History of Libraries & Library Movement in India

Dr. A.Y.Asundi

Introduction

The history of the evolution of the libraries is an essential in the history of the intellectual development of civilization

“Libraries are the collective memory of the mankind, because they have existed since ancient and classical times” – Viscount Samuel

Use of writing materials and education through written records naturally stimulated the practice of their collection & preservation that ultimately made ground for the formation of libraries.

Very early libraries were of clay tablets, papyrus, palm leaf etc., based

Contd…

In Egypt, the libraries were usually part of temple

Rome introduced library through collection acquired after successful wars

In Constantinople, libraries were attached to every Church and even the small communities of the Egyptian deserts collected books.

Clay tablets

papyrus

Palm leaf

Historical Factors Influence on Est. of libraries

1. Renaissance (1400-1700 AD) period Experimental Science Logic, Science & Philosophy

2. The Impact of Printing - Johann Guttenberg

3. Impact of Industrial Revolution Literary & education became more widespread The new mode of life is cities & factories,

increased demands on libraries

History of Libraries

The excavations uncovered a royal palace of 90 rooms laid out around eight enclosed courtyards, many ambitious private dwellings, including two private libraries (one belonging to a diplomat named ) that contained diplomatic, legal, economic, administrative, scholastic, literary and religious texts.

The libraries of Ugarit (in modern Syria), c. 1200 BC

The Royal Library of Alexandria, in Alexandria, Egypt, was probably the largest, and certainly the most famous, of the libraries of the ancient world.

History of Libraries

The ruins of Taxila consist of many different parts of the city buildings and buddhist stupas which are located in a large area.

Taxila is an important archaeological site in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

History of Libraries

Evolution of libraries in UK & USA

Industrial revolution in UK & USA has given a big boost to the library movement

The concept of liberal education, education for all, political thought and ideas of Democracy – all these factors contributed to development of libraries – all types

History of library movement in India

Indian culture & civilization evidences the existence of libraries since Vedic period.

Thanks to the various seats of learning located monasteries, temples, and Buddhist Vihars spread over the length & breadth of our country.

Libraries in Ancient & Medieval India Libraries are attached to seats or centres of

learning were Nalanda, Vikramshila, Somapuri, Jaggadal, Mitthla, Takshsila etc.,

Contd…

Libraries in the Moghul Period: In the Moghul period, libraries developed & prospered,

thanks to the Moghul Kings who were highly educated and founder of books

During Babar’s period Imperial library was started Bhamanis in South also established libraries for

Universities

Library Development in Modern India 1808 as a landmark in the history library movement in

India – Bombay govt. initiated a proposal to register libraries, which would receive free copies of books published from the “Funds for the Encouragement of Literature

Development of Public Libraries

Early PLs in India were started with support of British

The first library of English colony was started in 1662 & was called St.George Library

In 1773, Malabaria & portuguese library was started by Ziegenbalg

In 1787, Messrs clock, Maxwell co., started the Calcutta circulating library

Calcutta library society(1818), Trivandrum Public Library (1829) Calcutta public library (1835).

20th century saw the dovt. of PLs at an accelerated pace all over India

Borden established the PL System in Baroda – 1910

Development of ALs

Pre-Independence Period Academic Libraries are attached to a University,

College & school Greater influence and contribution of Christian

Missionaries in start up school & colleges. Establishment of three Universities in India

Post Independence Period Establishment of UGC – AICTE etc., Appointment of Committees & Commission Setting up & framing NEP.

Development of Special Libraries

Investment on R & D and S & T activitiesEstablishment of R & D oganisation Starting up of IISc.Establishment of CSIRBirth of DRDO laboratoriesPrivate and Public enterprises Objective and mission oriented

Organisations

Role of libraries in formal & informal education

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Introduction

Various institutions founded by the society – educational, research, cultural, recreation, business & industrial institutions.

The library is the central focal point to serve all these institutions

Library & Education Defined as the aggregate of all the processes by

means of which a person develops abilities, attitudes & other forms of behaviours

All these process is done through formal & informal education

Education aims imparting knowledge & skills, inculcation of values

Formal Education

Is given in academic institutions like school, college & universities – to which is attached generally a library While at school, a library tries to supplement

classroom teaching In colleges & universities it becomes a focal

point of learning Role of library in fostering the intellectual

development of students, faculty & researcher needs.

Informal Education

Which there is no institutional base, the library becomes the main resource

As the users of non-formal programmes have to acquire knowledge through self study.

Public libraries are providing non-formal education through Govt. funds. It also conduct non-formal education programmes from time to time

Now PLs are becomes “Community Information Cenres (CICs).

PLs while catering to the recreation & leisure utilization by users.

School Libraries: Features & Functions

Children's are our future. Children should be introduced to the books & other documents at very young age.

School Library Primary; Secondary & Higher Secondary School Libraries

School Library

Functions of School Libraries

To acquire, maintain, & circulate the books & other reading materials relevant to the needs & interests of teachers and students.

To create curiosity & interest among the students & staff To teach them how best make use of available

materials for their study, teaching, recreation and entertainment.

To create a sense of value among the users To inculcate the habit of self-study To enable the teachers to use the libraries to support

various programmes of the school To generate a sense of confidence among the users

that the library is a centre of all types of information

Collections & Services in School Libraries

Pictorial books Biographies of great men & women Comics & cartoons Folk tales Punchatantra tales Stories of animals & birds Games & sports Reference books Children’s magazines A.V. Materials etc.,

College Libraries: Features & Functions

College education provides a totally different environment for boys & girls who go for higher studies

Usually the classes comprise larger numbers of students & unlike school education, the students in colleges get much less individual attention from the teachers.

In this context students have to depend much more on self learning

The college library thus becomes an automatic choice for students to supplement their class room teaching

College Library