Lok Sabha Question No. 338 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-02
Subject: Establishment of Libraries and Modern Learning Resource Centres in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.338 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026

## ESTABLISHMENT OF LIBRARIES AND MODERN LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRES IN TAMIL NADU

## 338 SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI NAVASKANI K: SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- a) the details of the number of new public libraries, community libraries and knowledge resource  centres  set  up  across  the  country  especially  in  Tamil  Nadu  during  the  last five years and the current year;
- b) whether the Government has received any proposal from Tamil Nadu for setting up of new libraries or modern learning resource centres under Central assistance;
- c) if so, the present status thereof;
- d) the details of the number of libraries have been upgraded with digital infrastructure such  as  high-speed  internet,  e-learning  modules,  digital  cataloguing  systems  and online resource access in Tamil Nadu during 2019 to 2024;
- e) whether the Government is implementing any initiatives through libraries to promote digital literacy, e-governance awareness and access to online educational resources in Tamil Nadu; and
- f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, libraries fall under the State subject in the Seventh Schedule, with public libraries functioning under the administrative control of the respective State or Union Territory authorities. Opening of new libraries comes under the purview of the respective State Government/UT Administration.

(d) Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous organization fully financed  by  the  Ministry  of  Culture,  provided  financial  assistance  for  development  of existing public libraries in Tamil Nadu through its various approved schemes on the basis of the recommended application received from Tamil Nadu State Library Authority.

Details  of  the  financial  assistance  released  and  number  of  libraries  assisted  under  various RRRLF schemes during 2019-20 to 2023-24 in Tamil Nadu are provided at Annexure I .

Additionally, 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.  Assistance  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 availability of State funds, in addition to six libraries identified by the Ministry. This component focuses on four key areas: improvement of  infrastructure,  up-gradation  of  technology  and  modernization  of  services,  creation  of facilities  for  specially-abled  groups,  and  procurement  of  reading  resources  to  meet  local needs along with advocacy and outreach programmes.

The  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  was  sanctioned  financial  assistance  for  upgradation  of District Library, Vellore and District Library, Tiruchirappalli as per following details:

| Library Name                      |   Amount Sanctioned |   (Rupees in lakhs) Amount Released |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------------|
| District Library, Vellore         |                  87 |                               79.27 |
| District Library, Tiruchirappalli |                  70 |                               68.16 |

(e)&(f) RRRLF under its Matching and Non-Matching Grant Schemes, provides financial assistance  to  public  libraries  for  the  procurement  of  computers  and  related  accessories, library  automation  software,  scanners,  networking  facilities,  Wi-Fi  and  other  Information and Communication  Technology  (ICT)  infrastructure. These initiatives facilitate the transition of public libraries towards digital services and enable them to provide access to online  information  resources,  thereby  contributing  to  the  promotion  of  digital  literacy among the public.

In  addition, RRRLF provides financial assistance under its Seminar Scheme for organizing training  programmes,  refresher  courses,  workshops  and  seminars  for  library  professionals across  the  States/UTs.  These  capacity-building  programmes  aim  to  enhance  the  skills  of library staff in the use of modern library technologies, information systems and digital tools, enabling them to assist users in accessing e-resources and online services.

## Annexure-I

Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.338 for reply on  2 nd February,  2026  regarding  'Establishment  of  Libraries  and  Modern  Learning Resource Centres in Tamil Nadu'.

(Amt. in Rs.)

| Scheme                                                                                | Amount of Assistance   |   No of Beneficiary Libraries |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Organization of National level Seminar, Workshop, Training and Awareness Programme    | 4,00,000/-             |                             5 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner                                               | 9,36,022/-             |                             9 |
| Children Library and Establishment of RRRLF Children Corner                           | 2,00,000/-             |                             2 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Differently -abled corner                                      | 1,75,000/-             |                             1 |
| Organization of National level Seminar, Workshop, Training and Awareness Programme    | 49,970/-               |                             2 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner                                               | 2,99,999/-             |                             8 |
| Procurement of Library furniture and storage of books                                 | 1,34,45,588/-          |                          2586 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Differently -abled corner                                      | 7,00,000/-             |                             2 |
| Development of Public Library run by Voluntary Organisation                           | 66,323/-               |                             1 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner                                               | 7,01,591/-             |                             7 |
| Procurement of Library furniture and storage of books                                 | 2,92,62,152/-          |                          2898 |
| Children Library and Establishment of RRRLF Children Corner                           | 5,33,728/-             |                             3 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Differently -abled corner                                      | 8,69,311/-             |                             5 |
| Organization of National level Seminar, Workshop, Training and Awareness Programme-NM | 13,17,500/-            |                            12 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner                                               | 2,45,175/-             |                             3 |
| Organization of National level Seminar, Workshop, Training and Awareness Programme-NM | 6,22,500               |                             7 |
| Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner                                               | 48,812/-               |                             1 |
| Modernization of Library Services                                                     | 1,68,94,334/-          |                           401 |

| Procurement of Library furniture and storage of books       | 1,02,96,132   |   668 |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|-------|
| Children Library and Establishment of RRRLF Children Corner | 1,44,576/-    |     1 |

*****