Attempt to promote reading habit among government staff

Department of Public Libraries to launch membership drive in district to promote reading habit among government staff and members of Sthree Shakthi Organisation and Youth Services.

There are over 213 various Departments in the District and a circular has been issued to all the departments asking them to become members within a month. After the completion of the membership drive, officials will be asked to motivate beneficiaries and visitors to the department to have membership in library. The authorities are expecting about 80,000 staff to avail the membership in the first instance.

The Taluk level officials have been asked to submit copies concerning their departmental activities, schemes launched and related handbills, brochures. The same will be placed in all libraries at the concerned taluks gram panchayat libraries. With this beneficiaries of the scheme can visit the nearest library and avail more information.

Steps are being even taken to place copies of Government Orders (GOs), guidelines, rules and regulations pertaining to the various wings of government in libraries. This will benefit not just the general public about the Governments activities, but also Government staff to know about the happenings in their and other departments.

Presently there are around 1 lakh members in the District from both City Central Library and District Central Library, comprising 236 libraries in 235 gram panchayats; 26 city libraries, and 8 branches located in taluk level. Library authorities say, with more number of officials visiting libraries, it becomes easier to elicit opinions and collect suggestions about possible lapses which can be easily implemented.

City Central Library Deputy Director B Manjunath said that this will not only promote reading habit among government employees but also helps to know details about the various schemes launched in different departments. It also increases members for the libraries.

Citing an example he said: “Handbooks and brochures of Agriculture Department is available only in the department. By keeping a copy of the same in all the libraries, everyone can know about the different Government schemes and guidelines that will help promote governance and improve transparency at the same time.”

Stating he has recommended Directorate of Libraries Department to extend the drive across state, he said a nominal membership fee of Rs 50 to Rs 100 (depends of cards they obtain) will be collected from each members, and it will be refunded if the official is transferred to another place, he added.