Implement knowledge commission's library recommendations:Pitroda

new Delhi, Jul 31 (UNI) Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda has made a strong case for implementing the commission's recommendations regarding setting up of a Mission on Libraries and a National Library Commission.

Dr Pitroda raised the issue when he called on Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni, who informed that the government had already started the work on setting up of a Library Mission on a priority basis.

''It will be completed later this year,'' she said.

During the meeting, which was also attended by Culture Secretary Badal K. Das, the critical role of libraries in creating a knowledge society was underlined.

It was felt that libraries in India would need to make a paradigm shift from their present strategy of collection or acquisition of knowledge to a strategy of knowledge access.

Ms Soni said a draft project report on the Library Mission had been prepared, and it would be finalised soon.

A token provision has been made in ministry's annual plan for the year 2007-08 for setting up of a Library Mission.

On the proposal of setting up of a National Commission on Libraries, the minister said the recommendation would be considered.

''So far as libraries are concerned, my ministry's stress is on better access, ambience and modernisation,'' she said, adding that the ministry had constituted a high powered committee for the upgrading and modernization of libraries.

A task force had also been set up by the Culture Ministry to prepare a national census of all libraries, she said. The Raja Ram Mohan Rai Library Foundation, Kolkata is the nodal agency for the purpose.

UNI