BARIPADA: The 119-year-old Sreeram Chandra Library, popularly known as Jubilee Library, in the heart of the town is crying for attention from the State Government. Due to lack of periodic maintenance, one of the richest libraries in Odisha is in a shambles now. Sources said the heritage building, where the library is located, has developed cracks on walls of the reading and office rooms and conference hall. Besides, the roof is leaking for several years. As a result, precious books face irreparable damage. Though the library has more than 200 members, 10 to 20 readers visit due to its dilapidated condition.
Large volumes of Vedas donated by the then king in 1932-33 lie uncared with a thick layer of dust covering it. Former secretary of the library Dinakrushna Mohanty said several books are yet to be entered in the stock register while 30 to 40 per cent of books have not been catalogued. As a result, these books have been kept away from the readers. The proposal to shift the library to the North Orissa University campus for preservation of books was cancelled after the general body rejected the plan, he added.
Working secretary Basanta Mohanta said the library receives books and journals from Raja Shreeram Chandra Bhanj Deo Foundation, Raja Ram Mohan Ray Library in Kolkata and Culture Department free of cost. “We have been facing problems in stocking books due to dilapidated condition of racks and lack of space. No financial support and zero source of income have affected the library’s maintenance and preservation of valuable books. Despite several requests to the district administration, no step has been taken in this regard so far,” he alleged.
Executive members of the library had also met the local leaders over the issue, but to no avail. “Now our primary objective is to renovate the library building and attract more readers,” said executive member Satyabrata Mohanty. Meanwhile, Collector Surendra Kumar Meena visited the library and asked the Executive Engineer of Public Works Department (PWD) Prasanta Kumar Panda to prepare an estimate for renovation of the library building.In 1995, the library’s centenary was celebrated in collaboration with the Centre for Archaeological Studies and Training Centre. The State Bank of India recently organised a cleanliness drive in the library under Swachh Bharat Mission.