Role of Public Libraries cannot be underestimated

Sir,

This has reference to the news item titled MCC, MUDA owes Rs.17 crore dues to Library Department (SOM dated Dec. 23).

“Public libraries are an essential part of a democracy…they exist to provide equal access to information and enrichment to everyone in the community, regardless of age, income, education, or social status” (Mary Graf).

Libraries are storehouses of knowledge, they support literacy and education and help shape the new ideas that are central to a creative and innovative society. Libraries mould the character of individuals. They give joy and can remove boredom and monotony. Libraries can change lives. Libraries can help to find oneself.

But for the government, MCC and MUDA, libraries come last in terms of priority (for reasons the readers can easily guess) and Rs. 17 crore that these institutions owe to Library Department speaks for itself the sorry state of affairs. With this huge amount not transferred to the Department, how can public libraries manage, keep pace with the digital and new developments and provide quality service? In the West, it’s different and public libraries are accorded special status.

It was Nelson Mandela who famously said, “Destroying any nation does not require the use of atomic bombs or the use of long range missiles. It only requires lowering the quality of education and allowing cheating in the examinations by the students…The collapse of education is the collapse of the nation.”

As the Public Libraries play a significant role in education, the authorities should not only release the dues immediately but also work towards opening four new well-equipped, state-of-the-art libraries in four directions of the city.