1. Minimum standards for libraries

The PNLP calls for minimum national standards that all public libraries must meet:

• 1.1 Adequate ratio of libraries per capita - IFLA recommends one public library per 10,000 people, which would mean more than 140,000 public libraries for India’s population. India currently has fewer than 54,856 public libraries, and the actual number may be considerably lower. A comprehensive national survey is therefore needed to establish the number, distribution and accessibility of existing public libraries, identify gaps in provision, and develop a plan for adequate library coverage across the country.
• 1.2 Physical facilities and accessibility - Every public library must have adequate physical space, a functional layout and facilities that are accessible to all members of the community, including persons with disabilities. Library buildings should provide a safe and secure environment, with good lighting, ventilation and a welcoming design that encourages people to visit, read, learn and participate in community activities. Infrastructure and facilities should respond to the needs of the people the library serves and enable equitable access to its resources and services.
• 1.3 Resources and collections - Public libraries must maintain collections of adequate size and diversity, including books, periodicals, multimedia and other relevant knowledge resources. Collection development should be guided by regular assessments of users’ needs and interests, so that resources remain relevant, diverse and responsive to the communities served. Libraries must also adopt appropriate preservation and conservation practices to safeguard their collections and establish resource-sharing arrangements to expand access to materials beyond their individual collections.
• 1.4 Services and programs - Public libraries must provide a range of free and responsive services, including reference and circulation services, interlibrary loans and access to relevant information resources. They should organise user education and literacy programmes, undertake community outreach, and provide access to technology. Services and programmes should respond to the diverse needs of library users and support reading, learning, information access and meaningful community participation.
• 1.5 Staffing and personnel - Every public library must have qualified librarians and adequate support staff to ensure effective management and quality services. Staffing levels should be proportionate to the library’s size, responsibilities and user population. Library personnel must have opportunities for continuing education and professional development. Recruitment should ensure proportionate representation of Dalit, Bahujan and Adivasi communities, women, non-binary and trans persons, and persons with disabilities at all levels, so that the library workforce reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
• 1.6 Governance and management - Public libraries must operate within a clear legal and administrative framework that defines their responsibilities and supports their effective functioning. Funding and budgeting processes should be transparent, with clear mechanisms for allocating and monitoring public resources. Performance evaluation mechanisms should assess the accessibility, quality and responsiveness of library services and support accountability and continuous improvement.
• 1.7 Free membership- All public library services must be provided free of cost. No subscription fees, security deposits, borrowing charges or other fees should be imposed as a condition of accessing library membership, resources or services. Free access is essential to ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent anyone from reading, learning or using a public library.