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A Brief History
Libraries have been centers of
education, recreation and information since early times in the land
called Kalinga, Utkal, Udra South Koshala and finally Orissa in
modern terminology. A trace of library could be seen from the stone
books those were built and created in the rock shelters, caves of
the early inhabitants during the pre-historic periods. The
pictographs, ideographs, rock paintings of Ushakothi, Gudahandi
testify the ideas. While tracing further in the historic period the
Ashokan inscriptions at Dhauli and Hatigumpha inscriptions (300 BC)
of Kharavela (100 BC) give evidence about the reading and writing
traditions of the people. In the further history, we would find
records and record rooms of different ruling dynasties in the
imperial archives dating 3 A.D to 14th A.D. A continuous history of
record keeping is established by the ruling dynasties of the
Matharas (300 AD), the eastern Gangas, the Somavanshis, the
Bhaumakaras, (700-800 AD) the Imperial Gangas, (600-12th AD) the
suryavanshis (13th & 14th AD). Record keeping was further
strengthened by keeping record keepers, librarians in the posts of
Akhsyasalins, Sandhibigrahikas, Lekhakas, etc.
The temples mathas (monastreis), sanskrit tols, bhagabat
tungis, agraharas and devagraharas established by the royalties also
provided space and materials for reading for the public. In the
further course of the history we would see that the Afghans and
Muslims (16th-18th) brought paper books and established daftarkhanas
with persons like munshis, daftatris etc. for maintenance of the
records and record rooms. The Marhatas (Late 18th) reinforced the
concept of the record rooms. The Britishers (1803-1948) further
elaborated and brought with them the concept of societies and clubs
with libraries. Of course prior to that, madrassas, maktabs and
masjids were established by the Muslims to provide a scope of public
reading to the mohammadans and Islamic people. The Zamindars, Qazis
had personallibraries with good calligraphy and illustrations and
colorful leather bindings. The Christians settled up their colonies
and established cathedrals, chapels and provided libraries for
public reading. They established printing presses and published book
(in paper). The ruling chiefs of different feudatory states
established public reading rooms and libraries as part of their
social welfare activities by construction of roads, establishments
of schools, hospitals, museums, archives, archaeology, printing
presses, and durbar literature. This was the period attributed
during late 19th century to early 20th century. The peoples
Government was formed in 1936 after creation of the separate state.
Plans for development of public libraries were prepared and actions
were initiated for conservation, preservation and propagations of
books published in the state under the Press and Registration of
Books Act, 1867. Collectors and the District Magistrates were
entrusted with the jobs of depository libraries known as District
Libraries. Subsequently five-year plans were taken up and schemes of
State Library, Dist. Libraries, and District Board Libraries were
implemented. The Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation Schemes were
implemented in 1972 to provide a boost for public library
development in rural and urban areas of the State. The State
Government provided the matching assistance on 50:50 basis against
the contribution of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation. The
present contribution of the state has been revised to 40:60 basis.
The State Government is contributing Rs.80 lakh against Rs.1.20
crore of R.R.R.L.F. during 2006-2007. Committees have been formed
for planning and programming of the libraries. Library Act entitled
"Orissa Public Libraries Act-2001" is a landmark, which
has created another initiative of the State Government to provide a
framework of Public Library Development. The Public Library Services
in the State is heading towards modernisation and IT applications.
Funds from the Finance Commission have been secured for up-gradation
of standards. Rs.7 crores from 11th Finance Commission award and
Rs.10 crores from 12th Finance Commission award have been secured.
The libraries of Orissa are poised for a new era of
development.
For
further details, Contact: Dr. Buddhadev Panda, Deputy Director,
Culture & Officer-in-Charge, HKM State Library, Bhubaneswar,
Tele Fax: 0674-2514315, E-mail: hkmsl@rediffmail.com
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