TS Govt libraries set to go digital

Hyderabad: With a view to providing readers easy access to their books and rare collections, the Khairatabad and the Secunderabad libraries would be going digital and turn into e-libraries soon.

Speaking to The Hans India, K Prasanna, the chairperson of City GranthalayaSamstha, said, "Out of 82 Granthalayas in the city, we have planned to modernise two libraries by providing digital sections. Apart from the City Central Library, Ashok Nagar, both the libraries are among the oldest. The libraries would digitalise rare collection of books by using library management software, e- Granthalaya and it would be handled by our librarians."

For Secunderabad library, Rs 3 cr and for Khairatabad library Rs 9 lakh funds have been sanctioned from MLA and MP funds. Apart from children, students, senior citizens and research scholars regularly visit these libraries. Prasanna further said the old building of the Hyderabad City GranthalayaSamstha (branch library),Khairatabad,was getting renovated.

The second floor of the building would be converted into digital section. About 15 computers would be installed in the digital section where readers can easily browse and read books online by paying a minimal charge of Rs 5.

"As Secunderabad library is very congested, we have started construction of a new building and it would be ready by November-end. Around 20 computers would be installed at this library," says Ayodhya Reddy, the in-charge librarian at Secunderabad Library.