Question : Development of Public Libraries

(a) the number of functional and non-functional public libraries in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) the annual expenditure made on such libraries during the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether the Government has any plan to revamp, develop and strengthen the public libraries in the country including those which are closed and lying in dilapidated condition and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government proposes to rope in private sector or social organizations for digitalization and proper maintenance of such historical libraries and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Public Library in the city of Thiruvananthapuram in one of the oldest public building in the State and has multitude of priceless books of great historical significance and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Government would consider the allocation of urgently needed funds for the renovation of the building and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Culture Minister of State
in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) There are six Public Libraries under administrative control of Ministry of Culture namely National Library, Kolkata, Central Reference Library, Kolkata, Central Secretariat Library, New Delhi, Delhi Public Library, Delhi, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna and Rampur Raza Library, Rampur. Data regarding State wise number of functional and non-functional Public Libraries in the Country is not maintained by Ministry of Culture as Public Libraries function under the administrative control of respective State/UT Library Authorities being State Subject.

(b) Financial assistance rendered to various Public Libraries under the matching and non-matching schemes of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, during last three years and the current year is at Annexure-A.

(c) Ministry of Culture through matching and non-matching schemes of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation and through National Mission on Libraries is providing financial assistance for various purpose e.g. construction/renovation of library buildings, up-gradation of infrastructure with furniture and equipment, modernization, procurement of books and reading resources, organization of seminar/training and capacity building of library professionals/workshop/outreach programmes, establishment of children corner, opening of various sections, creating facilities for specially-abled, brail corner etc.

(d) No Madam

(e) Public library in the city of Thiruvananthapuram functions under the administrative control of the State Library Authority.

(f) Rupees 116.61 lakh has been sanctioned for State Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram under Model Library scheme of National Mission on Libraries on the basis of proposal received from State Library authority of Kerala.


Annexure-A

Annexure in reply to part (b) of Lok Saba Unstrarred Question No.3197 for reply on 31.12.2018.

Financial Assistance provided to various Public Libraries under the matching and non-matching schemes of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation.

Amount in Rs.
Year Total Matching Total Non-Matching
2015-16 53,53,39,219.00 8,29,93,610.98
2016-17 34,25,02,687.00 25,01,98,177.00
2017-18 67,21,52,687.00 12,80,37,256.02
2018-19 14,78,43,801.00 12,98,89,559.00
(as on 24.12.2018)


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