Why India Must Do More to Support Its Public Libraries

Siddu Huded, Assistant Librarian at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, argues that public libraries are indispensable pillars of a healthy democracy, yet they are currently suffering from severe systemic neglect. He highlights a distressing crisis where rural librarians have faced such extreme administrative neglect and unpaid wages that it has led to tragic outcomes, including suicides. While various state legislations were originally designed to provide sustainable funding through a dedicated library tax, the article notes that these funds are often mismanaged, delayed, or diverted. To address this, the author calls for a modernized vision that treats librarians as essential “knowledge professionals,” ensures financial transparency, and transforms libraries into digital hubs for e-governance and literacy. Ultimately, the piece emphasizes that the true value of a library lies not just in its books, but in the human infrastructure that keeps knowledge accessible to all citizens regardless of their background.

Read the full article here.

Tags: Public Library