The 58th Capacity Building Programme for Public Library Personnel under the National Mission on Libraries (NML), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, commenced on August 22, 2026, at Kumaun University, Nainital, in collaboration with the Department of Library and Information Science of the university. The programme will continue till August 26, 2026.

Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Dipanjan Chatterjee, FA, National Mission on Libraries, said that NML, established in 2014, is working towards strengthening the public library system through initiatives such as model libraries, surveys of public libraries, capacity building programmes and the National Virtual Library of India. He added that the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation has been playing a key role in implementing these initiatives for the development of public libraries.

Mr. Chatterjee said that 57 such programmes had been completed so far, training more than 2,600 professionals. He noted that the current session would focus on KOHA, a free and open-source library automation software now used by institutions including the National Library in Kolkata. The programme will also include sessions on improving services for Divyangjan, deploying artificial intelligence and ICT tools, and bookbinding, which he described as “a dying profession but remains essential for preserving library resources scientifically.”

On funding, Mr. Chatterjee explained that since libraries are a State subject under the Seventh Schedule, Central assistance is released only on the recommendation of the State Library Planning Committee, in a 75:25 Centre-State ratio. For Uttarakhand, he said, ₹188.77 lakh has been sanctioned for the State Central Library at Almora and ₹86.20 lakh for the District Library, New Tehri.
Prof. Neeta Bora Sharma, Campus Director, DSB, Kumaun University, highlighted the evolving role of public libraries as centres of learning, community engagement and lifelong education. She emphasised the need to promote reading culture and guide citizens towards authentic information in the digital age.

Shri B. S. Mehra, Principal, Sainik School, Nainital, said that reading at the school level is essential as it develops a child’s language, vocabulary, imagination, concentration and critical-thinking skills. He added that regular reading improves comprehension and helps students understand their textbooks and other subjects more effectively.

Among the other dignitaries present were Prof. Neelu Lodhiyal, Dr. Charu Tiwari, Dr. R. K. Viswakarma, Dr. Ashok Kumar and Dr. Santosh Kumar from Kumaun University, and Prof. M. Masoom Raja from the Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim University.
Prof. Yougal Joshi, HoD, Department of Library and Information Science, welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
Around 80 library professionals from Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh (UT) are participating in the five-day capacity building programme

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