Chennai public libraries struggling for survival
Posted on: 20/May/2016 6:29:48 PM
There are about 140 public libraries in Chennai which are battling for survival.
It is a matter of concern that none of the political parties has promised to revive these knowledge centers in accordance with the modern standards.
Many book lovers and librarians want e-books and internet facility in all the libraries for the benefit of poor people. "We can`t find any useful books in any of the city libraries.
It will be good if the authorities provided four-five computers in each library with internet facility. This will also help several people who are otherwise dependent on the private internet cafeteria.
Out of 140 librarian positions in the city, more than 100 are yet to be filled.
M Muthusamy, the general secretary of the TN Library Association, informed that the post of director of public libraries department has been lying vacant for several years now.
According to rules, the directorate of public libraries should establish local library authorities. The Chennai Local Library Authority has been non-functional for many years.
The department has not added any new books to its collection since 2013. The successive governments has not given any priority to the libraries. There were also several irregularities in the procurement of books to the libraries.
Some book lovers said most libraries didn`t have sufficient English books that poor students are seeking.
The poor maintenance has led to rotting of existing books. There are no facilities like drinking water, toilet, shelves and sitting facilities in most libraries in the city.
The government should provide adequate funds and appoint more staffs to the effective functioning of the libraries.
Successive governments have diverted the library cess collected as part of property tax by local bodies.
A senior official in the directorate of public libraries informed that many civic bodies didn`t pay up the library cess to the government.
