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The libraries in the past were considered merely store houses of books and the librarians were custodian. It was a passive and archival institution. Over the years the public library has become a service institution, and its aim being to enable the users to make effective use of the resources and services of the libraries.
For the growth and development of
society, communication of knowledge has become increasingly
important. Since a public library is for the people at large, its
main function is to provide for their inspiration, recreation,
information and education. The clientele it serves, covers a wide
spectrum- students, researchers, intellectuals, bureaucrats,
housewives, neo-literate, retired persons etc. Given a variation in the
educational background
of the users the library has to serve and fulfil the demands of
all. `UNESCO'
defined a Public Library as an institution which serves the
population or the
community or region free of charge and thus make it distinctly
unique from other similar institutions which cater only to small,
special groups. It is
basically linked up with social welfare since public library is a
living force of people's education. The Central State Library is a
beehive of intellectual activities. Since its very inception it
has carved a niche for itself in academic, literary and social
circles of city beautiful.
The library has a regular flow of visitors representing a
cross-section of the populace of this region. Students, bureaucrats,
doctors, engineers, children flock to the library as it affords a
wide spectrum of books covering a large range of topics. Bibliophiles have a special
affinity for it, as the latest books are the earliest to reach this
library. The library has given a positive thrust to book-culture and
related activities. Central State Library caters to the demand of
northern sectors and villages of the Chandigarh with a network of
two branches, a reading room and a mobile van. This library network
development has given a new impetus to book culture. People have free access to
the quintessential reading material virtually at their
doorstep. The
Chandigarh Public
Library System was initiated in 1955 under First Year Plan. This was covered under
the scheme of Govt. of India."Promotion of Art and Culture." After
reorganisation of the state of Punjab it came under the control of
Chandigarh Administration. The liberal grants by the Chandigarh
Administration has helped the library grow rapidly to fulfil the
divergent demand of the readers. It has a State Library
Planning Committee under the Chairmanship of Home and Education
Secretary, and Joint Secretary Finance cum DPI(c) is the
Vice-Chairman. Eminent educationist and nominee of Raja Ram Mohan
Roy Library Foundation are the members. The Committee meets at
regular intervals to discuss and suggest policies for the
development of library systems.
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