Library Society seeks support from GVMC amid financial crisis

The Visakhapatnam District Library Society, Zilla Grandhalaya Samstha (ZGS), has urged the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) to address the growing financial and infrastructural challenges threatening the functioning of public libraries across the city.

Vannemreddy Chairman Satish Kumar met GVMC Commissioner Ketan Karg on Monday and submitted a petition highlighting critical concerns, including the urgent need for a dedicated office building of at least 5,000 sq ft as the District Central Library is currently functioning out of dilapidated rented premises.

The society flagged the precarious condition of the children’s branch library at Ward 36, Rangireeju Street, describing the building as structurally unsafe and posing a serious accident risk to patrons, and called for its immediate relocation to a government or community building of approximately 2,000 square feet.

A severe financial crisis since 2008-09, attributed to irregular government grants, has hampered the purchase of books, payment of salaries and pensions, unemployment benefits and library renovation. The corporation also demanded release of outstanding library dues of around ₹218 crore and sought permission for depository centers within the city limits to run Grade 1, 2 and 3 libraries in vacant government buildings.

Published – 18 May 2026 23:23 IST