Question : IONAL MISSION ON LIBRARIES

(a) whether a National Mission on Libraries (NML) has been set up by the Government to implement the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) on libraries;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the action/steps taken so far on the recommendations made by the NKC;

(c) whether working groups has been constituted under the NML to prepare a roadmap for implementation of the said recommendations and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there is a need for public - private partnership in the development of the library sector and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expedite the implementation of the recommendations of the NKC?

MINISTER OF CULTURE (CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH)

(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. Since the constitution of the High Level Committee, i.e. National Mission on Libraries(NML) in May 2012 under the Chairmanship of Prof Deepak Pental, four meetings have been held. NML has decided to focus on the following core areas :

i) Creation of National Virtual Library of India (NVLI)

ii) Setting up of NML Model Libraries

iii) Quantitative and Qualitative survey of Libraries

iv) Capacity Building

c) Yes, Madam. The following four (4) Working Groups have been constituted to develop a road map for implementation of the recommendations of NKC.

I) Working Group on setting up of National Virtual Library, Networking and ICT applications in libraries.

II) Working Group on National Census of Libraries, Content Creation and Communication Information Centre.

III) Working Group on existing Public Libraries, School, College Libraries & Use of School Libraries as a Community Center.

IV) Working Group on Library and Information Science, Education and Training facilities.

(d) As and when required, The NML obtains assistance from experts/organisations with an aim to assimilate the best practices followed in the Library Sector.

(e) As mentioned earlier in reply to part (a) & (b), the entire project is divided broadly into four components. An amount of Rs. 400.00 crores has been earmarked for NML Project for the Twelfth Five Year Plan and an amount of Rs. 50.00 crore has been proposed in the Annual Plan proposal for the year 2013-14.