THE YOUTH

LIBRARY-CUM-
MODEL CAREER
CENTRE (MCC),
BATHINDA
Resources for
Competitive
-AN INITIATIVE Examination

OF BATHINDA
ADMINISTRATION
THE CONCEPT
A floor of DBEE, Bathinda covering approx. 4000 sq ft area converted into a Modern Library-
cum-Model Career Centre with seating for Around 70 Students at one time

Equipped with over 10,000 selected Books in English and Punjab Language.

Provided with facilities for helping students prepare for various Competitive Examinations
including UPSC, PCS, IELTS by utilising E-Learning through Latest Computers, Fibre Internet,
Softwares, E-Readers etc.

Specially designed by a team of Architects and Interior Designers to be appealing to the younger
Generation

Sufficient Space allocated for Leisure and Social Activities including Pool Table, Soccer Table,
Music Area, Cafeteria etc.
THE IDEA! (CHECK )
Thousands of Students especially underprivileged Youth/ Students appearing for Competitive
Examinations can benefit from such Public Libraries, which can be used as Platforms for
Learning as well as Socialisation with like minded people.

Equipped with Modern modes of Learning and Digital Content, these type of Libraries can be
utilised for skill Development and enhancing the employability of the Youth.

The Library also works as a Co-working space for Budding Entrepreneurs.

The modern Design to be appealing enough to attract the Youth, with spaces for Leisure and
Learning in tandem.

Full Support for the initiative was received from the State HQ especially the Director, PSDM
THE HARD PART
First Floor of the DBEE Building being used then as a store room was identified
as suitable space for the Library.

A Design was prepared through a team of Architects/Interior Designers and

necessary modifications made in the buildings.

Care was taken to provide as open a space as possible with as much natural
lighting as possible through the use of Large Glass Windows.

Funds from some Government Schemes including SAMKALP, MCC and

voluntary Donations, totalling over 60 lacs was spent on the project.
FACILITIES (ADD PICS)
COMPUTERS WITH HI-SPEED INTERNET

E-READERS

MUSIC ROOM

POOL TABLE

TABLE SOCCER

BOARD GAMES

COFFEE MACHINE
MANAGEMENT

Designated as the District Library, Bathinda by the Department of Higher Education, Punjab

Administered by “The Youth Library Society, Bathinda” including both official and Civil
Members for professional Inputs.

Used Funds from SAMKALP Project of GOI, and Model Career Centre Funds to create the
necessary Infrastructure.

Donations and CSR Funding being channelised to support the initiative.

Operational from 9 a.m to 9 p.m at the Present with help from a Contractual Librarian in addition
to full participation of the Staff from Skill Development and Employment Generation.
MANAGEMENT-2
Modern Systems of Library Management being utilised including the Software E-
GRANTHALAYA, developed by the NIC for Cataloguing, Issue/Return of Books
and Maintenance of Records.

QR-Code equipped ID cards being issued to the Members for easy Issue/Return.

Coaching Classes through the District Team of IAS/IRS/IFS Officers to be begun

shortly

Skill Development Targets already sought from PSDM in association with the Red
Cross, Bathinda.
THE SATISFACTION
Overwhelming Response of Students from Bathinda and nearby Districts with daily
footfall of nearly 200 students.

The Library is bustling with students from 9 a.m in the morning to 9 p.m in the
evening. The Library is being opened even on Sundays with the help of Student
Volunteers.

After open membership for 3 months, in order to prevent over-crowing, a monthly

fee of Rs. 500 was introduced and Refundable Security fo Rs. 1000.

Initially. only 100 membership seats were opened but they filled up quickly and in
view of huge demand from students it stands at 160.
SELF-SUSTAINABILITY
Prior Experience shows that most of the Public Libraries in Punjab have closed down due or
have not been able to provide latest facilities of learning due to lack of funding.

Rather than relying solely on external support/donations, the model is able to finance itself and
even generating resources for continuous expansion and upgradation.

To be able to cater to the needs of the students, the Library needs to periodically buy new books,
latest softwares and provide facilities demanded by the students.

Any surplus resources thus generated can be used for impetus to village Libraries etc.

To cater to the needs of underprivileged students, a special provision has been made to provide
free of cost membership.
TITLE
WHAT NEXT
Keeping with the Huge Demand of Students, an Entire Floor of the Zila Parishad, Bathinda is being converted into “YOUTH
LIBRARY-PART 2” covering an area of over 15,000 sq feet.

In association with MY STEM LABS, DELHI a Science Corner for Children being set up to spark their creativity and interest in
Learning through Experiments.

A target to create 100 Village Libraries has been set by the District Bathinda by the end of this year, out of which approx. 30
Libraries have already been completed. They will be connected using the Cloud Software for Library Management, E-Granthalaya
and accessible through a common Entry Pass System.

Funding from State Government through the Department of Higher Education, can help give impetus to these Libraries.

Funding from Central Government through Raja Ram Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) can be obtained. However, the rules of
funding require that such recommendation be sent through State Public Library Committee which is not functional at present due to
absence of State Public Library Act.

MGSIPA, Chandigarh can make such Libraries remote centres of Learning by providing Software Access to Journal Databases etc.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”

–Benjamin Franklin