Compendium of select government reports on library & information services in India

Abstract

Libraries world over have always been recognised as an important social institution which helps in spreading the literacy and inculcating the reading habits among large section of population. Governments world over were sensitive enough to realise this very mission of the libraries and Indian Government have never been lacking behind to understand this aspect. Historically speaking, India has long and rich traditional in education, arts, culture and scientific research. The Seventh Plan Working Report of the Planning Commission states that “ No community, institution or organization is considered complete without a good library services. The gradual spread of the concept of democracy of socialist pattern of society, the extension of education, the intensification of research activities , the rapid increase in the production of recorded knowledge both in print and non print forms, and vast innovations in information and communication technology have led to the expression of libraries, information centres and systems as well as development of their services.” The significant slogan of the Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan that “THE NATION THAT READS, THE NATION THAT LEADS” speaks itself about the mind set of the Government and importance given to the libraries. Recognising the importance of the libraries, the Government of India and different State Governments have been formulating policies and bringing out reports on various issues concerning the libraries. There has been a persistent demand from the policy planners and library professionals that all the important Reports of the Government of India should be brought out at one place so that it becomes easy for them to refer and look to the focus and attention given by the Government in Library sector. This document is an attempt to compile some of the Reports of the Government of India and also from different States which are presently available in printed and mimeograph form for the pre and post independent India at Central Secretariat Library. There are many more such documents which were brought out by the Government from time to time and CSL intends to compile them in continuation to this venture and update the same for posterity. In addition to publishing them in full, an attempt has been made to provide a brief summary of each Report in a systematic manner which reflects the importance of the document.