The Public Library In India

Libraries were recognized very old in India. Whether its legend or history, as the story goes, the name of Vikrmadiyta is associated with Ujjain, who cultivated the muses and left a permanent imprint on the social and cultural tradition of India. A Public library is one that serves the entire population of a community. Everyone in the society, in spite of nationality, competition, shade, faith, grow old, sex, status, learning attainments, language or any such considerations has a claim to service as a matter of right. Beginning of 20th century the libraries were only open for specific persons of the society not for general public. The efforts for general use of libraries in India were only done during 20th century, which is known as library

‘The Maharaja calls W. A. Borden from America for organizing the library system of the state. He organized library training classes, started a journal named Library Miscellany, established the State Central Library with separate wings for women and children. In about 20 years almost all towns and about 1,100 villages had libraries of their own.’ Like this in this way the modern Public Library movement in India is said to have begun in Baroda during the first decade of the century. ‘The subscription library started at the Fort Williams in 1770 was later on converted into a public library in the early 19th century. A few public libraries started appearing sporadically here and there during the same period in the country.’ Notable among them are: The Aarsha Granthalayam, Waltair, United services Library, Poona, Raghunandan Library, Puriand Bombay General Library. These were followed by those started in Cochin, Ernakulam, Trichur and Nasik. Mr. J.H.Stocqual drafted a scheme for the establishment of a public library in

After independence it was again named as National Library of India in 1948.’ The first great land mark in the past of the public libraries in the history of India was visible in 1808 while the administration of Bombay Province started a scheme for registering libraries to which in print from the ‘funds for the support of Literature’ were to be given. The second milestone in the history of public libraries was enactment of ‘Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867’. It desired the copier to deliver solitary or additional copies of book to the Provincial Government, if it so desired, for the purpose of preparing a Quarterly Catalogue of such