The Union Ministry of Culture has announced financial support under the National Mission on Libraries (NML), a scheme committed to developing libraries across all states and Union territories. Under NML, funding will be provided for enhancement of one State Central Library and one District Library in each region as an NML Model Library.
Public libraries, being a state subject, operate under the administrative control of the respective library authorities of their State or UT. Six public libraries, however, fall under the Union Ministry of Culture’s jurisdiction. These are the National Library, Kolkata; Central Reference Library, Kolkata; Central Secretariat Library, New Delhi; Delhi Public Library, Delhi; Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, and Rampur Raza Library, Rampur.
The Genesis of National Mission on Libraries (NML)
The Union Ministry of Culture, in response to the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission, initiated the NML scheme in 2012. The commission was formed in 2005 to draw up a blueprint for reforms in knowledge-related institutions and infrastructure, thereby gearing India to take on future challenges. The NML scheme comprises four components: creation of the National Virtual Library of India (NVLI), setting up of NML Model Libraries, a quantitative & qualitative survey of libraries, and capacity building.
NML Model Libraries
Under the NML scheme, six libraries operating under the Ministry of Culture, 35 State Central Libraries, and 35 District Libraries, with particular emphasis on economically backward districts, will be developed as model libraries. Network connectivity will also be extended to another 629 district libraries across various states.
Quantitative & Qualitative Survey of Libraries
To establish a baseline data of libraries in India, a comprehensive survey of 5000 libraries will be carried out. This survey is a cornerstone of the scheme, providing important data to improve library infrastructure in the country.
Capacity Building
In addition to updating infrastructure, the NML scheme is also committed to enhancing the professional competence of library personnel. This includes training and skill development to ensure a proficient library staff capable of catering to users’ needs.
The National Virtual Library of India (NVLI)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Federated searching through multilingual user interfaces | Allows users to search in multiple languages through an integrated platform |
| Virtual learning environment | Creates a conducive environment for digital learning |
| E-governance platform facilitating data analytics | Enables data analysis, aiding in decision-making processes |
| Multilingual searching and retrieval on ontology/thesaurus based | Allows searchable database in various languages based on ontology or thesaurus |
The NVLI’s primary objective is to create a comprehensive database of India’s digital resources. It provides information about India in an open-access setting with navigable features like multilingual search capabilities, offering a virtual learning environment and facilitating data analytics through an e-governance platform. The project of creating the NVLI, costing Rs. 72.34 crore, has been entrusted to IIT Bombay, in partnership with C-DAC, Pune and IGNOU, Delhi.
