Srinagar city’s central library lacks basic facilities
Umi Salma Reshi
The City’s Central library at Karan Nagar, considered to be an intellectual power house, is lacking basic facilities.
There are no proper seating arrangements in the library and the people visiting the library leave dejected as they cannot read their favourite books and magazines.
Arshid, a student, said, “When I visited library I felt suffocated because of the insufficient space available inside.” He further said that the library seems more a make shift arrangement than an established library. “It has a single room, which is utilized as a reference, circulation and reading room,” added Arshid.
The selection of site for the library is being termed a ‘terrible’ mistake by majority of people visiting it. It is situated in an area where traffic jams are frequent. “A perfect library is one which provides serene atmosphere for reading,” they said.
A visitor to library, Abu Turab said, “It is funny to see a chart in library reading “maintain silence.” On occasions, the noise around the library crosses the acceptable decibels. In such a situation one cannot expect to concentrate on browsing through books of choice”.
Umar, a computer professional said that the library ought to have the internet connectivity. “It would have helped in updating the knowledge of the people in general and younger generation in particular,” he said.
People visiting library asserted that its time for authorities to ponder seriously over ‘this missing link’ and initiate relevant measures to upgrade it.
Sakib, a student said, “The chief minister does not loose opportunity to review facilities available in Golf courses but never calls for upgradation of facilities in libraries”.
According to UNESCO’s manifesto, the public library must offer to adults and children the opportunity to keep in touch with their times, to educate themselves continuously and keep abreast of progress in the science and arts. “The public library should be well maintained wholly from public fund,” it adds.
When contacted Director Libraries and Research, Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Khan said, “The department is working on the project to upgrade the facilities libraries.”
A project would be launched soon to ensure better space and equipments in the libraries. “The project will be completed within two or three years,” he added.