MINISTER OF HOUSING AND URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND MINISTER OF CULTURE
(KUMARI SELJA)
(a) to (c) No, Sir. So far as setting up of the National Commission on
Libraries is concerned, the matter has been considered in a meeting of
the Committee of Secretaries (COS) and following decisions have been
taken:
(i) Libraries are required to be developed at all levels and to achieve
this, a new Mission may be required; however, constitution of National
Commission on Libraries does not appear to be necessary at this stage.
Digitization and Networking would enhance public access to the Libraries.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Kolkata could function as a
coordinating body for promotion of Libraries and further strengthening of
the foundation may be necessitated at later stage.
(ii) A group, consisting of representatives from Department of Higher
Education, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Department of School Education &
Literacy and Ministry of Culture may prepare an action plan on what can be
done in the next couple of years for promotion of libraries at all levels.
The proposal for a National Commission on Libraries can be considered at a
later stage as part of the deliberations of the 12th Five Year Plan Working
Group.
At present the discussion on the 12th Five Year Plan are going on in working
groups and 12th Plan is likely to be finalized during this year by the Planning
Commission. Thereafter, the implementation of the recommendations of the National
Knowledge Commission can be considered.
(d) & (e) Library is a state subject. Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) is now used by most of the National Level Libraries for modernization of
their services.
