**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.338 regarding the establishment of libraries and modern learning resource centers in Tamil Nadu, to be answered on February 2, 2026. It details the role of the Central Government and the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF) in supporting libraries in Tamil Nadu from 2019 to 2024. The Ministry of Culture has provided financial assistance for upgrading libraries under the National Mission on Libraries (NML) Scheme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Constitutional Authority:** Libraries fall under the State subject as per Article 246 of the Constitution of India; therefore, opening new libraries is under the purview of State or UT Administration.
* **RRRLF Support:** RRRLF, an autonomous organization financed by the Ministry of Culture, provides financial assistance for developing existing public libraries in Tamil Nadu.
* **Financial Assistance:** Financial assistance has been provided for the upgradation of the District Library in Vellore and the District Library in Tiruchirappalli.
* **Digital Infrastructure Upgrades:** RRRLF provides financial assistance for computers, library automation software, networking facilities, Wi-Fi, and other ICT infrastructure to public libraries.
* **Digital Literacy Promotion:** Initiatives are in place to facilitate the transition of public libraries towards digital services and access to online information resources, promoting digital literacy.
* **Capacity Building:** RRRLF provides financial assistance for training programs, refresher courses, workshops, and seminars for library professionals.
* **Financial assistance Released & Libraries Assisted:** Includes but not limited to the Organisation of National level Seminars, Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corners, procurement of furniture and storage books.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tamil Nadu State Government/UT Administration**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the opening and administration of new public libraries as libraries fall under the State subject.
* **Action Required:** Respond to the needs of the State, recommend for central assistance.
**Public Libraries in Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Receives financial assistance for upgrades, digital infrastructure, and access to online resources.
* **Action Required:** Utilise funds for upgrades and modern services.
**Library Professionals in Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Benefit from training programs and workshops to enhance their skills.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the training programs and implement new technologies.
**General Public/Library Users in Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Increased access to digital resources and improved library services.
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Culture: Union government ministry responsible for culture, including libraries.
Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF): Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture that provides financial assistance for the development of public libraries.
National Mission on Libraries (NML): A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Culture to upgrade existing libraries.
Tamil Nadu: Indian state where libraries and learning resource centers are being established and upgraded.
Constitution of India, Article 246: Constitutional provision that places libraries under the State subject in the Seventh Schedule.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CULTURE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No.338
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
ESTABLISHMENT OF LIBRARIES AND MODERN
LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRES IN TAMIL NADU
338 SHRI SELVAM G:
SHRI NAVASKANI K:
SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:
a) the details of the number of new public libraries, community libraries and knowledge
resource centres set up across the country especially in Tamil Nadu during the last
five years and the current year;
b) whether the Government has received any proposal from Tamil Nadu for setting up of
new libraries or modern learning resource centres under Central assistance;
c) if so, the present status thereof;
d) the details of the number of libraries have been upgraded with digital infrastructure
such as high-speed internet, e-learning modules, digital cataloguing systems and
online resource access in Tamil Nadu during 2019 to 2024;
e) whether the Government is implementing any initiatives through libraries to promote
digital literacy, e-governance awareness and access to online educational resources in
Tamil Nadu; and
f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
(SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (c) As per Article 246 of the Constitution of India, libraries fall under the State subject
in the Seventh Schedule, with public libraries functioning under the administrative control of
the respective State or Union Territory authorities. Opening of new libraries comes under the
purview of the respective State Government/UT Administration.
(d) Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous organization fully
financed by the Ministry of Culture, provided financial assistance for development of
existing public libraries in Tamil Nadu through its various approved schemes on the basis of
the recommended application received from Tamil Nadu State Library Authority.Details of the financial assistance released and number of libraries assisted under various
RRRLF schemes during 2019-20 to 2023-24 in Tamil Nadu are provided at Annexure I.
Additionally, the Ministry of Culture implements the National Mission on Libraries (NML)
Scheme, under which financial assistance is provided for the “Up-gradation of existing
libraries under the NML Model Library” component. Assistance is extended to one State
Central Library and one District Library in each State/UT, based on recommendations from
the respective State authorities and subject to availability of State funds, in addition to six
libraries identified by the Ministry. This component focuses on four key areas: improvement
of infrastructure, up-gradation of technology and modernization of services, creation of
facilities for specially-abled groups, and procurement of reading resources to meet local
needs along with advocacy and outreach programmes.
The Government of Tamil Nadu was sanctioned financial assistance for upgradation of
District Library, Vellore and District Library, Tiruchirappalli as per following details:
(Rupees in lakhs)
Library Name Amount Amount Released
Sanctioned
District Library, Vellore 87.00 79.27
District Library, Tiruchirappalli 70.00 68.16
(e)&(f) RRRLF under its Matching and Non-Matching Grant Schemes, provides financial
assistance to public libraries for the procurement of computers and related accessories,
library automation software, scanners, networking facilities, Wi-Fi and other Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. These initiatives facilitate the
transition of public libraries towards digital services and enable them to provide access to
online information resources, thereby contributing to the promotion of digital literacy
among the public.
In addition, RRRLF provides financial assistance under its Seminar Scheme for organizing
training programmes, refresher courses, workshops and seminars for library professionals
across the States/UTs. These capacity-building programmes aim to enhance the skills of
library staff in the use of modern library technologies, information systems and digital tools,
enabling them to assist users in accessing e-resources and online services.Annexure-I
Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.338 for reply
on 2nd February, 2026 regarding “Establishment of Libraries and Modern Learning
Resource Centres in Tamil Nadu”.
(Amt. in Rs.)
No of
Amount of
Year Scheme Beneficiary
Assistance
Libraries
Organization of National level Seminar,
Workshop, Training and Awareness 4,00,000/-
5
Programme
Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner 9,36,022/-
2019-20 9
Children Library and Establishment of RRRLF
2,00,000/-
Children Corner 2
Establishment of RRRLF Differently -abled
1,75,000/- 1
corner
Organization of National level Seminar,
Workshop, Training and Awareness 49,970/-
2
Programme
Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner 2,99,999/- 8
2020-21
Procurement of Library furniture and storage of
1,34,45,588/- 2586
books
Establishment of RRRLF Differently -abled
7,00,000/- 2
corner
Development of Public Library run by
66,323/- 1
Voluntary Organisation
7,01,591/-
Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner 7
Procurement of Library furniture and storage of 2,92,62,152/- 2898
2021-22
books
Children Library and Establishment of RRRLF 5,33,728/-
3
Children Corner
Establishment of RRRLF Differently -abled 8,69,311/-
5
corner
Organization of National level Seminar,
13,17,500/-
Workshop, Training and Awareness 12
2022-23 Programme-NM
2,45,175/-
Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner 3
Organization of National level Seminar,
6,22,500
2023-24 Workshop, Training and Awareness 7
Programme-NM
48,812/-
Establishment of RRRLF Knowledge Corner 1
1,68,94,334/-
Modernization of Library Services 401Procurement of Library furniture and storage of 1,02,96,132
668
books
Children Library and Establishment of RRRLF 1,44,576/-
1
Children Corner
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