Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Staff Shortages and Funding Cripple Hyderabad’s Historic Central Library
The State Central Library in Afzalgunj is an old and important library in Hyderabad.
It has more than five lakh books, including rare books and palm-leaf manuscripts.
However, over 70 staff jobs have been empty for years.
This makes it difficult to manage language sections and issue books quickly.
The library also does not have enough money to buy requested books or maintain its collections.
Book binding has stopped because the needed equipment is unavailable.
Visitors have complained about dust, garbage, drainage problems, and poor upkeep.
Students and regular readers want the government to protect and improve the library.
The State Central Library in Afzalgunj has more than 70 unfilled staff positions.
The Urdu section has one employee, while Arabic and Persian sections lack dedicated staff.
Limited funds have delayed books requested by readers and halted book-binding work because of missing equipment.
The library’s collection of more than five lakh books, rare manuscripts, and periodicals is facing inadequate preservation and maintenance.
Visitors also reported dusty racks, garbage, drainage overflows, and ongoing restoration work at the heritage building.
- Who
- The State Central Library, its staff, students, elders, and regular readers are affected.
- What
- The library is facing severe staff shortages, funding problems, inadequate equipment, and poor maintenance.
- When
- The vacancies have remained for several years, while restoration of the building has continued for four years.
- Where
- The State Central Library is located in Afzalgunj, Hyderabad.
- Why
- The reported problems are linked to unfilled posts, limited maintenance and book-procurement funds, missing equipment, and inadequate cleaning and preservation arrangements.
- Established
- 1891, during the Nizam era
- Earlier name
- Asafia State Library
- Present building
- The library moved to its Afzalgunj building in 1936
- Collection
- More than five lakh books, including rare books and palm-leaf manuscripts
- Periodicals
- Subscriptions to more than 100 newspapers and magazines
- Staff vacancies
- More than 70 positions have reportedly remained vacant for several years
- Restoration
- The heritage building has been under restoration for four years