Kozhikode: Kozhikode Public Library which has been facing lack of funds in addition to irregular rent payments has been struck with another challenge. Kaushal Kendra and language lab, started as a means of improvising the library, is having an adverse effect on it.
Earlier, the library had the facility to have more than 150 readers in the reading section on the second floor. Since a portion of the library has now been allocated to Kaushal Kendra, it cannot accommodate more than 50 readers.
“I used to visit the library everyday. But now the facilities for reading are less. There are occasions when we have to wait for long to get seating”, said Nizar C., a member of the library.
Again due to the lack of space inside, the newspaper reading section has been shifted to the verandah. In the monsoon, there’s a risk of water seeping inside.
Moreover, the water bill of the Kaushal Kendra is being paid by the funds-starved library. According to a library employee, while allocating new projects it should have been made certain that the basic facilities of library were not compromised.
“Digital libraries are the need of the hour. The problems of the library will be addressed soon. The lag in restoration was because of litigation which has now almost been settled out of court,” said district collector N. Prasanth.
