2 Public Library and Society

Prof Rajesh Singh

 

1. Introduction

  

From religion and rituals to research and development, from education and training to political and economic development, from health and hygiene to business and industry, and from environmental protection to national defense, every social activity of modern society is institutionalized. Among the different types of institutions evolved by society in modern times, public libraries are the most popular as they acquire, process, organize and disseminate information recorded in various kinds of documents free of cost to the society at large. You may understand public library as a social institution of basic learning having a mission which evolves in providing collection and services to meet information needs of the community. It serves as local gateway to information and knowledge and provides conditions for life long learning, community development and independent decision making by an individual and group. It has a social mission of providing information for education, leisure and recreation. The UNESCO manifesto declares that the public library is concerned with the refreshment of man’s spirit by the provision of books for relaxation and pleasure. (1)

 

 Thus public library and its multiple services are essential to achieve the all round social development, improve the quality of social life, preserve and disseminate the cultural heritage of society in its multiple forms. It is equally essential for economic development.

 

 As you know the Indian society is of multi-lingual and multi-cultural nature. In such a society a sense of respect and regard for other linguistic and cultural groups is essential to strengthen the unity in diversity. A public library needs to address itself in organizing functions and get-together meeting of different cultural groups to give vent to the aspiration and contributions of different cultures.

  

 

2. Factors Responsible for Growth of Public Libraries

 

 The public libraries which we find today have been developed in centuries. The early traces of library in society are found to be of religious institutions. The monastic libraries, cathedral libraries and parish libraries of United Kingdom are some of the examples. Later various Private Libraries, Book Clubs,

 

Subscription Libraries, Social Libraries, Mercantile Libraries, Mechanics Institutes Libraries and School District-Public Libraries were established in UK and USA in 18th and 19th Century. These libraries were started mostly with voluntary efforts and had limited financial provisions to meet information need of the society and could not sustain for a longer period. However, these libraries were able to create library awareness and spread the importance of libraries in society.

There are various other factors which have helped in the growth and development of public libraries world wide. These are:

 

  • Invention of Printing
  • Spread of Universal Education
  • Spread of Literacy
  • Advancement in Science and Technology
  • Fruitful utilization of Leisure
  • Role of Philanthropy
  • Library Act & Copy Right Facility

 

4.1 Invention of Printing

 

One thing which has the highest order of impact on the growth and development of public libraries is invention of printing. Prior to ink, paper and printing, small libraries of manuscript existed in personal capacity. Production of books was time consuming, and costly. The invention of ink, paper and printing by the Chinese, improved by Arabs and perfected later by Europeans have helped production of books in large number, in less time, better in quality and at lesser cost. These inventions have directly contributed in the growth and development of public libraries

 

Spread of Universal Education

 

The spread of education in masses to progress through collective efforts and contribute to the national progress has helped the development of public libraries to a great extent. The public Libraries were established to support life-long self-education in various walks of life.

 

Spread of Literacy

 

The spread of literacy ratio world wide has also contributed to the development of public libraries. The increasing number of literate and neo literate citizen have emphasized the demand for establishment of libraries for easy access to books and other reading materials to satisfy the urge of knowledge.

 

Advancement in Science and Technology

 

Science and Technology never stands still, it always advances. The advancements in Science and Technology have contributed greatly to all walks of human life including the libraries. In fact it owes to the libraries and contributes to its development and strengthening. Libraries support reading and research and all researches in the realm of books, journals and other carrier of information have supported the development of libraries.

 

The advancement in Science and Technology has provided further improvements in information communication technology, audio-visual materials and electronic information storage capacity. The mass media like radio, film, television and electronic media like tapes, cassettes, discs and Internet has made it possible to provide easy, quick and free access to information. Thus advancement in Science and Technology has greatly contributed in the growth and development of public libraries.

 

Fruitful Utilization of Leisure

 

Healthy and fruitful utilization of leisure is a matter of great importance in community life. Public libraries are the most important social institution, where all the people of the community could spend their leisure time fruitfully. They also cater to the recreational needs of its users by providing suitable reading materials like novels, story books and other form of literature, works of arts, books of travels, biographies, magazines and newspapers etc.

 

Thus public libraries as a social place for leisure reading have contributed a lot in community life. This role of public libraries has greatly impacted all the plans and policies of social development and contributed to the growth and development of public libraries as a social institution in turn.

 

Role of Philanthropy

 

Philanthropist and enlightened leaders like parliamentarians and other political leaders, industrialists and eminent educationists, who had faced challenges in getting education and knowledge, came forward to support public libraries by providing money, building, books etc. to establish and develop libraries for the general public as a means of self education. For example William Ewart, a parliamentarian strived for the 1850 Act of U.K., Andrew Carnegie, an industrialist and philanthropist donated nearly two million pounds during 1900-1912 for public Library building, John Jacob Astor, a businessman bequeathed $ 4,00,000 for the establishment of the New York Public Library.

 

Library Acts & Copy Right Facilities

 

Library Acts having provision of free delivery of all published materials to designated public libraries has also contributed greatly to the development of public libraries worldwide. For example the 1850 Act, the 1964 Act and the British Library Act, 1972 of United Kingdom, the Library Services Act, 1956 amended in 1964 and renamed as the Library Services and Construction Act of USA, the Delivery of books and News papers Act 1954 amended in 1956 of India and Library Legislation in Indian states. All these Acts and Legislations facilitated well organised library service with steady and permanent source of finance and contributed to the growth and development of public libraries.

 

Thus public libraries evolved and developed world wide along with growth in education, literacy, and publication. The development was also supported by renowned philanthropists, political leaders, Library Acts and Legislations.

 

3. Development of Public Libraries in India

 

You have already seen the factors responsible for the evolution and growth of public libraries. It arose worldwide with growth in education, literacy, publication; advancement in science and technology and with support of philanthropist and library Acts.

 

3.1 Pre Independence

 

The growth and development of public libraries in India can be traced back to the sixth century A.D. The famous Nalanda University in Bihar had its own magnificent library with a massive collection of manuscripts covering the universe of knowledge. Other ancient universities like Taxila and Vikramashila, also had valuable libraries. The Mughal period gave a further stimulus to the growth of libraries. The period of Emperor Babur, Humanyun, and Akbar is known for establishment of many new libraries and strengthening the existing one. The name of Maharaja Sawaiman Singh of Jaipur, Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab and Maharaja of Tanjuar is remembered with appreciation in the history of library services in India. The famous Saraswati Mahal Library started in 17th Century A.D. by Maharaja of Tanjuar remains a unique institution in its nature of collection and services. (2) These early libraries established by the kings and major capitalists functioned like private institutions and the admission was limited. These were not public libraries in the true sense of the term, and did not provide free books for all.

 

The beginning of the first phase of public library development in India can be seen in the proposal of the Government of Bombay to register libraries, which were to be given copies of books published from the “funds for the encouragement of literature” (3) in the year 1808. During the first half of 19th Century, the three presidency towns of Bombay, Calcutta and Madras had Public Libraries. (4) Most significant of these was the public library of Calcutta, established in the year 1835. The Imperial Library Act was passed in the year 1902 and Lord Curzon transformed the Calcutta Public Library into the Imperial Library in 1906. It was later developed into the National Library of India in the year 1949.

 

The development of public libraries in the Princely State of Baroda was unique and notable. It had a network of public libraries to serve the entire state. With his experiences of public libraries in USA Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III of Baroda invited W.A. Borden, an American expert, to organise the public library system for his state in the year 1910. Similarly between 1937 and 1942 a number of small libraries sprang up in Assam, Bihar, Punjab and Travancore. It was estimated that there were about 13,000 village libraries in India in 1942. (5) The first All India Public Library Conference was held at Madras in 1927.

 

3.2 Post Independence

 

The public library scene in India improved considerably during the post independence period. The most remarkable development in the field of public libraries was the establishment of Delhi Public Library. It was founded in 1951 as the first UNESCO Public Library Pilot Project under the joint auspices of UNESCO and Govt. of India. Besides, the enactment of public library legislation in some states contributed to the improvement of public libraries after independence.

 

The Govt. of India appointed a committee in 1957 under the chairmanship of Dr. K.P. Sinha, to report on the status of public library development in the country. Another positive step taken by the Govt. of India was the establishment of the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) at Calcutta in 1972 with defined objectives of library development in general and rural library development in particular. It provides financial assistance to public libraries in the form of matching grants. During the last three decades, the RRRLF has assisted more than 500 libraries, including many in rural areas. (6) Yet another important initiative was set up of a committee in 1985 under the chairmanship of Prof. D.P. Chattopadhyay to formulate National Policy on Library and Information System (NAPLIS), which submitted its report in May, 1986. Further empowered committees and working groups were constituted to study the recommendations of NAPLIS and suggest ways and means to implement it. However, none of the major recommendations of NAPLIS related to public libraries have been implemented yet.

 

3.3 Public Libraries and Five Year Plans

 

As you might be aware, for all round and all inclusive development of the country, the Govt. of India has initiated five year plans. Certain provisions have also been made for development of public libraries in these five year plans. In this section you will find the major land mark decisions in five year plans concerning public libraries.

 

In the first five year plan (1951-1956), the policy for educational development included a proposal for, “Improvement of Library Service”. It envisioned a country wide network of libraries, coordinated by National Central Library at New Delhi. Funds were allocated to set up a national network of libraries during the second five year plan (1956-1961). During the third five year plan period (1961-1966) the Central Government assistance to the states was minimized and financial assistance for establishing state central libraries, district central libraries, and block libraries were abandoned. It had been a major set back for the development of public libraries in India. However, during this plan period the four national libraries were established at Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Madras.

 

During fourth plan period (1969-1974) nothing substantial for the development of public libraries was done. The adult education programme was the hall mark of fifth plan period (1974-1979). The programme was to be supported by a network of libraries at all levels. Steps were taken to strengthen state, district, block and village level libraries. The Sixth plan (1980-1985) emphasized establishing a network of rural public libraries to sustain literacy and disseminate information to rural areas. The most important development during seventh plan (1885-90) was the adoption of National Literacy Mission, in 1986, which emphasized the education of women and the establishment of rural libraries. During the eighth plan (1992-97) the Central Reference Library, Kolkata was proposed to recognize into the National Bibliographical and Documentations Centre, and the Delhi Public Library set up two new libraries in its service area.

 

During the Ninth five year plan (1997-2002) funds for modernization and computerization were provided to National Library, Kolkata, Delhi Public Library and Central Secretariat Library, Delhi; Connemera Library, Chennai; Saraswati Mahal Library, Thanjavur and the State Central Library, Mumbai. In the Tenth plan period (2002-2007) further modernization using latest developments in information technology of central and public libraries was undertaken. In the eleventh plan period (2007-2012) greater momentum and funding to the library movement in the country has been given and the National Mission on Libraries launched. The development of Public Libraries in the Eleventh Plan includes Rural Public Libraries and provision for handicapped and under-privileged in District Libraries. An additional allocation of Rs 100 crore has been provided in BE 2009–10 for strengthening of major public libraries.

 

3.4 National Knowledge Commission

 

The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) was set up on 13 June 2005, by the Govt. of India with the challenging mandate to transform India of the 21st century into a knowledge society. The objective of NKC was to advise the government on matters relating to knowledge creation, knowledge dissemination and knowledge application within the diversity of the Indian scenario.

 

The NKC has Recommended a major overhaul of the information service and library sector in the country including the inclusion of libraries in the Concurrent list of the Constitution, a National Library Fund of Rs 1,000 crore to upgrade all existing libraries, a permanent national commission on libraries and a national level survey to assess the requirements and reading habits. The Working Group on Libraries of NKC has made following ten major recommendations on libraries.

 

1.  Set up a National Mission on Libraries;

 

2.  Prepare a National Census of all Libraries;

 

3.  Revamp Library and Information Science education, training and research facilities;

 

4.  Re-assess staffing of libraries;

 

5.  Set up a Central Library Fund;

 

6.  Modernize library management;

 

7.  Encourage greater community participation in library management;

 

8. Promote Information Communication Technology (ICT) applications in all libraries;

    9.   Facilitate donation and maintenance of private collections;

 

10. Encourage public – private partnerships in development of library and information services.

 

In pursuance of this, a High Level Committee to be called as National Mission on Libraries (NML) has been set up by the Government of India. NML has also decided to set up Working Groups with domain experts to prepare an implementation plan. The Mission would be primarily an advisory body to endorse the plans and programmes prepared by the Working Groups. The following four Working Groups have been set up by the Mission.

 

  1. Working Group on Up-gradation of the Existing Public Libraries, School/College libraries and use of school libraries as community libraries.
  2. Working Group on Library and Information Science Education, Training and Research Facilities.
  3. Working Group on the Setting up of the National Virtual Library, Networking and ICT applications in libraries.
  4. Working Group on National Census of Libraries, Content Creation and Community Information Centers.

 

4. Role of Public Library as Social Institution

 

 

Public library is a social institution of basic learning having a mission which involves in the collection, processing, preservation and dissemination of recorded information in various formats to meet information needs of local community. It serves as a local gateway to information and knowledge and provides conditions for lifelong learning, community development and individual growth. It provides an inspiration space, a learning space, a meeting space and a performative space to the society. As a social institution, public libraries play important role in the following realm:

 

o   Education

o   Community Information Centre

o   Preservation and Promotion of Culture o Religion and Spiritual Activities

o  Knowledge Economy

o  Public Libraries and Multicultural Society.

 

4.1 Education

 

The public libraries play very important role in fostering the intellectual development of society at large. They support both formal and non-formal education systems of our society. They are considered as People’s University and serve as a centre for self education and life long learning. They are considered to be an intellectual power house which strives to fulfill and meet the educational needs of the public through varied resources and services;

 

In a formal education system an individual enrolls himself in an educational institution like a school or college or a university and there is a regular teacher-taught contact in class room environment. All these institutions of formal education have libraries attached to them to support the teaching and learning process. However, the services of these libraries are only available during the working hours of the parent institution. The public libraries do play an important role in supporting the formal education. They stock books and other reading materials of academic nature suitable for teachers and students of educational institutions in its area and provide library services at more suitable time and place.

 

In non-formal education system the teacher-taught contacts are minimal. The students have to depend more on self study to acquire knowledge. Here comes the role of public libraries to support non-formal education. Public libraries acquire books and other reading materials suited to the needs of the students of non-formal education in their area and facilitate its access. The main responsibility of supporting non-formal education rests with the public libraries. A sound public library system is an essential pre-requisite for the successful implementation of all non-formal education programmes.

 

As a centre for self education, public libraries facilitate educational opportunities to working groups of the society. They provide materials to different working group relating to their fields of specialization, activities, professions and occupation and help them to become better informed and educated in their areas of work and increase their work efficiency. Thus public libraries greatly contribute to the society.

 

Besides, public libraries provide educational opportunities to children, physically handicapped and even to illiterates. All public libraries have a children section where educational resources for children are organized and served. Many public libraries such as Delhi Public Library have a special Braille section to facilitate education to visually disabled individuals of the society. The National Library for Blinds, Dehradun is yet another example. Public Libraries also facilitate education to illiterates by organizing news paper reading and educational materials in audio visual media.

 

4.2 Community Information Centre

 

Public Libraries play an important role of disseminating information as per needs to all its clienteles. They acquire, process and organize information and knowledge contained in books and other materials to support the information needs of the teacher, the student, the researcher, the administrator, the entrepreneur, the industrial and business manager, the artisan, the farmer for the fruitful pursuit of their respective vocation. It serves as a community information centre. A dynamic information infrastructure in the form of public library is essential for all round socio-economic development of the community. A public library serves as information centre for specialized sources of information. For example a rural public library collects and organizes information for dissemination to the local community in the areas of employment opportunities, public utility services, facilities provided by social welfare agencies, programmes of development departments etc. A farmer apprised of the programmes and policies of the government is able to acquire agriculture loan from bank, purchase quality seeds, purchase advanced agricultural equipments etc. The local public library function as an important centre in promoting developmental activities like construction of roads, dams and canals, construction of houses for weaker section, establishment of cottage and village industries etc. They play significant role in popularization of science and technology and disseminate legal information relating to family laws, property laws etc. The local public library collection is primarily in local language of the area. They also organize various forms of performing arts. Thus a local public library functions as a community information centre.

 

4.3 Preservation and Promotion of Culture

 

Culture is an important pivotal point for identity creation. The public library contributes to cultural activities of high quality and considerable breadth, and it provides the framework for meaningful meetings between the users. The public library is society’s last non-commercial meeting place which the majority of the populations use.

 

A public library preserves the cultural heritage of the human race as represented by the books and other documents in its collection. It regularly identifies and collects cultural materials of importance available in its jurisdiction. These may be work of art or sculpture, paintings, musical instruments, literary documents etc. In short, a public library goes in search of all such materials, collects and preserves them, which links the people of the locality with its cultural past. In western countries like UK and USA, public libraries have separate section known as ‘local history collection’ which kindles a sense of pride and achievement in the people of locality. Thus it preserves the cultural heritage of the society.

 

A public library also promotes the cultural heritage in its hold by lending active support to many socio-cultural groups, such as children’s club, youth forum, literary groups, dramatic club, film society and various associations etc. to conduct their activities through its premises or through its rich informative cultural materials. It also organizes cultural programmes like music concerts, dances, dramas, painting etc. and enriches the cultural life of the community.

 

4.4 Religion and Spiritual Activities

 

Public libraries hold a good collection of inspirational, spiritual and religious books to meet the requirement of its clienteles. Particularly the inspirational and spiritual collections play a very important role in the social structure and individual upliftment. Such collections inspire people to high ideals in life and inculcate values in them and facilitate social integration.

 

The worldwide growth of early libraries started with the religious collections. The monastic libraries, cathedral libraries and parish libraries started the evolution and development of libraries in UK. Similarly during colonial period in USA the early libraries had mainly the religious books in its collection. However, these libraries were mainly private collections and not the public libraries in true sense of the term, but were instrumental in the evolution and development of public libraries. Thus religion has played an important role in the evolution and development of public libraries. The public libraries in turn are still holding good collection of religious books to support the religious need of the community

 

4.5 Knowledge Economy

 

The advances in Information Communication Technology (ICT) have helped society to move towards the Knowledge Society. The application of knowledge in education, entrepreneurship, innovation, and product design is now widely believed to be one of the key sources for growth of global economy. Knowledge economy is one that creates, disseminates and uses knowledge to enhance its growth and competitiveness.

 

Public libraries are a living force for popular education, culture, information and all round development of the society at large. They are the essential agents for fostering socio-economic development. They translate information needs of masses into action. The advances in ICT have changed the process of acquisition and dissemination of information. The expansion of the Internet has fundamentally changed the framework conditions of the libraries. The accessibility of the world wide information through Internet and such other similar developments has not only changed the role of public libraries but also their shape and nomenclature. Hence buzz words ‘Knowledge Centre’, ‘Information Kiosk’ and ‘Community Information Centre’ and so on.

 

Thus the scope and activities of modern public libraries are not restricted within four walls but have gone beyond to reach the mass, act as community knowledge centres and support the knowledge economy. The collection of public libraries of the knowledge society consists partly a cohesive digital library and partly local physical library, playing more active role in ensuring that knowledge and experience resources are exploited to the full. It is important to stress that digital technologies have enabled the public libraries to offer the users access to value creating knowledge from anywhere in the world and at any given point in time. The modern public library has become an inspiration space, a learning space, a meeting space and a performative space.

 

4.6 Public Libraries and Multicultural Society

 

Public library is an important instrument of putting in practice the fundamental human rights of equal access to information for the rich and the poor, women and men, the handicapped and the healthy, people from the city and the country, the minorities and the majority. It facilitates free exchange of information, unimpeded betterment of knowledge and free development of ideas. You could easily find public libraries providing equal opportunity of education and learning with their special collection in the form of Braille Print, Audio Books, E-text and by provision of latest ICT equipments to the handicapped and disabled persons.

 

Public library supports life long learning, independent decision making and intellectual development. It satisfies the cultural needs of all without exception, offers active use of free time, promotes social integration at local level, supports development of local communities, disseminates human knowledge and protects cultural heritage. The public libraries are thus intensively involved in multicultural issues.

 

To make the people erudite, civilized and cultured, it requires an effective educational system which is largely dependent on abundant reading materials. If they are to be at the disposal of the whole population across the society, public libraries are inevitable. The public libraries are catering to all possible needs of the community. They are a natural intercultural meeting point, a place where people can communicate freely and learn about each other and where members of ethnic and national minorities can learn about the majority society.

 

5.  Future of Public Libraries

  

The public libraries are likely to be very valuable in the ICT enabled multicultural knowledge society for planning and development of community based culture, organizing and disseminating digitized cultural heritage in multimedia format, and community based economic development.

 

 The public libraries of future will have wide social impact on both individuals and local communities. The amount of information available in public domain on Internet will grow, and much of it will be of questionable value and accuracy. The public libraries will have to play an increasingly significant role in providing information literacy skills to enable people to select, assess and use the public domain information that best meet their needs. The use of Internet will increase as a complement to and not a substitute for public library use. They will continue to be welcoming places for community, both real and virtual and will collaborate and work more systematically with partners, including private organisations and government, to integrate new comers and socially marginalized people and will continue to serve as informal system of learning to the society at large.

 

6. Summary

 

Public library is the most popular institution evolved by society in modern times. It acquires, processes, organizes and disseminates information recorded in various kinds of documents free of cost to the society at large. It is a local gateway to information and knowledge and provides opportunities for life long learning. Public libraries and its multiple services are essential for all round social and economic development.

 

Public libraries have been developed in centuries. The development of early libraries has started with religious institutions. The early libraries were started with volunteer efforts and were able to create library awareness among the masses. Besides, the following other factors were instrumental in the growth and development of public libraries worldwide:

 

  •  Invention of Printing 
  •  Spread of Universal Education
  •  Spread of Literacy
  •  Fruitful Utilization of Leisure
  •  Role of Philanthropy
  •  Library Acts & Copy Right Facilities

The Indian Society is of multi-lingual and multi-cultural nature and a complete public library system is essential to strengthen the unity in diversity. The development of public libraries was slow in pre-independence India. In the post dependence period Govt. of India has constituted various committees and commissions to strengthen the public library services in the country. Ample resources and suitable plans have also been developed during five year plan period to strengthen the public library system and services in the country.

 

Public Library as a social institution provides an inspiration space, a learning space, a meeting space and performative space to the society. As a social institution it plays important role in the following realm:

 

·         Education

·         Community Information Centre

·         Preservation and Promotion of Culture

·         Religion and Spiritual Activities

·         Knowledge Economy

·         Public Libraries and Multi Cultural Society

 

The public libraries will be very important in the ICT enabled multicultural knowledge society for all round community development. It needs to play an increasingly significant role in facilitating information in both real and virtual environment.

 

References:

  1.  UNESCO Public Library Manifesto, 1994. Paris: Unesco, 1995.http://archive.ifla.org/VII/s8/unesco/eng.htm (Accessed on 19.11.2012)
  2.  Sathi Kumar, C.S. “Public Library Development in India.” in Public Library Development, edited by Raman Nair, R. New Delhi: ESS ESS, 1993.
  3. Dutta, Bimal Kumar. Libraries & Librarianship of Ancient and Medieval India. Delhi: Atma Ram, 1970.
  4.  Jogesh, M. Histories of Libraries and Librarianship in Modern India Since 1850. Delhi: Atma Ram, 1993.
  5. Verma, I.N., & Agarawal, U.K., ed. Public Library Services in India. Udaipur: Himanshu, 1994.
  6. Kumbar, B.D. (2004). Growth and Development of Public Library System in India with special Reference to Karnataka. http://docs.nigd.org/libraries/mumbai/reports/article-4.pdf (Accessed on 12.09.2013)