Lok Sabha Question No. 4120 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Publicity of Public Libraries
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Karti P Chidambaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4120 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## PUBLICITY OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

## 4120.  SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) the  details  of  the  criteria  and  methodology  used  by  the  Government  for  the identification and tabulation of public libraries under its purview and whether it has been independently verified;
- b) the  details  of  awareness  or  outreach  activities  undertaken  by  the  Government  to publicise these libraries among the local population;
- c) whether  the  Government  maintains  a  comprehensive  list  of  such  libraries  with complete addresses; and
- d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  this  list  is  available  in  electronic  format  for public access and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

a) As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, libraries fall under the State List in the Seventh Schedule, with public libraries functioning under the administrative control of the respective State or Union Territory authorities.

However,  the  Raja  Rammohun  Roy  Library  Foundation  (RRRLF),  an  autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, extends financial assistance for the development of public libraries across the country through various approved Matching and Non-Matching Schemes, in active collaboration with the respective State/UT Library Authorities.

In  addition,  the  Ministry  of  Culture  implements  the  National  Mission  on  Libraries  (NML) Scheme,  under  which  financial  assistance  is  provided  for  the Up-gradation  of  Existing Libraries  under  the  NML  Model  Library component.  Under  this  component,  support  is extended to one State Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT-based on recommendations from the respective State authorities and subject to the availability of State funds-in addition to six libraries identified by the Ministry. The initiative focuses on four key  areas:  improvement  of  infrastructure;  upgradation  of  technology  and  modernization  of services;  creation  of  facilities  for  specially-abled  groups;  and  procurement  of  reading resources tailored to local needs, along with advocacy and outreach programmes.

(b)  The  Raja  Rammohun  Roy  Library  Foundation  (RRRLF)  provides  assistance  to States/UTs  for  operating  mobile  libraries,  particularly  in  rural  and  remote  areas,  with  the objective  of  promoting  reading  habits  and  extending  library  services  to  underserved communities. Financial support is also extended for organizing book fairs, exhibitions, and reading promotion activities at the district and block levels, thereby attracting diverse user groups, including students, senior citizens, and women. To enhance user engagement and service delivery, RRRLF  supports modernization of libraries through infrastructure upgradation,  provision  of  furniture,  ICT  equipment,  and  internet  connectivity,  which contribute  to  improved  visibility,  accessibility,  and  usability  of  libraries  among  local populations.

In addition, the National Register of Public Libraries , recently launched by RRRLF, serves as an information repository on the presence of libraries across different parts of the country and creates awareness among local citizens regarding the availability of public libraries in their vicinity.

Under  the  National  Mission  on  Libraries  (NML)  Scheme,  financial  assistance  is  provided through  the  sub-component Procurement  of  Reading  Resources  to  Meet  Local  Needs  and Advocacy & Outreach Programmes . This includes support for the procurement of books, ebooks, audio/video collections, periodicals, and other resources as per local demand; and for conducting advocacy and outreach programmes such as stakeholder engagement, collaborations  with  civil  society,  quizzes,  creative  writing  competitions,  model-making, music competitions, workshops, publicity of library activities in local media, and the opening of  extension  counters  in  local  schools  for  the  benefit  of  students,  teachers,  and  staff. Assistance is provided up to ₹3.00 lakh for each State Central Library, ₹2.00 lakh for each District Library, and ₹4.20 lakh for each Ministry of Culture Library.

(c)  &  (d)  The  Government of  India, through the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF)  under  the  Ministry  of  Culture,  has  recently  launched  a  significant  initiative  to compile and maintain a comprehensive, national-level dynamic database of public libraries across the country.