Page 10 - DLIS001_FOUNDATION_OF_LIBRARY_AND_INFORMATION_SCIENCE

Unit 1: Concept of Library Science

In the early 19th century, John Andrew’s circulating library at Fort William, Calcutta Notes
(established in 1770) was converted into a public library. A few public libraries started
appearing sporadically here and there during the same period in this country. The notable
among them are Asha Granthalaya, Waltair (1800), Calcutta Literary Society’s Library
(1818), United Services Library, Poona (1818), Raghunandan Library, Puri (1821), Bombay
General Library (1830), etc.
In August 1835, the Calcutta public library was established. It was meant to serve the
needs of all ranks and classes without distinction. In 1860, a small library was established
by Jean Mitchel in Madras as a part of the Museum. It was opened to the public in 1896. It
was named Connemera Public Library, this library can be claimed to be the first true
public library, and only a nominal refundable deposit was required. In 1948, it becomes
State Central library.
In 1867, the Government of India enacted the Press and Registration of Books Act (XXV)
under which the publisher of a book was supposed to deliver free, to the provincial
government concerned, one copy of the book and one or two more copies, if the provincial
government so desired, to be transmitted to the Central Government.
In 1876, Khuda Baksh Oriental public library (Patna) was established. Maulvi Muhammod
Baksh Khan, on his death left a collection of 1500 manuscripts. It formed the nucleus of the
library. In 1891, the library was opened to the public.

Did u know? The imperial library was also established at Calcutta in 1891. Lord Curzon,
the viceroy of India promulgated the Imperial Library Act, 1902, which is based on
Registration of Books Act of 1867, amalgamating Calcutta public library with imperial
library. Soon after independence the Government of India passed the National Library
Act in 1948 following which the imperial library was renamed as the National library of
India.
By the end of 19th century, all the provincial capitals as well as many of the district towns,
especially in the three presidencies (Bombay, Calcutta and Madras) had so called public
libraries. Even princely states such as Indore and Travancore-Cochin had public libraries
in their capital. However, the masses in general did not take full advantage of these
institutions.
2. Academic Libraries: The first college to be started in this country is the Fort William
College in 1800. Sir John Colville in 1857, introduced the bill to establish universities in
India. In the same year Lord Dalhousie, then the Governor General of India gives immediate
consent to this bill. As a result, the first three modern universities were started at Calcutta,
Bombay and Madras in 1857 based on the patterns of London University.

Calcutta University Library: Calcutta University was the first to be established on
January 24, 1857. On February 24, 1869, Mr. Joy Kissen Mookherjee of Uttarpara
donated ` 5,000.00 to the University for purchasing books for the library. The senate
in the year 1872 succeeded in constructing a beautiful building at a cost of
` 4, 34,697.00. This is the first and oldest university library that was established in
British India. In 1874, the library also started a collection of periodicals. In 1876-77,
Calcutta University library had a good collection of books with printed catalogue
service to the user. In 1934, a new library building was set up in the Calcutta
University. In 1937, the Calcutta University Library appointed the professionally

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 5