SURVEY OF DISTRICT LIBRARIES IN LOWER ASSAM PJAEE, 17 (6) (2020)

SURVEY OF DISTRICT LIBRARIES IN LOWER ASSAM

Kankana Chakraborty
MLISc., Gauhati University, Ghy- 14
E-mail ID: kankanakashyap1234@gmail.com

Kankana Chakraborty: Survey of District Libraries in Lower Assam-- Palarch’s Journal

Of Archaeology Of Egypt/Egyptology 17(6). ISSN 1567-214x
Keywords: Public Library, District Library, Rural Library, Information provider, Rural
development.

ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the public library system in Assam. The
present scenario of the district libraries of Assam also included in this paper. For the survey,
there are total three districts are selected from lower Assam. And the interview method is used to
collect relevant data from the library professionals. Various primary and secondary literatures are
also studied to gain the knowledge about public library system in Assam. The finding of the
study reveals that the condition of the district libraries of Assam is not very impressive. Though
these three public libraries are rich in regard to their collection and staff, but the number of daily
users of the district libraries is not as par the expectation. And most of users visit the library for
reading newspapers. The finding also shows that due to the lack of the funds as well as
government initiative the libraries are not fulfill the requirements of the users of the libraries.
One more important finding is that the libraries are lacking behind in terms of using modern
technologies like computer and internet etc. which becomes a basic need of today’s generation.

1.Introduction:
The concept of library comes into existence with the interest of people to
preserve their knowledge for their future generation. The idea of library in
India was started in the ‘Ashrama’ where the gurus used to keep their personal
manuscripts in a separate place like temples and used them to teach their
students. So, at that ancient time the temples and religious places are used as a
library where the sacred books were kept. With the evolving society now
libraries are not only confined to a particular place or group of people.
Nowadays everyone can get their required information and knowledge without

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any barrier and this concept comes true with the development of public library.
So, basically public library is a place where books are stored and disseminated
for the common people without any discrimination of age, sex, qualification,
race etc.
2.Public Library system in Assam
Assam has a glorious history of art, culture and literature from the time of the
king’s rule. During the time of Ahom rulers they established a special place
which is called Gandhia Bharal. They used to keep their handwritten history
and other books related to medicine, folklore and science of house building etc.
Assam is rich with a very good collection of informative and artistic
manuscripts which are mainly composed by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva
and Mahapurush Srimanta Madhavdeva. They used to prepare ‘Sanchipat’
from the bark of the Agaru tree and various colorful inks from charcoal,
turmeric and flowers etc. Sankardeva had established ‘Satras’ which is a place
for religious practice as well as it acts like a source of informal education for
the illiterate people. So, it can be called the older version of modern public
library.
The idea of modern public library was commenced in the year 1903, when
British government established the Assam Government Public Library in
Shillong. At the same time the British government also established a good
number of Departmental libraries. Apart from that with a brilliant effort and
hard work in the field of library service Kumudeswar Borthakur expanded the
public library system in Assam. Borthakur gathered public and organized
meetings to aware them about the value of books and libraries. Because of the
great personality of Borthakur, the ‘Sadou Asom Puthibharal Sangtha’ (Assam
Library Association) was established in1938. He is considered as the father of
public library movement in Assam. British rulers had also established some
libraries at the district headquarters of seven districts named Guwahtai,
Nagaon, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Dhubri and silchar under Education
Development Scheme of ‘Improvement of Library’. In1974 after the division
of Assam the State Central Library was shifted to Guwahati from Shillong and
now it was upgraded to a separate Directorate to be known as ‘Directorate of
Library Service’ with the headquarter in Guwahati. Now the library service has
covered with one State Central Library, 23 District Libraries, 14 Sub-
divisional Libraries, 3 Branch Libraries almost 199 Rural Libraries. Directorate
of Library Services is functioning under the Cultural Affairs Department,
Government of Assam.
The organizational hierarchy of the public library system in the state at present
is as follows:

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Ministry of Culture, Government of Assam

Cultural Affairs Department

Directorate of Library Services (DLS), Assam

State Central Library District Library Sub-Divisional Library Branch Library

Rural Library

Figure 1: Organizational Structure of Library Services in Assam

(Source: https://publiclibraryservices.assam.gov.in/about-us/history-3)

3.Literature Review:
Literature review has its own importance. It helps the researchers to understand
the topic. Abraham (2010) mentioned Kerala public library movement in this
paper. The main aim of this paper was to deal with the role of public library in
promoting non-formal education in Kerala. Brahma& Singh (2010) deal with
rural librarianship. The author gives a clear view on public library in this paper.
Hussain (2018) discussed about libraries, types of library, and librarian’s role
in education. Umapathy (1973) deals with non- formal education and public
library service. Implications of library services in non- formal education are
mentioned in his article.
4. Objectives of the study:
The main objectives of this paper are-

• To study about the present scenario of public libraries system of Assam

• To study about the condition of the district libraries of Assam.
• To investigate the role of the public libraries towards the organizing user
awareness programme.
• To suggest some way to improve the public library system and services
through opinion and suggestion received from the respondents.

5. Methodology:
In any research, research methodology has a significant role. Without a proper
method, objective of a study cannot be come out. To achieve the objective of
this study survey method is used by the researcher. Personal interview,
telephonic interview and personal observation technique are used to assemble

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the data. Various primary and secondary literatures are also considered to reach
the knowledge about public library system in Assam. In this research, only
three district libraries of lower assam are included which are District Library,
Dhubri, District Library, Kokrajhar and District Library, Nalbari.

6. Survey Report:
District Library Dhubri –
In the year 1956 District library Dhubri was established. This library is one of
the first seven libraries of Assam which are established during the British rule.
Dipali Chetia Gogoi is working as Librarian i/c of this library.The library is
situated in Boro Bazar, Dhubri.
District library, Dhubri has a huge collection of books, newspapers and also
magazines of different languages. It has a children’s corner where reading as
well as playing materials are available for the kids. Raja Rammohon Roy
Library Foundation (RRRLF) provided a huge collection of reading materials
to the library as well as playing materials for the overall development of the
children. The library subscribes magazines for the benefit of young users like
competitive examination study material, general knowledge etc. Under the
District Library Dhubri, there is one sub-divisional and eleven registered rural
libraries at present. The list of the libraries under the District Library Dhubri is
as follows:
Sub-divisional Library –
Table-1: Sub- divisional library under District Library, Dhubri

Sl. Name of the Library Address

No.
1. South Salmara Hatsingimari Sub divisional Library South Salmara

Rural Library –
Table-2: Rural library under District Library, Dhubri

Sl. Name of the libraries Address

No.
1. Abdul Aziz Memorial Institute Cum Public Library Mankachar, Dhubri
2. Zinkata Community Development Center Zinkata, Dhubri
3. Borkanda Social Welfare Society Cum Community Borkanda, Dhubri
Center
4. Chapar Pragati Sangha Chapar, Dhubri
5. Green Club Community Center Agomoni, Dhubri

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6. Brahma Adarsha Club Takimari, Dhubri

7. Youth Club And Library Dharmashala, Dhubri
8. Srimanta Sangha Rural Library Biskhowa, Dhubri
9. Muthkhowa Nagarjyoti Club Cum Public Library Muthakhowa, Dhubri
10. Sadullabari Youth Club Cum Pupular Library Kalapani, Dhubri
11. Barairalga Gulbag Library Cum Social Welfare Youth Kokradanga, Dhubri
Organization

District Library Kokrajhar –

At the very beginning District Library Kokrajhar was performed as a sub
divisional library of District Library of Dhubri. Now it is a full fledge District
Library under the Bodoland Territorial Council, Assam. Mr. Jagat Narayan
Bodo is the librarian of this library. The library has a verity of books and
newspapers. Books are mainly provided by RRRLF and some are donated by
the people. It has a children’s corner and the books of that corner are also
provided by RRRLF.
There are one sub-divisional library and nine public libraries under the District
Library, Kokrajhar. The list of the libraries are given below-
Sub-divisional Library-
Table-3: Sub- divisional library under District Library, Kokrajhar

Sl. Name of the Library Address

No.
1. Sub-divisional Library, Gosaigaon Gosaigaon, Kokrajhar

Rural Libraries-
Table-4: Rural libraries under District Library, Kokrajhar

Sl. Name of the Library Address

No.
1. Jaraguni Sabajanis Club Jaraguni, Kokrjhar
2. Jyanoday Puthibharal Dotoma
3. Krishna Sangha Library Dingdinga, Kokrajhar
4. Diamond Club Dingdinga, kokrajhar
5. Mahamaya Club Cum Library Mechpara, Kokrajhar
6. Forence Unity Club Ramfalbil, Kokrajhar
7. Jamakalyan Sangha Club Gosaigaon, Kokrajhar
8. Jaregaon Kiran Sangha Jaregaon, Kokrajhar
9. Kazigaon Tribal Nabin Yubak Sangha Kazigaon, Kokrajhar

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District Library, Nalbari-

District Library, Nalbari is established in the year on 1970 under the Dept. of
Cultural Affair, Assam. It is located at the main town of Nalbari District. Mr.
Promod Barman is the present librarian of the library. A various collection of
reading materials like- books, newspapers, magazines are provided by library
to its users. The library has a separate children’s corner and also a reference
desk. This library has not any sub divisional library. 12 registered rural
libraries are functioning under it and those are –
Table-5: Rural library under District Library, Nalbari

Sl. Name of the Library Address

No.
1. Sonkuriha Yuvak Jyoti Sangha Gramya Puthibharal Sonkuriha, Nalbari
2. Chatma Rabi Chanara Gramya Puthibharal Chatma, Nalbari
3. Milan Sangha Gramya Puthibharal Koithalkuchi, Nalbari
4. Binapani Gramya Pthibharal Bali, Nalbari
5. Gramya Puthibharal, Belsore Belsore, Nalbari
6. Bihampur Sangha Gramya Pthibharal Bihampur, Nalbari
7. Tarun Sanga Gramya Puthibharal Nankarbhoira
8. Hitsadhini Gramya Puthibharal Arikuchi
9. Gramya Puthibharal, Ghoga Ghoga
10. Gramya Puthibharal, Nathkuchi Nathkuchi
11. Bardadhi Sri Sri Sankardeva Puthibharal Bardadhi

Collection of the libraries:

Table-6: Collection of the libraries

Name of the Category No. of books No. of news No. of magazine

Library paper
District Library, District Library 95,000 12 8
Dhubri
District Library, District Library 74,934 7 Nill
Kokrajhar
District Library, District Library 64,422 5 5
Nalbari

The total no. of books, newspapers and magazines can be evaluated from the
data which are interpreted in Table-6, the list of total collection of the library is
given. The District Library Dhubri contains 95,000 books, 12 newspapers and
8 magazines of different languages (Assamese, Hindi, English, Bengali ect.).
District Library Kokrajhar contains 74,934 books and 7 newspapers in
Assamese, English, Hindi, Bengali and Bodo language. District Library,
Nalbari has a collection of 64,422 books of Assamese, Hindi, English and

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Bengali language. They also subscribe 5 newspapers and 5 magazines. The

books are mainly provided by RRRFL and some are also collected through
donation which is donated by the local people. Bodoland Territorial Council
also provides some books to the District Library of Kokrajhar.

No of registered users:
Table-7: No. of users

Name of the Library Total registered users

District Library, Dhubri 7,500

District Library, Kokrajhar 5,107

District Library, Nalbari 6,230

In Table-7, the list of total number of users of respective libraries is given.

District Library Dhubri has highest number of registered users 7,500. District
Library Kokrajhar has 5,107 registered users and 6,230 users are registered in
District Library Nalbari. The users of various age groups viz. children,
students, adult come to the library and most of the users come for the searching
of current news.
No. of daily user
Table-8: Daily users

Name of the Library Daily users (average)

District Library, Dhubri 39

District Library, Kokrajhar 37

District Library, Nalbari 30

It is found Table-8 that the number of daily users in respect of total registered
users of the district libraries is not so impressive. District Library, Dhubri has
approximately 39 daily users, District Library, Kokrajhar and District Library,
Nalbari has approximately 37 and 30 users in daily basis respectively.
Distribution of staff

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Table-9: Staff distribution

Name of the Librarian Library UDA CA LDA Tech. Book Grd

Library Assistant Assnt. binder IV
District 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2
Library,
Dhubri
District 1 1 1 2 1 1 Nill 2
Library,
Kokrajhar
District 1 1 1 2 - 1 - 2
Library,
Nalbari

Table- 9 shows the staff distribution of the selected libraries. District Library
Dhubri, District Library Kokrajhar and District Library Nalbari. All the
libraries have total no. of 9-10 staff which is as shown in the above table. All
three libraries have one librarian and one library assistant and one UDA.
There are more than two library staff are appointed in every district library. But
in the case of rural libraries only two staffs are appointed, one is honoree
librarian and other one is helper.
User awareness programme:
The user awareness activities viz. quiz, lecture, meeting, different competition
are rarely done by the libraries of the respective districts. District Library,
Dhubri organized awareness programe on adult education in many years ago.
But in recent period of time the library has not done any these kinds of
activities. The library is planning to organize some activities like competition
among the children and meetings for the development of the library. District
library of Kokrajhar plans a strategy to encourage the common public towords
the library. The District Library, Nalbari organizes some programmes like
various competitions among the children and meetings often. Recently the
library has organized an awareness programme about reading books with the
collaboration of ‘Kitap Parhu Ahok’ movement lead by Dr. Amarjyoti
Choudhury. The rural libraries also organize various competitions like quiz, art,
drama, singing etc. with the collaboration of the parent body.
7. Result and the findings:
At the end of the data analysis and the study on the topic it is cleared that the
condition of the public libraries of Lower Assam is not in a good condition.
The major findings of the study are-

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i) From the study it is found that the collection of the libraries is mainly
Assamese books followed by English and Hindi. The limited collection Bodo,
Nepali and Bengali language books are also preserved in the libraries.
ii) The number of daily users of the district libraries is very less in compared
to the total users.
iii) Users mainly visited the library for reading newspapers and magazines.
iv) Due to the lack of computer and internet facility library professionals can’t
perform their duty properly.
v) One of the major finding that is observed in the survey time is that the
young users are much interested to visit the library.
vi) Though a good number of reading materials are available in the library but
it is not sufficient to fulfill the need of the society.
vii) The public libraries also can’t provide the user awareness service due to
the lack of fund, staff, and proper facility.
viii) The government provides very less amount of funds to maintain the
libraries. The salary of the honoree librarian and helper is very less (900/- and
550/-) in the rural libraries.
ix) RRRLF plays a major role in the overall development of the public library
system in Assam.
x) Some user awareness programmes are also organized by the libraries for
creating the interest among the people towards the library. But it is not
sufficient.
8. Suggestions and Scope for further Study:
It is the duty of the library professionals to build the reading habit among the
people. So, the public library professionals also have to do some initiatives to
attract the people towards the public library. For that number of collection
should also be improved and modern facilities should be implemented.
Government also has to look after the public library so that they can perform
their duty properly without any barrier. There are some suggestions listed
below-
1. The libraries should be extended their time; it will help the user to use the
library services in maximum level.
2. Some user awareness programme should be also organized by the librarian
to attract the children as well as the adult vize. Art competition, poem
recitation, story writing competition etc.
3. Govt. should provide sufficient funds for the uses of ICT applications in
the library to attract the users towards the library.
4. Number of collections should be increased. And current affairs and
competitive exam related books and magazine should be included in the
linrary.
5. Updated information should be provided by the library stuff to its users. it
will help to develop the interest of the library users towards the library.
6. In service training programmes should also organize by the govt. for the
development of the library stuff.

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7. Public Library legislation act should be passed by the govt. in Assam. This
will help the libraries to improve their services.
This study is conducted in the three districts Dhubri, Kokrajhar and
Nalbari. Further study can be done in other districts also covering the different
areas like ICT implementation, manpower development in the public libraries.
9. Conclusion:
From the observation it can be concluded that to improve the public library
condition joint collaboration of the library professionals and the Government is
very much needed. Public library legislation is also very important for that
purpose. Networking of the public libraries can help to fulfill the users demand.
Evolution of a modern public library can definitely help in the overall
development of a society. So, the library professionals should try to increase
the reading habit among the people and made the public library a attractive
place for people for their reading and spending time.

Reference:
Abraham, L.T. (2010). Role of Public Libraries in Non-Formal Education in
Kerala. Kelpro Bulletin, 14(2), 60-67. Available at
http://hdl.handle.net/10760/15208 (access on 11/02/2020).
Brahma, S. & Singh, I (2010). Towards Networking of Rural Libraries in North
East India: A Proposal. ETTLIS. Available at
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259892658_Towards_Net
working_of_Rural_Libraries_in_North_East_India_A_Proposal
(access on 12/02/2020).
Erich, A. (2018). The Role of Public Libraries in Non-Formal Learning.
Revista Romanea pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 10(3), 17-24.
Available at https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/59 (access on
12/02/2020).

Hussain,A. (2018). Role of Libraries in Education. Research Gate Available at

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325192754 (access on
12/02/2020).

Pandya, R., Maniar, A. (2014). Non formal education: an Indian context.

Available at
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Umapathy, K.S. (1973). Non-Formal Education: educational goals and their

implications for Library services. ALIS, 20(1-4), 69-74. Available at
http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/28219/1/ALIS%2020
%281-4%29%2069-74.pdf (access on 13/02/2020).

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Government of Assam, Department of Cultural Affairs Available at

https://culturalaffairs.assam.gov.in/information-services/list-of-
libraries (access on 25/08/2020).
Administrative divisions of Assam Available at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Assam
(access on 25/02/2020).
Government of Assam, Department of Cultural Affairs, Directorate of library
services Available at
https://publiclibraryservices.assam.gov.in/about-us/history-3 (access
on 28/02/2020).

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