About the Book :
This book examines the role of
libraries in eradication of illiteracy and alleviation of poverty in India.
Providing general information about illiteracy, population explosion,
unemployment and poverty, it highlights past, present and future scenario of
literacy along with the major factors responsible for illiteracy. It also
correlates growth of population and illiteracy in India. Defining a public
library, its functions, objectives and barriers in its effective use, the book
presents an account of various literacy and adult education programmes run by
the government, national and international agencies, individuals and NGOs. It
also deals with library and literacy movement in Delhi, and suggests to create a
network of library and literacy centres for eradication of illiteracy from rural
Delhi. The book is of immense use to policy- makers, researchers, NGOs and
library professionals.
About Author :
Sir Henry (Harry) Hamilton
Johnston, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., Her Majesty Queen Victoria's first Commissioner
and Consul General to British Central Africa, was born on June 12, 1858 at
London. As a student at Kings College, he excelled in languages and art. He
spoke over 30 African languages with varying degrees of fluency, in addition to
Arabic, Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese. His 1359 page, two volume
linguistic tour de force A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE BANTU AND SEMI-BANTU
LANGUAGES (Oxford: Clarendon 1919 & 1922) has not been surpassed. He discovered
and thoroughly documented more than 100 new birds, reptiles, mammals and
insects. Johnston wrote over 60 books, including "Great Epics" such as THE RIVER
CONGO (Lon: Sampson et al 1884), THE KILEMA-NJARO EXPEDITION (Lon: Kegan Paul
1886), BRITISH CENTRAL AFRICA (Lon: Methuen 1897), THE UGANDA PROTECTORATE (2
vol.) (Lon: Hutchinson 1902), LIBERIA (2 vol.) (Lon: Hutchinson 1906) and GEORGE
GRENFELL AND THE CONGO (2 vol. (Lon: Hutchinson 1908). He also published over
600 monographs, articles and contributions of note. Sir Harry Johnston passed
away at Woodsetts House, near Worksop in Nottinghamshire, on August 31, 1927, at
the age of 69.
