Public Library
Our visit to the public library
was the most interesting part of our field visit and interviews. We have not
expected many members in the library as from what we heard about the library we
had a mental picture of a place which is not being utilized. But to our
amazement, a lot number of members were there when we reached. There were a
group of college students who were seriously doing some reference work. We
could also see some senior citizens engrossed in reading Newspapers and
magazines. The librarian was very busy, attending to a younger boy and a middle
aged woman. We have not taken any prior permission or appointment with the
librarian for our interview and we were accompanied by our Librarian sir. So we
patiently waited there till she finished both the members.
Librarian sir introduced us to
her and informed the purpose of our visit. Though sir informed us to be quick
we got so engrossed in her explanation and her enthusiasm, we spend more time
talking to her. Then she gave us a heartening welcome.
We introduced ourselves and
started our interview.
Nirupam: Madam, how many members
do you have in this library?
Ms. Latha: That I will have to
check.
Nirupam: An approximate number of
members will be sufficient madam.
Ms. Latha: No I can give you the
exact number. Let me see, yesterday only one new member joined. So I can get
the number easily. Yes. 3596 exactly.
Nirupam: How many of them are
students, especially school students?
Ms. Latha: Students … 50-75
percent of them are students ranging from school students to college students.
Vishnu: How can we be member of
this library?
Ms. Latha: You will have to
submit the application along with a copy of your parents ID card and remit Rs.
60/- as fee for a year at 5/- rupees per month plus 50 rupees admission fee.
You can take two books at a time for a period of 14 dyas, after which there
will be a fine of 5 rupees per week. You can renew your membership paying the
fee for a year.
Nirupam: Madam, it is generally
said that the public libraries are not being utilized fully. What is your
opinion?
Ms. Latha: I cannot agree with
that. We have so many visitors every day here that we are unable to attend to
their needs. We have so many limitations in this library, the facilities are
less here. Every day we get about 200 visitors. Now here the library is really
useful. Everyone is saying reading is dying, but I will never agree to that
notion. Because we are getting that many users here and we do not have a second
to spare. Whether it is the adults or students all are coming and using this
library.
Vishnu: On an average how many
books will be issued daily?
Ms. Latha: Average, 100 books per
day.
Nirupam: Which books are mainly
taken by the students?
Ms. Latha: Children take books
written by VaikomMuhammedBasheer’s “Balaykalasakhi”, Sherlock Holmes books and
the like mostly.
Vishnu: do you have a separate
corner for the children?
Ms. Latha: Yes we do have a
children’s section here.
Nirupam: Reading is dying is the
general notion everyone is saying. What is your opinion?
Ms. Latha: I have mentioned it
earlier. We will not agree with that. We are getting a good number of readers
regularly here. I can’t talk about outside matters. But we believe reading is
not dying.
Vishnu: If we observe, it is seen
that the interest in reading is declined. What do you think the reasons for
that?
Ms. Latha: May be the television
and other medias are causing a diversion. But those who are reading are always
interested. That we know when the new books are being published readers come
over here asking for the book. They are aware about the authors and they keep a
watch over the new books being published.
Nirupam: Do the adult members
bring their children to the library?
Ms. Latha: Yes, they do. Parents
are taking books mostly for their children to read.
Surya: How many children visit
your library in a day?
Ms. Latha: About 10-15 children.
Now you cannot see the school students because this is their school time. They
will not come during their examination time also. They will come only in the
evening or during the vacation always. They come here to refer to the books.
Surya: What about the grownups madam? Do they come
here to read newspapers or do they read novels too?
Ms. Latha: They read both. Mostly
they read novels.
Vishnu: The reading contests are being
held every year. What is the response?
Ms. Latha: Reading contest is
organized once every year by the Kerala GranthashalaSangam. There will be a
selected list books for the students to read. To read those books children come
to the library. We also provide the books to the children to read and
participate in the contest. Last year one tenth class student Alakananda from
Kannadi, palakkad won the prize. It is for the UP and High School students.
Vishnu: How can we participate in
this? Is there any fee?
Ms. Latha: No fee. When you take
membership you can access all those books. For participating you need not be a
member of this library or any other. To get the books you can use the library.
Those poor children who cannot afford to buy all the books in the list makes
most use of the library.
Nirupam: How can we motivate
children to read more?
Ms. Latha: We should provide the
environment for reading. Organiseprogrammes like the reading contest etc. Some
KV students also come here through the MCL (Malabar Cements Limited) Library.
Vishnu: How you get books for the
library? Where do you get the fund from?
Ms. Latha: We get grant from the
government every year in March. So we will purchase book utilizing these grants
as per the requirement received from the readers. Mostly they demand Malayalam
books. But English books like Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes also in demand.
Vishnu: Would you say that this
library is being utilized effectively?
Ms. Latha: Of course. Earlier
this library was not like this. Now so many readers are coming to the library.
Vishnu: Normally we say reading
habit is declining, but the example here shows that it is increasing.
Ms. Latha: Yes. That is our
experience. We provide materials for PSC examinations which are being used here
all the time. It is quite difficult for us to cater to the needs of all. We
serve them without even taking the lunch break.12:30 pm to 3:00 pm it is lunch
break, but we don’t take that free time as there will be lots of readers at
that time here. We will let those who want to read to read.
Surya: What is the working hours
of the library?
Ms. Latha: From 9:00 am to 5:30
pm. It will be almost 6:00 pm when we close.
Vishnu: When was this library
started functioning?
Ms. Latha: I think in 1956 or
1957. 1988 it got affiliated to Library Council. Till 1996 it was not being
used that much by the people. I joined in 1996 April. After that so many
changes took place. This is being done as a social service. So we do not bother
about the allowance we get.
Nirupam: Do you read book madam?
Ms. Latha: Yes. I do read.
Vishnu: Which is your favourite
book here?
Ms. Latha: That will be quite
difficult to say as there are so many books and many books are coming
regularly. When you read so many books a selection will be difficult. Recently,
I liked “Aadujeevitham(Goat Days) by Benyamin and that was issued a lot too.
Then “pathummayudeaadu” by Basheer is always under circulation.
Vishnu: Okay madam. Thank you
very much
Nirupam: It was really a
wonderful experience madam, thank you.
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