Association for immediate hiring of librarians in state

The Haryana Library Association submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday, demanding the immediate recruitment of qualified library personnel in Haryana’s government colleges, schools and public libraries.

Representatives of the Association pointed out that there has been no regular recruitment of librarians in government colleges in Haryana for the past 50 years. Moreover, the process for appointing librarians in state government schools has been pending for years.

They emphasised that despite government institutions purchasing books worth lakhs of rupees annually, students are unable to benefit from these libraries due to the absence of proper maintenance and qualified library staff. The association also raised concerns about the lack of librarian appointments in schools recognised by the Haryana Education Board, contrasting this with schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Arohi Public Schools and all CBSE-recognised schools, which are required to maintain well-organised libraries staffed with qualified librarians and other library personnel from the elementary level.

In addition, the association highlighted the rising unemployment in the field of Library and Information Science, with many students who have completed B Lib, M Lib and passed the NET examination struggling to find job opportunities. They criticized the Higher Education Department for neglecting qualified candidates in this field, jeopardizing their future prospects.

Dr Rupesh Gaur, President of the association, noted that although recruitment notifications for librarians had been issued in the past, results had not been announced. Similarly, while there were announcements about opening rural libraries, they have yet to materialise, with no locations designated for these libraries and purchased computers and equipment lying unused in district libraries.

In their memorandum, the association urged the Chief Minister to take immediate action on this matter, ensuring the prompt appointment of qualified library staff in all government libraries across the state.