Kolkata, Aug 23 (UNI) For the first time, the state government has started an award for
the best libraries, to be selected from among its directly administered and sponsored
libraries.
The selection process has already started. Awards would also be given to the best
library members, the official sources on Friday said.
The award for the best libraries would be given at three levels – district, town and
rural. The award for the best library members would be given at the district level.
According to the State Library Services Minister, the criteria for selecting the best
libraries have been decided in a scientific manner, encompassing library materials,
funds spent and infrastructure:
Number of books, magazines and journals, and manuscripts
Work done for preserving old materials
How many people borrowed books to take them home
How many people read in the library
How many and which occasions were celebrated by the libraries
Funds spent: How much money was spent on buying and binding books, magazines
and journals
Library space: How many storeys, how many persons can sit together, whether there
are toilet and drinking water facilities
For the best library members, to be given at the district level, the most important
selection criteria is how many times books borrowed for reading were returned on time.
The selection process for this award, though, was started about a couple of years
back.
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