Experts at Manipur University called for stronger collaboration to modernise public libraries across Northeast India, highlighting Rs 2.23 crore support for the State Central Library under the National Mission on Libraries.
Imphal, August 2: Public libraries in Northeast India can play a much larger role in promoting education, research, digital inclusion and community development if supported through stronger institutional collaboration, modern infrastructure and adequate professional manpower, speakers observed during a panel discussion held at Manipur University on Saturday.
The discussion, titled "Role of the National Mission on Libraries in Promoting Library Services in North Eastern India," was organised by the Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur University. It brought together faculty members, students of Library and Information Science, and public library personnel from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
The panel featured Prof. Ch. Ibohal Singh, Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur University; Dr. Goutam Kumar Sarma, Deputy Librarian, Tezpur University; and Shri Dipanjan Chatterjee from the National Mission on Libraries under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
The panellists discussed strategies to strengthen the public library system in the Northeast through coordinated efforts involving the National Mission on Libraries (NML), the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), state governments and academic institutions.
Funding support for Northeast libraries
The panel highlighted that the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation has been extending annual financial assistance to public libraries in the Northeast under various development schemes through a 90:10 funding pattern.
In Manipur, proposals submitted by public libraries are scrutinised by the State Library Planning Committee, chaired by the Commissioner of Art and Culture, before being recommended for financial assistance under different RRRLF schemes.
Speaking during the discussion, Dipanjan Chatterjee outlined the National Mission on Libraries' initiatives aimed at modernising public libraries through infrastructure development, technological upgradation, digital services, advocacy programmes and professional capacity building.
He informed participants that under the Mission, the State Central Library, Imphal, has received Rs 2.23 crore, while the District Library, Senapati, has been sanctioned Rs 87 lakh.
The assistance has supported infrastructure improvement, technological upgrades, procurement of books and digital resources, facilities for Divyangjan users and community outreach programmes.
Need for professional manpower
The panel observed that the role of public libraries has expanded significantly in recent years, requiring them to move beyond conventional book lending to provide automated services, digital access, reading promotion and community engagement programmes.
However, the speakers noted that infrastructure investments alone would not be sufficient unless libraries are supported with qualified professionals capable of managing modern information services.
The discussion also pointed out that public libraries fall under the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, making their establishment, staffing and day-to-day administration the responsibility of respective state governments.
Affordable modernisation through KOHA
Dr. Goutam Kumar Sarma said modernising public libraries need not require heavy investment.
He explained that a library already equipped with a building, books and electricity could be converted into a fully automated facility using the open-source KOHA Integrated Library Management System at an estimated cost of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
He suggested that the Manipur Government could begin with a pilot project covering selected public libraries before expanding automation across the state.
According to him, adopting digital library management systems would improve accessibility, efficiency and resource management while making public libraries more relevant in the digital era.
Manipur's early contribution to library movement
Prof. Ch. Ibohal Singh highlighted Manipur's historical contribution to India's public library movement.
He noted that although the public library movement in India began in 1907, the then princely State of Manipur initiated its own organised library movement in 1927.
He further recalled that Manipur was among the early states to enact public library legislation through the Manipur Public Libraries Act, 1988.
Prof. Ibohal said the effective implementation of the long-pending provisions of the Act, backed by adequate professional manpower and institutional mechanisms, would significantly strengthen the state's public library network.
Proposal for library internship programme
In his concluding remarks, Prof. Ibohal, who also serves as President of the Manipur Library Association, proposed that the State Government introduce a structured internship programme for graduates and postgraduates of the Department of Library and Information Science, Manipur University.
He suggested engaging qualified students as library interns on a stipend basis through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Government and Manipur University.
He noted that similar internship models are already functioning successfully in several Central Government organisations and state governments.
According to him, such a programme would provide practical professional experience to young library science graduates while helping public libraries complete pending technical and professional work.
It would also ensure better utilisation of infrastructure and financial assistance already provided to libraries under various central schemes.
Strengthening libraries across the Northeast
The panellists unanimously stressed the importance of continued collaboration between the Government of India, northeastern state governments, academic institutions and library professionals to strengthen the region's public library network.
They observed that well-equipped and professionally managed public libraries would play a vital role in preserving the Northeast's rich cultural heritage, promoting education and research, encouraging reading habits, supporting lifelong learning and ensuring equitable access to knowledge and information for all sections of society.
