SALIGAO
The computer supplied by the panchayat to the 11-year-old library has not been working for several years, and the librarian is expected to do the work manually. But handling operations manually in the library is no mean task: there are 5,975 books in the library, besides subscription to 14 newspapers and 21 magazines covering various topics. In addition, the library staff has to maintain records of 1,079 members, which includes 560 students, on the roll of the panchayat library. Speaking to The Goan, librarian Bina Naik provided details into the working of the library. “The Directorate of Art and Culture supplies around 100 books to the library every year. The life membership fees are Rs 500, while ordinary members have to pay a deposit of Rs 100 and the annual subscription is only Rs 10. High school students have to pay nominal admission fees of Rs 10,” said Naik. “Every member is allowed to retain a book for 15 days. If the member does not return a book within 15 days, a fine of one rupee is imposed per day,” Naik added. A senior citizen and library member, Sangeeta Kanitkar, said she has been a frequent visitor to the library. “The service is good but we do not get new books to read. I have read most of the Marathi novels in the library. Every year, several hundreds of books on various topics are published in Goa and Mumbai. The panchayat should make arrangements to purchase books written by renowned authors.” “The library should be made air-conditioned and operations should be computerised. The panchayat should also increase the annual subscription fee of the members to generate more revenue,” said Kanitkar. When contacted, Secretary of Penha-da-Franca Library, Vipin Korgaonkar said the library has been getting grants from Department of Art and Culture of Goa Government under the scheme Assistance to the Libraries run by Private Institutions . “During the year 2015-16, the panchayat received grants of Rs 1.2 lakh from the Directorate of Art and culture. But this grant is insufficient to run the library to the satisfaction of the readers,” said Korgaonkar. “The library is being managed by two staff members, a Junior Librarian and Library Attendant and the grant received is utilized to pay staff salaries. The panchayat is, therefore, forced to spend money from the panchayat fund.” Detailing the efforts by the panchayat to maintain the library, Korgaonkar added: “The panchayat purchases books for the library and claims the amount from the Directorate of Art and Culture.” “The panchayat has decided to repair and renovate the library and a proposal in this regard has been sent to the Block Development Office, Mapusa for approval. The panchayat has also made a provision of Rs 2 lakh in its budget for the library and proposes to computerize operations at the library soon,” Korgaonkar added.
