PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM IN WEST BENGAL: AN EVALUATIVE STUDY THESIS SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF Doctor of Philosophy IN Library and Information Science BY SHAMIM AKTAR MUNSHI (Enrol. No. GD-2903) UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF DR. MEHTAB ALAM ANSARI (Associate Professor) Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (U.P.) INDIA 2019 Department of Library & Information Science Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh Dr. Mehtab Alam Ansari Mob: +91 9358219781 (Associate Professor) E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Dated: ………………………………… Certificate This is to certify that the thesis entitled “Public Library System in West Bengal: An Evaluative Study” Submitted by Mr. Shamim Aktar Munshi for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Library and Information Science, is based on the research work carried out by him under my supervision and guidance. It is further certified that to the best of my knowledge, this work has not been submitted in any University or Institution for the award of any other degree or diploma. I deem it fit for submission. Dr. Mehtab Alam Ansari (Associate Professor) Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University Postal Address: AB-55, Medical Colony, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002 (U.P), India. Declaration I hereby declare that the thesis “Public Library System in West Bengal: An Evaluative Study” submitted for the award of degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Science is based on my individual research effort, and the thesis has not been presented for the award of any other degree or diploma in any University or Institution, and that all the sources used in this research effort have been comprehensively acknowledged. Place: Aligarh Shamim Aktar Munshi Date: (Enrol. No.: GD-2903) Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to place on record my everlasting gratitude to Almighty Allah, the most beneficent, merciful and sustainer of the universe who provided me all the necessary strength and guidance to embark upon this task and successfully complete of my doctoral thesis. I am intensely delighted to express emphatically with a profound sense of gratitude and requital to my ideal teacher and esteemed doctoral research supervisor Dr. Mehtab Alam Ansari, Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh for his excellent guidance and moral support at every step during my research period. I am indebted to him for being tolerant of my personal shortcomings and professional limitations, for always helping me to remove my doubts and difficulties through his illuminating conversations and inspirations. It was not feasible for me to complete my research work without his keen involvement, expert knowledge, scientific temperament and deep insight into the subject. Apart from helping me understand the problem associated with it, he has made me realize the need and power of rationalism and optimism to conquer the unknown, in those fast developing scientific world. It will be incomplete without acknowledging my wife Mrs. Sayantoni Barsha, for her always co-operation, encouragement and continuous support throughout my research work without which I could not have completed this herculean task. I personally feel that the words are not enough to describe her contribution in whatever terms it may be. I cannot give her anything in return except a heart full of love, affection and deep reverence. I, sincerely express my profound sense of gratitude to my respected teacher Dr. Sudharma Haridasan, Chairman, Associate Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim University, for her constant encouragement, guidance, support, valuable suggestions and providing me adequate facilities for Maulanacompletion Azad of this work. Library, Aligarh Muslim University I wish to express my sincere thanks and profound gratitude to my other beloved teachers, Ex-chairman and Dean Professor. Shabahat Husain; Professor. Naushad Ali P. M; Dr. M. Masoom Raza, Associate Professor; Dr. Nishat Fatima, Associate Professor; Dr. Mohammad Nazim, Assistant Professor, Dr. Muzamil i Mushtaq, Assistant Professor and Mr. Daud Khan, Assistant Professor (Contractual), for their co-operation, valuable suggestions and moral support during my research in the department. My humble thanks goes to my younger sister, Ms. Sonia Munshi for her endless encouragement and constant support throughout my research journey. I feel honoured to express thanks to Ms. Shahwar Fatima, Mr. Mohd Faizan, Mrs. Zainab Khan, Mr. Mohd Shikoh and Mr. Muhammad Muzzammi for their support, help and encouragement. I specially owe my thanks to my batch mates like Mrs. Priyanka Nagar, Mr. Ruman Gul, Mrs. Mumtaz, Mrs. Maliha Subhan and Mrs. Kashish Fatima. I am thankful to my friends and colleagues who helped and encouraged me during my research period like Mr. Md. Ajmal Ansari, Mr. Md. Yakub Ali, Mr. Md. Firoz, Mr. Tarik Anower, Mr. Md. Shallahuddin, Mr. Mr. Ali Raza, Ms. Sana Zia, Ms. Sadaf Zia, Ms. Priya Vaidya, Mr. Abdus Samim, Dr. Saba Nasreen Bano, Ms. Gulnaz, Ms. Sayma Tabassum, Sufia Khowaja, Mr. Pervez Alam, Mr. Musahid, Mrs. Azra Aftab, Nida Naikoo, Dr. Shazia Khan, Ms. Ashiya Ahamedi, Mr. Md. Rustum Ali, Mr. Md. Akhtarul Hoque, Mr. Md. Firoj Ali, Mrs. Touhida Parvin, Mr. Arshad Faraaz, Mr. Md. Kaiyum Ali, Md. Firdous, Md. Abdul Latif, and specially Dr. Amina Khatun (Assistant Professor, Department of Bengali, A.M.U) for her support and encouragement. I would like to thanks Mr. Muhammad Asad Siddiqui, Mrs. Naheed Siddiqui, Aliza Siddiqui, Ashar Siddiqui, and all the Members of my Mohaan House Family for their always encouragement, love and care. I am highly indebted to Sri Abhijit Bhowmik (Librarian of the State Central Library, West Bengal), Dr. Mohd Yusuf (Deputy Librarian, Maulana Azad Library, A.M.U), Dr. Kamila Kanchan (Deputy Librarian, Central Library, Burdwan University), Dr. Zaki Anwar (Assistant Professor, Department of Statistics, A.M.U), Maulanaand Dr. Zahid AshrafAzad Wani Library,(Assistant Professor, AligarhDept. of LibraryMuslim and information University Science, University of Kashmir) for their professionally support and encouragement. I would also like to thanks office and seminar library staff members for their always co-operation and help in every aspect during my research. ii Last, but the most important of all, I also take this opportunity to remember and thank to the Librarians and other library staff members of 9 district libraries, 39 town/sub-division libraries and 95 rural libraries in West Bengal for their support in the collection of necessary data. Without their co-operation and kind help, this work could not have been possible. Shamim Aktar Munshi Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University iii Dedicated To My Loving Parents & Parents-in-Law Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University ABSTRACT The present study evaluates the current status of the public library system in West Bengal in terms of collection, staff, budget allocation, infrastructural facilities, implementation of information technology, status of library automation along with the various services and facilities which are rendered by the libraries. Apart from these, the study also examines the users’ perceptions regarding the activities and services provided by the public libraries. The researcher has used the structured questionnaire as the data collection tool for gathering the primary data for the present doctoral thesis. Before construction of the questionnaires, a number of studies on public library system and services have been consulted and reviewed in order to congregate unique and productive questionnaire design. It is important to mention that before finalizing the questionnaire, researcher has discussed with many librarians. Notably, these discussions have been very useful in bringing necessary correction in the questionnaire. For this research, the investigator prepared two sets of structured questionnaires: one questionnaire for the library staff and another set of the questionnaire Maulana Azad Library, Aligarh Muslim University was designed for the user. Significantly, the questionnaire was translated in the Bengali language to enable staff to understand each concept in their native language. 1 The study covers four categories of public libraries such as State Central Library along with 9 district libraries, 39 town libraries/Sub- division libraries, and 95 rural libraries. The study further evaluates the opinions of the library users (2,685) about the services and facilities of the public libraries in West Bengal. The researcher has personally visited all the libraries and distributed questionnaires among the library staff as well as users. The present doctoral thesis has been divided into seven chapters. Each of the chapter deals with various aspects which are related to the research work as discussed below: Chapter-1: Introduction This chapter discusses the whole outline of the present research work, begins with the introduction explaining the research background, basic concept, and historical development of public libraries all over the world along with the Indian perspective. It delineates the major objectives of public libraries including the statement of the research problem and its significance. Further, the chapter also explains the major objectives, hypotheses, scope and