NML capacity-building programme begins at AU; ₹3.10 crore sanctioned for AP libraries

The 56th Capacity Building Program for public library staff of the National Mission for Libraries (NML) began on Thursday at Kodandaramaiah Auditorium, Andhra University, organized by the Department of Library and Information Science. The five-day training, which will end on July 27, will bring together public library professionals from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Chhattisgarh.

To talk HinduMr. Dipanjan Chatterjee, FA, NML, said that the mission was launched in 2014 by the then president Pranab Mukherjee on the recommendation of the National Knowledge Commission. “It has four components: establishing model public libraries across the country, conducting qualitative and quantitative research on public libraries, organizing capacity building programs for library professionals, and developing the National Virtual Library of India, currently known as the Indian Culture Portal.” he said, adding that the first three components were implemented by the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, while the Culture Portal was managed by IIT Bombay.

Mr. Chatterjee said 55 such programs have been completed so far and more than 2,500 professionals have been trained. He noted that the current session will focus on KOHA, a free and open-source library automation software currently used by institutions including the National Library in Kolkata, along with improving services for Divyangjan, use of artificial intelligence and ICT tools, and bookbinding, which he described as a “dying profession” but still essential for scientific preservation of library resources.

Delivering the keynote address, Vice-Chancellor GP Raja Sekhar observed that library culture is undergoing a revolution globally but Indian institutions are yet to match international standards both in terms of technology adoption and infrastructure maintenance. He called for greater efforts to attract students to libraries beyond those preparing for competitive exams, emphasizing: “The library is not just for people preparing for competitive exams. The library is for everyone.”

On the issue of funding, Mr. Chatterjee clarified that since libraries are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule, Central assistance was released only on the recommendation of the State Library Planning Committee at the Center-State ratio of 75:25. For Andhra Pradesh, ₹ 2.23 crore has been sanctioned for the State Central Library in Amaravati and ₹ 87 lakh for the Sri Gowthami District Library in Rajamahendravaram, he said. While the entire amount for the latter was released, the Center was still waiting for the State’s matching share for the Amaravati library.

Participants will also visit reputable public and university libraries during the program as part of the training module.