Bhubaneswar, Oct 17: At the Harekrushna Mahtab State Library here in the city, there are only 34 staff working against 83 sanctioned posts. Every day, over 500 students and researchers visit the library for study and the employee strength is less than half mark of the sanctioned posts.
Not only Harekrushna Mahtab State Library, the situation is very similar in libraries across the state.
Every district library has three sanctioned posts – one librarian, one assistant librarian and one sweeper cum watchman. There are 49 approved posts in 17 district libraries. However, only 10 staff are working staff in these district libraries as against 49 sanctioned strength. The district libraries of Rayagada, Sundargarh, Nuapada and Kalahandi are working with only one assistant librarian each.
Keonjhar, Ganjam and Angul district libraries are functioning with one librarian each. Similarly, one sweeper cum watchman is employed at Dhenkanal and another one at Ganjam totaling the number to 10.
On the other hand, the six integrated libraries of the state have 12 approved posts – one librarian and one assistant librarian for each. However, Public Library in Khallikote has one librarian.
All the posts of one sub-divisional library and two memorial libraries are lying vacant against six sanctioned posts.
