirements like the need for library information to be made available online for readers, to set up libraries exclusively for women to promote reading habits among them and also the need for recruiting qualified and professional personnel. One would hope that the decisions are implemented in letter and spirit so that the libraries regain their relevance and the reading habits are promoted among the people.
There is an urgent need to revisit the role and set up of public libraries as the storehouses of knowledge so as to consolidate whatever infrastructure is available besides upgrading the facilities in so that people are drawn to reading books. It is a matter of grave concern that despite the Libraries Department is yet to reclaim more than 15,000 books from the defaulted borrowers. The department has been able to reclaim possession of only 10-15 per cent of the books since 2009 and till now almost 10,000 reminder cards have been sent to defaulters and guarantors, most of whom are officers of gazetted rank. This goes to show the lenient approach adopted by the concerned authorities. It is high time that the department acts tough and takes strict action against the defaulters to recover the books which include hundreds of rare ones also. Ironically, a large number of defaulters include government officials of gazetted rank.
In the 21st century, computerization of public libraries is imperative to retain their relevance. The government should set a time frame to complete this task on priority basis. Department of Libraries also needs to be reorganized on modern lines to improve its working.
The government should also pace up the construction of SPS Central Library coming up at M A Road Srinagar. The seven-storey library complex will have an Art Gallery, auditorium, fire-proof blocks for manuscripts, Internet café, Exhibition Hall, Children Section, Researchers’ cabins and cafeteria. Its completion will prove to be very beneficial for common people and may well pave way for cultivation of reading habits. Other such projects like Gani Memorial Reading Centre at Rajouri Kadal and District Library Pulwama should also be completed.
The government should also take steps to encourage book reading at school and college level. The institutions should be supported so as to develop the libraries which include procuring the latest books and making them more accessible to students. Holding book exhibitions in different parts of the state can also draw people back to reading books.