Public Library — A Dying Institution in Bengal

This is Mr. Dilip Chakrabarty, an octogenarian in our Kolkata Apartment, and a bibliophile who volunteers daily for an hour for the community library. After a long career in senior positions, he wants to spend time among the books and helps others to do that.

A few right-thinking individuals have started this. A room was made available, and over two years INR 21,000 was allocated, and people donated books and periodicals. This is now a pleasant haunt, with a wide space outside to sit and sift through newspapers and periodicals anytime. The lobby is really interesting late at night — with bright lights, a cool breeze, and sneaking cats around it’s an experience.

When I was young, libraries were ubiquitous. Little Magazines, the crowdsourced local publications that gave a platform to wannabe authors and poets, and the clubs were a virtuous cauldron to create libraries. Space by the clubs, and enthusiastic volunteers to run them from the budding authors.

Though clubs were the biggest sponsors of community libraries (and the reading room, which is also a modern salon for exchanging ideas), the efforts were ably supplemented by individuals, the government, and the public sector companies.

I grew up in Durgapur, my father worked for (SAIL) Steel Authority of India Limited. The company set up multiple community centers and clubs for the staff members. The one near our home was “Rabindra Bhaban”, literally on the opposite side of the road where we lived.

The place was amazing. A huge auditorium hosted two movies a month but was also used for drama, cultural events, and indoor sports. A huge ground for football and cricket. Space for volleyball, indoor table for Table Tennis. Host of trainings throughout the year. Annual function. And all for free.

I however enjoyed the library. It had two sections, one for the children, and one general. And a common reading room. It used to be open each day from 6 PM to 9 PM.

Most of my non-academic readings were books from the library, almost all in Bengali. Bengal is rich in literature, but it was also a treat to absorb the Russian literature translated by Noni Bhoumik, or English Comics turned into Bengali by Mayukh Chowdhury.

But the real treasure house was the Reading Room, which subscribed to both Bengali and English newspapers and magazines. Some of those have closed down now — like Sunday, the Illustrated Weekly of India, or Sportsworld. Some content was racy too, like Khaas Baat in Sunday, and raised the eyebrows of some of the seniors around. But was a great formative year, and I suspect nowadays most in India do not have such privileges.

Many members of the elite too chimed in for the library movement over a very long time. Take the Bagbazar Reading Library, which is in North Kolkata. Established in 1883, after the passing of the Ilbert Bill, this has over 90,000 books and a large number of magazines and other artifacts.

Starting with 33 newspapers and journals, it once had members like Rabindranath Tagore, Vidyasagar, Girish Ghosh, and Nandalal Bose. Today it is struggling, there is no budget even for staff (and some of the original paintings of Nandalal Bose have been stolen but no action). But the staff, the 1,100 members, and the local community are doing their best to keep it alive.

Libraries are great public places where one has the opportunity to meet the historically best minds, as well as discuss with other minds who are similarly inclined. In history, libraries have played great roles in generating and shaping thoughts, along with other community organizations like salons, beverage houses, clubs, etc. It is hence no wonder that libraries are also targets of attacks by the conservative forces, globally. We can well see what is happening in the US. Pressure is being brought in to remove uncomfortable books from public libraries. Of course, they are available digitally, but the shelves of the library give a credibility that is difficult to replicate.

Sadly Bengal is losing its public library culture. Lack of funds, change in reading habits, inattention economy — there are many reasons. But what is not visible is the decay of collective imagination and critical thinking, which is not easy to reclaim.

No clear solutions, just a reality.