Hit by pandemic, libraries across cities are turning to a digital chapter

Across cities, these institutes are either struggling to cope or looking to slowly reinvent themselves

The National Library in Kolkata started allowing readers in from November 23 after a gap of almost eight months, albeit in small numbers. No more than 40 are being allowed in the main reading room against a capacity of 400, that too after they book their place online the previous day. In the last few days, pressure from senior citizens has prompted the library to finally let them in.
 
In the financial capital, the Asiatic Society of Mumbai's 216-year-old library is still closed to members or casual readers. A stocktaking exercise started here in March, with sorters and technicians