Rural Libraries as Providers of Life-long Learning Opportunities: An Appraisal of Information Services and Facilities in West Bengal

1 Introduction

West Bengal is a state located in the eastern part of India. It is the fourth most populous state in India, with a population of over 91 million people. There are 23 districts in the state. The state’s literacy rate is 77.08 % (Office of the Registrar General, India 2011). The state covers a total area of 88,752 square kilometres and is bordered by Bangladesh to the east, Nepal and Bhutan to the north, and the Indian states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Sikkim, and Assam to the south, west, and northeast respectively. The capital of West Bengal is Kolkata (erstwhile Calcutta) which is also the largest city in the state. West Bengal is known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and natural beauty.

The development of public libraries in West Bengal has a long and rich history dating back to the colonial era. During the colonial period, many public libraries were established in Bengal (including Bangladesh) with the efforts of the Britishers and missionary organizations. Calcutta was selected by Job Charnock, an East India Company official, as the location for a British trading settlement in 1690 (Pradhan and Tripathi 2010). However, after winning the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British decided to build some prestigious academic institutions and libraries in Calcutta. Majumdar (2008) pointed out that the city of Calcutta was the first place in India where the British introduced the Western education system. The establishment of Calcutta Public Library in 1836 marked a crucial moment in the development of the public library movement in Bengal’s history (Dasgupta 1989; Munshi and Ansari 2022; Nair 2004; Ohdedar 1966; Saha 1989). However, after India’s independence in 1947, the government of West Bengal took on the responsibility of establishing and promoting public libraries in the state. Koner (1989, 209) highlighted that “762 government-controlled and sponsored public libraries had been set up by 1977 in West Bengal.”

The Left Front government in West Bengal played a significant role in the development of public libraries in the state. During their rule, which lasted from 1977 to 2011, the government took various measures to promote the growth of libraries and to make them more accessible to the people. One of the key initiatives taken by the Left Front government was the enactment of the West Bengal Public Library Act in 1979 (Government of West Bengal 1980). Thereafter, a significant quantitative shift in the number of government-sponsored libraries was seen (Bandyopadhyay 2008). Significantly, during the initial eight years of the Left Front government in West Bengal, the number of government-sponsored libraries saw a significant increase, and by 1985, it had more than doubled compared to the previous figure. Majumdar (2008, 176) mentions how “the Left Front Party opened a new chapter of growth and development of public libraries in West Bengal.”

As per the Department of Mass Education Extension and Library Services West Bengal, there are 2480 public libraries in West Bengal, comprising 13 government libraries, 2460 sponsored libraries, and seven government-aided libraries. Out of 2473 government and government-sponsored libraries, there is one state central library located in the capital city, besides one special library, 26 district libraries, 236 town/sub division libraries, and 2209 rural/area/primary unit libraries. Apart from these, there are 319 Community Library Cum-Information Centers that operate through the Gram Panchayat-established community-based organization. Currently, the Department of Mass Education Extension and Directorate of Library Services look after the West Bengal Public Library System. A three-tier public library system exists in every district, comprising of district libraries (DL), town/sub-division libraries (TL), and rural/primary/unit libraries (RL) (Department of Mass Education Extension and Library Services 2013).

2 Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of the current study is to evaluate the services and facilities offered by rural libraries in West Bengal. Furthermore, the study will also examine the significance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications in rural libraries. The major objectives are mentioned below:

1. To know the staff strength in rural libraries of West Bengal;

2. To study the information resources available in the rural libraries;

3. To explore the infrastructure of rural libraries;

4. To examine the services and facilities provided by the rural libraries;

5. To know the perceptions of librarians towards the implementation of ICT applications on rural library operation and services;

6. To identify the constraints that librarians face in providing library services and facilities.

3 Literature Review

It was ardently stated that public libraries act as community centres, serve as entryways to local knowledge, and provide a platform for lifelong learning. According to Zaid and Popoola (2010), a public library’s responsibilities include: educating rural residents about information resources and encouraging them to use the resources; addressing the educational, economic, social, cultural, and informational needs of the community; converting the uneducated, illiterate, and neo-literate into potential users; and providing information on a wide range of topics, including agriculture, finance, public health, and other topics. By offering a wide range of information resources and different services, public libraries also benefit students, jobseekers, farmers, businessmen, retired persons, and other members of society (Munshi, Ansari, and Barsha 2022; Ramasamy 2003). Lal (2018, 310) mentioned that the “Public library is the only institution that can provide [an] equal chance to the society to access information needed through the latest technology with free of cost.”

The study by Ajithakumari and Francis (2015) suggested that public libraries in Kerela state of India should implement modern technologies, build new collections regarding agriculture and health science, and appoint trained professional staff. Elsewhere, Raju and Raju (2010) discussed the role of public libraries in South Africa; this study highlighted the contribution of public libraries in the reduction of illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment in Africa and South Africa. The authors noted:

In the African continent and in South Africa specifically, the public library should be more than an institution propagating democracy – it has to be an institution of democracy itself providing information to all, in the format that is most relevant and in a language that is most preferred (Raju and Raju 2010, 11).

Munshi and Ansari (2019) and Ansari and Munshi (2018) identified that public libraries assist their users by offering them reading materials. Moreover, public libraries in West Bengal regularly organize various programs with regards to education and recreation. Elsewhere, Warraich, Malik, and Ameen (2018) investigated the current status of public libraries in Pakistan and revealed that the majority of libraries have poor conditions with respect to their library collections, professional staff, infrastructure, and services. Researchers have also mentioned that the development of the public library system has received very little attention from political leadership and higher authorities. Sule (2003) revealed that the majority of rural public libraries in Nigeria faced different problems like an inadequate book collection, financial constraints, a shortage of staff, and a lack of modernization that were not allowing them to fulfil the desires of the rural user communities. An evaluative study was conducted by Azhikodan (2010), who critically investigated the current status of the public libraries in the Malabar district of Kerala state in India. Interestingly, no library under the study has adopted any book selection policy. Furthermore, not even one single district in the Malabar region follows the guidelines set by IFLA/UNESCO in 2001 with regard to book selection.

According to Nasir, Quaddus, and Islam (2006), a significant number of users were dissatisfied with rural library services and facilities in Bangladesh, with the majority of libraries operating without professional staff and with an obsolete collection. According to Baada et al. (2019), users of public libraries in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana expressed similar dissatisfaction due to non-availability of reading materials, both in print and electronic form. Omeluzor, Oyovwe-Tinuoye, and Emeka-Ukwu (2017) examined rural library services and facilities for rural development in Delta State, Nigeria. The findings show that the information needs of rural residents were not sufficiently met due to some obstacles, including a lack of awareness, outdated book collections, illiteracy, a language barrier, a shortage of professional staff, inadequate infrastructure, an absence of IT, etc. Another study by Salman, Mugwisi, and Mostert (2017) examined the issues that hampered access to and use of public library services in Nigeria. The authors found that unawareness of library services, inadequate reading materials, and a lack of information literacy skills were the major factors that affected library use and better services. Significantly, however, a positive response was found by Aslam and Sonkar (2018) in their study. They concluded that most of the users from public libraries in Lucknow, India were satisfied with services and facilities offered by them.

A recent study by Munshi, Ansari, and Barsha (2022) found that a very large number of job seekers and students are using rural library services to search academic and job-related information. According to the respondents, “rural libraries in West Bengal should implement modern technologies and provide ICT-based library services so that they may access resources available in different parts of the globe” (293). Mushtaq and Arshad (2022) revealed that the majority of users frequently visit public libraries in Lahore, Pakistan, for obtaining job-related information; they also believed that public libraries are community information centers that assist individuals in lifelong learning. Urhefe-Okotie, Okafor, and Ijiekhuamhen (2022) found that there is a significant relationship between library services and job performance of librarians and paraprofessional librarians in public libraries in South Nigeria. The study also established that paraprofessional librarians play a significant role in the provision of library services in public libraries in South Nigeria. Lenstra and Roberts (2023) examined the potential for public libraries to partner with health promotion initiatives in order to provide greater access to health information and resources in South Carolina in the United States. They found that public libraries are uniquely positioned to serve as health promotion partners due to their broad reach within their communities, their commitment to providing free and open access to information, and their ability to serve as trusted sources of health information.

Kohlburn et al. (2023) highlighted that public libraries in United States played a critical role in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing valuable resources and services to their communities. The authors argued that public libraries demonstrated their value as essential community resources during the pandemic, and that policymakers should recognize the importance of libraries and support them accordingly. However, researchers also identified several political challenges facing public libraries, including funding cuts and debates over whether libraries are essential services. Another study by Adle et al. (2023) examined the efforts of public libraries in the United States to promote health justice during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the study revealed that public libraries in the United States made significant efforts to promote health justice during the pandemic, including providing access to reliable health information, offering virtual health programs and resources, and partnering with local health organizations to provide community-based health services. Sadra et al. (2023) revealed that Iranian public libraries face several challenges in storing and retrieving information, including a lack of funding, outdated technology, inadequate staffing, and limited access to information resources. The study also identified several opportunities for improvement, including the use of new technologies, the development of partnerships with other organizations, and the provision of training and professional development opportunities for librarians. Notably, the study suggests that public libraries in Iran can improve their services by adopting new technologies and developing partnerships with other organizations.

4 Methodology

The researchers employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gather relevant data. Additionally, few more relevant secondary data sources were consulted, including internal annual reports (each rural library prepares an annual report in March every year), annual reports published by the Department of Mass Education Extension and Library Services, Government of West Bengal, and also various websites associated with the West Bengal Public Library System. These secondary data sources provided valuable supplementary information in conjunction with the primary data collected.

5 Results

5.4 Services and Facilities

A public library has a responsibility to provide a wide range of services and various activities to their user communities in order to satisfy their information needs. This section examines different services and facilities available in surveyed libraries.

5.4.1 Access to the Library Services

IFLA’s guidelines (Koontz and Gubbin 2010) state that “Physical accessibility is one of the major keys to the successful delivery of public library services. Services of high quality are of no value to those who are unable to access them. Access to these services should be structured in a way that it maximizes convenience to users” (57). Accessibility of the library services includes library opening hours, mode of access to the collection, duration of book loan, etc. as shown in Table 5.

During the library visit, it was observed that the opening and closing times of rural libraries were different, however, total working time in all the libraries is seven hours. Fifty-eight of the studied libraries open at 11 a.m. IST time with the closing time of 6 p.m. IST. Twenty-nine libraries open at 12 p.m. IST with the closing time of 7 p.m. IST. Fifteen libraries open at 1 p.m. IST, with the closing time of 8 p.m. IST. These libraries are open six days a week except on state and national holidays.

Bona fide members are allowed to borrow one book and two books at a time for 15 days in 68 and 23 libraries respectively. Although renewal facility is also available in all libraries, these libraries do not impose any fine to their members up to 10 days of a delay. When librarians were asked how many books were issued on average each day, 74 libraries (72.6 %) mentioned that 30 to 60 books were issued. On the other hand, 19 libraries (18.6 %) said they were issuing up to 30 books every day.

5.4.2 Library Services and Facilities

The present study revealed that all the surveyed rural libraries in West Bengal provide a wide range of services and facilities to their users, thus assisting their users in getting the right information without any loss of time.

5.4.2.1 Reference Service

Among all the services provided by libraries, the reference service is one of the most vital. The present study found that all the libraries provide reference services to their users. Notably, 54 libraries (52.9 %) have reference collections ranging from 1001 to 2000 while 24 libraries (23.6 %) have more than 2000 as shown in Table 6.

Table 5:

Access to the rural library services (N = 102).

S.N.	Access to the library services		No. of libraries	Percentage
1.	Library working hours	11 a.m. to 6 p.m.	58	56.8
		12 p.m. to 7 p.m.	29	28.5
		1 p.m. to 8 p.m.	15	14.7
2.	Mode of access	Open access	18	17.7
		Closed access	22	21.5
		Both	62	60.8
3.	Number of books lent per registered member at one time	One book	23	22.6
		Two books	68	66.6
		More than two books	11	10.8
4.	Duration of book loan	Seven days	–	–
		Fifteen days	81	79.4
		More than fifteen days	21	20.6
5.	Fine for overdue books	Yes	25	25.5
		No	77	75.5
6.	Average books issued per day	1–30	19	18.6
		30–60	74	72.6
		More than 60	9	8.8

Table 6:

Services and facilities offered by the rural libraries.

S.N.	Library services and facilities		No. of libraries	Percentage
1.	Mode of access to the reference collections	Open access	11	10.8
		Closed access	77	75.5
		Both	14	13.7
2.	Number of reference collections	1–1000	22	21.6
		1001–2000	54	52.9
		More than 2000	26	25.5
3.	Number of children collections	1–500	24	23.6
		501–1000	57	55.8
		More than 1000	21	20.6
4.	Daily children visitors	1–20	32	31.4
		21–30	58	56.8
		Above 31	12	11.8
5.	Extension activities	Cultural programs	92	89.2
		Seminars	34	33.3
		User orientation program	67	65.6
		Career counselling programs	32	31.3
		Other activities	26	25.4
6.	Community information service	Agricultural information	65	63.7
		Health information	48	47
		Transport information	36	35.2
		Local and political news	66	64.7
		Displaying job-related advertisements	78	76.4
		Miscellaneous	46	45

5.4.2.2 Children’s Services

Children’s interest in reading has been greatly influenced by public libraries. Typically, there is a separate children’s area with a variety of books, magazines, toys, etc. in every public library. IFLA’s guidelines state that the “public library has a special responsibility to meet the needs of children” (Koontz and Gubbin 2010, 19). The survey found that all libraries offer children’s services; however, very few libraries have a separate children’s section. The remaining librarians have reported that, due to the inadequate infrastructure, they are unable to create a separate section. Nevertheless, the collection with regard to children is kept in separate shelves exclusively for children. As shown in Table 6, 57 libraries (55.8 %) had children’s collections ranging from 501 to 1000; only 24 libraries (23.6 %) had up to 500 books for children. The collection includes children’s books (like Birbal Story, Alif Laila, Veem Story Series, Gopal Bar, short stories, biographies, children encyclopaedias, etc.), children’s magazines, toys, maps, a globe, etc. When asked how many children used the children’s collections every day, more than 50 % (N = 58, 56.8 %) of libraries indicated that there were typically 21 to 30 visits by children (Annual Report of the District Library Officers 2019–2020).

5.4.2.3 Extension Services

One of the important services, especially in a public library, is the extension service. The fundamental objective of the extension service “is to convert a library into a cultural and intellectual centre which provides an insight into the stream of knowledge. The library can be an effective facilitator of self-learning through its extension services” (Venkateswara 1974, 65). Interestingly, the study found that all surveyed rural libraries organize different types of extension services to encourage both library members and non-members. As shown in Table 6, 89.2 % of libraries organize various cultural programs every year on different occasions like Saraswati Puja, Rabindra Jayanti, Independence Day, International Mother Language Day, etc. Libraries also host a variety of events during the program, including musical performance plays, documentaries, readings of poetry and stories, mime shows, kid-friendly dance performances, drawing competitions, etc. (see Figure 1). Moreover, these cultural and re-creational activities provide members of society the chance to advance their social, physical, and intellectual well-being. Notably, an average of 100–150 members and non-members participate in cultural programs (Annual Report of the District Library Officers 2019–2020).

Figure 1:

Cultural programme organized by Madanpur Sadharon Pathagar on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, February 21, 2019.

In addition to the cultural program, 34 rural libraries (33.3 %) occasionally organize various seminars/workshops on diverse topics. According to the previous Annual Reports (2011–2012), these libraries organized seminars/workshops on the “Role of Public Libraries in Developing Society,” “Contribution of Iswarchandra Vidyasagar,” “Preparation for Civil Service examinations,” “Strategies for cracking government jobs,” etc. A significant number of people actively participate in these seminars/workshops reported by the librarians.

Results in Table 6 show that 67 libraries (65.6 %) organize user education programs every year to increase awareness among the user communities about the use of library resources and services. These programs are also extremely beneficial to young users who are preparing for competitive examinations. A little less than a third of libraries (N = 32, 31.3 %) occasionally organize career counselling programs, and experts from different fields were invited to deliver talks for the potential jobseekers. Besides these extension services, some of the libraries also organize adult education programs covering different topics.

5.4.2.4 Community Information Services

Public libraries also serve as community information centers in our society by providing various types of information, such as local and national news, information regarding agriculture, health, transportation, consumer issues, travel, etc. IFLA guidelines as quoted in Koontz and Gubbin (2010, 23) state: “Public libraries are locally based services for the benefit of the local community and should provide community information services.”

Notably, findings of the study suggest that rural libraries offer a variety of community information services to rural communities, as shown in Table 6. More than 60 % of libraries (N = 65, 63.7 %) provide agriculture-related information. Librarians at these libraries reported that they frequently receive magazines from the Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, with articles related to the cultivation of different crops, etc. Further, rural libraries also provide health information such as information about doctors and hospitals (N = 48, 47 %), transport information (N = 36, 35.2 %) (summer and winter vacation travel plans, travel guides, etc.), and display job-related advertisements from several newspapers on the notice board (N = 78, 76.4 %). The majority of the librarians reported that many rural residents find these services very beneficial.

5.4.3 Other Services and Facilities

A bibliographic service denotes a list of documents provided by the library. As shown in Figure 2, out of 102 surveyed libraries, only 16 of them provide a bibliographic service. However, the rest of the libraries reported that due to a shortage of library staff, they are unable to provide a bibliographic service. Significantly, 68 (66.6 %) rural libraries display information regarding the new arrivals of books, journals, magazines, and other resources. However, a few libraries (N = 25, 24.5 %) provide women’s services. Librarians at these libraries reported that they organize International Women’s Day and awareness programs on several diseases, etc. (see Figure 3). It is important to note here that the majority of libraries (N = 77, 75.4 %) provide textbooks from eighth grade up to graduation level to needy students. Some non-government organizations (NGOs), members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and philanthropists have donated these textbooks to the libraries.

Figure 2:

Other services and facilities provided by the libraries.

Figure 3:

Celebration of International Women’s Day by the Abdul Halim Smriti Rural Granthagar, Birbhum District, March 8, 2017.

Photocopying services were discovered to be less common, with only five rural libraries (4.9 %) providing the service. When librarians were asked about the computer and internet facilities, only 22 libraries (21.5 %) provided such facilities. The rest of the libraries mentioned that they had not yet received computers and other necessary ICT tools from the state government. During the survey, the researchers found that around 100 % of rural libraries offer drinking water, washrooms facilities, and other public utilities.

6 Conclusion

Rural libraries in West Bengal offer a wide range of services and facilities to cater to the information needs of their users. However, due to an acute shortage of staff, the services are hampered. Many librarians believed the vacant staff positions had a detrimental impact on routine services provided by them; having an adequate number of staff members would greatly enhance the quality of services offered to library users. A lack of ICT tools have further compounded already existing problems. In terms of library collections, all rural libraries possess modest-sized print collections. However, there is a lack of emphasis on developing e-book collections and subscribing to e-magazines.

The findings suggested that the Directorate of Library Services in West Bengal should provide rural libraries with essential ICT applications and skilled personnel to facilitate the provision of ICT-based services. Therefore, it is highly recommended that such measures be taken to improve the quality of services offered by rural libraries in the region. So far, it can be inferred from the literature reviewed that this is one of the studies that pays attention to the services provided by the rural libraries in West Bengal. However, the study’s findings can be instrumental in enhancing and revamping the collections, infrastructure, services, and facilities of rural libraries in developing nations.

The survey responses indicate a strong consensus among librarians regarding the necessity of ICT adoption in rural libraries and the potential benefits it can bring. However, there are also reservations and concerns expressed by some respondents regarding the practicality and effectiveness of implementing ICT applications in certain areas. Several serious challenges were highlighted by the librarians in managing and delivering services to patrons. These challenges include staff shortages, absence of ICT tools, inadequate library collections, insufficient infrastructure, evolving user needs and demands, and limited financial support. The librarians also mentioned other issues, such as a lack of support from higher authorities, outdated reference collections, and a lack of cooperation among librarians. Undoubtedly, despite all these constraints, rural libraries have been serving inhabitants in a remarkable way.