Civil services aspirants and children visiting the District Central Library are in for a ‘cool’ time soon, as the State government has sanctioned funds to provide air-condition to two sections of the library. Several new facilities are also in the pipeline, said district library officer A.P Sivakumar.
“The State government has allocated Rs. 5 lakh for organising storytelling and other interactive programmes at the children’s section. Funds have been allocated for decorating the premises, including an artificial lawn, for which the works are in progress ,” he said.
“The government has allocated Rs. 50 lakh for modernising the library. Solar panels have been sanctioned to power the lights ,” he added.
Several new proposals have been forwarded, including using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for identifying books. Once implemented, the technology would not only help in locating books but would prevent theft by triggering an alarm, Mr. Sivakumar said.
“Every month we will continue to conduct awareness programmes, to introduce our members to new books and provide discussion forums for people to share their book reading experience,” he said.
The library, which was inaugurated on its new premises last month, sees approximately 600 visitors a day. At least 300 books were borrowed every day, Mr. Sivakumar said and added that readers could extend their book lending period through phone or email. The exclusive section for differently abled is equipped with a scanner, and a reading machine helped members listen to books in an audio format. Braille books were available for the visually impaired.
The library has an 100 kV generator for power-backup. “The internet browsing section will be inaugurated within a week. We have purchased 20 new computers in addition to the existing 10. Once the broadband connection is given, the centre will be opened for public,” said Naushad Ali, assistant librarian, District Central Library.
A photocopying and scanning section for the staff to process new books before sending them to sub-district libraries or to the relevant sections in the library would be opened soon, Mr. Naushad said.
