Issues and Challenges of Rural Public Libraries in Karnataka: A critical Analysis

  • Unique Paper ID: 162362
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 10
  • PageNo: 27-31
  • Abstract:
  • Rural libraries are often lifelines for their communities, offering a wide array of services that cater to people of all ages and backgrounds. They are not just repositories of books but also hubs of learning, connection and cultural enrichment. However, the libraries in rural areas, as observed from earlier studies, are traditional in nature and not well equipped to effectively cater to the information needs of the rural people. Non-existence of library legislation in various states of India is one of the factors which adversely affected the development of a library system. This present study examines the status of rural libraries in four states of India, the information needs of the people in the study area, and their information seeking behavior. The study also examines the role of the latest IT techniques in improving the present status of rural libraries. According to the American Library Association (ALA), over 77% of rural public libraries are the only source of free public access to computers and the internet in their communities. In an era where online access is crucial for education and employment, rural libraries bridge the digital divide. Rural libraries host cultural events, book clubs and reading programs, enriching the lives of their patrons. In 2020, libraries across the United States organized approximately 143,000 programs for adults, including author talks and workshops. This study concludes that the libraries existing presently in rural areas are in a poor state of affairs. Lack of adequate resources, financial and human, is identified as the major reason for the present status of rural libraries.

Cite This Article

  • ISSN: 2349-6002
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 10
  • PageNo: 27-31

Issues and Challenges of Rural Public Libraries in Karnataka: A critical Analysis

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