Going green or not: realities of the Indian metropolis libraries

Abstract

India is fighting severe problems, as for e.g. pollution explosion, dwindling resources, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, threats of terrorism, among others. In this perspective, little emphasis is given on emerging issues like hygienic and environmental awareness.

Very recently, Indian libraries started to have provisions for natural lights as much as possible, energy saving bulbs in the reading rooms and other places within library premises, provision of natural air, emphasis on cleanliness, hygienic toilets, adequate provision of waste bins at appropriate places, proper disposal policies for weeded library materials/equipments, etc. This paper will present the report of a survey of some important libraries in the four metropolises (Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai) of India.

Keywords: University Libraries, India, Green Libraries, Metropolises, Calcutta University Library System, Madras University Library System, Mumbai University Library System, Delhi University Library System