Kakinada: Digital library effort crawls along

KAKINADA: The digitisation process of Kakinada Central Library is moving at a snail’s pace. The state government has decided to make digitisation of Central Library at Kakinada along with other district libraries in the state. Technical personnel initiated the work one year ago and halted it in midway for reasons best known to them.

Library authorities said that there are more than 80,000 and are properly classified as per traditional librarian manual. After setting up of an Internet facility, footfalls have increased considerably. According to a Central Library official, nearly 500 readers per day visit the library as against 300 to 400 previously.

“In this hi-tech gadget era, it is heartening to see youngsters visiting libraries. We have to inculcate reading habits in them and even encourage doing so,” he said.
However, they are finding it difficult to get the right book, Even general readers are facing difficulties in getting book they need, according to a user. “When I visited a library in Chennai, I could easily access the book needed as the library was digitalised. When I asked him for a specific book, the librarian procured in within seconds. The City Central Library and also other libraries should adopt such technology for increasing readers,” said a private school teacher, Mr M. Narayana Rao.

He said that in recent times, students were paying attention to preparing for competitive examinations by making use of libraries. If the libraries procure more books that are needed by students, it would be helpful for them.