Understanding the 'National Census of All Libraries' Recommendation

The question asks about the specific commission in India that recommended conducting a 'National Census of all Libraries'. A national census of libraries is a significant exercise aimed at gathering comprehensive data on the number, types, resources, services, and infrastructure of libraries across the entire country. This data is crucial for planning, policy formulation, resource allocation, and understanding the library landscape.

Let's look at the commissions mentioned in the options and their contributions to education and libraries in India.

Examining the Commissions

• Radha Krishnan Commission (University Education Commission, 1948-1949): This was the first commission on education after India's independence. It focused primarily on university education. While it made recommendations regarding university libraries, it did not propose a national census of all types of libraries across the country.
• Kothari Commission (Education Commission, 1964-1966): Chaired by D. S. Kothari, this commission's report, "Education and National Development," was comprehensive, covering all levels of education. It extensively discussed the importance of libraries for all educational sectors. It recommended developing school libraries, college libraries, and public libraries and setting standards. However, a specific recommendation for a nationwide census of *all* libraries is not attributed as its primary recommendation.
• Chattopadhyaya Commission: There have been several committees related to Chattopadhyaya, often associated with teachers' pay scales or educational reforms, but not typically credited with the major recommendation for a national library census.
• National Knowledge Commission (NKC, 2005-2009): Chaired by Sam Pitroda, the NKC was constituted to advise the Prime Minister on policies to enable India to compete in the global knowledge economy. The NKC's report, "Libraries as Gateways to Knowledge," placed significant emphasis on revitalizing the library and information service sector in India. Among its key recommendations was the urgent need to conduct a comprehensive survey or 'National Census of all Libraries' to understand the current state of libraries and gather baseline data for future development and policy interventions.

The National Knowledge Commission and Library Census

The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) recognized that reliable data on libraries was lacking, which hindered effective planning and investment. Therefore, the NKC explicitly recommended undertaking a 'National Census of all Libraries' in India. This census would help identify the number, location, infrastructure, resources, and user base of different types of libraries, including public, academic, school, and special libraries.

This data would then serve as a foundation for developing a robust national library and information system, improving access to knowledge, and ensuring that libraries play their vital role in societal development.

Conclusion

Based on the recommendations of the various commissions, the proposal for a 'National Census of all Libraries' is strongly associated with the efforts of the National Knowledge Commission.

The commission that recommended the 'National Census of all Libraries' is the National Knowledge Commission.

Revision Table: Key Commissions and Library Recommendations

Additional Information on the National Knowledge Commission and Libraries

Beyond the 'National Census of all Libraries', the National Knowledge Commission (NKC) made several other pivotal recommendations for the library sector, aiming to transform them into dynamic centres of learning and information. These included:

• Setting up a National Mission on Libraries (NML) to oversee the modernization and development of libraries.
• Revamping LIS (Library and Information Science) education and training.
• Promoting the National Virtual Library of India.
• Encouraging the creation of digital repositories and digitization of library resources.
• Improving infrastructure and connectivity in libraries.

The recommendation for the 'National Census of all Libraries' was foundational to these broader goals, providing the essential data needed to implement effective strategies for library development across India.