Rural libraries

A large number of libraries established in the rural areas of Assam over several decades are in dire straits. The reasons, as has been said, are several. While lack of proper patronage and funding of the government is only one factor, the absence of interest in reading books among a large section of people is however the most important reason. Looking back, one finds that the rural library movement in Assam was spearheaded by noted litterateur and educationist Kumudeswar Borthakur, at whose initiative the Sadau Assam Gramya Puthibharal Sangha (All Assam Rural Library Association) was established in 1938 after a number of rural libraries had sprung up across the state at his initiative. According to the Sangha, there are an estimated 5,000 big and small rural libraries across Assam, of which about 1,100 are currently registered. This figure is separate from the libraries that the schools and colleges have in the state. According to the Sangha, though it is mandatory for every library to be registered under the Societies Act, most of the rural libraries are not registered, be it with the government or with the Sangha itself. This is not appreciable. It is important to note that the Government of Assam had, way back in 1985, launched the ambitious Rural Library Scheme with a view to expanding the library services to the grassroots level and building up a sound network of library systems from the rural level to the state level. But then, while this scheme was supposed to render support to the rural libraries and help create a reading habit in rural areas. Though the provision of the government scheme is to create a rural library in every Gaon Panchayat area, the reality is that only 204 rural libraries are currently in existence—and that too only on paper—under this government scheme. According to the website of the Panchayat and Rural Development department of the state, there are over 2,200 Gaon Panchayats in Assam. The condition of most rural libraries under the control of the government is also deplorable. While the part-time librarian is the most neglected person in relation to remuneration due to the “voluntary’ service he or she renders, there have been reports that the condition of valuable books in such libraries is also alarming. The present Education Minister of Assam is known to be a voracious reader. It is probably time for him to take a call and make random visits to some of the rural libraries, irrespective of whether they are ‘run’ by the government or ‘run’ by the people.