More librarians needed

Priyanka Kurugala

The National Museum possessed a library of over six hundred thousand books. National Museum Department Director Nanda Wickramasinghe said there is only one qualified librarian in charge.

She felt the library could serve a wider readership if there were more qualified librarians. She noted the above when a newly appointed Minister Jagath Balasuriya held a discussion with his Ministry officials recently. She said the library had been in existence from the day the Museum was established in 1877. The Director said the profit of the National Museum is Rs 1,500,000 for year 2010.

If the Museum could be run systematically it could earn much more. Major sections of the building were in a poor state. Although repairs were made by contractors the same problem arose since officials were not in a position to check whether the repairs had been executed properly. She said the number of visitors to the museum could be increased if publicity is given on a regular basis.