Understanding the Advisory Committee for Libraries Report

The question asks for another name for the Report of the Advisory Committee for Libraries. This committee was a significant body in India's post-independence efforts towards library development.

The Advisory Committee for Libraries was constituted by the Government of India in 1957. Its main objective was to study the existing state of libraries in the country and make recommendations for their improvement and future development. This committee was chaired by K.P. Sinha.

Due to its chairman, the Report of the Advisory Committee for Libraries is widely known and referred to as the Sinha Committee Report.

The Sinha Committee Report, submitted in 1958, provided comprehensive recommendations covering various aspects of library services, including:

• The role of the state and central governments in library development.
• The structure of public library systems.
• Library legislation.
• Library finance.
• Library education and training.
• The status and service conditions of library professionals.

The recommendations of the Sinha Committee Report have significantly influenced library policies and development in India over the years.

Analyzing the Options

Let's look at the given options:

• Parry Committee Report: This typically refers to the University Grants Committee's Committee on Libraries report in the UK (1967), not related to the Advisory Committee for Libraries in India.
• Fyzee Report: This likely refers to the report by A.A.A. Fyzee regarding Bombay Public Libraries (1939), distinct from the Advisory Committee for Libraries.
• Sinha Committee Report: This is the widely accepted alternative name for the Report of the Advisory Committee for Libraries (1957-1958) due to its chairman, K.P. Sinha.
• Ekbote Committee Report: This refers to the Review Committee on Public Libraries appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (1976) under the chairmanship of Gopal Rao Ekbote, a later committee focusing on a specific state.

Based on the historical context and the names associated with prominent library reports in India, the Sinha Committee Report is the correct alternative name for the Report of the Advisory Committee for Libraries.

Correct Answer Identification

The correct answer is the Sinha Committee Report, as it is the common name associated with the Report of the Advisory Committee for Libraries constituted in 1957.

Revision Table: Key Library Committees/Reports in India

Additional Information: Significance of the Sinha Committee Report

The Sinha Committee Report played a crucial role in highlighting the importance of public libraries in India. It provided a framework for their development and recommended the enactment of library legislation in states to ensure systematic growth and funding. Although not all recommendations were immediately implemented, the report served as a foundational document and a point of reference for subsequent efforts in library planning and development in the country.

Understanding reports like the Sinha Committee Report is essential for students studying library and information science in India, as they provide historical context and insight into the evolution of the library system.