Funding Indian public libraries

P. Jayarajan

What we know ?

• 1.25 billion people (125 crore)• 72 % living in rural areas/villages• In about 640,000 villages

• Also know that a large percentage of our educated public don’t have access to any type of libraries, other than public libraries, but they don’t go there!!

• We have an outdated public library system

What we don’t know?

• How much India spends currently on public libraries?

– Guess estimate is Rs. 4,000 crore!

• How many public libraries we have?– Again guess estimate is 100,000 plus

What is desirable ?

One good library for a cluster of 10 villages

Thus a total of 60,000 plus rural libraries

And many libraries in town and cities

.

• Need Rs 30,000 crore or even more !!

• From where this level of funding can come from ?

• Can’t expect government alone to fund

India Public Library Fund?

• A new model for public library funding

• Centrally managed India Public Library Fund (IPLF)?

IPLF

• Contributions to IPLF coming from – Central government– State governments– Public sector undertakings– Ministries– Corporate houses– CSR funding– International agencies– Indian agencies– Individuals

Media campaign

• Complement with a high profile media campaign– Brand ambassador– Celebrities and commoners speaking about

reading and public libraries– Partnership with media channels– Seek contributions to IPLF from anyone and

everyone

IPLA

• Form a new India Public Library Association : IPLA

• IPLA to play a key role

Summary

• IPLF

• Public library campaign

• IPLA

.

Thank you

jayarajan45@gmail.com

91 9605183684 919495694654