GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARIES IN INDIA
The post-independence evolution of library
infrastructure in India is marked by three primary operational pillars:
·
The systematic growth and
architectural expansion of the National Library at Calcutta.
·
The enactment of comprehensive
public library legislation across six foundational Indian states.
·
The numeric expansion and grant
financing models of university and college libraries.
Historical Timeline
& Administrative Pioneers
•
First Half of 19th Century: Establishment of the
Calcutta Public Library, featuring prominent historical library figures Peary
Chanda Mitra and Bipin Chandra Pal.
•
January 30, 1903: Lord Curzon officially opened the
new Imperial Library of India at Metcalfe Hall. John Macfarlane (previously of
the British Museum) served as its first librarian.
•
Subsequent Imperial Leadership: Succeeded by
eminent scholars including Harinath De (noted linguist), John Alexander
Chapman, and Khan Bahadur K.M. Asadullah, who organized and initiated formal
library training courses here in 1935.
•
1928 Richey Committee: Appointed under J.A. Richey
to reorganize library administration; recommended making the Imperial Library a
copyright depository—a goal pursued heavily by Chapman and Asadullah.
•
1948 Legislation: The Imperial Library at Calcutta
was formally renamed the National Library of India.
•
1954 Enactment: The Delivery of Books (Public
Libraries) Act was executed, fully realizing the long-awaited legal copyright
deposit privilege nationwide.
•
Specialized National Centers: The National Science
Library (under INSDOC) and the National Medical Library (Directorate General of
Health Services) were systematically established and remain located in Delhi.
•
National Bibliography: The Indian National
Bibliography (INB) is brought out by the Central Reference Library (located on
the National Library Campus, Calcutta), directly matching the role of the
British National Bibliography produced by the British Library.
Academic
References & Attributions:
• Source Materials derived from The Complete Reference to Odisha Librarian
Recruitment Exams
• Maintained and curated for Library & Information Science Scholars,
Professionals, and Academic Researchers.
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