The first city library of Pune is set to come up at Ghole Road as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) recently sanctioned Rs 6.71 crore for construction of the three-storey building, which will house a library, study hall and digital section.
“The city is an educational hub for youth from across the world who come here for higher education. The city also has a rich literary history and a thriving culture of reading. Many youths also come to the city to prepare for competitive examinations,” said BJP corporator Jyotsana Ekbote, who pushed for the project.
The library will be developed on a plot currently occupied by the old printing press of the civic body. The building, which is in a dilapidated condition, will be demolished to make way for the new library.
“It will be a parking plus 3-storey building with a construction area of 5,595.61 sq metre. The first floor will have the commercial office and a mess that will be leased to provide revenue for the civic body. The second floor will have a library, waiting room, magazine and newspaper department, new books department, reading room, meeting room, the office and a book gallery. The third floor will have a study hall and digital library. The total estimated project cost is Rs 13 crore,” said Hemant Rasane, chairperson of the standing committee.
Rasane said,“ The library will have 50,000 books and sitting capacity for 400 students in study rooms, which will be increased later on. The digital library will have 40 computer workstations. Guidance for students can be provided in the study hall by experts.”
The seating capacity for the mess will be 60 in the beginning, to be later increased to 150, and there will be parking available for 64 cars, 315 scooters and 85 motorcycles.