The local Indian community donated money to the library here and they have
a reasonably good collection of Indian books.
Similary, if the local Telugu association donates money to the local library
or donates books, it is good repository of Telugu books.
The advantages with the libraries are, they manage the circulation of books
as opposed to a Temple library - to protect the books from the PVV Rule
(pusthakam vanita vittam parahastha gatam gatha).
I am against keeping books in Temple libraries. Temple libraries are
unattended. Books are unaccounted for. This is a general rule.
Books will be personalized. No one cares for the property. Once we enter
the temple, we become 100% hindus in all respects (no flames please - a bit
emotional here readers!- as my profile speaks out). I have seen the
deplorable state of temple libraries.
Five years ago, I wanted to start a Telugu books cum video cum audio library
in Central Ohio in my poorva ra'janiiti janma. It was never successful.
Also, people who were powerful raised objections (valid) stating that what
would happen to the library after the current committee handed over the
duties to the next one. Who is going to take care of the books?
Long time ago, one whole suburb started a Telugu library called "va'Nii
reading room". People moved out. One person held all the books and finally
digested them. We wanted to rejuvinate it and the person who kept all the
books never gave a single old Andhra Prabha issue.
Gandikota Murty (Ex-Columbusite), who got the 10th TANA Award for social
service from Toronto, started a Telugu library and the Toronto Metro Library
takes care of all the books. I understand that he personally ordered the
books from Andhra for the Toronto library.
After ten minutes of my rambling, I prefer the local library to host the
Telugu readers. Just buy the books and keep them there. After all they do
the job right!!!
--pa'lana