District Library Ropar

Origin

The library was established in 1971 by the Punjab Government.Before the birth of this library there used to be an Municipal Library in the city, which was a very small public library maintained by the municipality.After the establishment of the District Library the Municipality Library vanished from the scene. Right from the begining the District Library proved to be much more efficient in every respect. It had two regular posts of Librarians, its collection started growing gradually and later it got a spacious building also.So it provided much more better services than the existing library.

Building

For many years the library had to serve its clientele from many different temporary locations. Initially it was started at present MC office building near Pul Bazar. Later the building was claimed by the MC committee and it was allotted the old MC office building at Old Anaj Mandi. But the building was declared unsafe as it had already lived its life span. So, the library was shifted to an Teacher Training Institute Building which was located inside the Govt. Girls School, Ropar. From here it was shifted to another building which belonged to Govt. Boys School.

After a long period of struggle the library was allotted land and also sanctioned funds for the the construction of its own building.Accordingly the building was completed and opened for public on 2nd March, 1983.Presently the library occupies a spacious and magnificient building at Bacchat Chowk.Since then the library is provinding its services from this building.

The library is spread over 5 canals of land. The building is two story. First Floor accomodates the public reading room and offices.

The Second Floor is occupied by the main stack hall, children section, hindi section, technical section and old newspaper/magazines record room with reading space.

Location

The library occupies an grand and spacious building at a prime location of the city, Bacchat chowk.The building stands on the College Road and is surrounded by Mini Sectriate, DC Residence,SP Residence and Govt.School.The area is VIP and is maintained accordingly.

Staff

With the establishment of the District Library in 1971 and its further development gradually regular posts of professional and non-professional staff were created. The library has well qualified professional and non-professional staff. The library has two posts of Librarians, Librarian and Assistant Librarian, who are recruited by the Government of Punjab through Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) in the lecturer grade.Apart from this the library also has one post of Restorer.

The library also has one post of Library Attendent, one Sweeper-cum-Chowkidar, one peon and one Gardener.

Collection

The library is rich in documentary resources. It has more than 35,000 books and other documents. The collection is diverse in nature and consists of books on all the subjects of interest to the local population.Keeping in view the taste of the local population the library maintains a vast collection of punjabi literature.It constitutes more than 35% of the total collection.

The library subscribes 11 newspapers in 4 languages i.e. English,Hindi,Punjabi and Urdu.The library also subscribes 5 magazines in English,Hindi and Punjabi.

Membership

The library has more than 3400 members. The members come from different stratas of society.These include students, farmers,researchers,servicemen, businessmen and housewifes. This diversity in the nature of members always poses a challenge for the library. But the library is catering to all these.

Information Technology

The library has recently acquired two computers with aid from Raja Ram Mohan Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), Kolkota. The library also has internet access.

Contact

District Library,
Near Bacchat Chowk,
College Road,
Ropar(Pb)-140001
INDIA.