87% posts in govt libraries vacant; no hiring for 22 years
Of 96 sanctioned posts of librarians, 84 are vacant, while 58 posts of restorers are unoccupied of 72 sanctioned posts
PATIALA : Even as the state government has initiated recruitment for appointment of 750 librarians its schools, all 63 public libraries are facing acute staff shortage.
At 87%, every nine in 10 posts of restorers and librarians are vacant across Punjab. Of 96 sanctioned posts of librarians, 84 posts are vacant, while 58 posts of restorers are presently unoccupied of 72 sanctioned posts.
The complete neglect of this vital resource is reflected in the fact that since 1999, no appointment has been made. As a result, 14 district libraries, 48 libraries in government colleges and a state library in Patiala are on the verge of closure due to acute shortage of funds and staff.
In 2017, the department of higher education formed a three-member committee for revival of libraries. In its report, the committee suggested immediate recruitment of staff and sanctioning of funds to improve the condition of these libraries.
Only four librarians are managing affairs of 14 librarians through drawing and disbursing office (DDO) powers. Twenty four of sanctioned 28 posts are lying vacant. In government college libraries, 38 of 48 are without librarians. Of 68 posts of librarians here, 58 are vacant. In
many government colleges, either lecturers or Class-4 employees are looking after library affairs.
Barjinder Pal Dhiman, president, Punjab College and District
Librarians Association, said, “No recruitment has been done for the past 22 years. College and district libraries are running on stop-gap arrangements. In Punjab’s only 65-year-old central library, seven post of librarians are unoccupied and is run by only the chief librarian.”
He added that they had met senior officials of the higher education department and were told that recruitment of librarians will start soon.
“If the government fails to take a serious note of the sorry state of affairs, libraries are likely to become history in Punjab,” he added.
Higher education department special secretary Paramjit Singh, who is also director of public instructions (DPI) colleges, said the process of recruitment of 50 librarians is underway. “The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) will carry out the recruitment process. The notification will be issued soon. New appointments will help overcome staff shortages in these institutes,” he added.