2ND UTLLACPC MEETING DG NLI

Singh visited various sections of the Oriental Research Library and SPS Library Srinagar and interacted with the staff, research scholars and students to seek their feedback on how to further improve the library facilities.

The UTLLACPC meeting also discussed the measures to be taken for effective implementation of the directions given by the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha regarding transformation of public libraries in J&K.

These include upgradation of public libraries as digital libraries and turning them into productive e-Learning-cum-Career Counselling centres in convergence with Smart City Mission and Mission Youth, J&K, establishment of IT Hubs at SPS Library Srinagar and SRS Library Jammu, upgradation and modernization of the District Libraries and setting up of libraries at Panchayat level as part of Youth Clubs to be established by the Mission Youth, J&K.

The other proposals discussed at the meeting include establishment of tribal libraries in convergence with the Tribal Affairs Department, collaboration with coaching academies and study centres for arranging online and offline coaching for competitive exams for J&K students, shifting of City Central Library from SPS Library building to Gani Memorial Reading Centre at Rajouri Kadal Srinagar, establishment of reading room at Habba Kadal, Srinagar and Wanpora, providing online access to NDLI and NCERT books and other e-resources, making available e-books in the public libraries, automation and networking of public libraries, conservation and preservation of manuscripts housed in Oriental Research Library Srinagar and assistance to voluntary organisations (NGOs) providing public library services.

The meeting was informed that J&K has the distinction of having the oldest libraries in the country including SRS Library Jammu established in 1879 and SPS Library Srinagar established in 1898.

The department operates a vast network of 130 libraries in J&K including three central libraries, one Oriental Research Library, 12 district libraries, 50 tehsil libraries, seven block libraries, 36 border block libraries, seven shrine libraries and 14 lending depots and reading rooms.

These libraries have a rich repository of around 13 lakh books including 5000 rare books and 6000 manuscripts in different languages.

The number of registered members in the public libraries of J&K is around 90,000 and the annual footfall of users is around 2.80 lakh.