Chapter 3 Buildings for the District Libraries
Chapter 3 Buildings for the District Libraries CHAPTER - III BUILDINGS FOR THE DISTRICT LIBRARIES A suitable library building plays vital part in bringing the library's material into the lives and thinking of those who normally might not make use of this treasure-house of knowledge. It is true that fundamentally a library is not a building but a service organisation. But public library building exemplifies the spirit of service that is library service. It offers to the community a compelling invitation to enter, read, look, listen and learn. The interior and exterior features of the library building should be such as to attain functional efficiency and beauty. In providing library service, therefore, the convenience and comfort of the people should be given primary consideration. Author describes in this chapter geographical environment of the district, establishment of library, change of name and development of library building of district libraries. Ratnagiri Zilla Nagar Vachanalaya : (Ratnagiri Library) Geographical Environment of Ratnagiri District : Ratnagiri district has an area of 8249 sq. km. with nine talukas. As per 1991 census total population of the district is over 15 lakhs. Literacy rate is 62.70 (Rural 60.57%, Urban 83.90%). It has nine talukas viz., Man- dangoda, Dapoli, Kheda, Guhagar, Chipalun, Ratnagiri, Sangameshwar, Rajapur and Lanje. Establishment : Ratnagiri Book Society was established on 18 August 62 1828 ^ . In the same year institution demanded newspapers and periodicals free of cost to the government. Its name was changed to 'Native General Library'. In 1888 one of the British officers suggested a change in the name of the library as 'General Library' as he wished to become a member.
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