The dusty smell of trotting past the wooden aisles, the coffee-tinted pages of vintage books, and the walls that have witnessed the birth of millions of great minds over the generations are all exponentially serene experiences—the exquisite experience of an authentic library. A small experiment of asking the preceding second or third generation in your family about their thoughts on walk-in libraries compared to the digital library would be enough to tilt your head towards the former. The raw and insightful visits to physical libraries are unparalleled.
Upcoming of Digital Resources
The onset of the internet laid out easy access to many online resources that were extremely handy and get-at-able. This led to massive deterioration and abandonment of physical libraries. Change is the ultimate truth of life, but in the haste of adopting newer ways, we must not eradicate the age-old practices.
Physical libraries provide a mountain of perks, some listed below
Preserving Collective Wisdom
Libraries stand as custodians of our collective wisdom, safeguarding humanity’s written and printed treasures. Within their walls, timeless classics, historical documents, and contemporary works coexist, offering invaluable research, education, and inspiration resources.
Empowering Communities
Beyond being repositories of knowledge, libraries are essential in empowering communities. They serve as inclusive spaces that welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering an environment of tolerance, understanding, and intellectual curiosity. Libraries offer free access to information, bridging the digital divide and enabling those without internet access to engage in lifelong learning, job searches, and personal development.
Cultivating Lifelong Learning
Libraries are sanctuaries of lifelong learning, providing opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. They offer many educational programs, workshops, and lectures catering to various interests and age groups. From children’s storytelling sessions to adult book clubs and language courses, libraries encourage intellectual stimulation, curiosity, and continuous learning throughout all stages of life.
Official Initiatives to Revive Public Libraries
Some recent developments in many Indian states have tried to revive the joy for public libraries by enhancing their features and access, like the Upgradation of 5600-gram panchayat libraries under the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, along with the installation of computers and internet connectivity in 4000 of these libraries. A significant enrollment was witnessed in these libraries amongst the age group of 6-18 years. Incorporating children’s books, training librarians, orienting teachers in the neighboring schools, and increasing outreach to enroll students are part of the reformation initiative.
A lot of data and surveys concur with the fact that schools having well-functioning libraries have had better outcomes in terms of students’ development. It is testified by the National Achievement Survey 2017 that 91% of the schools in the 10 highest achieving states have a functional library, on the other hand in the 10 lowest achieving states, the percentage of schools with libraries is slim to 62%. The current Union Budget has taken up the initiative to incorporate the establishment of physical libraries at panchayat and ward levels along with the provision of a National Digital Library.
Another excellent push for the idea has been elaborated by Bal Bharati Library in Pune, belonging to the Maharashtra State Textbook Production and Curriculum Research Board. Formerly oriented towards restrictive access, the library has now opened its doors, giving the public generous access to over one lakh books.
