ISSN (Print): 0972-2467 ISSN (Online): 0976-2477 SRELS Journal of Information Management, Vol 56(1), February 2019, p. 32-35 DOI: 10.17821/srels/ 2019/v56i1/131264 Public Libraries and Community Information Services: An Experience in Blocks of Sundarban Region, South 24 Parganas Arindam Sarkar* Department of Library and Information Science, Jadavpur University, Kolkata – 700032, West Bengal, India; [email protected] Abstract Public libraries are called people’s university. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between public library and Community Information Services (CIS) in various blocks of Sundarban region, of South 24 Parganas district. Community Information Services is one through which a public library provides community information to members of the community it serves. This paper also discusses Community Library cum Information Centres (CLICs). Examining the librarians’ as well as users’ perspectives, an effort has been made to offer some suggestions. Keywords: Community Information Service, Community Library cum Information Centres (CLICs), Public Libraries, West Bengal 1. Introduction information refers to the types and range of information needed by the members of the community for their day- “Bad libraries build collections, Good libraries to-day problem solving. Library Association provided a build services, Great libraries build communities.” comprehensive definition of Community Information – R. David Lankes Services: “Community Information Services are those, These words from the famous library professional R. David which assist individual and groups with daily problem Lankes (ALA Ken Haycock award winner for promoting solving and with participation in the democratic process. librarianship) emphasize the importance of libraries, The services concentrate on the needs of those who do not especially the public library, in building a community. Out have ready access to other sources of assistance on the most of 28 states and 7 union territories in India, only 20 states important problems that people have to face, problems to have enacted public library legislation (Ramaiah & Sankara, do with their homes, their jobs and their rights” (Library 2010). Public libraries play the role of an essential academic Association, 1980). The main object and interest of this and socio-cultural organization for the community. In West study is to examine the present status of community Bengal public libraries are part of the State Government information services provided by public libraries and in terms of administration and finances. Most of the in how far it satisfied users of Sundarban regions, South 24 West Bengal population lives in rural regions. In this Parganas district, West Bengal, India. context, the public library can play an important role in the advancement of society through education and other 2. Objectives community services. It can be effectively carried out with well-structured and planned library system and services. The objectives of the study are as follows: An important issue related to public libraries is community 1. To examine Community Information Services information service, the specific information which is through public libraries and CLICs in the mostly desired by a specific community. Community Blocks of Sudarban region, South 24 Parganas, *Author for correspondence Arindam Sarkar 2. To identify the challenges users face regarding Joynagar-II Milan Sangha Pathagar, RL Community Information Services from the Phutigoda, Joynagar II public libraries, KalimataPathagar, Joynagar II RL 3. To find out the availability of ICT infrastructure of selected libraries, and Nalgora Janagranthagar CLIC Tathyakendra 4. To suggest measures for the improvement of Community Information Services in public Kultali Kachimara Netaji Library, RL libraries. Kultali Jalaberia Rural Library RL 3. Scope and Limitation Kundakhali-Godabor CLIC Janagranthagar According to website of Mass Education Extension Gosaba Bali Palli Unnayan Pathagar, RL and Library Services Department, Government of Gosaba West Bengal, there are 180 public libraries in the five Chhoto Mollakhali Public RL sub-divisions of South 24 Parganas. Out of 180 public Library, Gosaba libraries, twenty-six (26) public libraries and Eleven (11) CLICs were selected from blocks of Sundarban regions. Sambhunaga Janagranthagar CLIC O Tathyakendra In case of users 60 users were selected from different areas of that region. The present study was conducted in Basanti Netaji Pathagar, Basanti RL the selected public libraries. Sonakhali Tarun Tirtha RL Pathagar, Basanti 4. Methodology Baratgarh Janagranthagar O CLIC Tathyakendra Survey method was employed for data collection and Canning-I Canning Public Library, TL data were collected from librarians and users using Canning I questionnaires by physically visiting the libraries and in Taldi Netaji Pathagar, Canning I RL a few cases via telephonic conversation. The collected data were analyzed and tabulated keeping in view the Deuli II G.P. Janagranthagar CLIC O Tathyakendra objectives of the study. Canning-II Matherdighi Udayan RL Pathagar, Canning II 5. Data Analysis and Findings MallickkatiSadharanPathagar, RL The selected public libraries for this study - Sub-division Canning II and block-wise are listed in the Table 1. Matla II Janagranthagar O CLIC Tathyakendra Table 1. List of selected libraries and CLICs from thirteen blocks of sundarban regions of south 24 Pages Sagar Sree Sree Ramkrishna RL Sadharan Pathagar, sagar Type of Block Library Name Sagar Town Libaray, Sagar TL Library Gangasagar GP Jana CLIC Joynagar-I Bandhab Library, Jaynagar I TL Granthagar O tathyakendra Baharu Shyamsundar Public TL Pathar Daksin Sundarban Sanhati RL Library, Jaynagar I Pratima Sansad, Pathar Pratima Jangalia Janagranthagar O CLIC Paschim Surendra Nagar RL Tathyakendra Young Public Library, SRELS Journal of Information Management | Vol 56(1) | February 2019 33 Public Libraries and Community Information Services: ... Namkhana Narayanpur Sree Durga RL Social Welfare 4 Pathagar, Namkhana Art and Culture 10 Frezerganj Bijoli Club & RL Consumer Information 14 Library, Namkhana Shibrampur Community CLIC The Table 2 indicates that common types of CIS are Library/Information Cnt. provided only in a small number of public libraries. The situation in rural and primary unit libraries and CLICs Kakdwip Vidhasagar Sadharan RL Pathagar. Kakdwip is not satisfactory compared to town /Sub-division libraries. Agradut Pathagar, Kakdwip RL Table 3 shows the positive and negative responses of Mathurapur-I Vivekananda Seva Sangha RL users to the question “Can you fulfill your need from CIS”? Library, Mathurapur I Table 3. Can the users fulfill their need from Community Anirban Pathagar RL Information Services provided by libraries/CLICs? Lakshinarayanpur Dakhin CLIC Say Yes Say No Jana granthagar O Thatya kendra Number of users 11 49 Mathurapur-II Chakratirtha Sadharan RL Percentage of users 18.33% 81.67% Pathagar, Raidighi Table 3 reveals that only 18.33% of total users agreed that Dr. Usha Ranjan Memorial RL Community Information Services satisfied their needs Public Librar and the remaining 81.67% indicated that their needs were Raidighi GP Janagranthagar O CLIC not met. Tathyakendra Table 4 indicates users’ perceptions about issues TL=Town Library, RL=Rural Library related to provision of Community Information Services through public libraries and CLICs. The availability of various basic Community Information Services as per library records and librarians’ statement in Table 4. Users’ perceptions regarding issues in community these public libraries and CLICs is shown in the Table 2. information services through public libraries and CLICs SL. Not Table 2. Availability of common type of community Perception Yes No information services within selected libraries No. Clear 1. Lack of Planning and 29 22 9 No. of Providing infrastructure Types of CIS Libraries (Out of 37 Libraries) 2. Lack of proper staff to 39 10 11 assist me Agriculture & related 14 3. Lack of knowledge 31 7 22 Fishing & related 4 of area profile among Forestry & related 2 library representatives Education related 7 4. Attitude of authority and 23 19 18 librarian(s) not being Employment related 6 user friendly Health Information 9 5. Lack of proper 26 17 17 Animal husbandry 0 information resources / collection base Govt. Program 31 Financial assistance 0 Above table shows users’ views about problems of Community Information Services reflected through Local political News 0 responses to various questions. Table 5 it is seen that most Legal aids 0 of the users thought that there are problems. 34 SRELS Journal of Information Management | Vol 56(1) | February 2019 Arindam Sarkar Table 5. Probable solutions for better and effective 7. Conclusion community information service (As suggested by users) This study is very much relevant to the present situation Not Probable Solutions Yes No Clear when the number of users of public libraries is decreasing day by day. The development of public library services Identification of needs of 47 6 7 community in West Bengal is not satisfactory, especially when compared with the situation in many other countries Improve public relations 43 15 2 of the world. A CIS-based public library service is an Librarians should be user friendly 46 14 0 effective way of meeting information needs of urban Information literacy and user 27 19 14 and rural communities. It is a challenge for librarians education of public libraries to work in this