Thiruvananthapuram: While passing through Choozhattukotta, Kaimanam, we come across 'Janatha Grandhasala'. Unlike the name suggests, you cannot see janatha (people) there.
There are a couple of aged newspapers and magazines scattered here and there and a wardrobe with few untouched bo-oks, and on the wall, hangs 'Kerala State Library Council certificate'.
This is not an isolated one. Many libraries around the city are left unattended and lacking maintenance.
For Library Council's affiliation, they must have 50 members, 1,000 books, and should conduct at least one socio-cultural event a month. But these libraries have none.
On the other hand, public libraries are facing a crisis of identity and sustainability. They don't utilise grants and loans properly or promote social gatherings to make the community more progressive, culturally sensitive and secular.
The movement began with Swati Thirunal who opened the Thiruvananthapuram Public Library in 1829. It was the first public library in India.
Kerala University library has over 350,000 books, bound volumes of newspapers, journals and rare books. On average, 1,000 to 1,250 students, research scholars, teachers and others visit here daily.
When government libraries reel under financial problems, private libraries grow.
"With 15,000 membership, our growth was slow and steady. We offer a wide variety of genres. Our customers are professionals, kids and middle-aged people," said Narayanan of Eloor Libraries.
"It's been 36 years now. Now students read less. E-readers like Kindle is a major threat. Even our Chennai branch was closed down due to huge losses, and many old books are of no demand. So we donated them to libraries damaged in floods."
Anyone can start a library if the public can have memberships and take books. The council provides grants according to their grades.
"Of the 8,605 libraries across Kerala, 6,198 have grants, and out of 551 libraries in the capital city, 115 are 'A-plus' category.
It spends around Rs 30 crore every year. If you find an unmaintained library, you can report. Taluk library council will take it over.
"We give allowances to the librarian and set up libraries even in jails, correctional homes, and child homes," said Danesh Kumar, superintendent KSLC.
