JOIN USThe Mangalore City Corporation will mobilise funds for upgrading Karnad Sadashiva Rao City Central library, and its branches, said Mayor Mahabala Marla.
He was speaking at the National Library Week observed at Karnad Sadashiva Rao City Central library in Mangaluru on Monday.
The Mayor said that the MCC has been earmarking fixed amount of funds, collected through tax, to the department of library, which in turn was utilised for improving facilities in the libraries.
Steps have been initiated to extend the library in Surathkal, he said. The Mayor who is also the president of the City Central library said that the proposal towards hiking of the honorarium for temporary employees in the library has been discussed during the library authority meeting and measures will be taken to do the needful, he said.
He further said that a section on books related to competitive examinations in the City Central Library will cater to the needs of financially backward students.
“We should take out some time to read books to gain knowledge. Reading habit not only develops one’s intellectual abilities but also helps to build a healthy society,” he added.
Karnad Sadashiv Rao Central Library Deputy Director Raghavendra K V said that the library has been serving the public for the last 40 years. A section on books related to competitive examinations and children's books have been opened. He recalled the contributions of S R Ranganath, pioneer of library movement.
University College Principal Sathyanarayana Mallipatna said that the definition of reading has changed today. In the era of technological advancement, it is possible to read the books on mobile phones and on internet through e -books. But, the joy obtained from reading the real books is matchless, he said.
Corporator A C Vinay Raj lamented over the dwindling of reading habits among youth.
The Mayor also inaugurated the new internet browsing centre and children's section in the library.
District Lions 317D and district Lioness associations have given six computers to the library.
The browsing centre has been started in the library and the readers can browse for one hour by paying Rs 10. The library also provides a reference books for aspirants of KAS/IAS/CET/Bank exams/GRE/MAT/SAT and other competitive exams. About 2,500 books worth Rs 10 lakh has been added to the library in 2013-14. Deputy Mayor Kavitha, Librarian Gayatri among others were present.