P Jayarajan

Funding Indian public libraries
P. Jayarajan
What we know ?
• 1.25 billion people (125 crore)
• 72 % living in rural areas/villages
• In about 640,000 villages
• Also know that a large percentage of our
educated public don’t have access to any type of
libraries, other than public libraries, but they
don’t go there!!
• We have an outdated public library system
What we don’t know?
• How much India spends currently on public
libraries?
–
Guess estimate is Rs. 4,000 crore!
• How many public libraries we have?
– Again guess estimate is 100,000 plus
What is desirable ?
One good library for a cluster of 10 villages
Thus a total of 60,000 plus rural libraries
And many libraries in town and cities
.
• Need Rs 30,000 crore or even more !!
• From where this level of funding can
come from ?
• Can’t expect government alone to fund
India Public Library Fund?
• A new model for public library funding
• Centrally managed India Public Library Fund
(IPLF)?
IPLF
• Contributions to IPLF coming from
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Central government
State governments
Public sector undertakings
Ministries
Corporate houses
CSR funding
International agencies
Indian agencies
Individuals
Media campaign
• Complement with a high profile media
campaign
– Brand ambassador
– Celebrities and commoners speaking about
reading and public libraries
– Partnership with media channels
– Seek contributions to IPLF from anyone and
everyone
IPLA
• Form a new India Public Library Association :
IPLA
• IPLA to play a key role
Summary
• IPLF
• Public library campaign
• IPLA
.
Thank you
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