Library Provision for the Indian and Pakistani Communities in Britain

Abstract

Replies to a questionnaire sent to fifty public library authorities in 1967 help to reveal the present extent of, and attitudes towards, provision for Indian and Pakistani communities. Over thirty library authorities are already making some provision and others have plans to do so. A few librarians oppose any special provision of books in the mother tongue. Most of the existing collections are small and consist largely of fiction. Urdu is best provided for. Obtaining adequate supplies is difficult for individual library authorities, and several librarians consider regional or national provision essential. Few extension activities with, or on behalf of, the communities are currently provided or planned for the future.