Shah Gunj library books at risk from rainwater seepage

Khilwat: Each time when it rains, the librarian of the Shah Gunj library is a worried a lot, as water seeping from the ceiling and walls of the near dilapidated structure could damage thousands of books stored in the unprotected hall. The library which has a collection of over 7,000 books is run under the aegis of Hyderabad City Grandhalaya Samstha and located in the Khilwat ground complex. 

With a total membership of over 300, some 50 to 100 persons make a visit during morning and evening hours and generally remain attached as the library receives about 17 dailies in four languages Telugu, English, Urdu and Hindi. However during the recent days, the visitors found that the library was at the risk of losing its identity as knowledge hub of the locality soon due to the neglect and continuous leakage from the slab of the structure. “I am a regular visitor to the library, but fear that the books stored in the facility will be damaged sooner or later. 

Following similar observation from locals, I also represented the matter with the local GHMC officials about the leakage, but there has been no response whatsoever. I demand that the civic authorities take up restoration works of the entire structure or at least the library. I also demand that the City Collector made a visit here to know the ground reality,” said TDP’s Greater Hyderabad Minority Vice President, Mohammed Ahmed.  

While on the other hand, some other activists have pointed out that there has been no addition to the books in the library, as the authorities have stopped sending books to the library. “For the last four to five years there has been no increase in the number of books. Even the books which used to come from Raja Rammohan Library Foundation in Kolkata stopped. What is the use of maintaining public demand register, when there is no seriousness to run this facility?” questions Md Aleemuddin Sharfi, an RTI activist and president of Reader’s Forum of the library. 

The Librarian, R Vinay Yadav also acknowledged the deteriorating situation at the library be it the seeping water or the non-upgradation of the books at the library. “People want latest books to read to keep abreast with contemporary world, but I am helpless,” he says.

BY Md Nizamuddin