The Hindu

Mangalore, Feb 24:  MLA N Yogish Bhat laid the foundation stone for a new building of the library at Nandigudda on Monday. The building is estimated to cost Rs. 8 lakh.

Stating that a room would be constructed in the first floor of the building to provide additional space for readers, he urged the contractor to complete the building before the start of rainy season.

Kenjar Prakash Kamath, the contractor, told The Hindu on the sidelines of the function that he had no idea about the “shape of the building” as he was yet to receive its blue print, which was awaiting clearance.

Problem

Uma, the librarian, said she had no clue as to where the books would be kept till the new building was constructed. To this, Mr Bhat said he would talk to either the nearby anganwadi centre or the government school and urge one of them to keep the books temporarily.

Residents of the area had been complaining that the library needed urgent attention as there was shortage of space to keep the books properly, and their maintenance was short of expectation.

The library building had been in a poor condition for about two years now, said its member Denis Fernandes while another member, seeking anonymity, said too much of dust had accumulated on the books because of poor maintenance.

1,000 members

The libarary, which had a membership of more than 1,000 people, had a seating capacity of fewer than 15, said Mr. Fernandes.

He had been writing to the library authorities to get it renovated. “At least now, some action has been initiated,” he added.

Ms. Uma admitted that there was not enough space to keep books in the library and its roof was leaking during every rainy season. “White ants are feasting on the books,” she added.