Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has taken up digitization of books in library and it has already completed digitasation of 50,000 old books instead of taking up re-printing of such books, according to Minister for Primary and Secondary Education and Minorities Welfare Tanvir Sait.
Speaking at a function organized to celebrate World Book Day and inauguration of renovated building of Central Library at Cubbon Park here, Minister Sait said the Central Library has 3.64 lakh books and one lakh books are available at District Libraries.
Minister Sait said the City Central Library has been renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 1.36 crore with the financial assistance from Central Library Authority and Karnataka Government. “The state government plans to develop libraries in Bengaluru on the lines of Kolkata and Chennai libraries,’’ Minister Sait said.
The minister said all facilities including providing books for senior citizens, children, women and men apart from providing all amenities at the libraries. “The government is contemplating converting the libraries as platforms for people who want to appear for competitive examinations by ensuring the books,’’ the minister said.
He said the government plans to open libraries at 396 pre-university colleges among the 1204 pre-university colleges in the first phase as part of having libraries at all government schools and colleges. “I want the public to join hands with the state government to open libraries at all government schools and colleges in the state. The priority will be given to those books that showcase Kannada language, culture. One cannot get education by spending money but he/she has to work hard,’’ he said.
The minister said the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has paid only Rs 160 crore out of Rs 360 crore library cess collected from property owners in Bengaluru. “As of now, there are 6,657 libraries and the government plans to have a library at every gram panchayat in the state,’’ he said.
