A treasure trove of books

Not only does it cater to adults, but also keeps in mind the interests of the younger generation. During the summer vacation, 15-20 free children’s reading sections are opened all over Pune. Needless to say, there is an overwhelming response.

Periodicals, which are 80-100 years old, are bound together and neatly stacked in the upper reaches of the library. Though there is no dearth of books here, the library does not cease to accept books that are donated by senior citizens.

For the last 13 years, the PMG has been bringing out its own publication, Aboli, which has an overwhelming demand for four months following Diwali.

The library has about 400-odd readers who browse through newspapers of 16 publications, weeklies of 15 publications, some fortnightly and some monthly magazines everyday in the open library. There is a study room for students and as many as 1,200 students from class X and above make use of it.

The chain library scheme has also come up wherein eight libraries are working towards helping one another. Moreover, the PMG has five lending libraries so as to reach out to as many readers as possible.

An ambitious project for purchasing books has also been initiated. An amount of Rs 15 lakhs has been decided upon as the target, the interest of which will help in purchasing books every year. As of today, Rs 4 lakhs have been collected. Donations in the memory of loved ones are being encouraged.

The next step in the process of development is the computerisation of library data. A computer network would help the staff and readers in keeping abreast with the latest in books. There are plans of implementing a government-recognised certificate course in library science by the Granthalaya. An art gallery is also taking shape where various artists would be encouraged to hold exhibitions and litterateurs would hold seminars.

For the past 15-20 years, the library has also been giving away awards to deserving writers, one such award being the Rajendra Banahatti award of Rs 50,000. About 200 entries are sent (in Marathi), which are scrutinised by a selected panel of eminent scholars.

It is heartening to note that at this age when the electronic media seems to have taken over all our time, libraries are still the talk of town. The secretary of the library, Mohan Date, who has been with the library for 23 years, says that each and every worker here is as committed towards the upliftment of society.

As the librarian, Supriya Inamdar, says, “Prices of books are out of reach of the common man, so he finds solace here where he can afford to read the latest by paying as little as Rs 30 a month.”

Today, the PMG is growing and this growth is possible because of the motto on which its workers work – self-reliance. The aim is to establish it as a pillar to the society, instilling values and creating intellectuals.