International Journal of Library & Information Science (IJLIS) Volume 6, Issue 1, Jan–Feb 2017, pp. 88–94, Article ID: IJLIS_06_01_011 Available online at http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJLIS?Volume=6&Issue=1 Journal Impact Factor (2016): 8.2651 (Calculated by GISI) www.jifactor.com ISSN Print: 2277-3533 and ISSN Online: 2277-3584 © IAEME Publication

THE PRESENT SCENARIO OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE DISTRICT OF

K.S. Vilgi Ph.D Research Scholar, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, ,

Dr. Joshi George Research Guide, Bharathiar University, Librarian, St. Albert’s College, , Kerala, India

ABSTRACT An attempt has been made to evaluate the present status of the public libraries affiliated to the Kerala state library council, in Thrissur district of Kerala in terms of grade, infrastructural facilities, total collection of books, annual issues of books, no of periodicals and social activities etc. Possible suggestions are recommended for effective functioning of public libraries. Key words: public libraries, Thrissur district, Kerala Cite this Article: K.S. Vilgi, Dr. Joshi George, The Present Scenario of the Public Libraries in the Thrissur District of Kerala. International Journal of Library & Information Science, 6(1), 2017, pp.88–94. http://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJLIS?Volume=6&Issue=1

1. INTRODUCTION Public library is of the people and for the people. It’s a democratic institution meant for the progress of the society. Public libraries are local gateway to the knowledge. Dr. S R Ranganathan defines public library as “an institution maintained for and by the community primarily for the social purpose of providing easy opportunity for self education throughout life of every person and community”. The public library’s commitment to the modern democratic society is clear from its Mission and characteristics mentioned in the UNESCO Public library Manifesto (1994). Following are the missions suggested by it. • Self education centre of the society. • Community information centre • Cultural centre for the society. • Centre for recreation and healthy use of leisure time. • Supporting role of public libraries in library activities. • Developing reading habits and creativity among the children. • Services to the disadvantaged section of the society.

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• Collection development and services adapted to the different needs of the society. • As an impartial democratic institution of the society.

1.1. Kerala Kerala is an Indian state of south India on the Malabar cost with 33,387,677 inhabitants as per the 2011 Census, Kerala is the thirteenth-largest state by population and is divided into 14 districts with the capital being . According to Census 2011 India's literacy rate is at 74.04%.Kerala is the most literate state in India, with 93.91% literacy. For administrative purpose the Kerala state has been divided in to fourteen districts: the three main sectors are North Kerala districts, Central Kerala districts and South Kerala districts. The fourteen districts are further divided in to seventy five taluks, nine hundred and forty one gramapanchayaths, eighty seven municipalities and six corporations. The present study conducted in Thrissur district of Kerala.

1.2. Thrissur District of Kerala Thrissur is one among the fourteen districts of Kerala which is situated in the central part of the state. It has an area of about 3,032 km2, the 10% of Kerala’s population resides in Thrissur district. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur city. Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala. For administrative convenience the districts of Thrissur is divided in to six taluks. These six taluk centres are administrative hubs for 151 villages in Thrissur. According to the public library legislation in Kerala 1989, a three–tier system is followed in the administration of libraries in Kerala; State library council, District library councils and Taluk library councils. The libraries affiliated to Kerala state library council in the year 2015-2016 are 5710. Thrissur district library council consists of the following six taluks: Thrissur, Mukundapuram, , Chavakad, Kodungallor and . The libraries under Kerala state library council are graded as A, B, C ,D ,E & F grades on the basis of certain norms. There are 474 libraries are affiliated to Thrissur district library council in the year 2015-2016 and received annual grant from the council on the basis of grade assigned to them.

2. REVIEW OF LITIRATURE The review of related studies shows that many studies were conducted in Kerala, India and abroad to assess the different role of public libraries in different aspects. It provides background knowledge to the public libraries in Kerala. Kishorekumar & Lokeshanaik (2014) had made a study on the users of, District Public Library Tumkur, Karnataka. They made the survey using questionnaire to identify the adequacy of library resources, and services utilized by its users. The result shows that users are fully satisfied with the present location of the library, collection of the newspapers and books are adequate in comparison to magazines and general reading materials. Nikam & Jayakumara (2014) had conducted a study on the young adult’s opinion towards extension activities of public libraries in Karnataka, the structured questionnaire was designed and distributed randomly to 1680 users between 15 to 40 years of age. The result of the survey shows that about 420(41.1%) respondents were between 21to25 year of age, nearly 775(77.6%) of users were male where majority of users were not satisfied with extension activities of public libraries in Karnataka. Thavamani (2014) examined the Information use pattern of Connemara public library by its users in Chennai. The study reveals that 88.50% respondents are satisfied with availability of the information sources of the library and 46% of the users are college students. Sudha Azhikodan (2009) made an evaluative study on the public libraries in Malabar. It is confined to the public libraries in Malabar comprising six revenue districts-, , , Wayanad, , and . The major emphasis of the study is on public libraries that come under the

http://iaeme.com/Home/journal/IJLIS 89 [email protected] K.S. Vilgi, Dr. Joshi George purview of the State Library Council formed in accordance with the provision of Kerala Public Libraries Act, 1989. Ranjith, Ks (2004) made a survey on the rural libraries in Kerala. Data were collected on books and periodicals collection, membership, working hours etc. The important findings of the study are the 60% of the libraries have book strength in the range of 1001- 5000, 90% of the libraries have own land and building, 75% of the libraries have women membership of less than 30%, 45% of the libraries work 9 hours or more and 62% of the libraries have the membership of 500 or below.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY To assess the present status and the infrastructure facilities of the libraries in the Thrissur district of Kerala which receives grant from the Thrissur district library council and to recommend the possibilities to improve the functioning of public libraries under Thrissur district library council.

4. SCOPE OF THE STUDY The scope of the study confined to the libraries which are under the Thrissur district library council. There are six taluks which are under the Thrissur district library council namely Thrissur Mukundapuram, Thalapilly, Chavakad, Kodungallor and Chalakudy are only comes under its purview.

5. METHODOLOGY Survey and interview method of research is used in this study to assess the present status and the infrastructure available to the libraries affiliated to the Thrissur district library council. A structured questionnaire was prepared to collect data from the member libraries of the Thrissur district library council. 490 questionnaires were distributed among the member libraries. Duly filled 475 questionnaires acquired from the member libraries so the response rate was 97%. Some efforts were also made to collect direct information from the Thrissur district library council office.

6. DATA ANALYSIS The main purpose of the study was to collect data from the public libraries under Thrissur district library council in terms of grade, infrastructural facilities, total number of books, annual issues of books, no of periodicals and the social activities etc. According to the statistics of gradation committee 2015-2016, number of libraries (taluk wise) under district library council is as follows:

Table 1 Number of libraries under Thrissur district library council. Name of Taluk No. libraries Thrissur 124 Mukundapuram 73 68 Thalappilly 102 57 Chalakudy 66 Total 490 The above table 6.1 shows the Taluk wise number of libraries affiliated to Thrissur district library council. According to the thrissur district library council statistics, highest number of libraries is in Thrissur Taluk (124) followed by Thalappilly (102). Least number of libraries is in Kodungallur (57). Total number of libraries under Thrissur district library council is 490.

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Table 2 No. of Libraries according to its grade. Nameof Taluk Grades

A B C D E F Thrissur 60 25 19 5 9 1 Mukundapuram 38 9 8 2 6 9 Chavakkad 14 13 7 16 10 6 Thalappilly 37 21 14 12 7 7 Kodungallur 15 12 13 4 3 9 Chalakudy 36 10 6 3 4 5 Total 200(42%) 90(19%) 67(14 %) 42(9%) 39 (8%) 37(7%) On the basis of certain norms and conditions of Kerala state library council the public libraries are graded as A, B, C, D, E, & F. It is clear from the table 6.2 that in Thrissur district highest number of libraries are of A GRADE(42%) followed by B GRADE libraries (19%) and least number of libraries comes under F GRADE (7%).

Table 3 No. of Libraries having its own building. Name of Taluk Own Rented Free building Thrissur 109 8 2 Mukundapuram 48 8 16 Chavakkad 48 16 2 Thalappilly 90 5 3 Kodungallur 43 9 4 Chalakudy 54 7 3 Total 392 (83%) 53(11%) 30(6%) The data analysed from the table 6.3 shows that major share of the public libraries (83%) under district library council are functioning in their own buildings. Only a small percentage of libraries (11%) are functioning in rented buildings and 6% of libraries are functioning in free of rent buildings.

Table 4 libraries according to its collection Name of Taluk No of books Thrissur 1303037

Mukundapuram 624714

Chavakkad 388304

Thalappilly 760567

Kodungallur 394203

Chalakudy 667932

Total no of books 4138757

The above table 6.4 shows that highest number of books are in Thrissur taluk (1303037) followed by Thalappilly taluk (760567). The lowest number of books is in Chavakkad taluk (388304).The total number of books in public libraries under Thrissur district library council is 4138757.

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Table 5 Total cost of books Name of Taluk Cost of books (in Rupees) Thrissur 46761040.00

Mukundapuram 31963418.00

Chavakkad 20823935.50

Thalappilly 40517654.00

Kodungallur 19100479.50

Chalakudy 51166704.00

Total cost 210333231.00

The resources of the public libraries in Thrissur district are precious. According to the 2015-16 gradation statistics, total cost of books is Rs. 21,03,33,231. 00. While considering the value of money, the actual cost of the books is about four times its original cost mentioned here. It is clear from the table 6.5 that total cost of books is highest in Thrissur taluk (Rs 46761040.00) followed by Chalakudy taluk (Rs.51166704.00) Total cost of book is lowest in Kodungallur taluk (Rs 19100479.50).

Table 6 No of libraries according to its Dailies subscription Name of Taluk No of lib. having No of lib. having dailies English dailies (> 5) (≥ 2) Thrissur 119 (100%) 109 (88%) Mukundapuram 72 (100%) 57 (78%) Chavakkad 66 (100%) 50 (74%) Thalappilly 98 (100%) 84 (82%) Kodungallur 56 (100%) 44 (77%) Chalakudy 64 (100%) 55 (83%) The table 6 examines the number of libraries according to its dailies subscription. 100% of the public libraries in Thrissur district subscribing more than five dailies in Malayalam. Number of libraries subscribing two or more than two English dailies is high in Thrissur taluk followed by Thalappilly taluk. The lowest number of libraries subscribing English dailies is in Kodungalur taluk.

Table 7 No of libraries according to its Periodicals subscription Name of Taluk No of No of No of No of libraries libraries libraries libraries having having having having periodicals periodicals periodicals periodicals (≥ 20) (≥ 15) (≥ 10) (< 10) Thrissur 60 25 33 1 Mukundapuram 38 9 16 9 Chavakkad 14 13 33 6 Thalappilly 37 21 33 7 Kodungallur 15 12 20 9 Chalakudy 36 10 13 5 TOTAL 200 (42%) 90 (19%) 148 (31%) 37 (7%)

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The table 7 reviews the number of libraries according to its periodicals subscription. 42% of the public libraries in Thrissur district subscribing ≥ 20 periodicals. 7% of the public libraries in Thrissur district subscribing < 10 periodicals. Number of libraries subscribing more than twenty periodicals is high in Thrissur taluk followed by Chalakudy taluk.

Table 8 Having Computer, TV, Radio, Social activities Name of Taluk Computer TV Radio Social activities (seminar,class, medi. camp,arts, sports etc.) Thrissur 31 56 17 83 Mukundapuram 8 6 6 59 Chavakkad 11 14 5 54 Thalappilly 46 32 22 55 Kodungallur 12 9 0 51 Chalakudy 14 22 10 50 139 122 (26%) (29%) 60(13%) 352 (74%) The data analysed from the table 8 shows that major number of libraries having computers is high in Thalappilly taluk (46) and lowest in Mukundapuram taluk. Major number of libraries having television is high in Thrissur(56). Highest number of libraries having radio is in Thrissur taluk. No libraries in Kudungallur taluk are using radios. In total 26% of the libraries in Thrissur district having computers, 29% of the libraries in the district having television and 13% of the libraries in the district having radio. The libraries having different social activities like seminars, classes, medical camps, arts, sports etc are high in the Thrissur taluk and lowest in Chalakudy. 74 % of libraries in Thrissur district are involved in various social activities mentioned above.

7. FINDINGS OF STUDY The possessions of the public libraries in Thrissur district are creditable. This study throws light on the present situation of public libraries in the Thrissur district of Kerala. According to the statistics 2015-16, there are 4138757 numbers of books which cost Rs. 210333231.00. While considering the value of money the present value of the book is about four times its original cost mentioned above. Highest numbers of libraries in Thrissur district are of A GRADE and least number of libraries comes under F GRADE. Major share of the public libraries under district library council are functioning in their own buildings. Only a small percentage of libraries are functioning in rented or free of rent buildings. All the public libraries affiliated to Thrissur district library council subscribing more than five Malayalam dailies. Number of libraries subscribing two or more than two English dailies is high in Thrissur taluk. Number of libraries subscribing more than twenty periodicals is high in Thrissur taluk followed by Chalakudy taluk. -% of the libraries affiliated to Thrissur district library council are involved in different types of social activities.

8. RECOMENDATIONS Based on the findings of the study following recommendations are made for the effective utilisation of resources of the Thrissur district public libraries. • The state government should create a separate department for public libraries namely Department of Public Libraries. They should formulate firm norms and conditions for the public libraries’ formation and also for its functioning. • As in the case of academic libraries there should be a supervising authority to inspect annually the public libraries and thus to guide the public libraries. • The state government should bring all the public libraries under one umbrella and thus the public libraries can utilise its credible resources and services as a centralised department.

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• The conventional public library is not much attractive for the new generations’ therefore all public libraries must have a computer with WiFi facility as a basic infrastructure. • The location of the public libraries should be in safe and secured places then only the women’s and children can safely visit and utilise public library resources. • All the public libraries must have building to function as their own. 9. CONCLUSION Public libraries which is said to be the peoples universities, are the most suitable institution that can make the society a powerful society. It resources and services should be accessible for all regardless of age, sex and social status. From this study it is clear that the assets of the Thrissur district public libraries are precious and it should be utilised in more an improved way.

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