Mobile library yet to get moving

The children's mobile library is yet to go mobile. Even after two weeks of its formal launch, the library is still stationed at the Maneklal Jethabhai (MJ) library, because the officials are yet to get a driver for the same.

The mobile library was inaugurated by Gujarat's revenue minister Anandiben Patel on November 8.  The library has been developed at a cost of around Rs15 lakh, of which Rs14 lakh came from Gandhinagar MP LK Advani's grant.

The library with around 5,000 books was to cater to the neds of children in the New West Zone of the city. A source said that at present MJ Library has four mobile libraries but only two drivers.  The library officials, however, said the library was yet to get going as they are yet to decide its route. "There is no shortage of drivers. We are yet to decide the route for the mobile library and it will start moving by December," said Prabhatsinh Dabhi, librarian in-charge of MJ Library. 

He said a proposal to provide more drivers has been forwarded to the mayor and he has agreed to provide drivers from the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Services (AMTS). Apparently, the authorities decided to launch the mobile library without even finalising the route.  Sources said the AMC authorities asked the library officials to get the mobile van ready so that it could be inaugurated by Patel who also inaugurated the skating rink and gymnasium at Nava Vadaj on November 8.