What comes to mind when you think of libraries? The dusty piles, the vanilla odor of old books, unexpected finds, the joy of discovery, and a multitude of memories of comfort and happiness.
Libraries are treasure houses of books, documents, and journals. But are they still relevant in the digital age? Despite what we get from libraries, it is necessary to remember what they may need from us.
How can anything equal the joys of browsing through a library, through endless rows and columns of books? You may have been looking for one particular book but you will end up with a dozen unexpected finds! The solace, comfort and knowledge one may discover in a library are threatened with extinction today.
Why Does Such A Question Arise?
Today there are too many alternatives in place of a library: the internet, e-books, kindles, tablets, online resources. Advancement in technology has rendered libraries less useful than they were earlier.
One can always argue, books can be read anywhere anytime. What is the need for libraries in a digital age? To prevent libraries from vanishing altogether, there is an urgent need to address these questions.
In the era of search engines and social media, why is it so necessary to appreciate libraries and preserve them? Because if we don’t, it won’t be long before they disappear. Libraries may become a thing of past and a source of nostalgia. We risk losing one of the sweetest pleasures of life.
India And Its Libraries
“Libraries have a recognized social function in making the knowledge available to all. They serve as local centers of information and learning and are local gateways to national and global knowledge.” (National Knowledge Commission, 2007)
India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. We have a very diverse cultural tradition, with over 22 official languages and 22,000 local dialects spoken by a giant population of 1.33 billion. Home to a rich cultural heritage, libraries play a significant role in India.
Libraries are essential in India, owing to its rich culture and diverse population. They bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, the homeless and the fortunate. Libraries have also contributed to the history of India. India’s library movement dates back to the 19th century, which is one of the oldest movements of its kind.
Libraries Of Ancient Times:
History of libraries is as old as the history of writing. What we know today as digital archives, were at some point, the texts and manuscripts written on leaves and bark of a tree. People during the initial years of civilization would write on metal, wax, leather, or parchment which were later replaced with paper, films, books and ebooks. Libraries have witnessed a great deal of metamorphosis ever since.
The collection of texts on clay is as old as 500 years. Such collections exist in parts of Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. In India, libraries were supported by kings and the nobility. Buddhist Monasteries such as the Jetavana Monastery, and Nalanda University preserved collections of the most ancient scriptures of India. Fires and wars led to the destruction and decay of these ancient libraries.
S.R. Ranganathan, also known as the father of Indian library science, played a key role in the development of libraries in independent India. Initially, it was thought to be unwise to spend huge amounts of money on the restoration and development of libraries. S.R. Ranganathan changed this perception. His contributions include his five laws of library science and one of the first major classification systems. His laid the foundation of libraries as the public centers of today.
Libraries: An Urgent Need For Preservation, But How?
In addition to shortage of funds for the development of libraries, there are many factors which hinder their development:
- There has been an increase in piracy and illegal sale of pirated versions of books.
- Many schools do not have a library at all.
- With the advancement in technology, people now prefer to read on Kindle or tablets.
- There is a need for development in the system of lending books.
- The ease of search engines and finding information on the Internet deter people from reading books.
- There is an urgent requirement of government funds towards the development of libraries.
However, recognizing the preservation of libraries as the need of the hour, effective measures are being taken by the Government. Today, India is emerging to become a global influencer, with the maximum English speaking population in the field of science and technology. Libraries support education and research. Therefore, the Government is striving to invest considerable funds towards their development.
Libraries are the pillars which support the education system. The National Knowledge Commission has already made recommendations regarding the need for libraries to modernize their collection, improve lending of books and become more proactive.
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) was established in 2005 by then Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. Its key objectives were:
- Promoting excellence in education, domestic research and innovation.
- Promoting the creation of knowledge and its application in the field of health, agriculture and industry.
- Allowing for better communication and information exchange.
- Abolishing the digital divide.
Steps Taken To Preserve and Modernize Libraries
A number of steps attempted to solve the problem of the deteriorating condition of libraries:
- Digital Initiatives
The right to education is not limited to the rich or the privileged. Digital education is one such initiative that aimed at bridging the knowledge gap between the poor and the rich.
Digital Health Sciences libraries were to be set up to promote health education in rural areas. Village knowledge centers would have the facility to lend books in rural areas. Creation of the Digital Library of India with a collection of millions of books available over the internet were among its initiatives.
- Setting Up Academic And Special Libraries
Vikram Sarabhai Library at the Indian Institute of Management and the Delhi University Library System are run and managed by Libsys. It is a Library Management Software, used in more than 100 libraries.
- Ensuring Proper Coordination And Sharing Of Resources
The real problem with these resources is cost of maintaining them. Libraries all over the world face major funding problems. Increased publishing prices are another drawback. Hence, Library Consortia, a process of sharing resources and services through libraries coming together for a common cause, has been developed.
On A Final Note
Although various reforms have been put in place to preserve libraries, it is high time that people too contributed to these efforts. We should conserve libraries and reintroduce habits of reading and visiting libraries as part of our lifestyle. They are not only storehouses of knowledge, but a part and parcel of our rich culture. Libraries must survive, not only in our memories, but as a thriving part of our daily lives.
Libraries have long been home to avid readers and all seekers of knowledge. There is a saying, “Libraries are our friends”, and they play this part with loyalty.
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