New building sought for Central Library

Chittoor: District Central Library has been running in a rented building on the outskirts of the city after the permanent building was demolished during the road expansion drive taken up two months ago. The 30-year-old building was constructed at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore and was inaugurated by former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao.

Chittoor MLA D A Satyaprabha has stated that the government will allocate land for the construction of new library building. Readers are very much disappointed with the shifting of central library to a remote place. Moreover, several posts belonging to the District Central Library are lying vacant for the last several years.

Majority library branches are being maintained by fourth class employees as librarian posts were not filled. Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha Secretary G Ravi Kumar has stated that only 48 employees are working as against the total sanctioned strength of 162.

He expressed anguish over delay in remitting Rs 8 crore library cess by Tirupati and Chittoor civic bodies. He further said that readers are showing good response towards libraries in the district. A new library building at a cost of Rs 1.2 crore would come up shortly in Tirupati, he added.