ఆంధ్ర గ్రంథాలయం/సంపుటం 2/సంచికలు 1, 2/Proceedings of the 22nd Andhradesa Library Conference

Proceedings of the

22nd Andhradesa Library Conference

Rajahmundry-1941

The 22nd Andhradesa Library Conference was held on the 14th, 15th & 16th of January 1941 at Rajahmundry in the premises of the Gautami Library taking advantage also of the Shashtipurti Celebration of Madhurakavi Nalam Kristna Rao one of the front-rank workers in the Library movement. Sri Marepalli Ramachandra Sastri, Vice-President of the Andhradesa Library Association and President of the District Library Association, Vizagapatam presided. An old and reputed Library worker Sri Nidadavolu Venkata Rao opened the Conference.

Library Exhibition

On 14-1-41 at 5 P. m. the function began with the opening of the Library Exhibition. Sri Tekumalla Ramachandra Rau, M.A., B.L., President, District Library Association, Kistna declared the exhibition open. In doing it he said that he was one of those that did not know what a Library exhibition really meant. The first exhibition that he saw was the Park Fair. Knowledge derived through the eye was greater than the knowledge derived through the ear. So, it is that Industrial and Commercial Exhibitions are organized. In a similar manner is the Library Exhibition also arranged.

To place before men knowledge, pictures and bold type posters are very valuable. In addition to exhibits that impart general knowledge, it is necessary that Library exhibitions should aim at grouping all the resources that a Library worker may use in his task. The processes at work in foreign Library movements, their propaganda methods, the many means to bring together the reader and the Library endeavor, the factors required to divert the attention of the charitably disposed to the Library movement are no doubt necessary to be displayed. But that is not enough. Copies of the annual reports for models and also of records maintained may well form part and parcel of such exhibitions. Besides, if attractive books dealing with different branches of learning as well as tasteful journals are displayed that would be equally helpful. The Exhibition was open at 5-30 P. m. Pictures, Posters, and all necessary equipment for Adult Education work, also Readers and Maps and models were amongst the exhibits. Models of Registers that libraries are recommended to keep were also exhibited.

Adult Education Conference

An Adult Education Conference was held as an essential adjunct to the main conference. The libraries themselves, in their own little way, have always carried on the literacy endeavor. As, however, the main attention today was being given to this subject it was considered necessary to hold this conference to focus attention on several matters of immediate interest to the Adult Educationist. Sri G. Harisarvottama Rau, M. A., presided. In his address he sketched the history of the Adult Education movement in Andhradesa. He maintained that removal of illiteracy and imparting of culture were the two inalienable faces of Adult Education. The library, he said, was mainly the instrument to spread culture. The Literate would be able in themselves to take full advantage of this instrument. Illiteracy in a nation meant backwardness in culture. The Telugus possessed, fortunately for themselves, a language. literacy which could easily be acquired. A large number of young men capable of removing illiteracy and spreading culture were the need of the hour. If only cuttings from current journals could be filed and indexed subject war, there was much that could be brought to the doors of the reader to his great advantage. Sri Harisarvottama Rao made out a strong case in favor of Adult Education as the fundamental constructive programme for the nation. Swaraj, Self-rule, National reconstruction were all dreams without this foundation.

Sri Goparaju Ramachandra Rao, M. A, Principal, Mudunur Adult Education center narrated his experiences of methods of teaching Adults. Propaganda to spread the movement and gave one good suggestion to libraries. In order to impart direct knowledge to those who go to the libraries, these may in addition to display of books and journals, exhibit also scientific instruments and appliances. He would not mind having less books if that were necessary to possess a thermometry or a barometer. He would prefer a few good journals to heaps of story books.

Later, a discussion took place on points suggested by the President and the other speakers. Sri Kasturi Kutumba Rao, Secretary, Guntur District Library Association, Sri Ayyanki Venkataramanayya, founder Andhradesa Library Association, Sri Narasimhadevara Satyanarayana, Sri Mallela Sri Ramamoorti, Assistant Secretaries Andbra Desa Library Association and Sri P. Nagabhushanam, Secretary took part. The discussion raged round the comparative stress to be laid on Removal of Illiteracy and Spread of Culture. The President, in winding up the discussion, stated that spread of culture had been attempted all through. Literacy had to be achieved in an urgent manner. It was difficult to characterize one of these as an essential and the other as a non-essential. But, due to the need of the moment, removal of illiteracy had to be given the first-place in the Adult Education endeavor. By the impact of world conditions our own culture and civilization must change. We have to congratulate, in this connection the Dewan of Kashmere and the Maharaja thereof for the order they have promulgated in their state. If the other states and British India should copy this order they would have equally made a very big contribution to Adult Education. Two resolutions were then passed.

(1) Congratulating Dewan Bahadur N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar for the good work he was doing in behalf of Adult Education more especially for the order he had issued enjoining on all the heads of departments of the State that all the persons employed in their departments should be made literate in one year and

(2) Calling upon all the libraries to carry on removal of illiteracy campaigns and acquire and exhibit primary scientific instruments and appliances.

The Library Conference

On the evening of 15-1-41 the Library Conference was held in the Lecture Hall of the Gautami Grandhalaya. After prayers by Sri Vinnakota Venkataratna Sarma of Bezwada, Sri Ramachandra Sastri was installed in the Presidential Chair. Sri Adavi Sankara Rau, B. A., L. T., delivered the reception speech. Messages from the Secretary, the Indian Library Association and Messrs. Abburi Ramakrishna Rau, B.A.. F.L.A., Adusumilli Srinivasa Rau, Librarian District Central Library Guntur, were read.

Sri Nidadavolu Venkata Rau delivered his opening address. He narrated his own experiences of library work and stressed that Panchayats and District Boards should take it up in right earnest. He advocated a larger use of the Radio in the Library movement. He called upon the generous rich to contribute to the Library movement in as large a measure as they were contributing to all other causes. He felt special pride in having been called upon to open this conference which was being held on a great occasion like the Shashtipurti ceremony of the man that was at the helm of affairs at the Gautami Library and had attained distinction as a great worker, namely Sri Madhurakavi Nalam Krishna Rau.

The President, amidst constant cheers, then delivered his speech in Accha Telugu i.e., pure Telugu without admixture of even Sanskrit. He traced the beginnings of knowledge and covered the whole ground of the historical development of libraries. He dilated on the evolution of writing. He gave a succinct account of ancient and modern libraries in different countries. He traced the course of modern Library endeavor in India, more especially in Andhra and explained the work of the Andhrdesa Library Association. He stressed the need there existed for a Central Library in Andhra and incidentally spoke of the creation of an Andhra Province.

His speech was full of detail. It showed bow keen he was on work. It was heard with rapt attention. In the Telugu portion of this journal it is reported at length. After the President's speech Sri Paturi Nagabhushanam, the Secretary gave a resume of the work done by the association between 24-7-1938 and the end of 1940, as this was the first conference to be held after ho took office. His report is published elsewhere.

A group photo was taken and the conference reassembled at -30 P. m. The Secretary introduced each one of the delegates to the members of the conference. Sri Pitambaram Venkata Krishnamacharyulu, Librarian of the Sri Sarada Grandhalayam, Anakapalli and member Andhra Executive, read an essay on Library management. He brought home to his hearers how it involved details which had to be studied carefully, pointed out the need there was for those interested in library management to meet occasionally and exchange notes. He emphasized that an intelligent appreciation by the Public was a great factor in the successful working of libraries. He appealed to all the libraries in Andhradesa to swell the membership of the Andhradesa Library Association by joining it and vigorously carrying out the common programme; others spoke later with a view to exchange of notes. The conference adjourned to the next day. The subjects committee met and discussed the resolutions to be presented to the conference.

When the conference met at 8 A. M. the next day Srimati Battula Kamakshamma, founder of the Vaisya Seva Sadan, Rajahmundry, spoke, in sweat accents, of her own experiences of the Library movement.

Resolutions:-

(1) Of condolence on the demise of Sri Tekumalla Rajagopala Rau, Sri Raghupati Venkataratnam Naidu, Sri Chilukuri Veerabhadra Rao, Sri Sanivarapu Subba Rau, Sri G. V. Ramamurti Pantulu, Sri Panuganti Lakshminarasimha Rao, Sri Setti Lakshminarasimham, Sri Pillalamarri Anjaneyulu, Sri Kasibhatla Brahmayya Sastri, Sri Nadimpalli Subbaraju, Sri Nyapati Subba Rao, and others.

(2) Conveying thanks to Komma Sitaramayya for donating Rs. 1000/- to the Andhradesa Library Association for its building fund and Messrs. Kanuri Subbayya and brothers for the piece of land donated by them for a path as also to all other donors to the Building Fund and requesting all the Panchayats other local bodies and Co-operative Societies to contribute liberally to the Andhradesa Library Association.

(3) Requesting that the registration fee of Rs. 50/- levied under the Act 21 of 1860 be waived in the case of Libraries as in the case of Co-operative Societies.

(4) Requesting the Government to give full aid to the Andhradesa Library Association which is doing yeomen service to the people.

(5) Requesting Mathadhipaties, Trustees, and the H. R. E.Board to set apart some portion of all charitable endowments to be utilized for Adult Education and the Library Movement.

(6) Demanding the cancellation of circular No. 445 of the Inspector of Local Boards depriving Panchayats of freedom to start and maintain libraries and subscribing for journals.

(7) Thanking the Government of Madras for their Memorandum No. 51433/38 A-3 (Education and Health) dated 9-5-39 and Circular No. 527 of the Local Boards Inspector based on this memorandum and appealing to all the District Boards, Municipalities and Panchayat Boards of the Andhradesa to join as institutional members of the Andhradesa Library Association and assist in the spread of the Library Movement and Adult Education.

(8) Demanding that the All-India Radio Station of Madras do give more opportunities for talks on books and libraries in Telugu.

(9) Calling upon the Telugu Press to give more space to notices, pictures and articles relating to the Library endeavor.

(10) Requesting authors desirous of presenting their books to libraries to do so through the Andhradesa Library Association.

(11) Congratulating Dewan Bahadur N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar.

(12) Urging on libraries to give due prominence to the Removal of Illiteracy endeavor.

(13) Calling upon all the libraries in Andhradesa and those conducted by the Andhras to join the Andhradesa Library Association and to subscribe to its journal 'Andhra Granthalayam' and thus assist the movement.

(14) Calling upon the Andhradesa Library Association to print and publish all the Registers and books necessary for libraries.

(15) Expressing the opinion that Library Conferences, to be effective should be held in rural areas and in different districts every year.

(16) Calling upon the Andhradesa Library Association to prepare lists with the necessary detailed information of Pandits, Poets, Authors, Library workers, Artists, Donors, Educational institutions, Publishers and Book sellers in all parts of Andhradesa.

(17) Requesting Sri Sri Sri Maharaja of Vijayanagar Patron of arts and letters and the manager of the estate to make a grant of land for starting the Vizagapatam District Central Library.

(18) Congratulating the District Board of Guntur for their continued grant to the libraries in their district and calling upon the other District Boards and Municipalities to copy the example.

(19) Calling upon the Andhradesa Library Association to open training centers for Library workers.

(20) Calling upon the Association to prepare and publish the history of the Andhra Library Movement at an early date.

(21) Congratulating Madhurakavi Nalam Krishna Rau, the soul of the Gautami Granthalayam on the completion of his sixtieth year and hoping that that Library would soon function as the Central Library for the East Godavari District.

(22) Expressing the considered view that authors and publishers should, as a rule, include indices as an essential part of their publications.

(23) Urging that in revising the H. R. E. Act a specific portion of the income of religious endowments should be earmarked for utilization on Adult Education and Libraries.

(24)(a) Expressing disappointment at the action of the Ellore Divisional Officer in having discontinued the usual leaving of lands to the West Godavari Peoples Public Library Association and

(b) Requesting that this grant be renewed as the said Association is doing great services to the general public, students and Adult Education.

(25) Calling upon the Andhradesa Library Association to take interest also in Libraries conducted by Andhras in other areas outside the Andhradesa.

(26) Requesting to Sri Vavilla Ramaswami Sastrulu & Sons that they may make a grant of their publications to the Gautami Granthalayam on the occasion of the Shashtipurti celebrations of its main supporter Madhurakavi Nalam Krishna Rao.

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Published by A. Sreenivasa Rao and Printed at Bharathi Press, Tenali, 1941.