CM promises Centenary Library at People's Park

If Chief Minister Siddaramaiah keeps his word, a library to mark 100 years of the City Central Library, planned at People’s Park in Nazarbad  here, will soon be a reality.

Addressing librarians and book lovers on the occasion of the launch of centenary celebrations of the City Central Libraryat Open Air Theatre, Manasagangotri in the city on Wednesday, Siddaramaiah promised all assistance from the government in realising the plan. He also spoke in the affirmative about the proposed mobile library by the Department of Public Libraries.

The chief minister advised the people to imbibe library culture, that will not only help acquire wide vista of knowledge, but also overcome addictions, if any.

Recalling his high school days at Vidyavardhaka School near the central library, Siddaramaiah said, “I used to regularly visit the library after school hours. I used to spend nearly one hour to go through the newspapers and magazines, a luxury not many could afford at home those days.”

The chief minister said internet, especially internet on mobile phones, is becoming widespread.

“It cannot replace libraries. If one has to enrich knowledge on a regular basis, library is the only place,” Siddaramaiah said.

Referring to the advent of electronic media, the cause for the dwindling number of visitors to libraries, the chief minister said the influence of print media prevails over others.

Crediting the erstwhile ruler of Mysuru Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar for introducing the concept of library in the State, Siddaramaiah said such is the service of the library that it has been satiating the thirst for knowledge for 100 years. “It is evident with 1,500 to 2,000 visitors availing the services at the library daily,” said the chief minister, quoting the department officials.

CM’s promise to librarians
The chief minister promised the honorary librarians that he will to look into their demands.

At the centenary celebrations of the City Central Library, Siddaramaiah said, “I will seriously consider the demands made by the librarians.”

Earlier, MLA Vasu brought it to the notice of the chief minister that there are 6,000 honorary librarians serving in different parts of the State for a monthly salary of just Rs 5,500. When they started, it was a meagre Rs 50, that was revised in later years.

Ironically, their salary is less than the daily wages when calculated per month, said Vasu making a strong pitch for the demand.

Earlier, District in-charge Minister V Srinivas Prasad attributed the achievement of Dr B R Ambedkar to the knowledge acquired from libraries. Ambedkar was described as a ‘Monster of Library’ for his voracious reading habit, he said. 

A CD of centenary theme song, penned by poet C P Krishna Kumar, popularly known as CPK, was released on the occasion. 

A centenary book and handbook were also released to mark the event. Mayor R Lingappa and his 16 predecessors, who had served as chairman of the City Central Library Authority, were felicitated.

Kuvempu reading room
Earlier, a reading room, named after poet laureate Kuvempu, was dedicated for book lovers at the library.