Libraries under construction — Swami Vivekanand e-library and the library at Untkhana. Babu Haridas Awale e-library will be inaugurated within two months. 

 

 

WITH an aim to provide space for reading to citizens, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to open six new libraries in the city by the end of this year. The NMC is currently managing a network of 110 functional libraries across ten zones. The current inventory includes 8 e-libraries, 29 traditional libraries, and 73 dedicated reading rooms. According to the NMC Library Department, these centres operate from 8 am to 8 pm and provide a sanctuary for competitive exam aspirants.

 

 

The historic Swami Vivekanand Vachnalay on Ruikar Road, Mahal, is currently undergoing a complete digital overhaul. “The construction and structural work are nearly complete. We are now moving into the final phase of installing computers and furniture,” Abhay Burade, an official from Library Department told ‘The Hitavada’. The facility is expected to be fully operational as an e-library within the next two months. In a similar vein, the Babu Haridas Awale e-library in Untkhana is also nearing completion and is slated for inauguration alongside the Swami Vivekanand facility. “Across Maharashtra, NMC is the sole municipal corporation that maintains an independent Library Department,” stated Burade. On an average, nearly 150 students who utilise NMC libraries qualify for government jobs annually. Beyond civil services, students have successfully cracked high-stakes exams like JEE, NEET, and CA using these resources, he claimed.

 

 

Manjushree Kanhere, Assistant Librarian, noted the deep dedication of the visitors. “Many students spend over eight hours here daily, bringing their lunch boxes to ensure they don't lose study time. While the book count remains stagnant with 1,21,807 in 2023, 1,22,437 in 2024 and 1,22,010 in 2025, the department continues to offer lifetime benefits. Citizens can avail themselves of book rental services for a nominal one-time fee of Rs 510, granting them access to the collection for the rest of their lives.

 

 

The NMC’s Library Department is facing severe shortage of manpower. An RTI querry filed by activist Abhay Kolarkar revealed that the department’s administrative structure is struggling with a vacancy rate of nearly 88 per cent. Out of a total of 141 sanctioned positions, only 17 are currently filled, leaving 124 seats vacant. The most severe shortage is at the ground level. Out of 99 sanctioned posts for Watchman-cum-Peon, only 10 are active, leaving 89 positions vacant. Similarly, out of 15, there are 15 vacant spots for Peons and 3 for Watchmen out of 3.