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7th December 2006
Dear Mr.
Prime Minister,
Public libraries play a pivotal role in dissemination of
knowledge. In your inaugural address for the National Knowledge Commission on 2nd August
2005, you had recognized public libraries as an extremely important element of
the foundation of a knowledge economy. Following up from this, the NKC has
consulted extensively with diverse stakeholders. As part of this process, we
also constituted a Working Group of experts and professionals. Their names are
listed at the end of this letter. There is a widespread agreement that there is
an urgent need for reform in the Libraries and Information Services (LIS)
sector. Several initiatives in this regard have already been taken by the
Government. Our recommendations for formulating strategies in the LIS sector
are as follows:
1.0 Set up a National Commission on
Libraries: A permanent, independent and financially autonomous National
Commission on Libraries should be eventually set up by the Central Government
as a statutory body to address all the information and learning needs of the
citizens of India.
To launch the process in mission mode, a National Mission on Libraries should
be set up immediately, for a period of three years. The
Mission should subsequently be converted into
a Permanent Commission. Further details regarding the role of the proposed
National Mission/
Commission on Libraries are at Annexure 1.
2.0 Prepare a National Census of all
Libraries: A national census of all libraries should be prepared by
undertaking a nation-wide survey. Collection of census data on libraries would
provide baseline data for planning. The Task Force that has been set up by the
Department of Culture for this purpose should be given financial and
administrative support to implement this activity and complete the survey on a
priority basis (within one year). Survey of user needs and reading habits
should be periodic at the national level as part of the National Sample Survey.
3.0 Revamp LIS Education, Training and
Research facilities: The proposed Mission/ Commission on Libraries must assess
as soon as possible the manpower requirements of the country in the area of LIS
management, and take necessary steps to meet the country’s requirement through
LIS education and training. To keep the LIS sector abreast of latest
developments, necessary encouragement should be given to research after
evaluating the research status in this field. Establishing a well equipped
institute for advanced training and research in library and information science
and services would provide the necessary impetus to this task. Further details
regarding the functions and organizational structure of the proposed Institute
(Indian Institute of Library and Information Science (ILIS)) are at Annexure 2.
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