7 library buildings in city will be renovated

Mysuru

: National

Library

Week is being organized across the state to give a new dimension to libraries and attract people towards libraries.

The department of public libraries and the district library are jointly organizing the programme in all districts from November 14 to 20. Mayor B L Bhyrappa and ZP president Nayeema Sultana inaugurated the programme by offering floral tributes to the portrait of S R Ranganth, the father of library sciences in India, at Kalamandir here on Monday.

The weeklong programme aims at increasing enrolment in libraries to encourage people to get hooked to

reading

. Sathish Kumar Hosamani, director of the department of public libraries, said that in some parts of the state, women have outnumbered men in enrolment. Udupi, Mangaluru and Karwar top the list, he added.

“Collecting

cess

which is due from local bodies is essential to ensure infrastructure in libraries. MCC owes Rs 9 crore, while Mysuru Urban Development Authority is still to pay Rs 9 lakh. Various municipal corporations and gram panchayats across the state have to pay Rs 5 crore. With that money, we can renovate and develop old library buildings,” he said.

New libraries have been planned in Hebbal, Vishweshwara Nagar, Jayanagar, Kuvempunagar, while a city central library will come up at People’s Park. Seven library buildings will be renovated in a phased manner, he claimed.

Mayor B L Bhyrappa said that various programmes and drives will be launched to create awareness on libraries and reading. They will also conduct contests for students so they are attracted towards libraries.

The department felicitated best librarians on the occasion. ZP president Nayeema Sultana, Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd chairman H A Venkatesh, additional regional commissioner Somashekhar, corporator Sunil and University of Mysore library chief Ramashesh were present.

The department took out a rally, complete with a mobile library, from the city central library to Kalamandir, the venue of the programme. The valedictory of the library week will be held in Dhaward on November 20.