Bangla Sahayata Kendra (BSK): An Initiative of Community Engagement by Information Services through Public Libraries and Allied in West Bengal

Abstract

Community engagement through public libraries is a collaborative process between library members, residents, faculty, students, and partner organizations to address issues that improve the community. Libraries can act as knowledge centres and community hubs by providing easy ways to reach out to the community through initiatives like information literacy. Bangla Sahayata Kendra (BSK) is an innovative initiative in West Bengal dedicated to enhance community engagement and empowerment through various avenues including Governmentaided libraries, GP, BDO, SDO, and DM offices, as well as health centres and urban local bodies (ULBs). 3561 operational BSKs across 23 districts offer 323 public services through a single window, facilitating easy access to essential resources and information for local residents, ensuring equitable, free of cost access for all members of the community. The initiative has engaged 630 numbers of (25.40%) of total 2480 public libraries from 23 districts, resulting in increased footfall and utilization of library services. Majority of BSK services, encompassing 541 public libraries or approximately 85.87% of the total, are located in rural areas. Conversely, a smaller proportion of BSK services, constituting 89 public libraries or roughly 14.13% of the total, are situated in urban areas. Significant increase in footfall over the years, indicating the growing utilization and impact of BSK services on community engagement within public libraries in West Bengal is observed in the present study.This has been poised to motivate other libraries and library professionals regarding community engagement initiatives.