University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal) Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Public library scenario of Ghatal Subdivision: A survey Avijit Mallik Debabrata Maity Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac Part of the Library and Information Science Commons Public library scenario of Ghatal Subdivision: A survey Avijit Mallik1, Librarian, Pandit Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar Primary Teachers Training and B Ed College, Marichha, Dandipur, Ghatal, Paschim Medinipur Email: [email protected] Debabrata Maity2, Librarian, Khejuri College, Baratala, Khejuri, Purba Medinipur Email: [email protected] Keywords: Public Library, Public library—Ghatal, Public library scenario— Ghatal, Ghatal subdivision—lifelong learning centre, Ghatal Abstract: Survey is necessary to study the various aspects of libraries that is average number of readers, number of books issued, other services available, the level of satisfaction of library ‘users’ and ‘non-users’ and about the role played by the libraries in terms of their traditional role as readership promoters as well as their new role as service and information providers and the impact of public libraries on the quality of life and economic gains of local people. There are twenty seven government registered public libraries in Ghatal Subdivision. A suitable questionnaire is being framed to collect data from each library. Detailed description has been given about the origin and development, present condition of services, user patterns, problems and prospects of the public libraries in Ghatal Subdivision. 1 Introduction: Among the different types of libraries evolved by the society in modern times, public libraries are the most popular, because of the functions they perform. They play a very significant role in the welfare of a society. The public library is called people’s university. IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto 1994 defines it as “The public library, the local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision- making and cultural development of the individual and social groups” (IFLA, 2016, p. 1). Public library should provide all kinds of information needed to solve citizen problems. To reach these people, libraries must be prepared to offer custom-tailored products, to develop a new educational role as an essential lifelong service and a vital public utility. The call is to serve the illiterate as well as the literate. This study tries to describe public library systems and services of Ghatal Subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district. 2 Objectives: (a) To see the infrastructure facilities of the existing public libraries of Ghatal Subdivision. (b) To point out the availability of resources of the subsisting public libraries. (c) To find out users’ patterns and users’ satisfaction levels of the public libraries. (d) To note down different services provided by the public libraries. (e) To find out notable problems faced by the public libraries, etc. 3 Scope of the study: This study covers twenty seven public libraries as located in the Ghatal Subdivision of Paschim Medinipur district (Government of West Bengal, Department of Mass Education Extension & Library Services, West Bengal Public Library Network, n.d.). 4 Methodology: Survey method has been used to collect data. A suitable questionnaire was formed to achieve necessary data from each library. Collected data has been arranged in different tables and then interpreted. 5 Ghatal Subdivision: Ghatal Subdivision is one of the four subdivisions under Paschim Medinipur district. Ghatal Subdivision including the town Ghatal has a unique old history of civilization, business and struggle for freedom movement of India. Golden children of Bengal like Pandit Iswarchandra Vidyasagar, Patriot Pradyot Bhattacharya, Patriot Pravangsu Paul, Patriot Mohini Mondal, Raja Narendralal Khan, Patriot Manabendranath Roy and so many ever-memorable persons were born here. 5.1 Location: This subdivision is in the North-Eastern part of Paschim Medinipur district. Its latitude is 22̊40'10" in the north and the longitude is 88̊45'50" east. It is lying to the west of Hooghly & Howrah district, north to Purba Medinipur district and the rest sides are surrounded by other blocks of Paschim Medinipur district i.e., Debra, Keshpur, Garbeta-III and Garbeta-I. 5.2 People’s occupation: Ghatal Subdivision is a flood-prone area and flooded almost each year by the rivers like Shilaboti, Jhumi, Kethiya, Kansaboti and Rupnarayan. People of many occupations reside in this subdivision. Farming rice, potato and other vegetables are the main occupation of the people. Besides, a substantial number of people are attached with gold, silver, diamond jewellery and embroidery. 5.3 Ghatal Subdivision at a glance: Ghatal Subdivision has a total area of 952.28 sq. Kilometres. According to the census report of Government of india, 2011, there are 9, 21,346 populations in this subdivision (Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, 2011). It has three police stations- Daspur, Ghatal and Chandrakona. Total area is divided into five blocks- Chandrakona-I, Chandrakona-II, Daspur-I, Daspur-II, and 48 gram panchayats and five municipalities including Ghatal, Kharar, Khirpai, Chandrakona & Ramjibanpur at next level. 6 Analyses and Interpretations: 6.1 Block-wise distributions of the public libraries: As mentioned earlier that there are five blocks in Ghatal Subdivision. Ghatal block has seven libraries, which is the highest numbers than other four blocks individually. Chandrakona I and Daspur I each block has five libraries where as four and six libraries are located in Chandrakona II and Daspur II block respectively. Table 1: Block-wise distribution of public libraries Sl. No. Name of block No. of public Percentage (%) library 1 Chandrakona I 5 18.52 2 Chandrakona II 4 14.81 3 Daspur I 5 18.52 4 Daspur II 6 22.22 5 Ghatal 7 25.93 Total 27 100.00 6.2 Type of public libraries: There are twenty two Rural Libraries (81.48%) in Ghatal Subdivision and it has one Town Library and one Sub-divisional Library. Kishore Pathagar, Kaijuri is the only Upgraded Town Library (UPL) in this subdivision. There are two Primary Unit Library (PUL) including Ramjibanpur Primary Unit Library and Gurudas Pathagar. Table 2: Type of public libraries Sl No. Type of Library No. of Library Percentage (%) 1 Primary Unit Library 2 7.41 2 Rural Library 22 81.48 3 Area Library 0 0.00 4 Upgraded Town Library 1 3.70 5 Town/Sub-divisional 2 7.41 Library 6 District Library 0 0.00 Total 27 100.00 6.3 Establishment year scenario: It reveals from Table-3 that from and after the year 1985 only two libraries have been established, which are Ramjibanpur Primary Unit Library (1985) and Swaraj Jnan Bhandar (1988). Here it is clear that within last twenty six years no new library has been established. Sayla Jagriti Public Rural Library (1945) and Kharar Sitaram Memorial Public Rural Library (1945) are older libraries followed by Basudebpur Gram Panchayat Bharati Pathagar (1947) and Kalara Rabindra Mitali Sangha Pathagar (1950) respectively. Table 3: Establishment year-wise distribution of public libraries Sl. No. year No Percentage (%) 1 1945-54 6 22.22 2 1955-64 7 25.93 3 1965-74 5 18.52 4 1975-84 7 25.93 5 ≥1985 2 7.40 Total 27 100 6.4 Infrastructure: Infrastructures of the libraries are poor to moderate. Out of twenty seven libraries two libraries i.e. Rajnagar Ganasiksha Kendra and Balaka Granthagar do not have their own buildings but they are running. Out of twenty five libraries those have their own land, only Kechkapur Banikallol Granthagar has kuccha building. Rest twenty four libraries have pucca building. There are sixteen libraries having three or more than three number of rooms where as eight libraries including Gurudas Pathagar, Promode Dasgupta Smriti Pathagar etc., having only two rooms to each. Rest three libraries i.e. Lenin Smriti Pathagar, Rajnagar Ganasiksha Kendra, Ghatal Town Library have only one room to each. It is important to say that Halwasia Sub-divisional Library and Birsingha Vidyasagar Memorial Rural Library have eight rooms to each. Four libraries are lacking form separate reading room where as other twenty three libraries have separate reading room. Only seven libraries have their own drinking water source, others are dependable on nearby tube well or tap water. Nineteen libraries have own toilet but rest eight libraries including Hiradharpur Ramkrishna Pathagar, Kechkapur Banikallol Granthagar, Rasikganja Rabindra Pathagar etc still not their own toilet facility. Twenty six libraries have electricity connection but unfortunately Kechkapur Banikallol Granthagar is out of electricity. Only two libraries i.e. Halwasia Sub-divisional Library and Ghatal Town Library have land telephone connection, but other twenty five libraries do not have land telephone connection. Only three libraries i.e. Halwasia Sub-divisional Library, Birsingha Vidyasagar Memorial Rural Library and Ghatal Town Library have copier machine. Computers and printers (provided by Raja Rammohon Roy Library Foundation) are notable only in six libraries including Basudebpur Gram Panchayat Bharati Pathagar, Birsingha Vidyasagar Memorial Rural Library and Ghatal Town Library etc. Projector machine is also not available in any library. Only two libraries i.e. Halwasia Sub- divisional Library and Ghatal Town Library