The Government libraries are being run by the School Education Department in 36 districts of the State. Apart from this, Maulana Azad Central library and Swami Vivekanand library are also being run at Bhopal. An amount of about Rs 3 crore is being spent this year to strengthen these Government libraries.
Under the National library Mission Scheme of the Union Ministry for Culture, amount of Rs 18.50 lakh for upgradation of the District library Khandwa, about Rs 22 lakh for the Ahilya Central library of Indore have been approved. Besides, Rs 13.14 lakh for the District library Shivpuri, Rs 2.28 lakh for Government Barmendra library, Nagod- District Satna, about Rs 22 lakh for District library Mandla, Rs 10 lakh for Central library Gwalior, Rs 42.71 lakh for Jabalpur Central library and Rs 16.65 lakh for Government Central library Rewa have been approved. An amount of Rs 3 lakh each for the districts libraries has been approved.
The Moulana Azad Central library of Bhopal is recognised as one of the enriched library. The building of this library is also known for its wonderful architecture. This library is being run at the Central library Ground of Bhopal.
Solar panels are being installed to illuminate it with solar energy. Free libraries are being run for the children of poor section in 8 settlements by the Shiksha Mitra Club of the Central library-Bhopal. This activity is being helped by a group of 35 students. Apart from the Central library Bhopal, the other Central libraries are being run by the School Education Department at Indore, Gwalior, Jabalapur and Rewa.
Similarly, Swami Vivekanand library is being run at GTB Complex of Bhopal by the School Education Department. About new 1200 members have been added with this library. Along with this, 33 schools, colleges and offices have taken institutional membership of the library.
In order to replenish the library, about 4,200 new books, 820 new films and 1800 magazines have been included in it. Besides, collection of Hindi books has also been added in the library. Moreover, lekhak se Miliya Programme is also being organised regularly at Swami Vivekanand library.