Mangaluru: Public libraries in Dakshina Kannada are continuing to function despite a severe shortage of regular staff, with only eight of 34 sanctioned posts filled in the district, while Mangaluru City Central Library has nine of its 26 sanctioned posts occupied.
New memberships continue, with some libraries recording 10-15 additions a month. Raghavendra, deputy director, Mangaluru City Central Library, said it has 18 branches, a mobile library van and a children’s library, covering 20 facilities within Mangaluru City Corporation limits. Of 26 sanctioned posts, 17 are vacant, he said.
Mamatha Rai, chief librarian and chief library officer, District Central Library, said vacancies have accumulated over the years due to retirements, promotions and transfers.
Rai said the filled posts include the chief librarian, librarian, one of the two assistant librarian posts and all three library assistant posts. Despite the vacancies, no library under the district administration has been closed, Rai said. Rai said readership has remained steady, with competitive-exam aspirants driving higher footfall for about two months during exam periods. Rai said digital and social media have not substantially reduced library-going readership. Opening more branches is difficult while existing ones face staff shortages, Rai said.
Of the two sanctioned second-division clerk posts, one is filled. Senior citizens and retired persons read newspapers, homemakers borrow books, and children use textbooks and supplementary study material.
On the mobile library van, he said the service has continued to receive a good response from readers.