The Directorate of Libraries has been established mainly for the administration of the Maharashtra Public Libraries Act, 1967, which provides for the establishment, maintenance, organization and development of public libraries in the State.  It has also to supervise public libraries, promote the establishment of new libraries, collect and preserve old /rare books, manuscripts and periodicals, organize training programme for candidates in Library science, conduct their examination and publish annually a bibliography of all books published in the State.

     Under Section-3, item-3, of the Act there is a provision to establish a State Library Council mainly to advise the govt. for implementation of the provisions of the Act.

      Section-4 & item-11 of the Act provides for the establishment of State Central Library for the State Divisional Libraries for every revenue division.  Maintenance, organization & development of such libraries is the responsibility of the Govt. alongwith the financial implications.  Accordingly Divisional Libraries at Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Ratnagiri & Nashik have been established.  The Govt. Distt.Library , Amravati has been upgraded & converted as Govt. Divisional Library for Amravati Division w.e.f. 1.11.1996.

     Similarly, bifurcation of the offices of Asstt. Director of Libraries, Mumbai Division and Nagpur Division has been made to establish new offices of Asstt. Director of Libraries, Amravati and Nashik from 1.7.1996 respectively.  Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial Library was also established at Dapoli, Distt. Ratnagiri from 1-11-1996 under item 32, of the 40 point programme of Kokan Development.

     A Manuscript Library has been established in Directorate of Libraries, Mumbai for collection &  preservation of old/rare books and manuscripts in the State.

     The Govt. has taken the management of Central Library from the Asiatic Society of Mumbai and established it as State Central Library of the State w.e.f. 1.7.1994.

     In addition there are 7 District Libraries, in each District of Nagpur & Amravati Divisions.  Looking to the explosion of population and literacy rate, Govt. has established Govt. District Library, Mumbai city w.e.f. 1.2.97.  Similarly, new District Libraries in 8 Districts (Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Nashik, Dhule, Pune, Kolhapur, Jalna) have been established from 15.10.1997.

     Section-5, item-13 of the Act provides for establishment  of Library committees tobe constituted at District  level to advise the State Govt. on all matters relating to the development of Library service in the District and for ensuring prescribed functions of public libraries being performed by them satisfactorily.

     For carrying out the purposes of the Act, a Fund called as Library Fund is created as per provisions under chapter-6, item-18 of the Act.  This Fund consists of contribution made by State Government, any special grants given by State Govt, and any contribution or gifts made by public for development of public libraries.

     The money in the Library Fund is utilized for carrying out the purposes of the Act & for defraying the expenditure on,

a)      establishment, maintenance and development of public libraries,

b)      Compensatory allowances payable to the members of the council and the committees and

c)   Grant-in-aid to public libraries and Library Associations recognised for the purpose by the  Diretctor.

RAJA RAMMOHUN ROY LIBRARY FOUNDATION :

      In this scheme of Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation Rs. 10 Lakhs are contributed by  the State Government every year and a matching share of the same amount is released by the Foundation.  This amount is utilized for purchase of books, equipment for the public libraries in the state, under the various schemes of assistance of the Foundation.

DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR AWARD

      The public libraries   in the State are honoured under this Scheme.  The applications received from the public libraries are presented before the State Section Committee.  As per recommendations of the Committee two libraries in A,B,C and D class each (one Urban and one Rural) are selected and awarded Rs.25,000, Rs.15000, Rs.10,000 and Rs.5,000 as cash award alongwith certificates. 106 libraries have been honoured under this scheme in last 15 years.

DR. S.R.RANGANATHAN, GRANTHAMITRA AWARD.

       On completion of 25 tears of the enactment of the Act and the Directorarte, Govt. has launched this award from 1994-95.  Under this scheme a Best Library staff member from the public libraries and a Best Library worker of the movement each are awarded Rs.5000/- as cash award and a moments.  This award is distributed in the function of Dr.Babasaheb Best Library Award every year. 

Organisational Chart: