Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Oct 13: Notwithstanding the tall claims of the Government to improve the condition of public libraries in the state, the real picture remains quite grim.
The State youth, especially from the far-flung areas, who aspire to appear in competitive exams are in dire need of good libraries which can help to provide them the requisite information and supplement to their existing knowledge.
The public library at border town of Mendhar depicts a pathetic picture as it lacks many facilities, infrastructure and the latest books and journals. Not only this, the staff has packed many books in the gunny bags as there were no adequate `almirahs’ and wardrobes. There is no phone connection, adequate furniture and drinking water facilities etc.
Students of the area allege that they suffer due to non-availability of new and latest books and competitive journals. They said the library subscribes only three or four English Dailies and there is no subscription to an Urdu newspaper.
Library incharge Ghulam Hussain when contacted said that the Library at Mendhar was established in 1980 in a rented accommodation and till date it continues to be in the same building. He said there were around 3900 books but the condition of over 1000 was not good. Hussain said he has written to the higher authorities for providing `almirahs’, fresh books, newspapers, phone connection, computer, furniture etc but nothing has been done so far.
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