Bet365

The aim of this paper is to understand the public investments for public libraries in India, specifically the per capita expenditure. At present, India’s public library expenditure is obscured by conflicting and often erroneous estimates. The initial impetus for this study arose from the discrepancies and the lack of official data, as well as the perceived reality of public library services on the ground. The absence of a centralized, reliable government source necessitated a multi-faceted approach. To address this gap, the study employed a combination of primary and secondary data collection methods. Questionnaires were distributed to public library authorities across all Indian states and union territories, seeking direct financial data. While response rates varied, valuable insights were garnered from states such as Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Complementing this, official financial data was extracted from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reports, ensuring a robust and authoritative foundation for the analysis. The primary objective was to determine the per capita expenditure on public libraries across different Indian states. Per capita expenditure is at Rs 11.62 for 2018-19, and the highest spending states and union territories are Goa ₹124.87, Puducherry ₹60.06, Arunachal Pradesh ₹51.81, Karnataka ₹37.74, Andhra Pradesh 26.07, and the lowest states are Jharkhand ₹0.15, Bihar ₹0.41. This state-level analysis revealed significant disparities, highlighting regions with critically low investment and also provides a vital tool for public library investments. By identifying states facing substantial funding challenges, this research facilitates targeted resource allocation, encouraging increased investment in these underserved areas for the masses. Furthermore, this study aims to contribute to broader discussions on cultural and educational investment, emphasizing the critical role of public libraries in fostering literacy and community development in our urbanizing cities and towns. Policymakers should enable support for public libraries as – vital community hubs – based on these findings. The findings call for greater policy support of public libraries.