Summary of Key Points
Although India boasts the largest number of public libraries in the world (46,746), their services are far from ideal due to issues such as inflated statistics, insufficient funding, and cumbersome procedures. Private “circulation libraries” (such as the Victoria Library in Mumbai), with their flexible and low-cost rental models and reader-centric services, have filled the gap in public library services, meeting the strong reading demands of the population. Despite challenges like rising rent costs and the impact of digital entertainment, these libraries have seen a resurgence in business activity since the pandemic and continue to serve as vital “reading hubs” for their communities.
Public Libraries: Bright on Paper, but Hindered in Practice
India’s public library count is impressive, but the figures are somewhat inflated—small reading rooms with only a few books are often counted as official libraries. Moreover, 17 out of the 36 states in the country lack regulations governing library funding, leaving many libraries without the resources or staff to update their collections. The process of obtaining a library card is also cumbersome, requiring identification photos, proof of residence, and signatures from schools or employers, which discourages many people from using them.
Circulation Libraries: Small but Flexible, Surviving for Decades
This private lending model predates public libraries and remains popular to this day. For example, the owner of the Victoria Library, Arif, has been a fixture in the community for 40 years, knowing the location of every book in his collection. He can provide readers with whatever they need, from niche comics to popular series like “The Mouse Detective.” The fees are affordable: a 300-rupie (about $3) deposit is refundable, and the rental fee is 20% of the book’s price (e.g., 20 rupees for a 100-rupie book). Registration is simple, without any complicated procedures. Regular customer Bernard has been coming to the library for over 30 years because of its wide range of books (including classics, books in local languages, and film magazines), as well as the warm and personal atmosphere.
More Than Just Lending Books: Circulation Libraries as a Community Reading Safety Net
When public libraries fail to meet people’s needs, circulation libraries step in as a vital alternative. They serve as a “third space” in the community, welcoming people of all castes and backgrounds. For those who have no access to education, these libraries are the only source of books. Lalit, from a free library network, notes that children miss out on many opportunities without access to books, and these small libraries are helping to improve India’s literacy rate (currently 81.7%, lower than the global average).
Challenges and Hope: A Tough Existence, but a Light of Reading Remains
Operating these libraries is not easy—rent costs are rising faster than membership fees, and digital media and games are competing for people’s reading time. The pandemic also caused a decline in usage. However, there are positive developments: more young customers have started using these libraries since the pandemic (with parents bringing their children to experience paper books), and some libraries have begun offering online book delivery services. Arif says, “As long as someone is willing to take a book home to read, I am satisfied.” This dedication ensures that the spirit of reading continues to thrive.
A Century-Old Business Model with New Vitality
Circulation libraries originated in 18th-century Britain and appeared in India in 1709. While free public libraries have replaced them in the UK, circulation libraries in India are still thriving. Some, like the Victoria Library, continue to operate their physical locations, while others, like the Ishwari Library in Chennai, have moved to online services. Despite their small size, they play an indispensable role in India’s reading landscape.