Development of Libraries in Bangladesh

A Study of the Historical Route

Prof. Dr. S.M. Mannan,
 Dept. of Information Science & Library Management, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Suraiya Begum
Associate Professor
Dept. of Information Science & Library Management, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh

Introduction

The communication of ideas is one of the most significant achievements in the history of cultural development of the human race. The library, however, is only one of many means of human communication (Johnson,1973: 1-6) and is considered an important centre for disseminating knowledge. The library development in Bangladesh is closely related with the history of library development in Indian sub-continent. "The history of library movement in Indian sub-continent can be traced from the history of ancient Indian libraries furnished by the travel diary of the famous Chinese traveler Fa-Hien, who visited India in 399 AD" (Misra, 1979: 9). The British settled and stayed on for nearly two hundred years in Indian sub-continent, initially, for the interest of trading. But, subsequently, they started to establish academic institutions and libraries in a small scale (Kabir, 1987: 6). The Public Library in Calcutta, established in 1835 through private initiatives, is the pioneer of the modern libraries in India. In 1902 it was named the Imperial Library and it became the National Library of India in 1948 (Haq, 1981: 171). According to Ahmad (1987: 22-23), "before the mid 1800's most libraries in Bangladesh were privately owned and were available to certain groups. Years of efforts by librarians and other concerned citizens have radically changed this narrow role of libraries and have made the library wide spread and vital service institution. In a modern society library is characterised as a growing organism (Ranganathan, 1 960: 1 8). This idea also influenced in the growth of different type of libraries in Bangladesh. There are four major kinds of libraries in Bangladesh from its history: (a Public Library (b) Academic Library (c) Special Library and (d) National Library.

Public Library (Early history)

A public library is not simply a place where books, journals and research materials are stored for public use, it is also a cultural centre whose aim is to enhance human knowledge. This is done through a wide range of activities. A public library has rightly been called people's university. In Bangladesh the public libraries were first established in the middle of the nineteenth century.
Khan (1984:127) says in this context:

There is no doubt that the idea of establishment of public libraries is
essentially western, and the spread of the public library movement in this
part of the world is the direct result of the impact of western culture.

The Calcutta Public Library was established in 1835 while all the Non-Govemment public libraries were established after 1850. An active force behind the establishment of public libraries in Indian sub-continent was the Public Library Act of England of August 14, 1850.

Just one year after the enactment of Public Library Act in UK, the first public library of the Bangladesh was established at Jessore in 1851 (Alam, 1991: 23). Thereafter, three other public libraries—Wood burn Public Library at Bogra, Barishal Public Library at Barisal and Rangpur Public Library at Rangpur were established in 1854 (Khan, 1984: 128). The movement got further impetus with the establishment of Public Libraries at Rajshahi (1871), Dhaka (1874), Comilla (1885), Pabna (1890), Noakhali (1897), Sylhet (1897), Chittagong (1904), Cox's Bazaar (1906), Munshiganj (1908), Rangpur (1909), Kishoregonj (1909), Kushtia (1954), Faridpur (1914), Khulna (1914), Dinajpur (1930) and Mymensingh (1930) and these are still somehow functioning (Alam, 1991: 23).

However, the momentum of this enthusiastic start was not sustained. All of these libraries, mentioned above were generally established by one or more philanthropists and supported by public subscriptions and assisted by small financial grants either from the Government or local zaminders. The condition of these libraries  was not very good. Most of these libraries were housed either rented or loaned quarters. There was no continued and consistent support, either from the Government or local bodies (Khan, 1984: 128). "With the introduction of the Local Government Act in 1885 and its subsequent amendment in 1919, the local Government agencies (like Zilla Board and Municipalities) were entrusted with the responsibility of establishing and managing libraries. Since the task was not mandatory, there was little concern beyond occasional financial support from such bodies" (Alam, 1991: 23). As a result, even a long established library could not flourish, but managed to survive somehow at that time.

Many reasons may be attributed to this slow progress of libraries. The library establishment and organization was not the responsibility of the Government or local council, they were rather voluntary or private enterprises in nature and as such inconsistent in operation. Bangladesh, therefore, had inherited an unorganized library system in its beginning.

Pakistan Period (1947-71)

After the independence of Pakistan on 14th August, 1947 (the eastern wing was called East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh) found herself without many essentials for her existence and further development. "In the field of libraries she started only with the University Library at Dhaka which was established in
1920. The condition of other libraries at that time was very poor. On the other hand Bangladesh (the then East Pakistan) lost her share of the collections of the Imperial Library at Calcutta. As a result, it took over a decade to establish only one library in Bangladesh after partition. Bangladesh to mention it again at that time (1947-70), as one of the provinces of Pakistan, was dependent on the total national policy which planned development. A six year development plan undertaken in 1951 but abandoned in 1955 to be replaced by the First Five Year Plan 1955-60 was the first attempt in that direction" (Khan, 1984: 129). The foundation of modern public libraries in Bangladesh, was been laid a century later, with the laying of the foundation stone of the Central Public Library at Dhaka in 1954 (Parker, 1979: 49). During the first plan period (1955-60) of the erstwhile Pakistan, efforts were made to develop the public library system in the country on the basis of the recommendations made by an  Australian Library consultant Mr. L C Key in 1955 (Mannan,1990: 114). Key's recommendations also included the setting up of three Divisional Government Public Libraries at Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi in Bangladesh, as the first step towards building up a library network throughout the country. In 1958, the Central Public Library at Dhaka was opened to the public. During the subsequent plan periods the library network was expanded to the divisional level and proposals were made to establish some Government libraries and to improve the sub-divisional libraries as well. The establishment of 100 libraries at Thana headquarters was also proposed in the Third Plan of Pakistan (1965-70). In 1969, the Government set up a committee named East Pakistan Library Development Committee to consider the development of institutional (school, college, etc.) libraries as well. However, whatever efforts were made during that period were stalled by the out break of the war of Bangladesh liberation in 1971 (Mannan, 1990:114).

During the period of 1947 to 1971, about 80 new public libraries were established in addition to 25 libraries established earlier. Moreover, Libraries and Information Centres of the Pakistan Council for National Integration of the Central Ministry of Information in the major districts and the Bureau of National Reconstruction (BNR) of the Provincial Information Department were responsible for circulating mostly Government publications. Till the emergence of Bangladesh, the country had about 175 public libraries and information centres. Most of them, were Non-Governmental, situated in Dhaka City or in other district headquarters. (Alam, 1991: 24).

Post Liberation Period (1972)

According to UNESCO manifesto issued in 1949 and revised in 1972 the Public Library is a product of modern democracy and practical demonstration of democracy's faith in universal education as a life long process. "It emphasizes that: (a) the public library should be established under the clear mandate of law; (b) it should be maintained wholly from public fund; (c) there should be no direct charge for any of its services; and (d) it should be open for free and equal use by all members of the community, irrespective of age, sex, religion, language, status or level of education" (Rahman, 1993: 171). After the independence of Bangladesh, a new phase of library movement started with new inspiration to achieve UNESCO's manifesto by a group of educationists and social workers. At that time, the country faced numerous problems which required immediate solution, including reconstruction in every aspect of the national life. In order to systematize the country, the Government had to wait a couple of years before lunching the first Five Year Plan in 1973. The organization of the library system was also included in the plan layout. In Bangladesh there are two broad categories of public libraries: (a) Government Public Libraries and (b) Non- Government Public Libraries. As the Government Public Libraries was under the control of the education department of the then Pakistan, so in 1973, for inclusion in the first five year plan (1973-78) of Bangladesh, a broad based Library Development Committee (divided into a number of sub- committees) was constituted by the Ministry of Education for over-all development of libraries and library services all over the country.

According to Siddique (1985:12-13), "the Public Library Sub- committee, possibly due to paucity of funds, could not recommend all the projects which were recommended earlier by a Advisory Committee for inclusion of a scheme in the Fourth Five Year Plan (1970-75). But the committee recommended only the following projects for implementation as the first phase of the plan:

— Development of five Government Public Libraries;

— Development of ten government aided District Public
Libraries;

— Establishment of Library Training Institute at Dhaka;

— Establishment of 4 pilot projects for Rural Library Service;

— Rehabilitation of the Central Public Library, Dhaka;

— Construction of a new building for Chittagong Public
Library; and

— Establishment of Rajshahi Public Library."

                                   

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