The Hindu Business Line : Libraries wary over declining readership

Off-the-shelf
David Sassoon Library saw in number of books issued from 2,893 during 2004-05 to 1,976 in 2005-06.
Asiatic Library membership increased marginally to 182 (170) in one segment

Mumbai , Oct. 17

Long hours with books in a silent library are no longer considered time well spent. Slow growth in membership and a fall in readership have made the city libraries look at other modes of encouraging readership.

Newer avenues for information, namely Internet and television, have impacted the library culture.

Proof of a declining library culture is seen in a drop in number books issued. David Sassoon Library has experienced a drop in the number of books issued from 2,893 during 2004-05 to 1,976 in 2005-06. The library has on its rolls members in the average group of 35-65 years.

"The library is planning to hold book exhibitions and reading sessions at the lawn in the compound to encourage readership in the open air," said Mr Vivekanand Ajgaonkar, President Emeritus, David Sassoon Library. "There is a fall in the number of classics issued. Currently, books on history and magazines, mostly on business, are preferred."

Asiatic Library in the city has recorded a slow growth in membership.

"The membership has marginally increased to 182 in 2005-06 from 170 in 2004-05 in one segment," said a senior official at Asiatic Library. "Earlier the bank recorded a higher growth in membership," he added.

"However the library's membership in the students section increased to 176 in 2005-06 from 96 in 2004-05 because the library held several competitions like elocution, debates, among others," the official said.

"Declining readership is a concern. Easy access to information through Internet and other mediums has impacted the reading habit of a person," said Mr Girish Kunkur, Head-Library and Information Services, British Council Library.

Though the library has recorded a 5-10 per cent rise in membership, it admits that several programmes by the library have helped in maintaining growth. "For instance, we are organising a "reading mission" for 5-12-year-olds. It is a monitored workshop aimed at inculcating reading habits in children," he said.

However, there are some who still love the libraries for the silence and books.

"In the age of google, libraries are still useful," said Ms Mahafreed Irani, member of a city library.

"I can get the latest versions of expensive books (especially computer software manuals) and I have access to a variety of magazines."

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