Report of the Working Group on Libraries and Informatics - Eighth Five Year-Plan

Abstract

The Report of the Working Group on Libraries and Informatics, prepared for the Eighth Five-Year Plan (1990–95), assesses the status of library and information services in India and proposes a long-term development strategy extending to 2005. The report reviews progress made during the Seventh Plan, identifies regional and infrastructural disparities, and highlights gaps in legislation, funding, and technological capacity. It emphasizes the integration of libraries with national development goals, particularly in education, rural development, health, and agriculture. Key recommendations include the establishment of a National Commission on Libraries, increased and coordinated funding, expansion of library legislation, and the development of a National Library System supported by information networks such as INFLIBNET and NICNET. The report presents a comprehensive framework for modernizing library services, improving accessibility, and strengthening India’s information infrastructure for inclusive socio-economic development.