Corporators, locals rue poor state of Ahmedabad libraries

While the chief minister of the state is promoting 'Vaanche Gujarat' and trying to inculcate reading habit among the people, libraries in the city are in desperate need of a makeover. So said corporators of those wards where libraries are in a bad shape.

The recent book fair organised on a vast scale by the civic body puts the poor state of libraries in the spotlight. In fact, as some denizens remarked, it is permanent well-equipped libraries that would inculcate the reading habit better than periodic book fairs.

The city presently has 51 municipal libraries, of which many are in bad shape and some have closed down due to poor public response. For instance, the library in Doshi wala ni Pol of Kalupur is in bad shape. Says corporator of Kalupur ward, Surendra Baxi, "The condition of the library is not good. Also, response from denizens is poor as the library has few books and magazines. In fact, the library has only 19 members and the number is set to fall further."

The library in Jamalpur named Lalbhai Kudiwala municipal library seems to be functioning irregularly. Locals said the library is open  during the morning only though the notice board mentions evening timings too. One of the residents of Jamalpur, Yusuf Motiwala said: "Many of the books I want to read are not available in this library. Also, the functioning of the library is very irregular."

Jamalpur residents made suggestions to improve the condition of the library. One was that there be more general knowledge books for children and encyclopedias. "New books should be constantly be brought in," said Suresh Chauhan, a social worker. He said  residents have to go to MJ library for books and research material now. 

The library in Shahpur is witnessing similar problems in terms of infrastructure and books. Speaking to DNA, a corporator of the ward requesting anonymity said, "The municipal library in our ward doesn't have proper seating and choice of books is limited."  Three-year-old magazines, periodicals and newspapers are lying around. "The civic body should dispose these of and bring in new books and other reading material," he added.

Similarly, in Gomtipur ward, there are two reading rooms and one library which is devoid of new books. Though the condition of the library is good lack of new books is leading to lack of interest among the public, complained corporator of the ward, Iqbal Shaikh.