Muda allots land for bigger library Issac lost to fire

Shilpa P | NT

Mysuru: Syed Issac’s dream to have a proper library building in the same place where his old one was burnt down last April is soon to be realised. He is now hopeful to re-establish his library in Rajivnagar Second Stage in Mysuru soon. The department of public libraries has come up with a plan to build a structure at a cost of Rs 25 lakh in collaboration with Syed Issac, according to Deputy Director Mr Manjunath B.

He recently made the allimportant announcement that Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has allotted the 5,000 square feet land where Syed’s library once stood as a civic amenities site. The plan is to build two halls in the building; one for Syed Issac to keep his collection of children’s books. There is also a plan to pay Syed an honorarium. Stocked in the other hall will be books bought by the department. Syed’s son will be employed by the department to manage its section, Manjunath revealed to News Trail.

According to sources, though the department of public libraries had opened an account to raise funds for Syed’s library building, nothing has come forth so far. Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) owes Rs 20 crore by way of library cess to the department. Every year, the department gets Rs 3-4 crore library cess from the MCC. It is with these funds that they maintain 35 libraries in the city.

They are in need of funds to develop interiors of the City Central Library built recently, as well as to develop a park in the premises. They also need funds to furnish, upgrade and automate the existing libraries. As per norms, each library should have three staff. Though the number of libraries in Mysuru has increased, posts sanctioned in 1970 have not been added to. There are 15 permanent staff members, each of who has been given charge of two or three libraries in the city. As many as 58 temporary staffers are appointed to work on parttime basis in the different libraries. The library cess is thus being used for ongoing works related to city libraries and to pay the temporary staff. Due to the shortage of staff and funds crunch, they have not been able to take up the works of Syed’s library, according to one source.

There is one bit of good information, though. A huge library, which will be a replica of the State Central Library of Bengaluru, has been planned at the cost of Rs 5.3 crore in Rajivnagar Second Stage.

Meanwhile, Syed Issac told News Trail that while earlier around 120 people visited his old library per day. After it was rebuilt, the figure has gone up to 160.