Libraries: the best book-ing agents, ever!

For many, libraries have been the first step towards a love affair with books. It is an affair which lasts a lifetime, is torrid, and experiences highs and lows, shares romance, provides mystery and more thrill than one ever bargained for. That being said, these institutions have in recent times dwindled. Private sector libraries are barely existent any more, yet Goa’s ‘biggie’ seems to thrive. When it comes to the public sector, most funding to keep these institutions going is met by way of government-given grants. In light of the National Mission on Libraries to revitalise the library system in India, library infrastructure is now undergoing several changes. Speaking after only recently being a part of the CinnamonTeal Publishing Next conference wherein he spoke on the changes taking place in the library system in India, the Curator of the Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library, Carlos Fernandes had plenty to share on the topic. “A rather surprising bit of information is the fact that there has been an increase in the reading habit. At one point in time, there used to be approximately 60 books that would be read or accessed on a day-to-day basis. Today that number has risen to approximately 400-500,” the current incumbent shares. That is seemingly in stark contrast to the sheer volume of electronic activity that generation next is exposed to in this day and age. However, Carlos feels that this trend in itself can be hugely beneficial, saying, “From Kindle to ebooks, technology has made reading trendy and viable. If we are to have a chance at keeping reading going, we need to accept and embrace new forms by which its appeal is raised. Reading can be showcased by means of a new platform, while retaining all its old positives.” The Central Library in itself has embraced this process of modernisation. Carlos explains how, saying, “We are in the process of digitising our entire catalogue, which is vast. Come 2017, we should be in a position to have everything backed-up electronically. The reason it is a protracted affair is because we are ensuring that the utmost care is taken with our priceless collection of reading material, most of which has turned brittle over the years.” So with old books with a new look, will the reading habit grow? Only time will tell.