Role of Village Libraries in Social and Political Reform in Kerala

Raman Nair, R. (1998) Role of Village Libraries in Social and Political Reform in Kerala, in Sankara, Reddy M, Eds. Library and Information Science: S Panduranga Reddy Festschrift, chapter 12, pp. 173-182. Hyderabad, Vaibhav.

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Abstract

Thousands of village libraries in Kerala had their development parallel to the movements for economic, social and political reform, supporting them and at the same time getting inspiration from them. Like the tea shops and pan shops in villages, the libraries, reading rooms and recreation clubs also became the centers were discussions on aspects that affect the life of the people, progressive ideas as well as reforms that can improve the situation went on. There the common people shared the news they got and their views. It was in such centers that the first political organizations of Kerala were formed, the seeds of social and economic reform were sown and the ideas of national unity and even independence were put forward. In the daily gatherings at the libraries western educated and progressive minded youth created awareness against outdated customs, traditions and family organization. They worked for social reform forming small groups of likeminded persons, for which libraries served as bases. Enormous quantity of reading materials discussing the political, economic and social problems; published by the political parties, communal organizations, trade unions, youth associations, women’s organizations, and individuals flowed into the village libraries. If we analyze the social history of Kerala we can understand that the contribution of village libraries was unique in achieving the participation of the common people in all reform movements which ultimately led to their success.

Keywords:	India Kerala Rural Village Library Information Development Social Economic
Subjects:	A. Theoretical and general aspects of libraries and information. B. Information use and sociology of information. D. Libraries as physical collections. > DC. Public libraries. C. Users, literacy and reading.
ID Code:	7084
Deposited By:	Raman Nair, R
Deposited On:	28 August 2006
All fields:	Show all fields

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