After three years, State Central Library's restoration remains incomplete

On National Librarians Day, a garlanded photograph of S.R. Ranganathan stands in the first-floor corridor of the State Central Library. The tribute to the father of library science comes amid an ongoing restoration that has entered its third year, leaving the heritage building in a state of suspended animation. The smell of spray paint and the buzz of workmen interrupt the quiet that readers once expected from the 1936 structure.

A library official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed disappointment with the pace of conservation. “The work has been inconsistent. At times it moves quickly, and then at other times it slows down. We are disappointed with the pace,” the official said. The repairs have not followed a steady timeline, and several sections of the library remain cordoned off or inaccessible to the public.

Regular visitors feel the impact. Ziyan, a resident of Tadbund preparing for the NEET examination, said he brings his own books because the library's collection does not meet his needs. “I come here to study but sit in this shaded area because it is quiet. I bring my own books as the library mostly has textbooks and not the study material I need,” he said. He spends much of his day studying under a tin shed erected at the rear of the building, alongside several other aspirants preparing for competitive exams.

The State Central Library holds a collection of more than five lakh books, including nearly two lakh in English. However, its patronage has declined over the decades due to poorly organised shelves, chronic staff shortages and a lack of basic amenities. The conservation work, which began three years ago, was expected to reverse this decline, but the anticipated improvement has yet to materialise.

Inside the building, the foyer and the librarian's desk are covered in paint and lime stucco, as are the stained-glass panels. The main hall has been cleared for conservation work and has remained that way for nearly a year. “Most of the English books section has been closed and is inaccessible. We keep moving the shelves around depending on the requirements of the work,” the library official said.

The library is also grappling with a severe shortage of staff. According to the official, there are 104 sanctioned posts, but only 33 regular staff, including officers, are currently employed. Sixteen outsourced employees and nine junior assistants were recruited last year after the Congress government came to power, yet the library remains understaffed. The post of chief librarian is also vacant, further hampering daily operations.

Budget constraints are evident in the allocation for the current financial year. The revised estimates for 2025-26 earmark ₹4.35 crore for salaries, while only ₹8.21 lakh has been budgeted for all other expenses, including maintenance. This limited allocation is reflected in the condition of facilities, which have not seen significant improvement despite the restoration project.

The heritage building has been a popular location for film shoots for decades, with recent big-budget productions such as Sita Ramam shooting extensively on site. Today, however, its surroundings are cluttered with an RTC logistics counter, an Annapurna canteen, a makeshift pavement shelter and dozens of private buses parked outside. The contrast between the building's historical charm and its neglected environs is stark.

While the restoration work continues, the library's ability to serve the public remains compromised. The promise of a revived institution has given way to frustration among readers and staff alike. Without decisive action on staffing, funding and the speed of conservation, the State Central Library risks remaining in suspended animation for years to come.