INTRODUCTION
The British Council's library network in India is the largest British Council operation in the world. There are libraries in eleven Indian cities. Every year they answer 200,000 enquiries and make 2.4 million book loans, serving the needs of 15,000 visitors every day. Over 40,000 new books are added to the stock every year.
Modeled on the pattern of British public libraries, they provide the best of reading materials published in Britain. The libraries have a modern ambience, service and facilities, supplemented by courteous staff. From accessing the World Wide Web to aiding the development of children with multimedia, there are a range of services set to the highest professional standards. For this reason these libraries have always been regarded as more than just an ordinary lending library.
More than providing books and information, the British Council Library in India has nurtured the relationship between the people of both countries.
In the five decades of its existence the library has become an integral part of Indian life.
Collection/Resources:
Books 36000
Children's Books 2000
Videos 3600
CDs 40
Services
Lending: books/journals/training videos/home videos
Reference services
On-line Public Access Catalogue
Information about Britain
Internet access
Children's library
indev (Development Network for NGOs)
Educational Counseling Service
Information about British examinations
Book promotion - book displays, fairs etc.
Proactive information service to opinion formers and decision makers
Photocopying
Library orientations
Video screenings
Interlibrary loans
Reservation of books/videos
Programmes for members
Special programmes for children
Membership Details
Category Annual fee (Rs) Entitlement Loan period
Individual 900 3 books/ CD ROMs2 periodicals 3 weeks
Child 600 2 children's books,1 children's video 3 weeks; 1 week for videos
Family 2200 4 books, 2 periodicals 3 children's books2 home video 3 weeks
Home Video 1100 2 home video cassettes 1 week
Institutional 6000 20 books, 10...