Question : Implementation of National Virtual Library

(a) whether the Government has failed in its implementation of schemes under the National Mission on Libraries (NML) and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) the details of funds provided for archives, Government libraries and museums in the State of Tamil Nadu during the last three years and the current year, year-wise and scheme-wise;

(c) the current status and implementation of National Virtual Library of India (NVLI) under NML and its achievement;

(d) whether the Government proposes to enact a National Public Library Act as only few States have enacted and implemented library legislations and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps being taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to develop libraries and promote reading habits in the people across the country?

MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) Details in Annexure-A.

(c) Indian Culture Portal (https://indianculture.gov.in/) is available on public domain as the output of the NVLI component of NML.

• It has a total of about 2.5 lakh digital artefacts, with metadata. It also has more than 9 lakh bibliographic entries.
• The content is presented in 19 categories, such as Rare Books, E-Books, Archives, Paintings, and Union Catalogues.
• It also has 9 categories of content, such as Stories, Snippets, Historical Cities, and Forts.
• The portal is currently available in English and Hindi.
• The portal can be accessed through an App called Indian Culture, available on both Android phones and iPhone.

(d) As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, Library is a State Subject and the developmental activity of libraries comes under the purview of the respective State/Union Territory authorities.

(e) Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkata, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture provides financial assistance under its matching and non-matching schemes for development of public libraries on the basis of applications recommended by the respective State Library Authorities.

Financial assistance is provided under its component ‘Setting up of NML Model Libraries’ to develop certain State Central Libraries, District Libraries and Libraries under the Ministry of Culture.

Annexure-A for reply to the part (b) of LSUSQ No. 2116

Details of funds provided for archives, Government libraries and museums in the State of Tamil Nadu during the last three years and the current year, year-wise and scheme-wise.

Financial Year
2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 (upto June, 2021)

No. of Beneficiaries Amount released No. of Beneficiaries Amount released No. of Beneficiaries Amount released No. of Beneficiaries Amount released

ARCHIVES
Scheme of Financial Assistance to State/UT archival repositories, government libraries and museums
1 Rs. 30,32,500/- -- -- -- -- -- --
MUSEUMS
Museums Grant Scheme 1 Rs. 19,00,000/- 1 Rs. 3,30,88,000/- 1 Rs. 5,41,38,918/- -- --
Continuing Scheme-Existing Science Centre of National Council of Science Museum
1 Rs. 1,80,09,000/- 1 Rs. 2,10,33,000/- 1 Rs. 1,67,08,000/- 1 Rs. 24,85,000/-
Innovation Hubs Schemes under Scheme for Promotion of Culture of Science
3 Rs. 28,12,000/- 2 Rs. 39,60,000/- 3 Rs. 22,52,000/- -- --
PUBLIC LIBRARIES INCLUDING GOVERNMENT LIBRARIES
NML Scheme 3 Rs. 45,64,896/- 3 Rs. 19,85,805/- 1 Rs. 5,17,745/- -- --
Matching and Non-Matching Scheme of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) 1065 Rs. 9,65,52,047/- 44 Rs. 1,83,93,928/- 2590 Rs. 1,48,27,398/- -- --