Government Divisional Public Library, Kota

Origin

Kota (formerly known as Kotah) is the third largest city of Rajasthan and is situated on the eastern bank of Chambal river. It is a city of great historic importance. In 12th Century AD it was part of the Hada territory. Bundi and Hada were the major cities in the region. But due to its starategic position it soon surpassed these cities. Kota became an independent state in 1631 when Rao Madho Singhal, the second son of Rao Ratan of Bundi was appointed ruler by Mughal Emperor Shaw Jahan. Now Kota city is the district headquarter of Kota district.

The library in its present form came into existence in 1954. Before that it was operational as a Mobile Van Library that used to reach out to the readers with its rich collection of literature. In 1954 it started offering its services from Dan Mal Haveli (also known as Bapna Haveli). Later it was shifted to Aakash Vani Kender. From there it was shifted to its present location.

The library has an Information Center at Nayapura, 6 Kms from the main library. This center maintains special collection for children.

Building

The library is presently located in a rented building. A new building is under construction and is expected to be complete by the middle of this year.

Location

Kota is located at a distance of 500 Kms (approx.) from national capital New Delhi and 242 Kms (approx.) from state capital Jaipur on National Highway 12.

The library is located on the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT) Campus.

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 AACR2 catalogue.

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 20 newspapers in English & Hindi. The library also subscribes 78 magazines in different languages.

Membership

The library has around 1400 registered members till now and of these 1000 are active at present.

Apart from the usual annual membership the library offers the library also offers lifetime membership which is unique. The lifetime membership is offered to those readers who are local residents and are regular visitors to the library. Recently the library has permitted its life time members to attest the library membership forms of new members. This will reduce the time consumed during the membership formalities and encourage more and more people to enroll for membership.

The library offers annual 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:

• Lifetime Membrship Rs 300 (form price Rs 2 extra)
• Adults Rs 50 (form price Rs 2 extra)
• Children (5-14 years) Free

The library is also extending library services to the inmates of the local prison (Kota Jail) free of charge. Every weekend library books are taken to the prison for distribution to the interested readers and requirement list for the next week is also prepared. So the process continues week after week giving prisoners opportunity to learn and keep in touch with the world outside of the walls of the prison, helping them mould themselves into good citizens after their release.

The library is planning to extend similar service to the children at the local Orphanage in near future.

Information Technology

The library makes use of two computers for office work. The automation of library operations will start soon.

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

Government Divisional Public Library,
UIT Campus,
CAD Circle,
Kota (RJ)-324009.
INDIA.
Phone: +91 744 250 0912
Email: mandalpustakalaya@gmail.com