Mobile library vehicle grounded; readers in Hubballi-Dharwad upset

Hubballi: Eager to take the world of information to the residents’ doorstep, the Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Ltd (HDSCL) launched the mobile library vehicle, designed to carry 10 people and store 4,000 books. Unfortunately, the wheels of the vehicle, and the initiative appear to have stopped spinning, much to the dismay and disappointment of the readers of the twin cities. The responsibility to keep the initiative running was entrusted to the Central Library of Dharwad in April, since when the wheels, as it were, have ground to halt.
Among those who were enthused about this initiative were the elderly, who had hoped to be able to get their hands on books without having to exert themselves. Candidates preparing for a host of competitive examinations too had hoped that, through this service, they could access reference books, given that the cost of many such titles is prohibitive.
The inaugural ride of the mobile library vehicle was flagged off on April 19 by Union minister for parliamentary affairs Pralhad Joshi.
Devaraj Nayak Gange, who is preparing to crack a competitive examination, told TOI, “Libraries are essential to the youngsters in the twin cities. We had pinned high hopes on the mobile facility that the department of public libraries was set to roll out. But this has remained on paper. The authorities concerned must take steps to roll out the vehicle at the earliest.”
President of Karnataka Senior Citizens’ Welfare Association, BA Patil said that, a considerable section of the demographic in Hubballi-Dharwad would benefit from the launch of the facility. “I urge the department of public libraries to relaunch the service,” Patil said.
Deputy director of the department of public libraries, MB Karigar said that the project was in limbo owing to the post of the driver of the vehicle remaining vacant. “We will soon invite applications from interested candidates for the post, and once the vacancy is filled, the mobile library vehicle will roll again.”
Fully-equipped space
*4,000 books can be stored in the mobile library
*Rs 25 lakh cost of designing the van by HDSCL
*Closed circuit television cameras on board
*Inverter to ensure uninterrupted supply of power for readers on the vehicle