Rajkiya Sumer Sarvjanik Divisional Library, Jodhpur

Origin

Jodhpur is the second largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan after the state capital Jaipur. It is also called the 'Sun City' for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys throughout the year. It is also reffered to as the 'Blue City' due to the abundance of blue-painted houses around the historic Mehrangarh Fort.

The city was founded by Rao Jodha, a Rajput Chief of the Rathore clan in 1459 AD. Jodha hailed from a nearby town Mandore and developed the present day Jodhpur due to its strategic location on the Delhi-Gujarat route. Being on the most flourishing trade route the city developed fast and he shifted the capital of his Marwar state to this city later.

The library is one of the oldest in the country and was established in the year 1915 by King Sumer Singh of Jodhpur. That is why it was named after him. The Ist library incharge was Mr Visheshwar Nath and it offered its services from 1915 to 1927 from Sur Sagar palace, after that it was shifted to the State Press building and founctioned from this place till 1934. In 1935 it was shifted to its present location in the Ummed Udyan (Ummed Garden).

This new building was formerly inaugerated by Lord Wellington on 18th March 1935. In those days keeping with local tradition one day was completely reserved for ladies and that day was chosen to be Wednesday. No male readers were allowed on that day. From time to time different timings were offered for the convenience of the public.

The library also extends its services from four of its extension centers. These are,

1. Bal Pustakalya, Ummed Udyan, Jodhpur.
2. Nehru Park, Jodhpur.
3. Clock Tower Reading Room (Ghantaghar Vachanalya)
4. Babu Lakshman Singh Reading Room (Vachanalya)

Building

The library has a magnificently designed single storey building. On entering from the front gate on the right is the Librarian's room, on the left is the library office and the most of the central area is divided into Reading Hall and Stacks with the circulation desk in the center. The building being a Hertitage building, it can't be altered in any manner with any concrete structure. So a wooden roof has been added to the stack hall portion to accomodate more book stacks in view of the growing collection of the library.

Location

Jodhpur is located at a distance of 335 Kms (approx) from the state capital Jaipur and 590 Kms (approx) from national capital Delhi.

The library is located at the famous Ummed Udyan on the High Court Road. It is at a walking distance from the city Bus Stand and about 1 Km from the city Railway Station.

Staff

Collection

The library has rich collection of 78000+ books. The whole collection has been divided into many general and special collections arranged according to DDC-19 classification scheme with a CCC catalogue. The E-catalogue is under preparation and will be available shortly.

Apart from the main general collection the library also maintains a collection of about 15000+ rare books including many manuscripts from the royal era.

The library subscribes 15 newspapers in English & Hindi. The library also subscribes 80 magazines in different languages.

Membership

The library has around 1000 registered members till now and of these 311 are active at present. The library offers membership for a period of one session (1st April to 31st March) and is renewable thereafter. There is a nominal membership fee that is added to the library development fund. A refundable security needs to be paid at the time of Ist registration by outsiders in the absence of any quranttee from a local authority. This secutiry is carried forward during periodical renewals.

Membership Fee:

• Adults Rs 21 (form price Rs 1 extra)
• Children (5-14 years) Rs 5 (form price Rs 1 extra)

Information Technology

The library automation process is underway using the e-pustakalya library management software, developed by the state owned software development company Rajcom.

The library has 8 PCs right now with internet connectivity that are used for office work and ongoing automation project. Shortly the electronic format of library catalogue will also be available for public inside the library. The library provides photocopy facility to its members at Rs 1/page rate.

The children section is well equipped with audio/visual material.

Working Hours

The library remains closed on every Tuesday. The library timings vary according to the season.

• Summer (I^st April to 30^th September) 12:00 noon to 8:00 pm
• Winter (I^st October to 31^st March) 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

Contact

Rajkiya Sumer Sarvjanik Divisional Library (Mandal Pustakalya),
Ummed Udyan,
High Court Road,
Jodhpur (RJ)-342001.
INDIA.
Phone: +91 291 255 5723
Email: divisionallibraryjodhpur@gmail.com