Chapter II CLASSIFICATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Classification of Public libraries - For the purpose of grant-in-aid or other financial assistance, the Director may classify the recognised public libraries in one of the following categories, after consideration ofthe criterias specified in these rules, namely :-

1. (1) 'A' Class Public Library- The recognised library shall be classified as 'A' class public library, if it fulfills the following criteria, namely
   • (a) the library has its own building with sufficient accommodation to house the library;
   • (b) has collection of more than 15000 books ;
   • (c) subscribes for more than 50 periodicals and 15 newspapers;
   • (d) maintains a separate and well equipped children section; (.1 has more than 300 members; (0 has a full time librarian during its working hours;
   • (g) remains open for public for not less than six hours on all working days;
   • (h) organises not less than ten cultural or educational progftmme in a year; and
     • (i) provides for necessary reference service.
2. (2) 'B' Class Public Library -The recognised library shall be classified as "B' class public library, ilit fulfills the following criteria, namely :-
   • (a) has collection ofmore than 5000 books;
   • (b) subscribes for more than 15 periodicals and 5 newspapers;
   • (c) maintains a separate and well equipped children section;
   • (d) has more than 100 members:
   • (e) has such accommodation and fumiture as the Director may consider suflicient for the efficient working of the library;
   • (t) has a full time librarian during its *'orking hours;
   • (g) remains open for public for not less than six hours on all working days; and
   • (h) organises not less than four cultural or educational programmes in a year.
3. (3) 'C' Class Public Litrrary -The recognised library shall be classified as 'C class public library, if it fulfills the following criteria, namely :-
   • (a) has collection of more than l000books;
   • (b) subscribes for more than 5 periodicals and 3 newspapers;
   • (d) has more than 50 members;
   • (e) has such accommodation and lumiture as the Director may consider sufficient for the efficient working ofthe Iibrary; (0 has a whole time or a part time librarian;
   • (g) remains open for public for not less than three hours on all working days; and
   • (h) has not less than 20 per cent, ofthe total books useful for children.
4. (4) 'D'Class Public Library -The recognised library shall be classified as'D'class public library, if it fulfills the lollowing criteria, namely :-
   • (a) has collection of more than 100 books;
   • (b) subscribes for more than 5 periodicals and 3 newspapers;
   • (c) has more than 25 members;
   • (d) remains open for public for not less than three hours on all working days; and
   • (e) has not less than l5 per cent, ofthe total books useful for children.
5. (5) Circulating Library - The public library shall be classified as circulating library, if it fulfills the following criteria, namely :-
   • (a) makes available library service in one or more places in a locality where mobile library service is not available ; and
   • (b) sends sets of books to different places and exchanges them regularly or rakes such sets ofbooks and issues them lo the public in different lochlity : Provided that the circulating library shall either be an independent library or a part of library fallmg under 'A' or 'B' class public library.
6. (6) Specified Class Public Library - The recognised pulbic library shall be classified as specified class public library, if it" fulfills the following criteria, namely :-
   • (a) the library shall be for a specified class with a specified object;
   • (b) it shall be for women, children. blind or physically disabled persons;
   • (c) subscribe periodicals or newspapers for such specified class;
   • (d) has collection ofmore than hundred books;
   • (e) remains open for not less than ...three, hours on all working days.