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PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVEMENT IN KERALA – THE HUNDRED YEARS OF INTROSPECTION. DR. SUDHA A. DEPUTY LIBRARIAN KANNUR UNIVERSITY KERALA. KERALA. formed in 1956 of the two erstwhile States of Travancore and Cochin and Malabar, a district of erstwhile Madras Presidency.
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PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVEMENT IN KERALA – THE HUNDRED YEARS OF INTROSPECTION DR. SUDHA A. DEPUTY LIBRARIAN KANNUR UNIVERSITY KERALA
KERALA formed in 1956 • of the two erstwhile States of Travancore and Cochin and • Malabar, a district of erstwhile Madras Presidency. • Each of the constituent areas had its own library movement
EARLY PUBLIC LIBRARY MOVEMENT IN TRAVANCORE • History started with the establishment of Trivandrum Public library in 1829.
Trivandrum public library (1829) • Founded by Col. Edward Codogan. • In 1897, the library’s entire assets were handed over to the Govt. • In 1899, it was opened to the public. • In 1939, it was transferred to the University of Travancore. • In 1949, the govt. resumed the control of the library.
PEOPLE’S library(1862) • John Alan Brown took initiative to establish the library. • The major objective was the continued education of the natives. • The Govt. had taken a keen interest in the affairs of the library. • In 1899, the Govt. had taken over the library assets. • In 1899, it merged with the Trivandrum Public Library.
GENESIS OF THE STATE CENTRAL LIBRARY • In 1955, the Govt. sanctioned Rs. 6.93 lakhs for converting Trivandrum Public Library into State Central Library. • The convenor of the library committee was appointed as the State Librarian. • The State Central Library is a separate department of the Govt. • In 1959, the State Central Library came into existence.
LIBRARY CONFERENCES • The first conference in 1925. • The second conference in 1934. • The third conference in 1937.
SUPPORT BY THE RULERS OF TRAVANCORE • Rules for grant-in-aid to the libraries • The libraries were categorized into nine grades. • Introduction of rural library system • libraries as part of govt. primary schools
IN COCHIN • Ernakulam Public Library(1861), the first public library in Cochin • Establishment of public libraries, rural libraries, and village libraries • Samastha Kerala pusthakalayaSamiti (All Kerala Library Committee), 1931 • All Cochin Public Library Conference (1946)
IN MALABAR • Library movement grew along with the national and political movement. • The workers’ unions and religious associations established many libraries. • Madras Govt. contributed much for the development of the public libraries. • Malabar Local Library Authority -was giving financial aid to the libraries -collected library cess -appointed qualified librarians
ROLE OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONs IN THE LIBRARY MOVEMENT • Trivandrum Public Library Society (1847) • Malabar Library Association (1937) • Kerala Granthalaya Sanghom (1943) • All Travancore Library Association (1945) • Cochin Library Association (1946) • Kerala Library Association (1958)
TOWARDS LIBRARY LEGISLATION • Draft Bill for Travancore prepared by S.R. Ranganathan (1946) • Model Library Bill prepared by S.R. Ranganathan (1957) • Kerala Public Libraries Bill (1969) • Kerala Public Libraries Bill (1971) • Kerala Granthasala Sanghom Draft Bill (1973) • Kerala Public Libraries Bill (1977) • Kerala Public Libraries Bill (1989) • Kerala Public Libraries (Kerala Granthasala Sanghom) Act, 1989
KERALA STATE LIBRARY COUNCIL • Consist of elected representative of District Library Councils; five nominated members, five ex-officio members. • First State Library Council (1994). • As per the Act, an amount not more than one percent set apart for education in the State budget is provided to the State Library Council. • SLC supervises and directs on all matters relating to library services in the State.
PRESENT SITUATION • 5250 libraries are affiliated to State Library Council. • Various programmes and services • Jail Libraries • Orphanage Libraries • Tribal Libraries • Heritage Libraries • Academic Study Centers • Rural Book Circulating Programmes • Model Village Libraries • Taluk Reference Libraries • Hospital Libraries • Reading contest for the students • Tuition classes for socially backward students
CONCLUSION • Hundred years of glorious history in the library movement. • Dedicated service of social workers. • People’s movement. • The govt. contributed much for the movement. • Rapid growth of public libraries in its number. • But multidimensional development is in a slow pace.
THANK YOU ALL