Goa will establish 168 libraries under a project worth around Rs 74 crore, we have been told on the weekend. The official description says the initiative is for children and adolescents, with improved access to learning resources and digital infrastructure. The project will establish “168 new libraries”. So, can we all expect a book paradise to come about in the first Asian home of the Gutenberg printing press?
But first let’s take a closer look.
It is not going to be 168 completely new library buildings. The official breakdown is: 78 new libraries in gram panchayats, renovation or conversion of 79 existing panchayat buildings, and 11 municipal buildings converted into library spaces. The libraries will provide books and National Digital Library of India (NDLI) resources.
Goa will introduce container-style and prefabricated libraries. Such units will allow for quicker deployment, where conventional buildings are difficult to come up. As of now, we do not know the exact locations and criteria for the siting of the libraries.
The initiative will strengthen library services across Goa, it is being promised. Yet, the project is not about 168 entirely new libraries. Rather, it is a mix of new construction, renovation and conversions.
Part of Goa’s problem is that its citizens don’t complain, give feedback and make suggestions when they should. Book-lovers and readers tend to be an introverted, quiet lot. But when this issue came up for discussion recently, on a group that discusses writing, some issues emerged.
For instance, the District Library at Navelim has restrictions on lift usage at weekends (apparently, no staff then). The sister of a polio victim called it ‘disabled unfriendly’. Someone was critical of the staff approach towards students and members. Others felt it was well maintained; but then one has to “climb three floors to get to the kids’ section”.
Books need dusting, washrooms needing maintenance. Understandable, it can be hard to maintain a large infrastructure. But neglect is not the answer.
Anjali Noronha, involved with NGOs and libraries out of Bhopal commented: “Two years ago, it was the first Indian public state library that I have seen. And I was very impressed that a small state like Goa has invested so much-- a four-floor library, with large floors--with so many resources! But then Goa is also one of the most educated state.
“It has books in five languages--English, Marathi, Konkani, Portuguese and Hindi. Unfortunately books in English and Marathi and perhaps Portuguese too, outnumber books in Konkani. There are a few books in Romi Konkani too, but much less than in Devnagari Konkani. As far as maintenance and servicing is concerned, it is very understaffed. Each floor should have at least 3-4 staff; but some didn’t even have one staff! You can see that books are not back in the shelves; and this was afternoon.”
As one fan of reading said: “The Government says it is planning to launch 168 libraries with a Rs 74 crore budget. They should improve and strengthen the existing ones instead.”
But, seen in wider context, the issues of Goa’s libraries go wider and deeper. Key challenges facing libraries in Goa, especially the Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library and other government-run libraries. These include:
- Outdated book collections. Libraries in Goa lack significantly refreshed their collections in years; this leaves readers with old and irrelevant material.
- Slow acquisition processes. Bureaucratic procedures often delay the purchase of new books and journals.
- Limited to poor digitisation of collections. A large part of Goa’s documentary and rare heritage remains undigitised and inaccessible. Even when digitised, these are not shared online nor made publicly available.
- Inadequate online catalogues. Many libraries lack user-friendly and searchable digital catalogues.
- Insufficient funding for acquisitions. Budgets often prioritise infrastructure over the continuous purchase of books and digital resources. Much of the funding goes into building large, concrete structures, not books.
- Declining reading culture. Competition from smartphones and social media has reduced library usage, especially among young people. Something specific needs to be done to tackle this.
- Limited outreach programmes. Libraries rarely organise regular reading clubs, lectures, storytelling sessions or community events. Private libraries and bookshops do a better job.
- Poor promotion of local authors. Goan writers and publishers do not receive sufficient shelf space or visibility.
- Weak preservation of Goa’s documentary heritage. Newspapers, manuscripts, photographs and local publications are often inadequately preserved. Some are falling apart.
- Insufficient multilingual collections. There is an imbalance in holdings across English, Konkani (both scripts), Marathi, Portuguese and other languages.
- Shortage of trained library professionals. Modern librarianship requires digital skills that many institutions struggle to provide. Goa was much more active in the past in training librarians.
- Inadequate use of technology. E-books, digital lending, databases and mobile apps remain underdeveloped.
- Poor inter-library cooperation. Libraries often function in isolation instead of sharing resources and catalogues.
- Limited access to academic journals and databases, placing students and researchers at a disadvantage.
- Maintenance issues. Buildings and facilities sometimes suffer from inadequate upkeep and modernisation. Even prestigious projects.
- Inconvenient opening hours. Working people and students may find library timings restrictive. Hours restricted during the pandemic are yet to be extended again.
- Lack of dedicated children’s and youth programmes. Lifelong reading habits need to be cultivated early.
- Weak research support services. Researchers often need better reference assistance, archival guidance and digitised materials.
- Insufficient engagement with schools and colleges. Libraries could play a much larger role in educational partnerships and literacy initiatives.
- Libraries get viewed merely as buildings rather than knowledge ecosystems. Libraries need to become community, cultural, educational and digital hubs.
These challenges suggest that Goa’s libraries need more than just more funding. They need a comprehensive modernisation strategy that combines collection development, digitisation, community engagement, preservation of local heritage and a renewed culture of reading. Is that too much to hope for?
