Public Library Development in Kerala: A Historical Perspective

Raman Nair, R. (1991) Public Library Development in Kerala: A Historical Perspective. In Kusuman, K K, Eds. Proceedings South Indian History Congress, pp. 137-141, Dharwad, Karnataka University.

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Abstract

The study examines the social and cultural forces that contributed to the establishment of a large number of public libraries and their sustenance and development in Kerala at the beginning of nineteenth century. Establishment of Trivandrum Public Library in 1829 by Government of Travancore and its later development into State Central Library, establishment of libraries as part of providing educational facilities by Government of Cochin, provision of library facilities in Malabar region by Government of Madres and initiation of library legislation by rulers of Travancore are discussed in detail. The study observes that such a long, continuous and live involvement of State in library affairs as seen in Kerala is a rare phenomena. This has contributed immensely to the educational, social and economic development of the region.

Keywords:	Public Library Legislation Education Kerala India Travancore Cochin malabar History
Subjects:	D. Libraries as physical collections. > DC. Public libraries.
ID Code:	7002
Deposited By:	Raman Nair, R
Deposited On:	18 August 2006
All fields:	Show all fields

1. Velu Pillai, TK. Travancore state manual. Trivandrum: Government Press, 1947.

2. Sreedhara Menon, Ed. Kerala district gazetteers: Trivandrum. Trivandrum: Government Press, 1962.

3. Trivandrum Public Library. Administration report. Trivandrum: Government Press, 1981.

4. Sreedhara Menon. Op cit, 2.

5. Ibid.

6. Achutha Menon. Cochi Rajyacharitham. Calicut: Mathrubhoomi, 1989.

7. Kerala, Legislature, Secretariat of . Kerala Public Library Bill 1971: Background materials. Trivandrum: The Author, 1972.

8. Panikkar, PN, Ed. Keralathile Granthasala Prasthanam. Trivandrum. Steps, 1982.

9. Kerala, Legislature, Op cit, 7.

10. Sreedhara Menon. Op cit, 2.

11. Ibid.

12. Panikkar. Op cit, 8.

13. Travancore Cochin. Government Order No. M 98 dtd. 5, February, 1958.

14. Kerala. Government Order. MS No. 429. Edn: dtd. 25, July, 1961.

15. Kerala. Government Order. RL No. 843/66/Edn. Dtd. 20, March, 1966.

16. Kerala. Government Order. RJ No.1186 Edn. Dtd. 4, August, 1971.

17. Kerala. Government Order. RJ No. 375/76/H Edn. Dtd. 21, February, 1976 and MS No. 39/81/H Edn. Dtd. 9, March, 1989.

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