The editorial “Reinventing libraries” (March 30) rightly points out to the true and pathetic condition of public libraries in our country. As long as the libraries are treated as a State subject, the chances of their survival, let alone improvement, are grim. All of us know that crores of rupees collected by the State government in the form of library cess are either diverted or misused.
Public libraries are ignored in spite of their direct contribution to literacy through non-formal/distance education and life-long learning of the masses. It is true that funding is not a problem but there are other factors such as lack of proper buildings and furniture, shortage of professional staff, low salaries and, above all, a casual attitude of those in power.
M. Koteswara Rao,
Hyderabad
