1. N.Avadaiappan, Former Director Public Libraries Department Tamil Nadu

2.  Adequate Public Library Service is a basic input for the social, political and economic development of a country.  This is more so of a democracy.  While the role of public library as a repository of the cultural heritage of a community continues to be important, it is necessary to draw the attention of all concerned to the need for a fundamental change in the concept of Public Library Service.  The developments that necessitate such a change are not far to seek the emergence of Distance Education as a parallel system, the implementation of the National Adult Education Program, the National Literacy Mission, to mention a few, have contributed to this emerging new role, the Public Library has to play in a vastly changed context.

3.  In the developed countries of the world, the public library is increasingly being looked upon as a Community Information Centre.  The Public library movement in our country, while there have been some major developments in recent years, is still in the infant stage in many states.  It is not a healthy sign that more than sixty five years after independence, only eighteen States and Union territories have legislation-based public library service.  It is necessary to examine what we have achieved in democratizing access to information.

4.  While there may be a certain amount of truth in attributing deficiencies and drawbacks in our public library system to financial constraints, it is necessary for us to examine how the community can be involved in the process of revitalizing the public library system in the country.  In the foreseeable future our financial constraints are likely to continue. Given this problem public libraries have to think of new approaches to find resources and new approaches for finance to fund future libraries to reach the community.

5.  A Public Library is an institution, serving a city, town, country or other local area, which is owned and maintained by the public for utilization of its learning materials for free service to the people of the area.  Its basic function is to make books and other library materials available to all the citizens it serves.  Public Libraries provide materials for general reference and research, for continuing education, and for recreation.  Many Public Libraries are small and can offer only basic materials; however, large public libraries often provide materials for specialized reference and research, coordinate programs for continuing education, and sponsor cultural and recreational events.  Public Libraries often serve as cultural centers, with facilities for meetings, lectures, concerts, exhibits and film presentation.  Person regardless of place of residence can use materials within any public library.

6.  When people think about their expectations of libraries today, they generally think about the traditional services that most libraries carry out so well.  Topping the public’s list of priorities is that the basic services they expect from libraries remain free of charge to the public.  They also expect libraries to have enough current books for children; numerous reference materials; and friendly and knowledgeable librarians.  Libraries should offer convenient reading hours and special programs for children, and they should have well-maintained buildings along with books and information that are organized for easy self-service with ICT application.

7.  ICT plays an important role in changing the public libraries and public information centers. The librarians want to use the changing ICT to provide the best services to their patrons. The libraries are no longer a physical repository of information and provide readers - a) Web based quality information service; b) Change the library environment conducive for ICT applications; and c) Dissemination and retrieval of pinpointed information at the shortest period

8.  Public libraries are established throughout the country and supported by central and state governments.  They are by and large functioning under the control of the Departments of Art and Culture or Education, besides the Dept. of Public Libraries in few states.  The development of the public libraries is the responsibility of the state government.  It is needless to mention here that finance plays a vital role for sustainable and uniform development of public libraries.  Then the question arises what is the source for the regular inflow of finance for the Public Library Authorities.  It has been proved in UK,USA and other developed countries that local cess, endowments, donations are the main sources of income.  So Dr.S.R.Ranganathan gave importance to Library cess while preparing Model Public Library Act for India.

9.  The concept of library cess, a vital component of Library Fund, finds a place in the first Public Libraries Act passed in India viz. TNPL Act, 1948 and states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh follow suit.  Wherever, there is a provision for library cess in the Public Libraries Act, there may be a significant inflow of funds to library authorities provided the library cess collected by the Civic authorities should remit into the account of concerned library fund maintained by the Library Authority.  The other entities such as donation, endowment are also covered in the Library Act as the sources of income to the Library Authorities.  In India 18 states have legislation based library services. The legislation ensures regular funds and other resources for public libraries, though not fully, but to an extent.  Among the 18 states, that have passed library legislation in India, Tamil Nadu is the first state to implement the Act as early as 1950. Over the period of time, the Act, and the rules there in are amended as and when need arises.  Since the subject matter for discussion is about the finance for future libraries, it is relevant to discuss the provisions in the Act to raise finance for library services.

10. a) Every Local Library Authority one in each revenue district shall levy in the area a library cess in the form of a surcharge on the property tax or house tax levied in such area under at the rate of ten paise for every whole rupee in the property tax or house tax so levied. (It was 3 paise since1950 and 5 paise since in 1972 and 10 paise since 1992) (b) An LLA may, with the previous sanction of the Government increase the rate of library cess. (c) The cess levied shall be collected by the local bodies. (d) Every LLA shall maintain a fund called the Library Fund from which all its expenses shall be met. (e) There shall be credited to the Library Fund the following sums, namely. 1. The cess collected under the provisions of the Act., 2. Contributions, gifts and income from endowments made for the benefits of public libraries; 3. Special grant which the Government may make for any specific purpose connected with libraries; 4. Fees, fines and other amount collected by the LLA under any rules or regulations made under this act.

11. According to the existing pattern, the income for Library Service is derived from:  Library Cess  Annual Subscription  Grant from the Government  Donations from public  Sale of old papers  Over dues and recoveries  Others such as rent, interest from Investments, etc. From the above sources, total income for the last 3 years are : S.No.YearIncome (Rs. In cr)  1.2012-13178.89  2.2013-14130.78  3.2014-15118.84* *(Up to Dec. 2015)

12. The Expenditure from the Library Fund is for the following services.  Purchase of reading materials such as books, periodicals, newspapers etc.  Purchase of Library furniture and fittings including racks, tables, chairs, electrical fittings including computers, CCTV etc.  Construction of new, additional and repairing of library buildings.  To meet office contingencies such as rent, stationery, electricity, telephone, fuel charges, automation, annual maintenance charges etc.  Miscellaneous expenditure such as wages to temporary laborers etc. The pay and allowances to the regular staff members are being met from state exchequer.

13.  Main source for Library Fund is library cess collected by local bodies. Library fund is considered as District entity. In the absence of specific provision in the act funds could not be transferred from one district to another district. Due to this constraint, it could not be possible to allocate funds uniformly to all libraries.  Considering the paucity of funds to the public libraries in certain districts, the Govt. of Tamil Nadu has taken legislative and non-legislative measures to correct it.

14.  Increase to cess from 3 paise per rupee on property tax to 6 paise in 1972 and 10 paise in 1992.  To avoid lopsided increase in finance, with the Local Library Authorities, every LLA has to contribute 20% of their cess collection every year to the ‘General Fund’ maintained by the Director of Public Libraries.  The Director of Public Libraries is empowered to utilize this ‘General Fund’ for the developmental activities of the LLA’s which suffer from paucity of funds. This General Fund neutralizes the availability of finance more or less equal in all LLAs.

15. The Govt. of Tamil Nadu has given eight programs with a view to building a broader public base with the support of the local people.  To acquire free site for every library  To enroll every educated person as a member of the library(6.52 million)  To fulfill the basic requirements of the libraries such as racks, furniture, utensils and electrical fittings through public donations.  To open part-time libraries at the rate of two to each library(581 PTLs)  To get books, dailies and periodicals through public donation, to every library  To enroll patrons who donates a minimum of Rs.1000/- to every library and develop library movement(Total 65282 patrons)  To house every library in its own building (4370 units/ 305 rented)  To give every library for adoption by bank or business house or industrial house for sustained development.

16.  Even though, this model is incorporated one of the items in eight programs, it is not fully tapped.  Only few banks, institutions, individuals show interest in public libraries. This is because of lack of interest by the librarians and other higher authorities to approach the right person at the right time.  However, few responses show that there is a vast scope for this model depending upon the librarian’s involvement in the program. A few interesting examples given here reveal the interest of individuals, industrialists and institutions.  1.One Shri.Ramachandra Iyer, Sirumugai, Coimbatore Dist. an octogenarian had donated his entire property consisting of 15 cents of land, six shops and three houses valued at Fifteen Lakhs to the library during 1990. He has also given his Savings of Rs.40,000/- with the bank, to the library. Above all, he has nominated Shri.Muthusamy, Grade III Librarian to perform his last rites after his death. According to him “donation to educational institutions is useful to particular age-group. Donation to a temple is useful only to the people of a particular religion. Donation to community hall etc. may be useful only to a particular community. Donation to library ensures benefit to all age-groups, people of all religions and all communities. Hence donation to the Public Library Movement is the real, superior and purposeful one’’.

17.  2.A Tamil film star namely Shri. R.Parthiban, who is still active in films had adopted a Branch Library in Chennai. He bears the expenditure of maintaining the library in association with the library authorities. He also donated a sum of Rs.50,000/- to name the Branch Library after his father’s name Shri. Radhakrishnan.  3.One illustrious Librarian by name Shri. Banic Pandian working in Thiruvallur Dist. has taken strenuous efforts to meet Senior Executives of the public sector undertakings and members of Assembly/Parliament for donation to construct a state-of-the art library in Thiruvottriur near Chennai and succeeded. An amount of Rs.80 lakhs has been received as contributions from the above sources and the construction of a Model Branch library is in a month or two.  4.A leading industry in Virudhunagar Dist. has come forward to donate Rs.30 lakhs to improve the public library in Rajapalayam Town in that Dist. due to the constant persuasion of the able and energetic Dist.Library Officer, Shri.Jagadeesan.  Proper motivation, support and encouragement, the Librarians involve actively in the program and can mobilize resources for public library services.

18. Finance for the future public libraries can successfully be generated thro’ the Tamil Nadu model in addition with the following –  The States/UTs where Library Act is not in force should pass the act immediately.  Improvement of libraries thro’ constituency development fund of the Members of State Assembly/ Parliament at least 3 per year in each and every Assembly segment.  Creation of ‘Library Infrastructure Fund’ of minimum Rs.500 Crores with the support of the Govt., PSUs, Multinational Companies, Private Donors etc.  Allocation of 2 percent of Service Tax to strengthen the ‘Library Infrastructure Fund’ to combat the raise in expenditure.  100% Income Tax exemption for investments made in public libraries.  Effective financial management and avoid wasteful expenditure.  Delegation of control and administrative powers to taluk level librarians to avoid wasteful expenditure.  Above all, Library Acts should be amended suitably, incorporating the various sources of Income as discussed above for perennial support to Public Library Services.   Thank you.