Seventy-seven rural Coimbatore libraries need renovation

Seventy-seven libraries in rural areas of Coimbatore are waiting for renovations. These libraries were built under a scheme called Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam (AGAMT), which started in 2006 and aimed to improve village infrastructure. The current government revived this program in May 2021. Many of these libraries are poorly maintained. In Sultanipuram village, a library has been unused and neglected. R. Santhakumar, a local activist, pointed out that the building is often used for storing waste instead of serving students. He noted that there is no other library within three kilometers, despite the presence of three government schools nearby. Santhakumar believes that reopening the library could greatly help local students, many of whom come from families of daily wage laborers. Coimbatore district has a total of 228 AGAMT libraries. In recent years, many have been renovated. In 2021-22, 75 libraries were updated, followed by 76 more in 2022-23. This brings the total to 151 renovated libraries, with a substantial investment made in structural improvements and furniture. The local government plans to renovate the remaining 77 libraries and is waiting for state approval. Work will include the purchase of furniture like racks and tables, which will each cost ₹25,000. They also plan to hire permanent librarians for better management. Currently, AGAMT libraries are not under the Local Library Authority. Their upkeep falls entirely on the panchayats. In the district, there are also 251 libraries managed under the Local Library Authority. Plans are in place for 55 of these libraries to get new buildings, and seven new libraries are set to be built soon.