Mobile library back in action after a gap of five years

The residents in the City can now avail their favourite books, available in the City Central Library, in their own areas. The Mysuru City Central Library has relaunched its mobile library, Kuvempu Mobile Library, here, on Friday.

The library on wheels is back in action after a gap of five years. The City had a mobile library from 1984, but owing to certain difficulties, it was stopped in 2011.

The new library, carrying 6,500 books, will visit 40 wards in the City once in a week. Everyday, the vehicle will cover 7 to 8 wards between 10 am and 6 pm and spend 30 minutes in each area. The vehicle, designed at a cost of Rs 35 lakh, is fully computerised with GPS tracking system, audio visual system and also has drinking water, a fan and lights.

The authorities will provide barcode cards to readers to borrow books available in Kannada, Hindi, English and Urdu languages. Story books, novels, general knowledge, current affairs, and children’s books are available.

After inaugurating the service near the City Central Library, MLA Vasu said with the launch of the mobile library, the City Central Library has created history. As technologies are developing at a fast pace, the concept of library is taking a backseat and reading habit among people is on the decline. The initiative attracts youths and readers towards library and helps cultivate reading habit, he said.

The government had sanctioned a piece of land at People’s Park to construct a library building, 40 years ago, but owing to opposition from environmentalists, it is pending before the government, which has also sanctioned Rs 3 crore for the works. So, a library similar to Bengaluru Central Library will come up in the City, he added.

The Libraries department is planning to introduce 15 more mobile libraries at different branches in the State. With the new mobile library, the Public Libraries department has provided 15 mobile libraries for 26 Central libraries across the State, said Director for Public Libraries Satishkumar S Hosamani.

Mayor and Chairman of Mysuru City Central Library B L Bhyrappa, Deputy Mayor Vanitha Prasanna, MLC Dharmasena, ZP Vice President Madappa, corporators and Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner C G Betsurmath were present.