Kerala Library Council Oppose Moving of Libraries From State to Concurrent List

The Kerala Library Council (KLC) has opposed the proposal of the Union government to move libraries from the state list to the concurrent list. The Director General of Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, Ajay Pratap Singh, informed the plans to frame a law for the purpose. 

Contrary to other states, the libraries in Kerala are affiliated with the library council, funded by the state government and not controlled by the Union Ministry of Culture. Around 9,515 libraries affiliated with the council have democratically elected representatives for the library, taluk, district and state levels. 

The Minister for Higher Education in Kerala and the representatives of the council who attended the 'Festival of Libraries 2023' held in New Delhi registered their discontent regarding the matter. 

The comments of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on mooting the idea of 'One Nation, One Digital Library' has also raised concerns. The KLC has flagged the move as an attempt to introduce regressive literature to libraries nationwide. 

LIBRARY CULTURE IN KERALA

Kerala is known for its unique culture with a strong network of public libraries. It has 9,515 libraries, excluding the ones in schools, colleges, universities, and private libraries. While Maharashtra has the highest number of libraries in the country, Kerala has the highest density. 

The Kerala government allocates not more than 1% of the budgetary allocation for education to libraries, along with a 5% cess on building tax for establishing, constructing, and operationalising the libraries.  

Libraries, particularly in rural areas, are part of the socio-cultural system in the state, playing an active role in increasing the literacy rate and progressive thoughts in the state. 

"Libraries in Kerala are not just book lending places," said V K Madhu, the secretary of Kerala Library Council, to NewsClick. 

"The public contributes generously and participates in ensuring smooth functioning of the public libraries. They are independent and democratic institutions, acting as a catalyst for social change. The public libraries have played a key role in what modern Kerala has achieved in the social and cultural sectors," Madhu added. 

The democratic process entails the election of council members by the enrolled members in each library; such elected members from the libraries elect the taluk council members. This process is further followed in electing the district and state councils. 

"Kerala Public Libraries Act has played an important role in establishing and sustaining a self-sufficient, healthy and robust system, which is now a part of the culture of the state," Madhu added. 

The two-day festival held on August 5 and 6 was inaugurated by President Draupati Murmu and the valedictory session was inaugurated by the Vice President. 

Speaking during the second day of the conference on August 6, Dr R Bindu expressed her concerns about the proposal to move libraries from the state to the concurrent list. 

ATTEMPT TO INTRODUCE REGRESSIVE LITERATURE

The announcement about shifting the libraries from the state subject to the concurrent list of the Constitution of India has met with resistance from Kerala. The KLC has raised concerns over the present democratic structure providing opportunities for creativity and diversity of ideas. 

"The libraries have been secular public places and have helped in maintaining a social environment free from sectarian thinking. The present move will lead to introducing superstitious beliefs and rejecting science texts," Madhu asserted. 

The KLC has objected to the idea of 'One Nation, One Digital Library' mooted during the conference. All the libraries, irrespective of their potential, culture, and democratic values, would be brought under the Union Ministry of Culture and be controlled by the bureaucracy. 

"With modern technological advancements, any content can be transferred to all the libraries. With increasing communalisation of textbooks, including the NCERT books, we are afraid of such unscientific and communal contents being propagated to the younger generation," Madhu said. 

Concerns among the academic community regarding changes to NCERT books have been widely reported, which informs the basis of KLC’s apprehensions.

The Kerala Library Council (KLC) has opposed the proposal of the Union government to move libraries from the state list to the concurrent list. The Director General of Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation, Ajay Pratap Singh informed the plans to frame a law for the purpose. 

Contrary to other states, the libraries in Kerala are affiliated with the library council, funded by the state government and not controlled by the Union Ministry of Culture. Around 9,515 libraries affiliated with the council have democratically elected representatives for the library, taluk, district and state levels. 

The Minister for Higher Education in Kerala and the representatives of the council who attended the 'Festival of Libraries 2023' held in New Delhi registered their discontent regarding the matter. 

The comments of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on mooting the idea of 'One Nation, One Digital Library' has also raised concerns. The KLC has flagged the move as an attempt to introduce regressive literature to libraries nationwide. 

LIBRARY CULTURE IN KERALA

Kerala is known for its unique culture with a strong network of public libraries. It has 9,515 libraries, excluding the ones in schools, colleges, universities, and private libraries. While Maharashtra has the highest number of libraries in the country, Kerala has the highest density