The District Central Library, Warangal Urban, that was neglected for long would soon see better days with the government appointing Chairman for the State-run libraries in all the districts.
Established in 1961, the State-run library here has 75 regional libraries under its jurisdiction. It has been facing fund crunch and staff shortage for many years now. No recruitment has been taken up for almost two decades while the library has been functioning without a head for about three years.
The problems that the district library has been facing seem endless. The libraries under it have no proper building to function while those that have are either dilapidated or lack furniture. The District Central Library has 29 vacancies to fill while fund crunch has hindered the process of book supply.
Speaking to The Hindu , Library Secretary Padmaja said they have been functioning without new books, funds or furniture. “If we get a new Chairman, we can develop the libraries under us. We hope to see better days ahead.”
She also opined that bifurcation of libraries among the five new districts formed out of the erstwhile Warangal district would solve many a problem as that would help the libraries get equal funds from the government.
The District Central Library registers a footfall of about 400 visitors a day, with half of them being students who frequent the library to read newspapers and books for competitive examinations. There has been no new addition to the book collection, discouraging the readers from visiting the library.
The story isn’t different with other libraries under it. The library building at Vangara in Bheemadevarapalli is dilapidated. The State government had sanctioned ₹10 lakh years ago, but work could not be completed for want of funds. At Elkaturhty in Hasanparthy mandal, the library is being run in a private building with no regular staff.
The newly-appointed Chairman Aziz Khan said the past glory of the District Central Library would be restored soon securing more funds from the State government.
