In many villages and small towns across India, the day at a public library begins quietly. A librarian unlocks the building in the morning, arranges newspapers on a table and waits for readers to arrive. Soon a school student may walk in to prepare for class, an elderly man may settle down with the day’s newspaper, and a young reader might wander through the stacks looking for a book. For these communities, the library is more than a building with books; it is often the only freely accessible space without discrimination — a space for learning and reflection.Yet, the people who keep these spaces alive – public librarians – remain largely invisible in policy conversations about education, digital access and knowledge infrastructure.Recent tragedies involving gram panchayat librarians in Karnataka have drawn attention to the fragile conditions under which many library workers operate. Two rural librarians died by suicide after reportedly struggling with months of unpaid honorarium payments and administrative neglect. The deaths of Bhagyavanti, a gram panchayat librarian in Kalaburagi district, and another librarian from Bengaluru Rural district shocked the library community and highlighted the precarious realities faced by many rural library workers. These incidents are not isolated. They point to deeper governance challenges within public library systems where financial disbursements, administrative oversight and working conditions often remain inconsistent.When librarians go unpaid for months, it is not merely an administrative lapse – it reflects a breakdown in the institutions meant to support public knowledge infrastructure. Libraries are built on the promise of equal access to information. Their distress raises broader questions about how society values the institutions that support learning and civic participation.Public libraries as institutions of democracyThe vitality of a democracy depends on citizens having equal access to knowledge. Public libraries embody this principle. They are among the few institutions where individuals of any age, class, caste or gender can enter freely and learn without restriction or judgement.Public libraries allow citizens to form independent opinions and participate meaningfully in social and civic life. This democratic ideal was articulated by Dr S. R. Ranganathan, whose vision laid the foundation for modern library development in India. His famous five laws of library science emphasised that books are meant for use and that every reader should be able to find their book.In a diverse country such as India, public libraries serve as a bridge between information and people. A student preparing for examinations, a farmer learning about new cultivation methods, or a homemaker seeking information about government welfare schemes may all rely on the local library.India is estimated to have more than 46,000 public libraries across states and UTs, according to reports of the Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation. These libraries facilitate access to books, newspapers and reference resources, playing a vital role in promoting literacy and informed discussion. In many ways, they are miniature civic spaces where knowledge circulates freely and citizens engage with ideas.The promise and the gap in library legislationIndia’s public library system was built on a strong legislative vision. Inspired by Dr. Ranganathan’s advocacy, several states enacted public library laws to establish and sustain library networks through dedicated funding.The Madras Public Libraries Act 1948 was among the earliest efforts, followed by the Andhra Pradesh Public Libraries Act 1960 and the Karnataka Public Libraries Act 1965.These laws introduced the concept of a library cess, a small tax collected by local bodies to fund public libraries. The principle was simple: communities would collectively sustain institutions that ensured equitable access to knowledge.However, the reality today often diverges from this vision. Funds meant for libraries are sometimes delayed, diverted or inadequately monitored, leaving rural libraries dependent on irregular grants while librarians continue to work on modest honoraria.An audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its Report No. 10 of 2014 observed that the Department of Public Libraries in Karnataka had not adequately monitored the collection and remittance of library cess funds, leading to financial irregularities and gaps in funding. Such lapses do not merely affect infrastructure; they weaken the democratic promise that public libraries were meant to uphold.Libraries and citizenshipLibraries are essential institutions for nurturing informed citizenship. They offer spaces for reading, reflection and dialogue – key components of democratic culture.In many countries, particularly in the West, public libraries function as civic hubs where citizens attend community discussions, participate in digital literacy workshops and access public services. Organisations such as the American Library Association emphasise the role of libraries in strengthening civic engagement and community learning.There are positive examples in India as well. The Kerala public library movement, which is significantly connected to the literacy campaign of the state, has turned libraries into e-literacy centres, women’s empowerment institutions and institutions of learning. In Tamil Nadu, reading circles in libraries enable discussions about literature and social problems. In Karnataka, initiatives like Oduva Belaku (the light of reading) and Pustaka Jolige (bag of books) have helped to re-energise libraries in rural locations by encouraging local involvement and inclusion of the community.These illustrations indicate that libraries are dynamic institutions of democracy where individuals not only get to learn how to read but also question, relate and be creative. Challenges facing Indian public librariesDespite such encouraging examples, India’s public libraries face significant challenges. Many operate from ageing buildings, lack digital infrastructure and function with limited professional staff.Several library development studies and government reviews have noted that many public libraries still lack reliable internet access or digital resources, limiting their ability to support citizens in an increasingly digital information environment.The gap between urban and rural libraries continues to widen, leaving many communities without adequate access to information resources. Librarians – the key facilitators of access to information – remain largely absent from policy discussions about education and knowledge infrastructure.Their work, training and professional recognition require urgent attention. An informed democracy cannot afford to neglect those who help citizens access knowledge.Policy reforms for a democratic library systemIndia urgently needs a renewed vision for its public libraries, one that combines digital transformation with social inclusion. Such a vision must begin with ensuring financial transparency within the library system so that honorarium payments reach librarians on time and administrative delays do not undermine their livelihoods.Recognising librarians as knowledge professionals – not informal or peripheral workers – is equally important. Fair wages, pension contributions and access to social security benefits would acknowledge their role as frontline information workers serving communities.Libraries should also be strengthened as centres of digital and legal literacy where citizens can access e-governance services, public information and basic legal resources. Greater community participation through active local library committees could further improve accountability and help libraries respond to local educational needs.Together, these steps would modernise India’s library system while reaffirming its democratic purpose.Libraries defend the right to know.The Right to Information Act 2005 rests on the principle that citizens have the right to access information. Public libraries embody this principle in everyday practice by providing access to books, government publications, newspapers and public data.Through these resources, libraries enable citizens to understand policies, hold institutions accountable and participate more effectively in democratic life.When libraries decline, the loss is not merely cultural; it affects the foundations of democracy itself. A closed library is a closed gateway to informed engagement.A call for renewalThe recent tragedies in Karnataka remind us that the crisis facing libraries is not only about infrastructure or funding. It is also about recognising the dignity and well-being of the people who sustain these institutions.Across India, librarians quietly keep the doors of knowledge open in small towns and villages. Their work is understated and often goes unnoticed.If India wishes to strengthen its knowledge society and democratic culture, it must look beyond buildings and collections and recognise the human infrastructure of libraries. In the end, a library is not defined only by the books on its shelves — it is defined by the people who keep its doors open.Siddu Huded is Assistant Librarian at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. The views expressed are his own and do not reflect those of his employer.