Navigating through the Evolving Landscape of Libraries in India

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body,” says Joseph Addison.

Did you know that 15 minutes of daily reading can make people feel 69% more accomplished, 55% more relaxed and 33% happier? Reading books helps broaden the mind, ignite imagination, boost creative thinking, sharpen logical reasoning, and nurture emotional intelligence. As per the survey conducted by the NOP World Culture Score Index, people in India read 10.4 hours every week and rank highest among 30 major countries.

India’s Public Library Scenario
India has about 70,817 public libraries, out of which 4,580 libraries are located in urban areas. These figures suggest that there’s approximately one rural library serving every 11,500 individuals, while in urban areas there’s about one library for every 80,000 people. Even though the expansion of libraries has been notable since independence, libraries have long grappled with maintenance and upkeep issues. Currently, libraries in India encounter numerous challenges, such as space constraints, inadequate staffing, and improper management.

The Chairperson of the Bihar Vidhan Sabha Library Committee stated that Bihar had 540 public libraries in the 1950s, out of which only 51 remain operational today.  The committee also highlighted that six districts—Kaimur, Arwal, Sheohar, Sheikhpura, Banka, and Kishanganj—lack any libraries at all. In the face of declining public library usage in India, numerous state governments, motivated individuals, and NGOs endeavour to establish new libraries, enhance existing ones with digital resources, and promote a culture of reading in remote areas.

Government and Community Initiatives in Expanding Library Access
The Tamil Nadu government has allocated a budget of 3 crore rupees to establish 100 small libraries and reading centres in public locations like district hospitals and bus terminals. Similarly, the central government has earmarked Rs 5000 crore for Jammu and Kashmir to improve public library infrastructure and expand services in 2024. This includes providing better access to books and digital resources from the National Digital Library of India for children and adolescents in rural and semi-urban areas. Despite efforts from the government to establish new libraries or upgrade existing ones, the absence of a comprehensive national library policy has resulted in marginalised communities being deprived of access to these vital public resources.

There’s an increasing trend of individuals establishing mini-libraries and fostering a culture of reading in smaller towns and rural areas. Sathyanarayan Mundayoor from Kerala, also known as Uncle Moosa, has been instrumental in promoting education in Arunachal Pradesh. He has organised book exhibitions and set up 13 Bamboosa Library libraries as part of the Lohit Youth Library Movement in a town called Tezu. Similarly, a queer activist from Assam, Rituparna Neog initiated an online storytelling initiative, primarily targeting children. Inspired by this, she set up two free libraries in Jorhat with an initial collection of 600 books, now expanded to 1200. Likewise, Aarti Sethi, an anthropology professor at UC Berkeley, is actively involved in expanding library access in rural India. In January 2024, she hosted a reading session in Yavatmal District, Maharashtra, to enhance access to information for marginalised communities.

Dasgupta and Co., one of the oldest bookstores, transformed its second floor into a free library that aims to bridge the gap between knowledge and affordability. Bakul Foundation, based in Bhubaneswar, initiated the ‘DONATE BOOKS: BUILD A LIBRARY’ campaign in 2005, leading the library movement in Odisha. These public libraries have now expanded to Cuttack, Paralakhemundi, Biswanathpur, and 15 Model School Libraries in Bhubaneswar, Ganjam, and Malkangiri, and are open to everyone free of charge.

Emerging Trends of Mini Libraries
To promote reading habits among youngsters, especially students, mini roadside libraries called ‘Little Free Libraries’ have been set up in Aizawl by Dr. Lawmzuala and Dr. Lallaisangzuali. Inspired by the little free libraries of Aizawl, sisters from Arunachal Pradesh, Ngurang Meena and Reena, started roadside libraries in Papum Pare, Kurung Kumey, and Tirap districts. Perukulam, named as Kerala’s “book village” in 2021, has 14 locations where locals can exchange and borrow books. The village, home to 5,000 people, is fostering a sense of community reading. A group of women have founded a small library at an old age home in Pujali, a town in West Bengal. The library has 400 books and magazines in Bengali, English, and Hindi. It caters to a generation accustomed to reading physical books rather than using electronic devices.

Likewise, a group of 17 young individuals launched free mini libraries at Zingkat Wonra Park in Halang village, Ukhrul district, Manipur, offering a serene reading environment. The 'Library OneTwo' project in Udhagamandalam and Coonoor, initiated by Madhavan Pillai, Shobana Chandrashekar, and Anita Nanjapa from The Nilgiris Mountain Arts Initiative (TNMAI), allows residents to freely exchange books from boxes placed in public areas. The initiative has rapidly gained popularity among the locals in both towns. Mr. Pon Mariappan of Thoothukudi manages a small library within his salon, featuring a collection of 900 books in both Tamil and English. He provides a Rs. 30 discount (from his regular Rs. 80 haircut fee) to customers who read a minimum of 10 pages of any book and write about it while seated in his salon.

Digital Libraries on the rise
Earlier, academicians and non-academicians relied heavily on libraries for information access. However, there has been a noticeable shift in recent times. The footfall in libraries is decreasing steadily, with former library users now opting for online resources in their day-to-day pursuits. However, many of these libraries are undergoing digital transformation to increase their user base.

As part of the Smart City initiative, the historic Amir-ud-Daula Public Library in Lucknow, founded in 1868, is transitioning to digital platforms. This move allows access to its extensive collection of more than 1.6 lakh books in digital format. Similarly, as part of the Smart City Mission, 80 digital libraries have been developed, like the Modern Doon Library in Dehradun and the Nalanda Parisar Oxy Reading Zone Library in Raipur. Similarly, the Allahabad Government Public Library in Prayagraj is undergoing a renovation.

Cultural Shifts in Community Reading and Need of Amenities
While public libraries witness a decline in demand, there’s been a significant surge in the popularity of private study centres and reading rooms, particularly among individuals preparing for competitive exams. In Jaipur, these private study centres are in high demand as they offer amenities such as air-conditioned halls, comfortable seating arrangements, WiFi access, and a silent studying environment, which are often lacking in hostels and shared accommodations. The lack of basic amenities like clean toilets and coolers is one of the reasons for the shift in demand for private reading rooms over public libraries. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) established public libraries in various slums within the city to serve school students and young people; although these libraries have been positively received by residents, they lack basic amenities such as access to drinking water and restroom facilities.

Increase in Reading Post-Pandemic
Despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19, there has been a notable rise of 30-40% in bookstore sales in Bangalore. Prakash Kambathalli, the owner of Ankita Pustaka in Gandhi Bazaar, stated that their online store, launched in 2020, has seen significant growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that the majority of their sales come from people living in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

Nielsen’s study on the impact of COVID-19 on the Indian Book Consumer reveals an increase in reading hours from 9 to 16 per week. Additionally, genres such as Self-help, Spirituality, History, and Enterprise have gained popularity among readers. The traditional libraries and bookstores such as Cambridge Book Depot in Mussoorie, Maria Brothers in Shimla, Rachna Bookstore in Gangtok, and Faqir-Chand And Sons in New Delhi continue to draw in their loyal customer base.

Reclaiming Spaces for Reading
Citizens from bigger cities like Bengaluru are reclaiming public spaces, engaging in mindfulness practices, and broadening their social connections through participation in a community reading program that has been active for more than a year. Cubbon Reads which originated in Bengaluru has now extended its reach beyond borders to cities like London, Paris, Boston, Ashburn, San Jose, and Johannesburg. Although metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi have multiple silent reading chapters, the silent reading movement has also made its way to smaller cities like Kochi, Pune, Pondicherry, and Dehradun.

Reading in modern times has been an activity that goes beyond the walls of traditional libraries, as people now embrace public spaces for community reading. Some, particularly those in academia or preparing for competitive exams, find solace in private reading rooms/libraries, as they remain open during the wee hours and provide an ambient atmosphere for focused reading. Despite the rise of online book ordering, individuals still cherish the charm of visiting quaint bookstores in both bustling cities and smaller towns. The passion for reading, whether driven by personal interest or academic pursuits, has undergone significant digital transformation.

This year, on the occasion of World Book Day, the theme “Read Your Way” encapsulates that reading as an activity lives on while acknowledging the evolving methods of reading.

Where do people in your city go to read? Have you ever visited a public library in your city? Let us know in the comments section below!