1. General Historical Development of Libraries: A Recap
The history of libraries is a story of societal evolution, marked by a significant shift in purpose from preservation to access and use.
- Ancient & Medieval Period (Preservation-focused): In early history, libraries like those at Alexandria, Nalanda, and Taxila were primarily repositories for the documentary heritage of humankind. Books were rare, often handwritten, and considered prized possessions. The main goal was storage and security, with access limited to a privileged few.
- The Modern Library (Access-focused): The invention of printing in the 1450s enabled the mass production of books, laying the groundwork for a major shift. In the 19th century, driven by the Industrial Revolution and the ideal of "Education for all," the library was transformed from a private institution into a democratic one, open to the public. This shift necessitated new methods of organization like open access and relative location systems (such as the Dewey Decimal Classification) to help users find materials easily.
2. Development of Libraries in India
The development of libraries in India follows a distinct trajectory, reflecting the country's unique social and political history.
2.1 Ancient and Medieval Periods
- Ancient India: During the ancient period, knowledge was initially preserved and passed down orally through generations of scholars, who were known as "living libraries". With the development of scripts, knowledge was recorded on perishable materials like "bhurjapatra" (bark) and palm leaves. Libraries were primarily associated with great centers of learning, such as the universities at Nalanda and Taxila, which were managed by scholars and housed vast collections. Buddhist monasteries, known as "Viharas," also maintained significant libraries.
- Medieval India: This period saw the establishment of large libraries by various rulers. The Mughal emperors, known for their love of books, established impressive collections. Notably, during the Delhi Sultanate, Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji established an imperial library and appointed the famous poet Amir Khusru as its librarian. Emperor Akbar created a separate department to oversee public libraries in the capital and maintained a rich personal library. This period marks the emergence of librarianship as a formal occupation in India, with individuals being specifically appointed to manage collections.
2.2 British India and the Dawn of the Modern Library Movement
The introduction of English education by the British rulers led to the founding of new universities (Bombay, Calcutta, Madras in 1857) and learned societies, which in turn spurred the development of modern libraries.
The Baroda Public Library System: A Pioneering Model
A truly pivotal moment in the history of Indian public libraries occurred in the princely state of Baroda under the visionary leadership of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad. His efforts are considered a landmark because they established the first modern, systematic public library system in the country.
- Professional Expertise: Recognizing the need for professional guidance, the Maharaja invited W.A. Borden, an American-trained librarian, to India in 1911 to initiate a special training program for librarians. This was the first formal training for librarianship in the country and laid the foundation for the professionalization of the field in India.
- Institutional Framework: The Baroda Library Association was founded in 1910, providing a professional forum for librarians.
- Cooperative Ventures: In a cooperative venture, Motibhai N Amin organized the Pusthakalaya Sahayak Sahakari Mandal Limited in 1924 to supply books and other materials to libraries in Gujarat, demonstrating an early model of resource sharing and support.
The Baroda system was revolutionary because it was a comprehensive, state-sponsored effort that integrated the establishment of libraries with professional training and cooperative support structures, setting a powerful precedent for the rest of the country.
2.3 Independent India: Legislation, Professionalism, and Modernization
The real spirit and growth of the library profession in India flourished after independence in 1947, with the establishment of a large number of universities, colleges, and autonomous research organizations.
- The Role of S.R. Ranganathan: Indian librarianship secured its status as a profession largely due to the monumental contributions of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan. He provided the profession with a scientific foundation through his Five Laws of Library Science, developed a dynamic theory for knowledge organization (Colon Classification), and was a driving force behind the establishment of key institutions like the Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC, now NISCAIR) and the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC).
- Library Legislation: A key feature of post-independence development has been the enactment of public library legislation in various states to create and sustain a network of public libraries with a steady source of finance. Madras (now Tamil Nadu) passed the first such act in 1948, and since then, numerous other states have followed, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala, Haryana, and others. These acts typically provide for a library system with a pyramidal structure, from the state level down to the district and village levels, and often mandate a library cess to ensure financial stability.
- Modernization and Networking: The government has also encouraged the modernization of libraries. Key initiatives include:
- NISSAT (National Information System for Science and Technology): Established in 1977, NISSAT played a major role in developing metropolitan library networks like DELNET (Delhi) and CALIBNET (Calcutta) to promote resource sharing.
- INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network): Established by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1988, INFLIBNET was created to establish a computer communication network linking libraries in universities, colleges, and R&D institutions across the country to facilitate resource sharing and modernize academic libraries.