Dear All,
Please find the following report related to the development of Govt Ahilya Central Library, Indore. Pl. send your comments & suggestions to Mr. Kishor Satpathy (ksatpathy@gmail.com). All the comments will be complied & sent to Govt. of M.P. for consideration.
Thanks & Regards,
Kishor Satpathy
Library and Information Services at the Govt Ahilya Central Library, Indore
(A Vision Document)
(Prepared for Govt. of Madhya Pradesh for the up-gradation of Govt. Ahilya Central Library, Indore)
By
Kishor Chandra Satpathy
Librarian
Indian Institute of Management Indore
Pigdamber, Rau, Indore-453331, MP, India
Phone: +91-731-4228625 (Off) 4228817(R)
Mobile: 09425312746
Email: satpathy@iimidr.ac.in and ksatpathy@gmail.com
July, 2008
Table of Contents
Introduction:
Structure of this document:
Purpose of writing the document:
Justification of the project
The history & development of the Govt. Ahilya Central Library
Description of the current situation:
Problems & limitations of the existing library:
Vision:
Mission:
Target groups:
SWOT analysis:
Recommendations:
Need for outsourcing:
The future look of library services:
Last word:
Acknowledgment:
Document Consulted:
Appendix-A: Action Plan:
Appendix-B: Photographs:
Appendix-C: Newspaper clippings:
Appendix-D: Related Documents:
Library and Information Services at Govt Ahilya Central Library (GACL), Indore
(Vision Document)
1. Introduction: India can now claim to be the world’s largest democracy: its population growth has made it the second country in the world after China to cross the one billion mark. As its population grows, it is faced by enormous challenges in areas such as literacy and education, areas in which it has long been acknowledged that the public library has an indispensable role to play. This role accords with the definition in the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto (UNESCO, 2004), which declares that the public library is “the local gateway to knowledge, [and] provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups”. In this vision of public libraries, they are seen as people-oriented institutions, which should serve the widest population possible.
A library today and also in the past is a very important educational institution. It is the school of self-education. Its aim is to educate the illiterate, dispel their ignorance, and to give opportunities for further development to the educated. Further, the library is a social institution. Knowledge is for everybody is the slogan of democracy and the library is a forerunner institution is achieving this goal.
5. The history & development of the GACL:
In connection with the establishment of the Library the first Government order issued was No. M.B.1724/9p dated 16.02.1956 by the education department in which it was stated that Shrimant Maharaj Yashwant Rao Holkar has provided a donation of Rs. 1,50,000.00 for establishing a Central Public Library and the Safed Kothi and its campus located in Tukogunj will be provided for the library.
A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Shri K.A. Chitle, the then Advocate general and the committee was told to submit their recommendations for setting up their library, collection of books and furniture etc. But it so happened that the committee never seems to have met and after a gap of five years another Govt. order No. 3080/3451/xx-3/58 dated 13/02/1959 was issued which after recapitulating the previous history of the case stated that in the interest of efficiency and proper utilization of the funds, the Library should be started as a Govt. institution on the same basis as the central Library at Gwalior and Bhopal.
The present building in which the Shaskiya Shri Ahilya Kendriya Pustkalaya commonly known as Ahilya Library is located in ‘Safed Kothi’ which was constructed before 1900 A.D. and was the official residence of the prime minister of Madhya Bharat. The existing GACL building is almost 100 years old. The architecture style of this building is of Late British architecture of 19th century with built-in Neoclassical elements. The architecture of the building is a good example of late British architecture. The building was designed as a residence with kitchen, servants quarter, outhouses etc. Formally, the library was set up in 1961. It is located on M.G. Road adjacent to High Court Building on approx 122664 Sq. M of Land. The Library is almost centrally located, very near to Regal Square, the heart of Indore.
6. Description of current situation:
There are about 50,000 books in the Library. Apart from this, there are 2 magazines and 14 daily papers subscribed by the Library. There are around 5320 members & the average turnout of readers coming daily to the library is approx. 200 out of which 100 persons are non-members from the lower socio-economic background those who can’t afford to procure newspapers & other reading materials. The annual budget of the library is Rs. 15000/-. Twelve (12) non-professional staff & one professional staff manages the library. All the major posts like regional librarian & librarian posts are lying vacant for the last several years. Mr. G D Aggrawal is looking after the library in the capacity of regional librarian (as an additional charge) since 1999.
Present facilities in the Library are as follows:
- One Reading Hall
- Reading in verandah
- Counter room
- One reading room for study
- Three stack room of varying sizes
- One Children Museum room
- Office for regional Librarian
- Toilets scattered in the buildings
- Storeroom
- One kitchen
6.1. Current Benefits of GACL for the users: The key things that people gained from visiting the library in person are:
Browsing books and journals.
Instant access to the material held within the library.
Face to face interaction with the library staff and the opportunity to access their expertise.
Access to computer and Internet
7. Problems & limitations of the existing library:
The publications in the library are not arranged on the shelves according to classification, as all the books are not classified. The condition of the library is in very bad shape. Due to the lack of fulltime trained professional staff, the LIS services is being hampered. Some of the major constraints of the library are given below (snapshots of the current situation is annexed with this document):
7.1. General Problems: Lack of latest collection
Lack of proper cleaning & the arrangement of books & journals.
Lack of adequate reading space for users to consult books.
Lack of required bookshelves & racks.
Lack of proper comfortable sitting arrangements such as reading chairs & tables resulted in poor attendance of users in the library.
Without proper fulltime trained staff in the library, it resulted the non-accessibility of global knowledge.
There is no automation for the purpose of easy & fast access.
There is no separate Audio Visual facility in the library for the users.
The library doesn’t have adequate support facilities like Xerox/duplicating systems.
Major key posts are lying vacant for the last several years.
The condition of the children's science museum & the children's library is very pathetic.
Lack of professionally trained staff is an addition to the said problem.
Further, while interacting with the users, Mr. Satpathy found that there are issues, which prompt greater dissatisfaction especially areas relating to:
*Lack of parking
The bad condition of the approach road
Access to the whole facility regardless of physical ability
Comfort and cleanliness of the library
Plentiful comfortable seating
Restroom access & odors
Lack of drinking water facility
Interior signs
Adequacy of interior and exterior lighting
Lack of meeting space
Lack of children’s space & collection
Lack of facility maintenance and care
Lack of latest collection
During the visit, it came to Mr. Satpathy’s notice that during the year 1995-96, the budget of the library was Rs. 53,820/- but in the year 2006-07, the budget has come down to Rs. 16,000/- only. With this amount, it is not possible on the part of library staff to maintain the library & procure the journals.
During the visit, Mr. Satpathy found that the advisory committee looking after the library affairs is not very active. It is surprising to find that the advisory committee members nominated (nominated from the general public /library members) before 22 years ago are still continuing. A large number of such members hardly attend any meetings. The post that has been vacant for the last several years due to the death of one member has not been filled up yet.
7.2. Problems related to the building: Since the building was not designed to serve as a public library, the various shortcomings in terms of space utilization, circulation, the interconnection between various sections, public amenities, proper reading, and stacking room have been felt in the past. The present building was constructed before 1900 and in the absence of proper maintenance in the last years is in bad condition. Some of the problems related to building and campus are listed below:
Absence of a Boundary wall and main gate to protect the campus both from encroachment and unauthorized trespassing.
The garden in the front and other open spaces on the campus are ill-maintained in absence of regular fund thereby creating a not too conducive atmosphere for reading.
There are far too many Entries and Exits in the building, which as explained, above was not designed for a public library, which has been temporarily closed. On the rear side of this building, a new building for the Jansampark office has been constructed some years back.
· Leakage from the roof in various parts of the building due to which many books some of which are rare once are under threat of being destroyed.
· Some of the roofing sheets have been broken.
· Wooden Jafari is in bad shape and requires replacement.
· Glasses in various doors and window panes have been broken and require replacement.
· The flooring at various places needs to be laid which presently have been broken.
· Termite problems, which have, arise two years back and there is a growing possibility of it arising again.
· Lack of toilet facilities for the visitors and employees of the library.
· No proper cleaning of the drainage lines the maximum length of which remains choked all the time.
· Lack of proper signage system in the library.
· Lack of maintenance of the whole building in general that requires plastering, painting, and other routine maintenance jobs.
· Lack of maintenance and cleanliness of the front garden and other open spaces on the campus.
· Lack of proper water supply arrangement for building and exterior landscape.
· The existing exteriors of the building show major decoration visible in the form of broken cornice moldings architraves. The growth of moss due to dampness is regular on all sides of the building.
· The rainwater leakage is observed are in direct contact with the existing electrical conduits and wiring system which could create a hazardous situation.
· There is some encroachment on the southeastern part of the campus the vacant space could be reutilized the idle lying land in the front and northwest corner could be developed in the form of the beautiful landscaped garden in the heart of the city.
· The interior of the library building is in bad shape visible in the form of cracks, chipped plaster, leakage, stains, etc. inadequate waterproofing at the roof adds to the problems severely.
· The condition of the approach road & the front garden is in very bad shape.
Keeping in view the above constraints in mind it is essential that the library should be renovated, updated & automated on a priority basis.
8. Vision:
· Provision of equal access to the universe of knowledge, information and cultures & promote understanding of the cultural diversity of Indore.
Summary of the Recommendations:
· Make immediate cosmetic improvements to the current library designed to reintroduce people to contemporary library service and reacquaint them with the challenges of providing library service in the existing facility by upgrading the collection.
- Build a new library near the current site.
- Develop a leadership team made up library officials, consultants, library friends and supporters, library users and other engaged public for better governance of the library.
- Create a communication plan that allows for maximum public input, a transparent process and clear and understandable message about the library project.
- Establish a public/private partnership to attract private and public funds needed to support the library project.
Note: Before accepting the recommendations given in the document it is suggested that to assess community interest in the library and determine the type of services and programs they expect, a debate should take place on the recommendations. This can be done in the following ways:-A series of focus groups discussion
-Meeting with the current members
-A town wide conversation about the future of the library; and
-A web based survey.
Phases of Library Development:
· Short Term Plan: Renovation of existing building, Collection Development, Staff Training & automation of LIS activities.
· Long Term Plan: Construction of a new separate State of the art Library building.
Recommendations in Snapshots
Short Term Plan
· Enhance funding.
· Appoint the professionals against the vacant post.
· One-time outsourcing of library activities i.e. classification, cataloging and arrangement (outsourcing of backlog work can be given to other agencies like IIM Indore on a project basis).
· Write off the 10,000 old damaged books having no cultural/historical importance.
· Arrange the books & journals.
· Hindi and English collection may be arranged separately.
· Procurement few display rack and display stands (Start new book arrival stand).
· Repair the furniture on a priority basis.
· Increase library timings & keep the library open on Sunday and close it on Monday or Tuesday.
· Initiate staff training (IIM Indore may be asked to organize a training program for the staff).
· Hold regular meetings of an advisory committee to assess the library working.
· Introduce mechanism for monitoring, evaluation and feedback
· Increase in the budget amount allotted for the maintenance of the library.
· Maintenance of cleanliness and reader-friendly ambiance in the library.
· Proper binding of old books
· As a revenue-generating measure, giving the auditorium and the art gallery on rent for educational workshops and informative exhibitions to various institutions.
Long Term Plan
· Cancel all the land given on lease.
· Revive the popular science book corner closed for several years.
· Revive & Re-installment of children-museum in the library, which is currently in shambles.
· Children collection to be enhanced & developed.
· Develop a local history collection section.
· Allot funds for regular maintenance.
· Revenue generation model should be developed.
· An annual audit should be made for the library.
· The library should develop a manual for all its activities.
· Renovation of the archeologically important building of the library.
· Recruitment of technically skilled staff in the library.
· To create a computerized database of all the available books & Bar-coding of books.
· Develop a web/e-portal for the library.
· To adopt the Inter-Library Loan system (ILL) for enhancing the availability of books.
· Build a new state of the art Library.
Major Issues!!
v Whether automation is to be outsourced or not?
v Automation up to what level?
v What kind of technology to be used: Bar Code/RFID technology?
v How much amount can be spent?
v Training of library staff
v Appointment of professional library staff
v Extended opening hours, including weekends
v Fundraising and sustainability
v Creation of user groups
v Starting and developing of mobile library service.
v Creation of a webpage
v Restructuring the advisory committee
12.1. Publicity:
Design and print library brochures and posters showing the strength of the library & supply it to all the major institutions including school and college of the city.
Develop a home page and have a web presence to attract young readers.
Start a blog & initiate a discussion about the library & it’s development (Note: Mr. K C Satpathy, Librarian, IIM Indore has already started a blog: www.indorepubliclibrary.blogspot.com).
User awareness programs/users meet should be organized in regular intervals to get feedback from the users.
The library should launch a public awareness media campaign through radio, local cable TV and local newspapers showing the strength of the library.
Installation of Proper Hooding displaying the name of the library at the entrance.
12.2. Library extension activities:
To popularize the library services the library should organize time-to-time book fairs & specifically, children book fairs.
The library should explore the possibility of holding a public library conference/seminar to make visibility.
The library should explore the possibilities of holding invited talks by the leading personnel of the city from time to time.
The library should hold regular meetings with the community, private institutions, NGO’s and local authorities to update them with the activities of the library and to seek their participation and support for sustainability.
12.3. Staff affairs:
The vacant library professional/post should be filled up immediately.
The government should take the necessary steps to reduce the non-professional staff / clerical staff and in their place, the professional and skilled trained staff should be recruited.
Keeping in view the vast and open area in front of the library (which is currently been developed as a garden) it is suggested that for a maintenance point of view either it should be outsourced or a gardener (mali) should be engaged.
Education and training of staffs:
Training is crucial in opening up online services for people using public libraries. Staff working in public libraries must be encouraged to attend continuing education programs and skill enhancement to use ICT technologies to the fullest extent in delivering public library services. IIMI can be asked to start a series of training programs for the existing staff in all regional libraries for upgrading their knowledge & skills.
· Initiate staff training in ICT.
12.4. Networking:It is suggested that GACL should sign MOU with all leading libraries (include schools, colleges & universities) for resource sharing and interlibrary loans.
It should seek cooperation/advice from IIMI, SISI & NSIC for library extension activities etc.
In the future it should try to link with an international organization like UNESCO, IFLA, UNICEF and other public libraries of the world.
It should work out a model for collaboration with local schools, health centers, police forces, museums, and art centers to create a shared approach to common problems.
It should work closely with NCC, NSS, SPIC-MACY, NYK, and youth hostels.
Necessary steps should be taken to improve cooperation and coordination among all the public libraries of the state located at Jabalpur, Rewa, Gwalior, Bhopal & Indore.
12.5. Funding:
It is suggested that the library should systematically work together with friends in a charitable organizations and should develop a coordinated plan designed to ensure that the library is aware of and take advantage of opportunities of the grant of all types.
· Indian Institute of Management, Indore may be requested to prepare a document for raising fund and grants.
Establish a public/private partnership to attract private and public funds needed to support the library project.
Public Library should explore the possibilities for seeking funds from different philanthropic organizations and associations for expanding the library services, viz.
· RRLF Calcutta
· Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi
· Ford Foundation
· ICT Foundation
· Azeem Premji foundation
· Bill Gate’s Foundation, USA
· Laser Foundation, UK
· Knowledge Commission
12.6. Services:
The Library should provide innovative services such as answering research queries related to the history and culture of Indore city organizing music recitals and learning programs.
Start a separate religious section, a reference section, and children section and arrange the book accordingly.
It should expand the possibility of creating a meditation hall and have lectures from eminent personalities related to culture.
It should develop a children's library & children science museum.
12.7. Role of the Madhya Pradesh Government:
- Increase funding.
- Regional library system should be expanded
· The government should take a step that the regional libraries work more closely with each other.
· An annual audit should be made mandatory for the library.
Convert the current library to state of the art library.
12.8. Governance options:
It is recommended that the library advisory committee should be reorganized and reconstructed. Apart from other nominated members; the committee should include at least two-library experts from the region, one nominee from the industrial organization like CII, ASSOCHAM, FICCI etc.; one donor member and one nominee from NGO sector.
Hold a regular meetings of the advisory committee to assess the library working.
Introduce a mechanism for monitoring, evaluation and feedback.
Library advisory committee should be made accountable.
The library should be transparent in all its activities.
12.9. ICT driven public libraries – the need of the hour:
· Libraries are the ideal place to offer public access to ICT resources. The public library can be understood as the public access point to the “Information Highway”. If the government is serious about breaking down the digital divide it cannot ignore a sector that provides free public access to these services thus befitting it for the role of the major access point to the benefits of the digital age.
· On a priority basis, the library should be automated. The library activities like classification, cataloguing, arrangement & creation of database should be outsourced for once.
· GACL should develop a homepage to have a web presence to attract more users.
· GACL should explore the possibility of introducing RFID for security & management point of view.
12.10. General Recommendations:
· Write off the 10,000 old damaged books having no cultural/historical importance.
· Proper binding of old books
· Arrange the books & journals.
· Hindi and English collection may be arranged separately.
· Procurement few display rack and display stands (Start new book arrival stand).
· Repair the furniture on a priority basis.
· Increase library timings & keep the library open on Sunday and close it on Monday or Tuesday.
· Increase in the budget amount allotted for the maintenance of the library.
· Maintenance of cleanliness and reader-friendly ambiance in the library.
· Cancel all the land given on lease.
· Revive the popular science book corner closed for several years.
· Revive & Re-installment of children-museum in the library, which is currently in shambles.
· Children collection to be enhanced & developed.
· Develop a local history collection section.
· The library should develop a manual for all its activities.
· To create computerized database of all the available books & Bar-coding of books.
· To adopt Inter-Library Loan system (ILL) for enhancing the availability of books.
12.11. Renovation & planning proposal for the GACL building & campus:
Necessary steps should be taken immediately for the renovation and maintenance of the library building, which is in very bad shape. Earlier, the District administration and Indore Gaurav Foundation had prepared a report for redevelopment and renovation of the existing GACL building and the campus to suit the modern era library building incorporating various components related to library infrastructure and restrengthening the existing facilities. The key suggestions of the report are given below as a part of the suggestion for the renovation of the current library building.
It is proposed to utilize some of the excess land lying towards eastern side of the campus commercially and using the returns thus obtain to expand, redevelop and renovate the library building and campus and in-process restoring the lost glory of the library which boast of one of oldest and largest library campus in the city area in Indore.
Renovation and Addition/Alteration should be carried out in the existing library building to make it more equipped and sustainable to the current modern trends and it can serve the readers more effectively. It is proposed that the library not only serves the public in general but the collection of books also serves the schools which do not possess a full-fledged library of their own. It is proposed to fix up a time slot for such schools and the students can use the library facilities as per their fix time slots.
Apart from the Addition/Alteration, some new addition In form of a separate structure should also be added up in the campus to make the campus more sustainable to literary and education-related activities thus making optimum use of this large campus in the heart of the city.
The various Addition/Alteration and renovation work to be carried out in the main building are as:
Ø The main reading hall area should altered to have space for waiting, issue counter, and two tables for reading. The reading hall on the rear side should be renovated to cater to the readers more effectively and efficiently.
Ø One reading room should be added in the rear side having cubical where readers can sit for a prolonged time and carry out their study for research and other activities. The networking and computer are also proposed to be extended to this newly-
Ø The stack hall total 3 in numbers are now proposed to be so organized so that a entry foyer in the central region of the building serves all the three halls and proper control could be observed in issuing of the books.
Ø Administrative office spaces for Regional Librarian, Librarian and other staff should be planned within the building to cater the day-to-day running needs of the library.
Ø A clock room, store and toilet facilities both for staff and readers should be created in the building by minor addition/alteration.
Ø Boundary wall with entrance gates for the whole campus should be constructed to discourage the unwanted elements entering the library campus.
Ø Various maintenance works for renovation of the building like replacing the existing flooring, plastering, painting work waterproofing on the terrace, replacement of the broken roof sheeting, replacement of broken glasses in doors and windows and others similar works should be carried out to make the building serve the public more effectively.
Ø The front garden should be developed as a sceinic landscape area where the public, in general, can relax amidst lush green surroundings. This is a very important feature for redevelopment of the campus as the city is devoid of public gardens.
Ø The various infrastructural works like internal roads in the campus, drainage system, and water supply system with the provision of a tubewell should be a part of this redevelopment scheme.
Ø Extensive and appropriate anti termite treatment should be carried out for the campus and the main building to safeguard the valuable book collection.
Ø Build a new state of the art Library.
13. Need for outsourcing:
Keeping in view the lack of professional staff in the library, it is suggested that the complete automation work should be outsourced. It is suggested that IIM Indore or any other agency may be contacted to carry out the job. It is to be noted that the entire work of library automation including software, RFID implementation, database creation can be implemented with Rs. 20 to 25 Lakhs only. If RFID can be implemented in the GACL, then it will be become first public library in the country to implement the same & it will become a model library for the entire country.
14. Future Look of Library Services:
It is visualized that, if the GACL is developed in a phased manner, a time will come the library will able to provide innovative proactive services to the members & it can act as a major resource center for the region. The future look of the library can be:
14.1. A center for literacy:
Educational research indicates that reading of children at an early age improves their chances for educational success. The Library should take Initiatives that promote reading, prepare young children for schools and raise levels of education. The strategy for building early literacy can be:
1. Public education campaign.
2. Parental training workshop.
3. Organizing tailored technical assistance for childcare in collaboration with other agencies.
4. Implement a model literacy program.
5. Collaborate with state education department.
14.2. Work force initiatives: Efforts that increase workforce scales provide career training and facilitate employment and career search. The strategy for workforce development can be:
1. Creating job information centers.
2. Improving access to technology and take the training.
3. Adult literacy training and community support centers.
4. Organizing a career skills workshop.
14.3. Small business support:
Strengthening the small business sector through the provision of business information resources, workshop and training. The strategy for small business support can be:
1. Provide on-demand business information.
2. Organizing business basic tools with help from CII, FICCI.
14.4. A learning place:
It goes without saying that in today’s fastpaced world, the need for continuous lifelong learning is essential as people will change careers many times throughout their lifetime. Students need help beyond the school day to ensure educational success. Libraries can play an important role in providing the resources – print, audio or electronic – that enable people of all ages to learn, relearn, and retool in order to be productive and contributing members of society.
“The library should be a place where you can always learn something new from book groups, a class on genealogy, a program about current events or topical issues, or watching a film.”
14.5. The community connection:
In today’s cyber-based information world people are still seeking places where they can interact face-to-face with others in the community. The library can play an important role in providing space for the same.
“The library should be the place where you can meet people and socialize. The library can be a gathering place for the community – a center for activities, learning, a place to create friendships.”
14.6. Knowledge center/multi-purpose community center: As mentioned earlier public libraries are considered as “the local gateways to knowledge”. The Indian government has recently granted permission to educational institutions to set up and run community radio stations. This low-cost technology can really reach out to the common people who are still battling poverty and illiteracy.
14.7. Preserving the Past:
Local history is important to the community. Residents see the library as a place to appreciate and learn about local history and an institution that preserves the architectural record of the community and makes the historical archives more accessible.
“The library is the community’s memory bank – a preserver of our heritage and stored history about community organizations.”
14.8. E-learning through public libraries:
In a country like India e-learning now has great relevance, especially for extending higher education into new, previously neglected areas of its people. A large percentage of the target population is beyond the reach of formal education channels due to a variety of inherent weaknesses in the teaching system, including the lack of traditional educational infrastructure in many areas. E-learning initiatives may benefit rural folk who leave formal education channels either due to lack of locally available facilities or due to other economic commitments. The library can play major role in that:
14.9. E-governance through public libraries:
Internationally, there is a growing awareness of the capacity for ICT to transform the relationship between the State and the citizen. There are specific examples of such e-government initiatives in India also, which have implications for public library services. For example, the State Government of Kerala has deployed a project called Akshaya – the country’s largest rural wireless network (using wireless VINE technology) run by the gram Panchayats and offering e-governance and utility services to citizens of the State. Each Akshaya center caters to between 1,000 and 1,500 households. Such centres have the potential to be established within public libraries.
This project will allow citizens to use a service called “Friends”. This is a single-window distribution point for 35 services such as electricity bill payment, tax bills, and university fees, and use of VOIP for making long-distance calls. Services like online rural banking, online technology resource centres, e-enabled education centers, call center-assisted health care and e-post are in hand (Pasha, 2004).
The PRAGATI project of Pravara village of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra aims to connect a hundred villages covering a population of more than 2.5 lakh with a wireless MAN solution (WMAN). It will empower rural populations, especially women, and improve quality of life: “[This]. . .program will help the villages in establishing local IT centers, dissemination of Information regarding Government schemes, marketing of Agricultural products, health care, education, agro-processing, economic development” (Pasha, 2002). As with the Akshaya project, this initiative shows, as how there is potential to establish such local centers within public libraries. Ahilya library can also initiate this kind of new project.
15. Last word:
Edwards (2001) has rightly pointed out that, “Providing access to information has traditionally been about buildings, based around institutions offering services to onsite users. Building tomorrow’s libraries will not simply be a matter of installing rows of computers with internet access: our users will increasingly expect to be able to access material from where they live and work. Providing access will increasingly be about developing electronic information services such as internet portals and acting as a broker between content providers and remote users”. This is the challenge for public libraries in India today.
16. Acknowledgements:
Mr. Kishor Chandra Satpathy, Librarian, IIM Indore is thankful to Sri M M Uppadhaya, Principal Secretary, Deptt. of Education, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh for his interest in public library development in the state & requesting IIM Indore to prepare the document.
Mr. Satpathy would like to thank Dr. G D Aggrawal, Regional Librarian & Mr. B K Sharma, Ex DEO, Indore (presently, Joint Director, Ujjain Division) for their inputs & feedback.
Mr. Satpathy is grateful to Prof. P K Singh, Director, IIM Indore; Prof. Prabin Panigrahi, Chair, LISC and Prof. Ashraf Rizivi, Chair, Executive Education of IIM Indore for their constant support, guidance & encouragement.
Mr. Satpathy is grateful to Prof. D D Choudhury, Chair, Economics Area; Prof. Prasant Salwan, Chair, International Business & Mr. K Narendrababu, CAO for their constructive suggestions.
Mr. Satpathy would also like to thank the entire library team of IIM, Indore for their support and specially Ms. Aparna Choubey, Mr. Gopal Jadon & Mr. Satyanarayan Dwivedi for their assistance in preparing the report
17. Documents Consulted:
1. Benny M D. Overdue: how to create a modern public library service” (Massage sent to LIS-Forum, 27 June 2008).
2. Board of Commissioners and the Haddonfield Public library Board of Trustees. Haddonfield talks: an assessment of the Haddonfield public library (Report of the results from Focus Group Sessions, Town Meeting and Library Survey). New Jersey, June 2008.
3. Charles Leadbeater. Overdue: how to create a modern public library service (Laser Foundation Report). United Kingdom, April 2003.
4. Ghosh Maitryee. The public library system in India: challenges and opportunities. Library Review, Vol.54 (3) 2005, pp.180-191.
5. Himmel & Wilson, Library Consultant. A study of public library development in Texas (Report prepared for Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Library Development Division). Texas (US), July 2003.
6. Library and Learning Services. Learning Resource Centre, “Future of the PCTs library services: workshop report”, Wednesday 5 Oct. 2005.
7. Mehta & Associates and Gaurav Foundation. Proposed redevelopment & renovation of Ahilya library Indore (Report for the renovation of Devi Ahilya Central Library, Indore).
8. Murthy, S S, Feasibility study on the self-sustainability of information support facilities in and around SME clusters (Study report prepared for National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), Hyderabad.
9. Pasha, A, Wireless MAN for rural development, Network Magazine, Spt. 2002.
10. Satpathy, K C, INDOLIBNET: A Proposal (http://indolibnet.blogspot.com/), 2008.
11. UNECA. Progress report on the African virtual library and information network (AVLIN). Ethiopia, 21 April 2003.
12. Urban Libraries Council. Making cities stronger: public library contributions to local economic development, Canada. January 2007.
13. World Bank. Indonesia–library development, June 7, 2001(Report No.: 22287-IND).
Please find the following report related to the development of Govt Ahilya Central Library, Indore. Pl. send your comments & suggestions to Mr. Kishor Satpathy (ksatpathy@gmail.com). All the comments will be complied & sent to Govt. of M.P. for consideration.
Thanks & Regards,
Kishor Satpathy
Library and Information Services at the Govt Ahilya Central Library, Indore
(A Vision Document)
(Prepared for Govt. of Madhya Pradesh for the up-gradation of Govt. Ahilya Central Library, Indore)
By
Kishor Chandra Satpathy
Librarian
Indian Institute of Management Indore
Pigdamber, Rau, Indore-453331, MP, India
Phone: +91-731-4228625 (Off) 4228817(R)
Mobile: 09425312746
Email: satpathy@iimidr.ac.in and ksatpathy@gmail.com
July, 2008
Table of Contents
Introduction:
Structure of this document:
Purpose of writing the document:
Justification of the project
The history & development of the Govt. Ahilya Central Library
Description of the current situation:
Problems & limitations of the existing library:
Vision:
Mission:
Target groups:
SWOT analysis:
Recommendations:
Need for outsourcing:
The future look of library services:
Last word:
Acknowledgment:
Document Consulted:
Appendix-A: Action Plan:
Appendix-B: Photographs:
Appendix-C: Newspaper clippings:
Appendix-D: Related Documents:
Library and Information Services at Govt Ahilya Central Library (GACL), Indore
(Vision Document)
1. Introduction: India can now claim to be the world’s largest democracy: its population growth has made it the second country in the world after China to cross the one billion mark. As its population grows, it is faced by enormous challenges in areas such as literacy and education, areas in which it has long been acknowledged that the public library has an indispensable role to play. This role accords with the definition in the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto (UNESCO, 2004), which declares that the public library is “the local gateway to knowledge, [and] provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making and cultural development of the individual and social groups”. In this vision of public libraries, they are seen as people-oriented institutions, which should serve the widest population possible.
A library today and also in the past is a very important educational institution. It is the school of self-education. Its aim is to educate the illiterate, dispel their ignorance, and to give opportunities for further development to the educated. Further, the library is a social institution. Knowledge is for everybody is the slogan of democracy and the library is a forerunner institution is achieving this goal.
A central library is an important part of an integrated public library system. It has to perform a variety of functions. Its main and responsible function is to coordinate the library services rendered by the other libraries of the city as well as of the district. It should be the apex library of the region. It should serve as a reservoir of books through the coordination and cooperation of other libraries while building up its own book stock of valuable books, reference as well as others, which the other public library cannot afford to possess. In this digital era, the public library not only acts as a champion of books and knowledge but as a major access point to the benefits of the digital age. The public libraries have a major role to play in bridging the “digital divide”.
2. Structure of this document: First of all, the purpose of preparing the document is outlined then the history of GACL is given. The current situation of the Library and Information Services (LIS) is described. A vision of the LIS at the GACL is drawn and a mission is formulated. Based on the description of the current situation and in the light of vision and mission the SWOT analysis is presented: strengths, weaknesses are listed; opportunities and threats are foreseen. Further, keeping in view the constraints & limitations of the existing library, the recommendations are given to overcome the same & to enhance the image of the library. Finally, a future look for the library is presented.
3. Purpose of writing the document: Realizing the importance and role of public library in nation-building; looking into the declining image of public library in the state; to review the public library system in the state of Madhya Pradesh and to create a state of art public library infrastructure facilities in the state, the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, Department of education in its review meeting held on 31 May 2008 decided to upgrade the public library system of the state.
In the review meeting, it was decided to seek the help of the experts in this regard. Accordingly the Principal Secretary, Department of School Education, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh by vide letter No 733/PS/SE/2008 dated 31st May 2008 requested Indian Institute of Management, Indore to prepare a project document for the revival and development of GACL, Indore and in return Indian Institute of Management Indore entrusted the work to Mr. Kishor Chandra Satpathy, Librarian of the Institute to prepare a project document for the same.
Mr. Satpathy visited the library several times, interacted with the regional librarian and staff of the library to find out the strengths, weakness and possible opportunities of the library. Further Mr. Satpathy also interacted with the different stakeholders of the library to get their feedback and consulted various news items published in the recent past in the local newspapers regarding the library development in the state. Mr. Satpathy also consulted different documents related to international public library development & based on the above inputs the project document has been prepared.
4. Justification for the project: The main objective of the project is to provide information to the citizens through knowledge resources in print and digital/electronic forms. The e-technology provides access to a vast amount of information available worldwide. In spite of the fact that there are exceptional power and potential in this new medium of information, there is a fundamental change in the nature of documentation and media to access the same. The proposal in hand has been prepared keeping in view the co-existence of the two-information system i.e. print and digital. Equal importance has been given to the procurement and dissemination of information both in print and digital forms, as it is very firmly believed that print media shall hold equal importance at least for one more decade. Technological developments are taking place every now and then & there is an information explosion & it is necessary to keep the library up to date. The implementation of this proposal will:
· Enhance the image of the library
· Increase library membership & revenue
· Increase library user satisfaction
· Provide the information in the shortest possible time at the user’s desk
· Save time of information search
· Reduce the time gap between the publication of information and its access
· Bridge the digital divide
· Serve all category of citizens
2. Structure of this document: First of all, the purpose of preparing the document is outlined then the history of GACL is given. The current situation of the Library and Information Services (LIS) is described. A vision of the LIS at the GACL is drawn and a mission is formulated. Based on the description of the current situation and in the light of vision and mission the SWOT analysis is presented: strengths, weaknesses are listed; opportunities and threats are foreseen. Further, keeping in view the constraints & limitations of the existing library, the recommendations are given to overcome the same & to enhance the image of the library. Finally, a future look for the library is presented.
3. Purpose of writing the document: Realizing the importance and role of public library in nation-building; looking into the declining image of public library in the state; to review the public library system in the state of Madhya Pradesh and to create a state of art public library infrastructure facilities in the state, the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, Department of education in its review meeting held on 31 May 2008 decided to upgrade the public library system of the state.
In the review meeting, it was decided to seek the help of the experts in this regard. Accordingly the Principal Secretary, Department of School Education, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh by vide letter No 733/PS/SE/2008 dated 31st May 2008 requested Indian Institute of Management, Indore to prepare a project document for the revival and development of GACL, Indore and in return Indian Institute of Management Indore entrusted the work to Mr. Kishor Chandra Satpathy, Librarian of the Institute to prepare a project document for the same.
Mr. Satpathy visited the library several times, interacted with the regional librarian and staff of the library to find out the strengths, weakness and possible opportunities of the library. Further Mr. Satpathy also interacted with the different stakeholders of the library to get their feedback and consulted various news items published in the recent past in the local newspapers regarding the library development in the state. Mr. Satpathy also consulted different documents related to international public library development & based on the above inputs the project document has been prepared.
4. Justification for the project: The main objective of the project is to provide information to the citizens through knowledge resources in print and digital/electronic forms. The e-technology provides access to a vast amount of information available worldwide. In spite of the fact that there are exceptional power and potential in this new medium of information, there is a fundamental change in the nature of documentation and media to access the same. The proposal in hand has been prepared keeping in view the co-existence of the two-information system i.e. print and digital. Equal importance has been given to the procurement and dissemination of information both in print and digital forms, as it is very firmly believed that print media shall hold equal importance at least for one more decade. Technological developments are taking place every now and then & there is an information explosion & it is necessary to keep the library up to date. The implementation of this proposal will:
· Enhance the image of the library
· Increase library membership & revenue
· Increase library user satisfaction
· Provide the information in the shortest possible time at the user’s desk
· Save time of information search
· Reduce the time gap between the publication of information and its access
· Bridge the digital divide
· Serve all category of citizens
5. The history & development of the GACL:
In connection with the establishment of the Library the first Government order issued was No. M.B.1724/9p dated 16.02.1956 by the education department in which it was stated that Shrimant Maharaj Yashwant Rao Holkar has provided a donation of Rs. 1,50,000.00 for establishing a Central Public Library and the Safed Kothi and its campus located in Tukogunj will be provided for the library.
A committee was formed under the chairmanship of Shri K.A. Chitle, the then Advocate general and the committee was told to submit their recommendations for setting up their library, collection of books and furniture etc. But it so happened that the committee never seems to have met and after a gap of five years another Govt. order No. 3080/3451/xx-3/58 dated 13/02/1959 was issued which after recapitulating the previous history of the case stated that in the interest of efficiency and proper utilization of the funds, the Library should be started as a Govt. institution on the same basis as the central Library at Gwalior and Bhopal.
The present building in which the Shaskiya Shri Ahilya Kendriya Pustkalaya commonly known as Ahilya Library is located in ‘Safed Kothi’ which was constructed before 1900 A.D. and was the official residence of the prime minister of Madhya Bharat. The existing GACL building is almost 100 years old. The architecture style of this building is of Late British architecture of 19th century with built-in Neoclassical elements. The architecture of the building is a good example of late British architecture. The building was designed as a residence with kitchen, servants quarter, outhouses etc. Formally, the library was set up in 1961. It is located on M.G. Road adjacent to High Court Building on approx 122664 Sq. M of Land. The Library is almost centrally located, very near to Regal Square, the heart of Indore.
6. Description of current situation:
There are about 50,000 books in the Library. Apart from this, there are 2 magazines and 14 daily papers subscribed by the Library. There are around 5320 members & the average turnout of readers coming daily to the library is approx. 200 out of which 100 persons are non-members from the lower socio-economic background those who can’t afford to procure newspapers & other reading materials. The annual budget of the library is Rs. 15000/-. Twelve (12) non-professional staff & one professional staff manages the library. All the major posts like regional librarian & librarian posts are lying vacant for the last several years. Mr. G D Aggrawal is looking after the library in the capacity of regional librarian (as an additional charge) since 1999.
Present facilities in the Library are as follows:
- One Reading Hall
- Reading in verandah
- Counter room
- One reading room for study
- Three stack room of varying sizes
- One Children Museum room
- Office for regional Librarian
- Toilets scattered in the buildings
- Storeroom
- One kitchen
6.1. Current Benefits of GACL for the users: The key things that people gained from visiting the library in person are:
Browsing books and journals.
Instant access to the material held within the library.
Face to face interaction with the library staff and the opportunity to access their expertise.
Access to computer and Internet
7. Problems & limitations of the existing library:
The publications in the library are not arranged on the shelves according to classification, as all the books are not classified. The condition of the library is in very bad shape. Due to the lack of fulltime trained professional staff, the LIS services is being hampered. Some of the major constraints of the library are given below (snapshots of the current situation is annexed with this document):
7.1. General Problems: Lack of latest collection
Lack of proper cleaning & the arrangement of books & journals.
Lack of adequate reading space for users to consult books.
Lack of required bookshelves & racks.
Lack of proper comfortable sitting arrangements such as reading chairs & tables resulted in poor attendance of users in the library.
Without proper fulltime trained staff in the library, it resulted the non-accessibility of global knowledge.
There is no automation for the purpose of easy & fast access.
There is no separate Audio Visual facility in the library for the users.
The library doesn’t have adequate support facilities like Xerox/duplicating systems.
Major key posts are lying vacant for the last several years.
The condition of the children's science museum & the children's library is very pathetic.
Lack of professionally trained staff is an addition to the said problem.
Further, while interacting with the users, Mr. Satpathy found that there are issues, which prompt greater dissatisfaction especially areas relating to:
*Lack of parking
The bad condition of the approach road
Access to the whole facility regardless of physical ability
Comfort and cleanliness of the library
Plentiful comfortable seating
Restroom access & odors
Lack of drinking water facility
Interior signs
Adequacy of interior and exterior lighting
Lack of meeting space
Lack of children’s space & collection
Lack of facility maintenance and care
Lack of latest collection
During the visit, it came to Mr. Satpathy’s notice that during the year 1995-96, the budget of the library was Rs. 53,820/- but in the year 2006-07, the budget has come down to Rs. 16,000/- only. With this amount, it is not possible on the part of library staff to maintain the library & procure the journals.
During the visit, Mr. Satpathy found that the advisory committee looking after the library affairs is not very active. It is surprising to find that the advisory committee members nominated (nominated from the general public /library members) before 22 years ago are still continuing. A large number of such members hardly attend any meetings. The post that has been vacant for the last several years due to the death of one member has not been filled up yet.
7.2. Problems related to the building: Since the building was not designed to serve as a public library, the various shortcomings in terms of space utilization, circulation, the interconnection between various sections, public amenities, proper reading, and stacking room have been felt in the past. The present building was constructed before 1900 and in the absence of proper maintenance in the last years is in bad condition. Some of the problems related to building and campus are listed below:
Absence of a Boundary wall and main gate to protect the campus both from encroachment and unauthorized trespassing.
The garden in the front and other open spaces on the campus are ill-maintained in absence of regular fund thereby creating a not too conducive atmosphere for reading.
There are far too many Entries and Exits in the building, which as explained, above was not designed for a public library, which has been temporarily closed. On the rear side of this building, a new building for the Jansampark office has been constructed some years back.
· Leakage from the roof in various parts of the building due to which many books some of which are rare once are under threat of being destroyed.
· Some of the roofing sheets have been broken.
· Wooden Jafari is in bad shape and requires replacement.
· Glasses in various doors and window panes have been broken and require replacement.
· The flooring at various places needs to be laid which presently have been broken.
· Termite problems, which have, arise two years back and there is a growing possibility of it arising again.
· Lack of toilet facilities for the visitors and employees of the library.
· No proper cleaning of the drainage lines the maximum length of which remains choked all the time.
· Lack of proper signage system in the library.
· Lack of maintenance of the whole building in general that requires plastering, painting, and other routine maintenance jobs.
· Lack of maintenance and cleanliness of the front garden and other open spaces on the campus.
· Lack of proper water supply arrangement for building and exterior landscape.
· The existing exteriors of the building show major decoration visible in the form of broken cornice moldings architraves. The growth of moss due to dampness is regular on all sides of the building.
· The rainwater leakage is observed are in direct contact with the existing electrical conduits and wiring system which could create a hazardous situation.
· There is some encroachment on the southeastern part of the campus the vacant space could be reutilized the idle lying land in the front and northwest corner could be developed in the form of the beautiful landscaped garden in the heart of the city.
· The interior of the library building is in bad shape visible in the form of cracks, chipped plaster, leakage, stains, etc. inadequate waterproofing at the roof adds to the problems severely.
· The condition of the approach road & the front garden is in very bad shape.
Keeping in view the above constraints in mind it is essential that the library should be renovated, updated & automated on a priority basis.
8. Vision:
· Provision of equal access to the universe of knowledge, information and cultures & promote understanding of the cultural diversity of Indore.
9. Mission:
To develop innovative approaches to increase the use of materials.
To motivate students, youth and communities to use, enjoy and value books for recreational and informational purposes.
To help to bridge the digital divide between the information haves and have not.
To provide a globally-connected library and information services so as to promote a knowledgeable and engaged society.
To develop a model public library for the state.
10. Target groups: Sr. Citizens
Older adults
Educators
Community leaders (business, civic, religious, elected)
Students
Residents concerned about local history and preservation issues
General public
Parents of young children
Underprivileged group
Stakeholders (businesses, national and local governments, non-governmental organizations and other, e.g. media)
11. SWOT analysis
Strengths
· 5320 strong user community.
· E-Library (IT infrastructure)
· New state of the art Auditorium
· Heritage building & strategic ideal location of the library for easy access to the user
Weaknesses
· Less professional staff & more non-professional staff.
· Technical staff shortages (for incentivisation, cataloging and similar) & therefore no classification and cataloging.
· The collection is rather hectic and outdated
· Insufficient funding for the library.
· No fixed internal and external funding sources, therefore the services are limited.
· Not really aware of external funding sources.
· Arrangement of books/journals is not proper.
· Faulty library timings.
· Through there is e-library/IT infrastructure available but no e-resources available.
· Improper lending policy, no digital means for tracking the loans results in the loss of publications
· No real understanding of user needs or who is the target group, some services may be obsolete.
· No tangible monitoring of library usage.
· Not well connected to other information providers, libraries, library networks and professionals.
· No functioning book exchange agreements.
· Running out of space, therefore the growth of collection should be limited.
· No online catalog
· Lack of importance to the library by the administration.
· Lack of stand by power supply i.e. UPS
Opportunities
· Can be a model public library for the entire state.
· Can become a community information center.
· Can be a part of INDOLIBNET (Indore Library Network: http://indolibnet.blogspot.com/)
· Computerizing the library facilities.
· Creating an e-portal & Developing an e-library / digital library.
· Developing audio-video facilities.
· Possibility of enhancing library services through public-private partnership model.
· Setting up the public library network, which may bring new opportunities for financing.
· External funding opportunities for the library or related projects, e.g. Unesco, RRLF, KC & philanthropic association etc.
· Agreements with publishers for consortia mode of subscription & purchase for saving budget.
· Cost recovery through paid services.
· Possibility to have volunteers/interns / civil servants working on LIS.
· Become a part of national & international library network and get noticed.
· Establishment of an in-house advisory group.
· Strengthen library image in-house.
· LIS extension to Local Institutions i.e. schools, colleges, NGOs etc.
· Publications of Library promotion material.
· Reviving the children's museum & starting a children's library.
· To have a new state of the art library facility.
Threats
· Insufficient interest in the Administration in the LIS.
· Insufficient interest of the staff in the LIS.
· Diminishing donor interest.
· Over ambitious vision/proposal.
12. Recommendations:
Keeping in view the constraints & limitations of the existing library, the following recommendations are given to overcome the same & to enhance the image of the library.
To develop innovative approaches to increase the use of materials.
To motivate students, youth and communities to use, enjoy and value books for recreational and informational purposes.
To help to bridge the digital divide between the information haves and have not.
To provide a globally-connected library and information services so as to promote a knowledgeable and engaged society.
To develop a model public library for the state.
10. Target groups: Sr. Citizens
Older adults
Educators
Community leaders (business, civic, religious, elected)
Students
Residents concerned about local history and preservation issues
General public
Parents of young children
Underprivileged group
Stakeholders (businesses, national and local governments, non-governmental organizations and other, e.g. media)
11. SWOT analysis
Strengths
· 5320 strong user community.
· E-Library (IT infrastructure)
· New state of the art Auditorium
· Heritage building & strategic ideal location of the library for easy access to the user
Weaknesses
· Less professional staff & more non-professional staff.
· Technical staff shortages (for incentivisation, cataloging and similar) & therefore no classification and cataloging.
· The collection is rather hectic and outdated
· Insufficient funding for the library.
· No fixed internal and external funding sources, therefore the services are limited.
· Not really aware of external funding sources.
· Arrangement of books/journals is not proper.
· Faulty library timings.
· Through there is e-library/IT infrastructure available but no e-resources available.
· Improper lending policy, no digital means for tracking the loans results in the loss of publications
· No real understanding of user needs or who is the target group, some services may be obsolete.
· No tangible monitoring of library usage.
· Not well connected to other information providers, libraries, library networks and professionals.
· No functioning book exchange agreements.
· Running out of space, therefore the growth of collection should be limited.
· No online catalog
· Lack of importance to the library by the administration.
· Lack of stand by power supply i.e. UPS
Opportunities
· Can be a model public library for the entire state.
· Can become a community information center.
· Can be a part of INDOLIBNET (Indore Library Network: http://indolibnet.blogspot.com/)
· Computerizing the library facilities.
· Creating an e-portal & Developing an e-library / digital library.
· Developing audio-video facilities.
· Possibility of enhancing library services through public-private partnership model.
· Setting up the public library network, which may bring new opportunities for financing.
· External funding opportunities for the library or related projects, e.g. Unesco, RRLF, KC & philanthropic association etc.
· Agreements with publishers for consortia mode of subscription & purchase for saving budget.
· Cost recovery through paid services.
· Possibility to have volunteers/interns / civil servants working on LIS.
· Become a part of national & international library network and get noticed.
· Establishment of an in-house advisory group.
· Strengthen library image in-house.
· LIS extension to Local Institutions i.e. schools, colleges, NGOs etc.
· Publications of Library promotion material.
· Reviving the children's museum & starting a children's library.
· To have a new state of the art library facility.
Threats
· Insufficient interest in the Administration in the LIS.
· Insufficient interest of the staff in the LIS.
· Diminishing donor interest.
· Over ambitious vision/proposal.
12. Recommendations:
Keeping in view the constraints & limitations of the existing library, the following recommendations are given to overcome the same & to enhance the image of the library.
Summary of the Recommendations:
· Make immediate cosmetic improvements to the current library designed to reintroduce people to contemporary library service and reacquaint them with the challenges of providing library service in the existing facility by upgrading the collection.
- Build a new library near the current site.
- Develop a leadership team made up library officials, consultants, library friends and supporters, library users and other engaged public for better governance of the library.
- Create a communication plan that allows for maximum public input, a transparent process and clear and understandable message about the library project.
- Establish a public/private partnership to attract private and public funds needed to support the library project.
Note: Before accepting the recommendations given in the document it is suggested that to assess community interest in the library and determine the type of services and programs they expect, a debate should take place on the recommendations. This can be done in the following ways:-A series of focus groups discussion
-Meeting with the current members
-A town wide conversation about the future of the library; and
-A web based survey.
Phases of Library Development:
· Short Term Plan: Renovation of existing building, Collection Development, Staff Training & automation of LIS activities.
· Long Term Plan: Construction of a new separate State of the art Library building.
Recommendations in Snapshots
Short Term Plan
· Enhance funding.
· Appoint the professionals against the vacant post.
· One-time outsourcing of library activities i.e. classification, cataloging and arrangement (outsourcing of backlog work can be given to other agencies like IIM Indore on a project basis).
· Write off the 10,000 old damaged books having no cultural/historical importance.
· Arrange the books & journals.
· Hindi and English collection may be arranged separately.
· Procurement few display rack and display stands (Start new book arrival stand).
· Repair the furniture on a priority basis.
· Increase library timings & keep the library open on Sunday and close it on Monday or Tuesday.
· Initiate staff training (IIM Indore may be asked to organize a training program for the staff).
· Hold regular meetings of an advisory committee to assess the library working.
· Introduce mechanism for monitoring, evaluation and feedback
· Increase in the budget amount allotted for the maintenance of the library.
· Maintenance of cleanliness and reader-friendly ambiance in the library.
· Proper binding of old books
· As a revenue-generating measure, giving the auditorium and the art gallery on rent for educational workshops and informative exhibitions to various institutions.
Long Term Plan
· Cancel all the land given on lease.
· Revive the popular science book corner closed for several years.
· Revive & Re-installment of children-museum in the library, which is currently in shambles.
· Children collection to be enhanced & developed.
· Develop a local history collection section.
· Allot funds for regular maintenance.
· Revenue generation model should be developed.
· An annual audit should be made for the library.
· The library should develop a manual for all its activities.
· Renovation of the archeologically important building of the library.
· Recruitment of technically skilled staff in the library.
· To create a computerized database of all the available books & Bar-coding of books.
· Develop a web/e-portal for the library.
· To adopt the Inter-Library Loan system (ILL) for enhancing the availability of books.
· Build a new state of the art Library.
Major Issues!!
v Whether automation is to be outsourced or not?
v Automation up to what level?
v What kind of technology to be used: Bar Code/RFID technology?
v How much amount can be spent?
v Training of library staff
v Appointment of professional library staff
v Extended opening hours, including weekends
v Fundraising and sustainability
v Creation of user groups
v Starting and developing of mobile library service.
v Creation of a webpage
v Restructuring the advisory committee
12.1. Publicity:
Design and print library brochures and posters showing the strength of the library & supply it to all the major institutions including school and college of the city.
Develop a home page and have a web presence to attract young readers.
Start a blog & initiate a discussion about the library & it’s development (Note: Mr. K C Satpathy, Librarian, IIM Indore has already started a blog: www.indorepubliclibrary.blogspot.com).
User awareness programs/users meet should be organized in regular intervals to get feedback from the users.
The library should launch a public awareness media campaign through radio, local cable TV and local newspapers showing the strength of the library.
Installation of Proper Hooding displaying the name of the library at the entrance.
12.2. Library extension activities:
To popularize the library services the library should organize time-to-time book fairs & specifically, children book fairs.
The library should explore the possibility of holding a public library conference/seminar to make visibility.
The library should explore the possibilities of holding invited talks by the leading personnel of the city from time to time.
The library should hold regular meetings with the community, private institutions, NGO’s and local authorities to update them with the activities of the library and to seek their participation and support for sustainability.
12.3. Staff affairs:
The vacant library professional/post should be filled up immediately.
The government should take the necessary steps to reduce the non-professional staff / clerical staff and in their place, the professional and skilled trained staff should be recruited.
Keeping in view the vast and open area in front of the library (which is currently been developed as a garden) it is suggested that for a maintenance point of view either it should be outsourced or a gardener (mali) should be engaged.
Education and training of staffs:
Training is crucial in opening up online services for people using public libraries. Staff working in public libraries must be encouraged to attend continuing education programs and skill enhancement to use ICT technologies to the fullest extent in delivering public library services. IIMI can be asked to start a series of training programs for the existing staff in all regional libraries for upgrading their knowledge & skills.
· Initiate staff training in ICT.
12.4. Networking:It is suggested that GACL should sign MOU with all leading libraries (include schools, colleges & universities) for resource sharing and interlibrary loans.
It should seek cooperation/advice from IIMI, SISI & NSIC for library extension activities etc.
In the future it should try to link with an international organization like UNESCO, IFLA, UNICEF and other public libraries of the world.
It should work out a model for collaboration with local schools, health centers, police forces, museums, and art centers to create a shared approach to common problems.
It should work closely with NCC, NSS, SPIC-MACY, NYK, and youth hostels.
Necessary steps should be taken to improve cooperation and coordination among all the public libraries of the state located at Jabalpur, Rewa, Gwalior, Bhopal & Indore.
12.5. Funding:
It is suggested that the library should systematically work together with friends in a charitable organizations and should develop a coordinated plan designed to ensure that the library is aware of and take advantage of opportunities of the grant of all types.
· Indian Institute of Management, Indore may be requested to prepare a document for raising fund and grants.
Establish a public/private partnership to attract private and public funds needed to support the library project.
Public Library should explore the possibilities for seeking funds from different philanthropic organizations and associations for expanding the library services, viz.
· RRLF Calcutta
· Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi
· Ford Foundation
· ICT Foundation
· Azeem Premji foundation
· Bill Gate’s Foundation, USA
· Laser Foundation, UK
· Knowledge Commission
12.6. Services:
The Library should provide innovative services such as answering research queries related to the history and culture of Indore city organizing music recitals and learning programs.
Start a separate religious section, a reference section, and children section and arrange the book accordingly.
It should expand the possibility of creating a meditation hall and have lectures from eminent personalities related to culture.
It should develop a children's library & children science museum.
12.7. Role of the Madhya Pradesh Government:
- Increase funding.
- Regional library system should be expanded
· The government should take a step that the regional libraries work more closely with each other.
· An annual audit should be made mandatory for the library.
Convert the current library to state of the art library.
12.8. Governance options:
It is recommended that the library advisory committee should be reorganized and reconstructed. Apart from other nominated members; the committee should include at least two-library experts from the region, one nominee from the industrial organization like CII, ASSOCHAM, FICCI etc.; one donor member and one nominee from NGO sector.
Hold a regular meetings of the advisory committee to assess the library working.
Introduce a mechanism for monitoring, evaluation and feedback.
Library advisory committee should be made accountable.
The library should be transparent in all its activities.
12.9. ICT driven public libraries – the need of the hour:
· Libraries are the ideal place to offer public access to ICT resources. The public library can be understood as the public access point to the “Information Highway”. If the government is serious about breaking down the digital divide it cannot ignore a sector that provides free public access to these services thus befitting it for the role of the major access point to the benefits of the digital age.
· On a priority basis, the library should be automated. The library activities like classification, cataloguing, arrangement & creation of database should be outsourced for once.
· GACL should develop a homepage to have a web presence to attract more users.
· GACL should explore the possibility of introducing RFID for security & management point of view.
12.10. General Recommendations:
· Write off the 10,000 old damaged books having no cultural/historical importance.
· Proper binding of old books
· Arrange the books & journals.
· Hindi and English collection may be arranged separately.
· Procurement few display rack and display stands (Start new book arrival stand).
· Repair the furniture on a priority basis.
· Increase library timings & keep the library open on Sunday and close it on Monday or Tuesday.
· Increase in the budget amount allotted for the maintenance of the library.
· Maintenance of cleanliness and reader-friendly ambiance in the library.
· Cancel all the land given on lease.
· Revive the popular science book corner closed for several years.
· Revive & Re-installment of children-museum in the library, which is currently in shambles.
· Children collection to be enhanced & developed.
· Develop a local history collection section.
· The library should develop a manual for all its activities.
· To create computerized database of all the available books & Bar-coding of books.
· To adopt Inter-Library Loan system (ILL) for enhancing the availability of books.
12.11. Renovation & planning proposal for the GACL building & campus:
Necessary steps should be taken immediately for the renovation and maintenance of the library building, which is in very bad shape. Earlier, the District administration and Indore Gaurav Foundation had prepared a report for redevelopment and renovation of the existing GACL building and the campus to suit the modern era library building incorporating various components related to library infrastructure and restrengthening the existing facilities. The key suggestions of the report are given below as a part of the suggestion for the renovation of the current library building.
It is proposed to utilize some of the excess land lying towards eastern side of the campus commercially and using the returns thus obtain to expand, redevelop and renovate the library building and campus and in-process restoring the lost glory of the library which boast of one of oldest and largest library campus in the city area in Indore.
Renovation and Addition/Alteration should be carried out in the existing library building to make it more equipped and sustainable to the current modern trends and it can serve the readers more effectively. It is proposed that the library not only serves the public in general but the collection of books also serves the schools which do not possess a full-fledged library of their own. It is proposed to fix up a time slot for such schools and the students can use the library facilities as per their fix time slots.
Apart from the Addition/Alteration, some new addition In form of a separate structure should also be added up in the campus to make the campus more sustainable to literary and education-related activities thus making optimum use of this large campus in the heart of the city.
The various Addition/Alteration and renovation work to be carried out in the main building are as:
Ø The main reading hall area should altered to have space for waiting, issue counter, and two tables for reading. The reading hall on the rear side should be renovated to cater to the readers more effectively and efficiently.
Ø One reading room should be added in the rear side having cubical where readers can sit for a prolonged time and carry out their study for research and other activities. The networking and computer are also proposed to be extended to this newly-
Ø The stack hall total 3 in numbers are now proposed to be so organized so that a entry foyer in the central region of the building serves all the three halls and proper control could be observed in issuing of the books.
Ø Administrative office spaces for Regional Librarian, Librarian and other staff should be planned within the building to cater the day-to-day running needs of the library.
Ø A clock room, store and toilet facilities both for staff and readers should be created in the building by minor addition/alteration.
Ø Boundary wall with entrance gates for the whole campus should be constructed to discourage the unwanted elements entering the library campus.
Ø Various maintenance works for renovation of the building like replacing the existing flooring, plastering, painting work waterproofing on the terrace, replacement of the broken roof sheeting, replacement of broken glasses in doors and windows and others similar works should be carried out to make the building serve the public more effectively.
Ø The front garden should be developed as a sceinic landscape area where the public, in general, can relax amidst lush green surroundings. This is a very important feature for redevelopment of the campus as the city is devoid of public gardens.
Ø The various infrastructural works like internal roads in the campus, drainage system, and water supply system with the provision of a tubewell should be a part of this redevelopment scheme.
Ø Extensive and appropriate anti termite treatment should be carried out for the campus and the main building to safeguard the valuable book collection.
Ø Build a new state of the art Library.
13. Need for outsourcing:
Keeping in view the lack of professional staff in the library, it is suggested that the complete automation work should be outsourced. It is suggested that IIM Indore or any other agency may be contacted to carry out the job. It is to be noted that the entire work of library automation including software, RFID implementation, database creation can be implemented with Rs. 20 to 25 Lakhs only. If RFID can be implemented in the GACL, then it will be become first public library in the country to implement the same & it will become a model library for the entire country.
14. Future Look of Library Services:
It is visualized that, if the GACL is developed in a phased manner, a time will come the library will able to provide innovative proactive services to the members & it can act as a major resource center for the region. The future look of the library can be:
14.1. A center for literacy:
Educational research indicates that reading of children at an early age improves their chances for educational success. The Library should take Initiatives that promote reading, prepare young children for schools and raise levels of education. The strategy for building early literacy can be:
1. Public education campaign.
2. Parental training workshop.
3. Organizing tailored technical assistance for childcare in collaboration with other agencies.
4. Implement a model literacy program.
5. Collaborate with state education department.
14.2. Work force initiatives: Efforts that increase workforce scales provide career training and facilitate employment and career search. The strategy for workforce development can be:
1. Creating job information centers.
2. Improving access to technology and take the training.
3. Adult literacy training and community support centers.
4. Organizing a career skills workshop.
14.3. Small business support:
Strengthening the small business sector through the provision of business information resources, workshop and training. The strategy for small business support can be:
1. Provide on-demand business information.
2. Organizing business basic tools with help from CII, FICCI.
14.4. A learning place:
It goes without saying that in today’s fastpaced world, the need for continuous lifelong learning is essential as people will change careers many times throughout their lifetime. Students need help beyond the school day to ensure educational success. Libraries can play an important role in providing the resources – print, audio or electronic – that enable people of all ages to learn, relearn, and retool in order to be productive and contributing members of society.
“The library should be a place where you can always learn something new from book groups, a class on genealogy, a program about current events or topical issues, or watching a film.”
14.5. The community connection:
In today’s cyber-based information world people are still seeking places where they can interact face-to-face with others in the community. The library can play an important role in providing space for the same.
“The library should be the place where you can meet people and socialize. The library can be a gathering place for the community – a center for activities, learning, a place to create friendships.”
14.6. Knowledge center/multi-purpose community center: As mentioned earlier public libraries are considered as “the local gateways to knowledge”. The Indian government has recently granted permission to educational institutions to set up and run community radio stations. This low-cost technology can really reach out to the common people who are still battling poverty and illiteracy.
14.7. Preserving the Past:
Local history is important to the community. Residents see the library as a place to appreciate and learn about local history and an institution that preserves the architectural record of the community and makes the historical archives more accessible.
“The library is the community’s memory bank – a preserver of our heritage and stored history about community organizations.”
14.8. E-learning through public libraries:
In a country like India e-learning now has great relevance, especially for extending higher education into new, previously neglected areas of its people. A large percentage of the target population is beyond the reach of formal education channels due to a variety of inherent weaknesses in the teaching system, including the lack of traditional educational infrastructure in many areas. E-learning initiatives may benefit rural folk who leave formal education channels either due to lack of locally available facilities or due to other economic commitments. The library can play major role in that:
14.9. E-governance through public libraries:
Internationally, there is a growing awareness of the capacity for ICT to transform the relationship between the State and the citizen. There are specific examples of such e-government initiatives in India also, which have implications for public library services. For example, the State Government of Kerala has deployed a project called Akshaya – the country’s largest rural wireless network (using wireless VINE technology) run by the gram Panchayats and offering e-governance and utility services to citizens of the State. Each Akshaya center caters to between 1,000 and 1,500 households. Such centres have the potential to be established within public libraries.
This project will allow citizens to use a service called “Friends”. This is a single-window distribution point for 35 services such as electricity bill payment, tax bills, and university fees, and use of VOIP for making long-distance calls. Services like online rural banking, online technology resource centres, e-enabled education centers, call center-assisted health care and e-post are in hand (Pasha, 2004).
The PRAGATI project of Pravara village of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra aims to connect a hundred villages covering a population of more than 2.5 lakh with a wireless MAN solution (WMAN). It will empower rural populations, especially women, and improve quality of life: “[This]. . .program will help the villages in establishing local IT centers, dissemination of Information regarding Government schemes, marketing of Agricultural products, health care, education, agro-processing, economic development” (Pasha, 2002). As with the Akshaya project, this initiative shows, as how there is potential to establish such local centers within public libraries. Ahilya library can also initiate this kind of new project.
15. Last word:
Edwards (2001) has rightly pointed out that, “Providing access to information has traditionally been about buildings, based around institutions offering services to onsite users. Building tomorrow’s libraries will not simply be a matter of installing rows of computers with internet access: our users will increasingly expect to be able to access material from where they live and work. Providing access will increasingly be about developing electronic information services such as internet portals and acting as a broker between content providers and remote users”. This is the challenge for public libraries in India today.
16. Acknowledgements:
Mr. Kishor Chandra Satpathy, Librarian, IIM Indore is thankful to Sri M M Uppadhaya, Principal Secretary, Deptt. of Education, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh for his interest in public library development in the state & requesting IIM Indore to prepare the document.
Mr. Satpathy would like to thank Dr. G D Aggrawal, Regional Librarian & Mr. B K Sharma, Ex DEO, Indore (presently, Joint Director, Ujjain Division) for their inputs & feedback.
Mr. Satpathy is grateful to Prof. P K Singh, Director, IIM Indore; Prof. Prabin Panigrahi, Chair, LISC and Prof. Ashraf Rizivi, Chair, Executive Education of IIM Indore for their constant support, guidance & encouragement.
Mr. Satpathy is grateful to Prof. D D Choudhury, Chair, Economics Area; Prof. Prasant Salwan, Chair, International Business & Mr. K Narendrababu, CAO for their constructive suggestions.
Mr. Satpathy would also like to thank the entire library team of IIM, Indore for their support and specially Ms. Aparna Choubey, Mr. Gopal Jadon & Mr. Satyanarayan Dwivedi for their assistance in preparing the report
17. Documents Consulted:
1. Benny M D. Overdue: how to create a modern public library service” (Massage sent to LIS-Forum, 27 June 2008).
2. Board of Commissioners and the Haddonfield Public library Board of Trustees. Haddonfield talks: an assessment of the Haddonfield public library (Report of the results from Focus Group Sessions, Town Meeting and Library Survey). New Jersey, June 2008.
3. Charles Leadbeater. Overdue: how to create a modern public library service (Laser Foundation Report). United Kingdom, April 2003.
4. Ghosh Maitryee. The public library system in India: challenges and opportunities. Library Review, Vol.54 (3) 2005, pp.180-191.
5. Himmel & Wilson, Library Consultant. A study of public library development in Texas (Report prepared for Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Library Development Division). Texas (US), July 2003.
6. Library and Learning Services. Learning Resource Centre, “Future of the PCTs library services: workshop report”, Wednesday 5 Oct. 2005.
7. Mehta & Associates and Gaurav Foundation. Proposed redevelopment & renovation of Ahilya library Indore (Report for the renovation of Devi Ahilya Central Library, Indore).
8. Murthy, S S, Feasibility study on the self-sustainability of information support facilities in and around SME clusters (Study report prepared for National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), Hyderabad.
9. Pasha, A, Wireless MAN for rural development, Network Magazine, Spt. 2002.
10. Satpathy, K C, INDOLIBNET: A Proposal (http://indolibnet.blogspot.com/), 2008.
11. UNECA. Progress report on the African virtual library and information network (AVLIN). Ethiopia, 21 April 2003.
12. Urban Libraries Council. Making cities stronger: public library contributions to local economic development, Canada. January 2007.
13. World Bank. Indonesia–library development, June 7, 2001(Report No.: 22287-IND).
14. REC Library Vision Document.
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