creators_name: Raman Nair, R.
creators_id: ramannair_r
type: journalp
datestamp: 2006-04-25
lastmod: 2008-11-19 09:13:09
metadata_visibility: show
title: National Library of India : a historical perspective
ispublished: pub
subjects: DF
subjects: DB
subjects: DC
full_text_status: public
keywords: India National Library Imperial British
abstract: Traces the history of organized document collections of India from very ancient times, the contribution of Europeans especially the British rulers of India for systematization and conservation of such collections, and the origins of public library systems that culminated in the establishment of the National Library of India. Critically evaluates the National Library system of India as well as its present set up, resources and services. The paper argues that the main characteristics of a national library, which distinctly delineate it from other types of libraries is its specialization in a particular geographical area for its content. It should achieve maximum reliability of the collection in that mandatory area. The paper points out that in coverage and reliability in the mandatory areas as well as in extending services to the expected users including those living in remote villages; Indian National Library has failed. The study suggests decentralization of the resources by physically spreading it among the regions of concerned languages, establishment of subject specific divisions and other measure that can enable the National Library of India to fulfill its objectives. 
date: 1987
date_type: published
publication: International Library Movement
volume: 9
number: 1
publisher: ILM
pagerange: 8-21
refereed: TRUE
referencetext: Clapp, V W.  Libraries in the life of the nation: the national library, Ottawa, CLA, 1953.
Govi, K M.  Library System in India.  Vijnana Kairali, February 1985.
Humphreys, K W.  National Library Functions. UNESCO Bulletin for Libraries, V20, 1966 p.158-69.
Kaula, P N. National Library of India, Bombay, Somaiya, 1970.
Panikkar, K M. A Survey of Indian History. Bombay, Asia, 1957.
Renna, P C.  Planning of library and Documentation Services, New Delhi, Universal, 1985.
Proceedings of the Symposium on National libraries: Their problems and prospects 1958, Vienna, UNESCO, 1960.
Tyulina, N I. National libraries. In Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science.  New York, Marcel Dekker. 1976.

citation: Raman Nair, R. National Library of India : a historical perspective. International Library Movement, 1987, vol. 9, n. 1, pp. 8-21. [cited var currentTime = new Date();var month = currentTime.getMonth() + 1;var day = currentTime.getDate();var year = currentTime.getFullYear();document.write(month + "/" + day + "/" + year)]. Available from WWW: http://eprints.rclis.org/6110/. [Journal Article (Print/Paginated)]
document_url: http://eprints.rclis.org/6110/1/ILM.pdf