Smart libraries for smart cities: a historic opportunity for quality public libraries in India
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study globally successful public library systems with reference to their infrastructure, physical space, services, collection, processes, finances and best practices and recommend models, structure and minimum standards for smart public libraries of the upcoming 100 smart cities of India.
Design/methodology/approach
An email with 14 questions was sent to 50 public library system across the world. A sample of n = 18 responses were received.
Findings
The finding suggests that all the libraries have a central library and a good network of branch libraries across respective cities with adequate staff and collection to cater to the needs of the public. The size of the central library varied from 8,000 m2 (Cologne Public Library) – 86,000 m2 (Boston public library) and average size of the branch library varied from 200 m2 (Aarhaus) – 1,582 m2 (Barcelona). Monthly average users varied from 96,000 (Moscow) – 1.5 million (Toronto).
Social implications
The Indian public library system remains uneven throughout the country with varying levels of legislation, financing and quality of library services. Even a room with few books is considered as a library. The results of this study will help develop a quality public library system of global standard and ensure that libraries are transformed into knowledge hubs.
Originality/value
This study is a unique exploration in which different types of libraries are defined in terms of physical space, service, staff, collection based on a global model which ensures uniform growth and development of public library systems in upcoming smart cities of India.
Keywords
Citation
Kulkarni, S. and Dhanamjaya, M. (2017), "Smart libraries for smart cities: a historic opportunity for quality public libraries in India", Library Hi Tech News, Vol. 34 No. 8, pp. 26-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-08-2017-0061
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited