library business plan in india

Libraries in India: 15 Iconic Projects

Libraries architecture needs to be both innovative and relaxing for the user. The users often associate strong emotional connections with library spaces as the space is used as a gathering point, area of exploring and learning.  A library, which may vary widely in size, maybe organized for use and maintained by a public body such as a government, an institution , schools, a corporation, or a private individual. In addition to providing materials , libraries in India also provide the services of librarians who are trained and experts at finding, selecting, circulating, and organizing information and at interpreting information needs, navigating, and analyzing very large amounts of information with a variety of resources.

Hence, librarians go the extra mile to meet the user’s needs by ensuring that their users are satisfied with the information provided. A Librarian is one person who is expected to be very vibrant and innovative especially in this digital world. Library buildings often provide quiet and conducive areas for studying, as well as common areas for group study and collaboration, and may provide public facilities for access to their electronic resources for instance Computers and Desktops, and access to the Internet.

Architects need to follow many guidelines while designing a library as it needs to fulfill the needs of all age groups. Here are 15 iconic Libraries in India:  

1. Yogananda Library , Solan by Sourabh Gupta | Libraries in India

The play of solid and void found in library shelves has been extended into the planning of the Yogananda Library building in Shoolini University Solan. This is a four-storey structure interconnected with solids and voids following its geography. With a central courtyard in the centre, access to all its levels is through a shaded staircase that runs parallel to the building. It reflects the school’s philosophy which deals with biotechnology. 

Seating within this building opens out towards the valley or towards the green terrace where the courtyard opens out. Light in this respect pours into all its circulation spaces. All the circulation spaces are painted yellow contrasting the grey form of all the bookshelves. This gives a renewed sense of freshness and plays into the building. Last but one the most interesting part of this library is its entrance facade, which has two layers; one that houses the shelves for books; and another facade that conceals the criss-cross columns.

2. Connemara Public Library , Chennai by H.Irving

This library serves as a depository for the UN. This 19th-century red building with a bold elliptical semi-circular end is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of Architecture. The most exquisite detail of this building is its main hall, which has a truncated wooden roof with coloured glass pieces cemented onto its curved surfaces. Marble slabs ornamented with Acanthus leaves were brought in from Buckingham Canal in boats. 

In 2006, 2.1 crores were spent renovating the library. To accommodate an increased stock book a 3 storey building has been built alongside the old building. This library houses 8,50,000 books in Tamil, Kannada, Bengali, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujrati, and English, it is also a repository of centuries-old publications.

3. State Central Library , Bengaluru by Sir K. Seshadri Iyer

Built-in 1905 to commemorate Bengaluru’s longest-serving Dewan of Mysore State , Sir K Sheshadri Iyer. This building was paid for by money donated by the Public. Between 1908-1920 parts of the building were rented for non-public purposes. It housed tennis courts, an educational museum and was used by the Bangalore club as well. A restaurant in the 1920s had a thriving business as well. The Apsidal plan for this building follows many different architectural styles. 

With wooden roofs going about 14m in height, prominent Dutch Gables, Indian motifs, and Granite pillars adorn in its details. Large arched windows in the outer facade were once open arches from its early photographs. A bronze statue of the Dewan is located in front of the building. This building once stood independently; currently, it’s within the Cubbon park’s premises. With a rich contribution from the public, this building is identified as one of the iconic buildings of Old Bengaluru.

4. Lilavati Lalbhai Library, Ahmedabad by RMA Architects 

Rahul Mehrotra ’s vision for this iconic building goes deeper than its visible louver facade. The Lilavati Lalbhai Library reimagines the School’s philosophy reinforced by its founder BV Doshi . With a futuristic approach to academia and a choice-based curriculum, the entire 31000 square metres of mass placed at -4m and -8m respectively aligns contextually to its surroundings. This open plan of solid concrete mass has entrances from all 4 cardinal directions emphasizing a sense of openness that caters to extreme climatic conditions. 

The louvred windows can be manually accessed allowing sufficient light to pour in. With exclusive reading rooms, exhibition spaces, individual carrels administrative offices, and seminar halls this library stand as a modern typology of a library catering to the Architectural fraternity.

5. Allahabad Public Library, Prayagraj by Richard Roskell Bayne | Libraries in India

Also popularly known as Thornhill Mayne Memorial . The building follows Scottish Baronial architecture built-in 1864. It once served as a house of the legislative assembly during British rule in India. The building contains sharp pillars and turrets of granite and sandstone, it also represents structural polychromy with lofty flowers and arcaded cloisters. 

The structure of the building follows the Gothic style . The objective of the library was to promote the social, economic, academic, cultural, political, and spiritual development of its people. Oriental Hall, New Hall, Newspaper Room, Research Hall, Computer Hall, Reprography Hall are embedded within this building that further encourages people to use the library.

6. Maya Somaiya Library, Kopargaon by Sameep Padora + Associates (SP+A) 

This re-interpretation of the famous Catalan vault has been used very judicially by (SP+A), sandwiched between 2 buildings, in Shri Sharda School. This parametric roof that expands over 5750 square feet is made of three layers of 20mm brick tiles held together by mortar taking care of all the 140 tonnes of self-weight. This structure was developed by the Block Research Group at the ETH to better understand the compressive and tensile capacity of the structure. 

The formwork used for this structure has been re-used by the firm in other projects, making it sustainable in its utility. This library connects two playgrounds which most strategically places the library at a perfect juxtaposition between academia and its outdoors. The entrance to the library not only flows with the form but also streamlines light entering the structure. The interiors of the library are scaled to its users who would enjoy spending time within this dynamic framework amongst an informal seating area. 

7. National Library of India: a Journey, Kolkata by Lord Curzon 

Unlike the Colonists that ruled India, The National Library of India Kolkata was in the business of lending books to all people irrespective of class, colour, and nationality. It ran on a self-financing principle. In 1836 the library merged with the imperial library under Lord Curzon. The library extends over 30 acres, having over 3 million collections of books. 

The building most ardently exhibits colonial architecture with tall pillars and arches. The white building contrasts with green shutters placed at the windows. Classical elements like the grandfather clock, fire-places add to the library’s colonial charm. Embedded within lush greenery all around, this building calls out readers like a moth to a flame.

8. Saraswati Mahal Library, Thanjavur by Serfoji II

The library was founded in medieval India for the Nayak kings. This Library in Thanjavur was established by the Maratha king and scholar Serfoji II in (1798-1832). Here lies ancient manuscripts were written on palm leaves from North India, in Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, English with over 60,000 volumes. This building stands as an independent structure within the Palace premises. 

Adorned with painting on its huge arches and vaults, the divinity of this medieval world library goes beyond its structure. With the diversity of manuscripts ranging from ancient Sanskrit to modern medicine and cure, the library served as a treasure house of information that was futuristic for its time. 

9. Asiatic Society of Mumbai Library, Mumbai by Colonel Thomas Cowper 

This library is one of the last remnants of Victorian Mumbai. Its belief was to uphold research and preserve art, literature, and sciences. Built-in 1833, this building was inspired by Greek and Roman styles. The entrance is a classical Grecian portico with doric pillars above a flight of 30 stars. 

The stones for this building’s construction were imported from Britain. With wooden flooring, spiral staircases, and terraces supported by Wrought iron, the building expressed neo-classical style. 

10. Raza Library, Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) by W.C. Wright | Libraries in India

This Indo-Islamic heritage library built-in 1774 is home to 60,000 printed books, 3000 calligraphy scripts, and ancient texts from Medina, Egypt, Mecca, and Iran. This high domed and turreted mansion has elements of Victorian Gothic elements as well. Durbar halls with canopied ceilings adorned in gold add grandeur to this library. 

Italian sculpture placed in the hall tells us about the diversity of the built structure from the Eastside of the world all the way to the west.

11. Trivandrum Public Library, Kerala by Colonel Edward Cadogan 

This red brick and the white stone gothic-style library were earlier made exclusively for the ruler of the then Kerala King Swathi Thirunal of Travancore. One of the most exquisite highlights of the building is the wooden staircase with a carved balustrade that leads to the first floor. This humble building merges with its surroundings, blending harmoniously. 

12. David Sassoon Library, Mumbai by J. Campbell and GE Gostling

This building follows the Venetian-style Gothic revival form. With high, pointed gable and pinnacles on the roof , there are iron balustrades Den tilled on the ledges on the verandah on the first floor. Like the Gothic phrase goes ‘Let there be light’ this building gets focused sunlight in its reading rooms befitting its style perfectly.

13. State Central Library Hyderabad by Aziz Ali

Spread across 6800 square metres in the area, this library is located on the banks of River Musi. Built-in the year 1890 its houses both print books and ancient manuscripts. This building stands as an icon of architecture and culture.

14. Vikram Sarabhai Library by Louis Khan and BV Doshi

Standing as one of the most prominent buildings in IIM Ahmedabad due to its architectural style and red brick colour. It exhibits timelessness and monumentality by fusing traditional vernacular architecture with modern architecture principles. The harmony between the large geometrical openings and exposed red bricks provides an interesting play of open and void in the entire built structure.

15. Jawaharlal Kala Kendra by Charles Correa | Libraries in India

Built across 3000 square metres, this building was inspired by the city planning of Jaipur which consists of 9 squares with an open central square. The navgrah concept exhibits vital energy, quality, and functionality to each of the planets. The purpose of this building is to display India’s cultural and spiritual values.

• Isca.in. 2021. [online] Available at: <http://www.isca.in/RJLS/Archive/v3/i9/1.ISCA-RJLS-2015-028.pdf> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Meera Iyer. (2019). Discovering Bengaluru: Intach Bengaluru Chapter. 
• Architecturalrecord.com. 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/13811-central-library-by-sn%C3%B8hetta-and-dialog> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• ArchDaily. 2021. Yogananda Library / Sourabh Gupta . [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/770435/yogananda-library-sourabh-gupta> [Accessed 2 August 2021]. 
• Srivathsan, A., Srivathsan, A., Richards, J., Prizeman, O., Cohn, D., Woodman, E., Editors, A., Mackenzie, A., Priestman, M., Editors, A., Ayers, A., Mollard, M., Mattern, S., Williams, A., Slessor, C., Burte, H. and Ashraf, K., 2021. All in the mound: Maya Somaiya Library in Kopargaon, India, by Sameep Padora + Associates – Architectural Review . [online] Architectural Review. Available at: <https://www.architectural-review.com/buildings/all-in-the-mound-maya-somaiya-library-in-kopargaon-india-by-sameep-padora-associates> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/national-library-india> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/thanjavur-mah-serfojis-sarawswathi-mahal-library-thanjavur> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Mumbai.org.uk. 2021. Town Hall Mumbai – History & Architecture . [online] Available at: <https://www.mumbai.org.uk/tourist-attractions/town-hall.html> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• mettle, food!, delicious, lightly, go, cheers, donations?…, Mamata…, Provider…, hand?…, Faced with fiscal challenge, B. and Covid’…, 2021. A unique repository . [online] Deccan Herald. Available at: <https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sunday-herald-articulations/a-unique-repository-774739.html> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• En.wikipedia.org. 2021. State Central Library – Wikipedia . [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_Central_Library> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Victorianweb.org. 2021. State Central Library, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) . [online] Available at: <https://victorianweb.org/history/empire/india/trivandrum/6.html> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• Internet Archive. 2021. The Travancore state manual : Travancore (India) : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive . [online] Available at: <https://archive.org/details/travancorestate00aiyagoog/page/n14/mode/2up> [Accessed 2 August 2021].
• 2021. [online] Available at: <https://www.lsrsa.edu.in/Re-citing-Libraries.pdf> [Accessed 2 August 2021].

An architect and innovator, Tanisha sees Architecture not as a single entity, rather as a confluence of people, in their time and its lasting imprint left for future explorers to further delve into. In her words, 'Expression is an act of acceptance, either to thyself or the world.

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Library Business Plan

Regular price Rs. 75,000.00

Our Library Business Plan helps you to develop a comprehensive understanding of your proposed business to make a well-informed decision. We prepare investor-ready business plans, meaning it can be immediately presented to banks or financial institutions for your business finance needs. The business plans are developed by a team of Certified Business Consultants with over 25+ years experience in business consulting and establishing new businesses under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Venkadesh Narayanan, Principal Consultant, Fhyzics Business Consultants Private Limited, and President, PDMA-India [An Indian affiliate of PDMA, USA].   LinkedIn

Our business plans are prepared in alignment with the Business Analysis Schema 1.0 developed by Fhyzics Institute of Business Analysis and Research [FIBAAR]. Please  click here   to download your copy of Business Analysis Schema. Fhyzics is an Indian Affiliate of Product Development and Management Association (PDMA), USA; REP of International Requirements Engineering Board, Germany, and International Channel Partner of APICS, USA.

There is need of libraries in both cities and villages. In recent times, the issue of Adult literacy has been raised by many. These adults, who want to get themselves educated, can go to these libraries and educate themselves. The total number of libraries in India is 1,46,173. As its population grows, it is faced with enormous challenges in areas such as literacy and education, areas in which it has long been acknowledged that the public library has an indispensable role to play.

Library as a field offers variety of Business opportunities such us Book Shop, Magazine Publishing, Story Telling, Books Retailing, Book Publishing, Book Club, Blogging, Printing Press, Editorial Services, Proofreading Services, Researcher, Translation Services, Information Website, Online Magazine, Book Dating, Virtual Book Museum, Book Rentals, Online Library, etc.

Once you place the order, one of our business consultants will reach out to you to gather the business requirements. Based on your requirements, the team of consultants will develop the business plan specifically for your proposed business. The completed business plan will be delivered to you within 5 business days in electronic format.  This product is eligible for 30-Days Money Back Guarantee. For Terms and Conditions, please refer to  FAQs

• You will get a scientifically-written, data-driven business plan in a well-structured format, which can be readily presented to angel investors or financial institutions or key stakeholders
• The business plan covers the various aspects of the business such as product or service definition, problem solved by the product or service, size of the market, product or service development strategy, vision and mission of the organisation, promoters profile, organisation structure, pricing strategy, revenue model, government regulations, licensing requirements, comprehensive risk assessment, operations model, business requirements (people, processes, systems, space and assets), sales and marketing strategy, market & business trends, raw material sourcing, capital and working-capital requirements, sales and profit estimations, 3-year forecast of P&L and Balance Sheet etc.
• Unlimited iteration on   the original business plan for a period of 15 days from the date of purchase
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In conversation with Uma Mahadevan: revitalising rural libraries in India

Welcome to our interview series featuring changemakers across Asia, where we delve into policy and change processes that are shaping the region. In this edition, Annapoorna Ravichander, Executive Director of the Public Affairs Foundation in Bangalore, India, engages in a conversation with Uma Mahadevan, a distinguished civil servant from the Karnataka Government. 

In this insightful interview, Uma Mahadevan sheds light on the inspiring journey of designing and implementing a rural library initiative, emphasising its evidence-based approach and impact on local communities. 

Twitter: @readingkafka

Question: Kindly introduce yourself

I am a civil servant in India with over thirty years’ experience of working in the Indian Administrative Service. 

I have worked in diverse sectors in the state and central government, including rural development, decentralisation and local governance; women and child development; disability; agriculture; planning; education; and health. 

I serve in an honorary capacity on several committees and non-profit boards. I have recently served as a member of the Taskforce on Early Childhood Care and Education. 

Q: Can you walk us through the process of designing and implementing your rural library initiative? How did you ensure that it was evidence-based and responsive to the needs of local communities?

A: The State has a network of around 7,000 libraries, of which over 5,600 are rural libraries. In 2019, these were handed over to the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj to be operated by rural local bodies as a further step in decentralisation. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, we saw the readiness with which rural local bodies came forward to lead the COVID response in their communities. We decided to revive the libraries as part of these efforts, to help rural children stay connected to reading and learning. 

A children’s section was set up in each library, the buildings were renovated and made child-friendly, and all rural children were enrolled free. In two years, over 3.4 million children have been enrolled; over 1.1 million books collected as donations; and 4900 rural libraries have been renovated. The library hours have been extended to six hours daily. Comprehensive training programs have been taken up for the librarians. 

Revitalisation of rural public libraries is now an important initiative of the state. Through the revitalisation project, our department is energising the rural libraries and expanding their role as local information Centres, making them spaces for socially inclusive, multi-disciplinary and multi-generational learning.  

Q: Did you face any challenges in mobilising resources and securing political support for the initiative? If so, how did you overcome these challenges?

A: One of the challenges we faced was that we were taking up this initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, that turned out to be an important reason for its success, especially providing the initial momentum. 

Due to school and college closures, rural children and young people needed a way to stay connected to learning. Girls and children from marginalised communities, especially, needed a safe space to read and study. Rural libraries stayed open, following COVID precautions, and thus became an important space where rural children could continue learning.

Another challenge was to get the involvement of rural local bodies. To achieve this, we kept the guidelines for library renovation very open and flexible, allowing the space for local ownership of the project. 

The response was tremendous. Rural local governments started designing their library renovation in different ways: not only the design of the buildings and furniture, but also adding child-sized sofas, bean bags, indoor plants, murals with inspirational quotes, and altogether making the libraries attractive places to visit.  

Q: How do you measure the impact of your rural library initiative? How do you use evidence to refine and improve the initiative over time?

A: At present we have created active networks of librarians and users on social media, including WhatsApp and Telegram, to share information about library activities and suggestions. We have also developed partnerships with several civil society organisations who are regularly working with libraries and providing regular updates on the work. 

As the scale of the response has been tremendous and unprecedented, we are now developing a distributed e-library management platform which will track collections, membership, and usage. 

Q: What advice would you give to other policymakers and practitioners who are interested in implementing evidence-based policies and initiatives at the grassroots level? What are some key lessons you have learned from your experience?

The first lesson that I learned from this initiative was that local governments have considerable capacities and imagination! Their involvement and ownership of decentralised institutions can transform service delivery. 

So, the first things I would say is that we need to trust our rural local bodies. Along with trust, we need to provide support in the form of enabling guidelines, action-oriented training, and regular experience-sharing. The best learning is from their own peers. Exposure visits are crucial in showing how much good work is possible. 

We also need to start with large pilots: small pilots can fizzle out, but a large pilot can give useful information on what works, so that it can quickly be taken to scale.  

We need to be patient, because not all local bodies will respond with the same degree of alertness; some may need more handholding. 

Finally, the involvement of grassroots civil society organisations provides the necessary quality and innovation focus. 

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How to write a business plan for an independent library?

Putting together a business plan for an independent library can be daunting - especially if you're creating a business for the first time - but with this comprehensive guide, you'll have the necessary tools to do it confidently.

We will explore why writing one is so important in both starting up and growing an existing independent library, as well as what should go into making an effective plan - from its structure to content - and what tools can be used to streamline the process and avoid errors.

Without further ado, let us begin!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for an independent library?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for an independent library?
• How do I build a financial forecast for an independent library?

The written part of an independent library business plan

• What tool should I use to write my independent library business plan?

Having a clear understanding of why you want to write a business plan for your independent library will make it simpler for you to grasp the rationale behind its structure and content. So before delving into the plan's actual details, let's take a moment to remind ourselves of the primary reasons why you'd want to create an independent library business plan.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your independent library. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your independent library to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your independent library, you'll focus on three key areas:

• Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
• Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
• Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

To anticipate future cash flows

Regularly comparing your actual financial performance to the projections in the financial forecast of your independent library's business plan gives you the ability to monitor your business's financial health and make necessary adjustments as needed.

This practice allows you to detect potential financial issues, such as unexpected cash shortfalls before they escalate into major problems. Giving you time to find additional financing or put in place corrective measures.

Additionally, it helps you identify growth opportunities, like excess cash flow that could be allocated to launch new products and services or expand into new markets.

Staying on track with these regular comparisons enables you to make well-informed decisions about the amount of financing your business might require, or the excess cash flow you can expect to generate from your main business activities.

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your independent library, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your independent library has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your independent library, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Information needed to create a business plan for an independent library

You need the right data in order to project sales, investments and costs accurately in the financial forecast of your independent library business plan.

Below, we'll cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan.

Carrying out market research for an independent library

As you consider writing your business plan for an independent library, conducting market research becomes a vital step to ensure accurate and realistic financial projections.

Market research provides valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other key factors that can significantly impact the commercial success of your business.

Through this research, you may uncover trends that could influence your independent library.

You may discover that there is an increased demand for e-books, and that more patrons might be interested in using online services for downloading and streaming content. Additionally, market research might reveal that patrons could be interested in attending seminars or workshops related to library services.

Such market trends play a significant role in forecasting revenue, as they offer valuable data about potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By incorporating these findings into your financial projections, you can present investors with more accurate information, helping them make informed decisions about investing in your independent library.

Developing the marketing plan for an independent library

Before delving into your independent library business plan, it's imperative to budget for sales and marketing expenses.

To achieve this, a comprehensive sales and marketing plan is essential. This plan should provide an accurate projection of the necessary actions to acquire and retain customers.

Additionally, it will outline the required workforce to carry out these initiatives and the corresponding budget for promotions, advertising, and other marketing endeavours.

By budgeting accordingly, you can ensure that the right resources are allocated to these vital activities, aligning them with the sales and growth objectives outlined in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of an independent library

As you embark on starting or expanding your independent library, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is essential for ensuring your business's success.

Both the recruitment and investment plans must align with the timing and level of growth projected in your forecast, and they require appropriate funding.

A independent library might incur staffing costs such as wages for a librarian, library assistant, and custodial staff, as well as benefits such as health insurance. The library may also incur costs for equipment, such as computers, printers, shelves, and desks. Additionally, they might need to acquire books, periodicals, and other materials for the library, as well as pay for subscriptions to digital resources.

To create a realistic financial forecast, you also need to consider other operating expenses associated with the day-to-day running of your business, such as insurance and bookkeeping.

With all the necessary information at hand, you are ready to begin crafting your business plan and developing your financial forecast.

What goes into your independent library's financial forecast?

The objective of the financial forecast of your independent library's business plan is to show the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business over the next 3 to 5 years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for an independent library are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for an independent library shows how much revenue and profits your business is expected to generate in the future.

Ideally, your independent library's P&L statement should show:

• Healthy growth - above inflation level
• Improving or stable profit margins
• Positive net profit

Expectations will vary based on the stage of your business. A startup will be expected to grow faster than an established independent library. And similarly, an established company should showcase a higher level of profitability than a new venture.

The forecasted balance sheet of your independent library

The projected balance sheet of your independent library will enable the reader of your business plan to assess the overall financial health of your business.

It shows three elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: are productive resources owned by the business, such as equipment, cash, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors, lenders, and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers).
• Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the profits and losses accumulated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Analysing your independent library projected balance sheet provides an understanding of your independent library's working capital structure, investment and financing policies.

In particular, the readers of your plan can compare the level of financial debt on the balance sheet to the equity value to measure the level of financial risk (equity doesn't need to be reimbursed, while financial debt must be repaid, making it riskier).

They can also use your balance sheet to assess your independent library's liquidity and solvency:

• A liquidity analysis: focuses on whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to cover its liabilities due in the next 12 months.
• A solvency analysis: takes and longer view to assess whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debts over the medium-term.

The cash flow forecast

A projected cash flow statement for an independent library is used to show how much cash the business is generating or consuming.

The cash flow forecast is usually organized by nature to show three key metrics:

• The operating cash flow: do the core business activities generate or consume cash?
• The investing cash flow: how much is the business investing in long-term assets (this is usually compared to the level of fixed assets on the balance sheet to assess whether the business is regularly maintaining and renewing its equipment)?
• The financing cash flow: is the business raising new financing or repaying financiers (debt repayment, dividends)?

As we discussed earlier, cash is king and keeping an eye on future cash flows an imperative for running a successful business. Therefore, you can expect the reader of your independent library business plan to pay close attention to your cash flow forecast.

Also, note that it is customary to provide both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts in a business plan - so that the reader can analyze seasonal variation and ensure the independent library is appropriately funded.

The initial financing plan

The sources and uses table or initial financing plan is a key component of your business plan when starting an independent library.

It shows where the capital needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be spent (uses).

This table helps size the investment required to set up the independent library, and understand how risks will be distributed between the business owners, and the financiers.

The sources and uses table also highlights what the starting cash position will be. This is key for startups as the business needs to have sufficient funding to sustain operations until the break-even point is reached.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what will go into the financial forecast of your independent library business plan, let's have a look at the written part of the plan.

The written part of an independent library business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Throughout these sections, you will seek to provide the reader with the details and context needed for them to form a view on whether or not your business plan is achievable and your forecast a realistic possibility.

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

The first section of your independent library's business plan is the executive summary which provides, as its name suggests, an enticing summary of your plan which should hook the reader and make them want to know more about your business.

When writing the executive summary, it is important to provide an overview of the business, the market, the key financials, and what you are asking from the reader.

Start with a brief introduction of the business, its name, concept, location, how long it has been in operation, and what makes it unique. Mention any services or products you plan to offer and who you sell to.

Then you should follow with an overview of the addressable market for your independent library, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

You should then include a summary of your key financial figures such as projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, you should detail any funding requirements in the ask section.

2. The presentation of the company

The second section in your independent library's business plan should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of the company.

The structure and ownership part provides an overview of the legal structure of the business, who the owners are and how much each has invested and owns. If you are seeking financing it is important that the reader gets a clear picture of which legal entity is receiving the funds, and who controls the business.

The location part should give an overview of the premises from which the company is operating, and why that location is of particular interest (catchment area, accessibility, amenities nearby, etc.).

When describing the location of your independent library, you could emphasize the potential for increased foot traffic from nearby businesses, schools, and residential areas. You may also mention the presence of an easy transportation network, allowing customers to access the library with ease. Additionally, you could highlight the potential to draw customers from nearby cities, emphasizing the positive impact that your library could have on the surrounding community.

Finally, you should introduce the management team. Explain each member's role, background, and experience.

It is also important to emphasize any past successes that the members of the management team have achieved, and how long they've been working together, as this will help potential lenders or investors understand why they should trust in their leadership.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of the offerings that your company provides to its customers. 

For example, your independent library might offer a wide variety of books, magazines, and online resources to its customers. It might provide a comfortable reading area and free wifi for those who come to study and take advantage of its resources. It might also host events such as book clubs, reading challenges, and author visits for readers to engage with one another and with the library's materials. These products and services allow customers to access knowledge and to learn and grow in a safe and comfortable atmosphere.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the types of customers you are targeting and how customers can buy them.

4. The market analysis

When you present your market analysis in your independent library business plan, it's crucial to include detailed information about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and any relevant regulations.

The main objective of this section is to help the reader understand the size and attractiveness of the market while demonstrating your solid understanding of the industry.

Begin with the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your independent library, the key trends in the marketplace, and introducing different customer segments along with their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, focus on your target market, zooming in on the specific customer segments your independent library aims to serve and explaining how your products and services fulfil their distinct needs.

For example, your target market might include families with young children. These customers may be looking for educational activities or a quiet place to read and study. They may also be interested in attending programming events such as storytime or book clubs.

Then proceed to the competition subsection, where you introduce your main competitors and highlight what sets you apart from them.

Finally, conclude your market analysis with an overview of the key regulations applicable to your independent library.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your independent library business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your independent library may face the risk of inadequate funding. Without sufficient resources, the library may struggle to provide the level of service it wants to its patrons. Another risk your library might face is a cyber security breach. As more and more of the services offered by the library operate online, there is the possibility of hackers accessing sensitive information from library databases.

6. The operations section

The operations of your independent library must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your independent library - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You may have key assets such as books, periodicals, and other materials that could be considered intellectual property. Additionally, the library might have digital resources, such as e-books, audio recordings, or videos, that could also be protected intellectual property.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will present the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes in your independent library business plan, let's look at the solutions you can use to draft yours.

What tool should I use to write my independent library's business plan?

There are two main ways of creating your independent library business plan:

• Using specialized business planning software,
• Hiring a business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your independent library's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write an independent library business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your independent library's business plan

Outsourcing your independent library business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

Business plan writers are skilled in creating error-free business plans and accurate financial forecasts. Moreover, hiring a consultant can save you valuable time, allowing you to focus on day-to-day business operations.

However, it's essential to be aware that hiring business plan writers will be expensive, as you're not only paying for their time but also the software they use and their profit margin.

Based on experience, you should budget at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax for a comprehensive business plan, and more if you require changes after initial discussions with lenders or investors.

Also, exercise caution when seeking investment. Investors prefer their funds to be directed towards business growth rather than spent on consulting fees. Therefore, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be insignificant compared to the amount raised.

Keep in mind that one drawback is that you usually don't own the business plan itself; you only receive the output, while the actual document is saved in the consultant's business planning software. This can make it challenging to update the document without retaining the consultant's services.

For these reasons, carefully consider outsourcing your independent library business plan to a business plan writer, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of seeking outside assistance.

Why not create your independent library's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write an independent library business plan is a terrible idea.

For starters, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is very technical and requires both a strong grasp of accounting principles and solid skills in financial modelling.

As a result, it is unlikely anyone will trust your numbers unless - like us at The Business Plan Shop - you hold a degree in finance and accounting and have significant financial modelling experience in your past.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the 1990s and early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Also, using software makes it easy to compare actuals vs. forecasts and maintain our forecasts up to date to maintain visibility on future cash flows - as we discussed earlier in this guide - whereas this is a pain to do with a spreadsheet.

That's for the forecast, but what about the written part of my independent library business plan?

This part is less error-prone, but here also software brings tremendous gains in productivity:

• Word processors don't include instructions and examples for each part of your business plan
• Word processors don't update your numbers automatically when they change in your forecast
• Word processors don't handle the formatting for you

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating an independent library business plan for some entrepreneurs, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

• Having an up-to-date business plan is key to maintaining visibility on your future cash flows.
• A business plan has 2 parts: a financial forecast highlighting the expected growth, profitability and cash generation of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to interpret and assess the quality of the forecast.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this guide helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for an independent library. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a 5 years business plan
• Business plan myths

Know someone who owns or wants to start an independent library? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Few innovative ideas by startups to bring back readers to libraries

Bookshelves on a Screen

Librarywala.com, which was among the first online libraries in India and was founded in Mumbai in 2007 by Hiten Turakhia and Hiten Dedhia, has found that an online library offers a viable, if not highly profitable and immediately scalable, business model. <br><br>Members can choose from the various plans available on the website and have books delivered to their homes.<br><br>Librarywala has a collection of 30,000 unique titles, with as many as 150 copies of books like Chetan Bhagat’s Two States, and 9,000 active members across Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune. <br><br>It has a delivery team of 22, eight and four in the three cities, respectively.

Catch Them Big

In addition to individuals, some libraries used to offer institutional memberships to companies, which is the market four IIM Ahmedabad alumni decided to target in 2007.<br><br> Their start-up Kwench has since grown to have a clientele of 378 companies in eight cities, up from 260 a year ago.<br><br>In addition to lending books, Kwench now puts out 8-10-page summaries of management books for those short of time. 

Why Join the Herd?

When Bidisha Basu was teaching English in a town near Tokyo in 2007-09, she came across manga cafes, a treat for a comic book aficionado.<br><br> Manga, for the uninitiated, is a Japanese genre of comics.<br><br>When she came back to India, Basu tossed the idea of starting a comic book library to Shome and Chatterjee and Leaping Windows was born at the couple’s home in the Mumbai suburb of Bandra.<br><br>Leaping Windows tries to stay away from popular comics and encourages reading of independent graphic novels, which despite the term could also refer to a work of non-fiction, and which span a wide range from personal memoirs, as in the case of Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home, to conflict reporting as evidenced by Joe Sacco’s works. <br><br>Leaping Windows now has nearly 400 active members and a collection of 4,000 titles.

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Start Your Private Library Business in Minutes

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Private Library Business in 2023

Dive into the world of private libraries as we explore the intricacies of starting your own literary haven, discussing the business aspects and startup costs involved in bringing this bibliophile's dream to life.

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

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Detailed startup costs for a private library business:.

Initiating a private library business can involve substantial financial commitment, the scale of which is significantly influenced by factors such as geographical location, market dynamics, and operational expenses, among others. Nonetheless, our extensive research and hands-on experience have revealed an estimated starting cost of approximately $23000 for launching such a private librarybusiness. Please note, not all of these costs may be necessary to start up your private library business.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section of the blog article, "Detailed Startup Costs for a Private Library Business," is intended for general informational purposes only. The author has made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information; however, the costs and financial estimates mentioned may vary depending on location, size, and other specific factors related to your private library business. It is recommended that you consult with a professional financial advisor or conduct thorough research before making any financial decisions or investments related to starting a private library business. The author and the blog shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions, or financial decisions made based on the information provided herein.

Factors Contributing to Private Library Startup Costs:

Starting a private library can be an exciting venture, but it can also be a costly one. There are several factors that contribute to the startup costs of a private library. These include:

• Location: The cost of the physical space where the library will be located is a significant factor. Rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and maintenance costs must be considered.
• Collection: The cost of acquiring books, periodicals, and other materials for the library's collection can be substantial. This includes the cost of purchasing, cataloging, and processing materials.
• Technology: Libraries require technology to manage their collections, provide access to materials, and support research. This includes computers, software, and other equipment.
• Staffing: Libraries require trained staff to manage the collection, provide reference services, and maintain the facility. Staffing costs include salaries, benefits, and training.
• Furnishings and Equipment: Libraries require furnishings and equipment such as tables, chairs, shelving, and lighting. These items can be expensive.
• Marketing and Outreach: Libraries need to promote their services and engage with their community. This includes marketing materials, events, and outreach efforts.

Overall, the startup costs of a private library can vary widely depending on the size of the collection, the location, and the level of technology and staffing required. It is important to carefully consider all of these factors when planning a private library.

Seven Methods to Reduce Your Private Library Startup Costs:

Starting a private library can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, but it can also be expensive. However, there are ways to reduce your startup costs without sacrificing the quality of your collection. Here are seven methods to consider:

• Start with a small collection: Instead of buying a large number of books all at once, start with a small collection and gradually build it up over time.
• Borrow books from friends and family: Ask your loved ones if they have any books they are willing to lend or donate to your library.
• Buy used books: Used books can be significantly cheaper than new ones and can often be found in excellent condition.
• Shop online: Online retailers like Amazon and eBay often offer lower prices on books than brick-and-mortar stores.
• Attend library sales: Many libraries hold book sales to get rid of excess inventory, and you can often find great deals on books at these events.
• Use library resources: Take advantage of your local library's resources, such as interlibrary loan programs, to borrow books instead of buying them.
• Invest in e-books: E-books are often cheaper than physical books and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

How to Improve Your Private Library Profit Margins?

As a private library owner, it's essential to keep your profit margins healthy to ensure continued success. Here are some tips to help you improve your private library profit margins:

• Offer memberships or subscriptions to your library to generate recurring revenue.
• Host events or workshops in your library to attract new customers and generate additional income.
• Consider selling merchandise related to your library's theme or niche.
• Partner with local businesses to offer discounts or promotions to their customers in exchange for referrals.
• Utilize social media and other digital marketing strategies to reach a wider audience.
• Regularly evaluate your expenses and look for ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.
• Offer online services such as e-book rentals or digital library access to expand your customer base and generate additional revenue.
• Consider offering a loyalty program to incentivize repeat business.

By implementing these strategies, you can improve your private library profit margins and ensure the longevity of your business. Remember to stay flexible and adapt to changes in the market to stay ahead of the competition.

More Private Library Business Resources:

• How to Start a Profitable Private Library Business [11 Steps]
• Private Library Business Plan Template & Guidebook

I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

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लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस कैसे शुरू करें? | How To Start Library Business in India 2024

Self Study Library Business | लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस कैसे शुरू करें? 2024 | How To Start Library Business in Hindi | Library Kaise Khole | Library Business Plan in Hindi | Open Library in India | पुस्तकालय कैसे शुरू करें? 2024

जब मैं अपने स्कूल में था तो वहां पर Library का भी Period हुआ करता था। हम में से ज्यादातर विद्यार्थी को लाइब्रेरी पीरियड का बहुत बेसब्री से इंतजार रहता था क्योंकि लाइब्रेरी में अनेक प्रकार की किताबें थी जिससे हमें काफी अच्छी जानकारी प्राप्त होती है।

स्कूल की पढ़ाई पूरी हो जाने के बाद जब मैंने स्कूल छोड़ा तो मुझे Library जाने और Books पढ़ने की आदत हो चुकी थी। अब मैं अपने घर के अगल-बगल किसी ऐसी लाइब्रेरी की तलाश करने लगा जहां पर मुझे बहुत से Books मिल सके और मैं पढ़ सकूं।

परंतु कुछ दिन तक अच्छी लाइब्रेरी की तलाश करने के बाद मुझे ये समझ में आ गया कि इस Area (जहां मैं रहता था) में कहीं पर भी कोई अच्छी Library नहीं है जहां पर लोगों को एक से बढ़कर एक Books पढ़ने के लिए मिल सके।

अब ये बात मेरे दिमाग में जैसे छपती सी गई थी कि जहां पर मैं रहता हूं वहां पर एक भी अच्छी लाइब्रेरी नहीं है। ये बात मैंने अपने एक करीबी दोस्त को बताई।

जिसके बाद हम दोनों ने मिलकर ये तय किया कि हमें एक अच्छी Library की शुरुआत करनी चाहिए। जहां लोगों के लिए बैठकर पढ़ने की अच्छी सुविधा हो, पीने के लिए साफ पानी हो और बहुत से Books हों आदि।

इसके बाद हमने पैसे का जुगाड़ करके एक लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत की और वर्तमान में उसी लाइब्रेरी से अच्छी कमाई करने के बाद हमारे पास 3 Library हैं। ऐसे में अगर आपके भी Area में लाइब्रेरी नहीं है या फिर लाइब्रेरी में अच्छी सुविधा नहीं है तो आपको ये मौका बिल्कुल भी नहीं गंवाना चाहिए।

तो अगर आप एक सफल लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस की शुरुआत करना चाहते हैं तो इस पोस्ट को अंतिम तक जरूर पढ़ें। मुझे पूरी उम्मीद है कि आपको ये पोस्ट पसंद आएगा। (How to Start a Library in India)

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लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस क्या होता है?

Library Business in Hindi : सबसे पहले आपका ये जानना बहुत आवश्यक है कि लाइब्रेरी को हिंदी भाषा में क्या कहते हैं? तो मैं आपको बता दूं कि लाइब्रेरी को हिंदी भाषा में पुस्तकालय कहा जाता है। ज्यादातर स्कूल, कॉलेज, विश्वविद्यालय में एक बड़े से Hall में Library बनाया जाता है।

स्कूल, कॉलेज के अलावा आज के समय में लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत ऐसी जगह पर भी की जा रही है जहां पर लाइब्रेरी नही है या फिर लाइब्रेरी में अच्छी सुविधा नहीं है।

Library में विद्यार्थियों के बैठने के लिए मेज और कुर्सी, पीने के लिए साफ पानी आदि की व्यवस्था रहती है। इसके साथ हीं आज के समय में तो ज्यादातर लाइब्रेरी में WIFI की भी सुविधा दी गई है। जिससे कि विद्यार्थी अपने Laptop, Ipad आदि पर भी पढ़ाई कर सकें।

देखिए दोस्तों लाइब्रेरी का इस्तेमाल आमतौर पर लोग इसलिए करते हैं क्योंकि लोगों को लाइब्रेरी में एक शांत वातावरण मिलता है जिसकी मदद से वो अपने काम को बिल्कुल Focused हो कर कर पाते हैं।

अब ऐसे में अगर कोई व्यक्ति लाइब्रेरी में आकर पढ़ाई करना चाहता है तो उसे सबसे पहले Library दाखिला लेना होता है और हर Library का अपना अपना Library Fee होता है। इसके बाद अगर कोई व्यक्ति लाइब्रेरी से कोई किताब अपने साथ घर ले जाना चाहता है तो इसके लिए उसे कुछ और रुपए Charge देने होंगे।

यानी की किताबे किराए पर मिलते हैं जिसे आपको लाइब्रेरी के नियम के अनुसार कुछ ही दिनों में वापस करना होता है। कुछ Library में तो बुक ले जाने के लिए आपको Security Fee भी देना होता है जिसे तब लौटा दिया जाता है जब आप बुक वापस करते हैं।

लाइब्रेरी का व्यापार कैसे शुरू करें?

How to Start Library Business in India 2024  : मैं पटना शहर का रहने वाला हूं और अगर मैं इस शहर के अनुसार बताऊं तो अभी भी ऐसे बहुत से Location हैं जहां पर एक भी लाइब्रेरी नहीं है और यही कारण है कि मैंने लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस की शुरुआत की है। 

अगर आप भी लाइब्रेरी का व्यापार शुरू करना चाहते हैं तो इसके लिए सबसे पहले आप ये पता करें कि जिस जगह पर आप रह रहे हैं वहां पर कुल कितने लाइब्रेरी हैं? अगर ज्यादा हैं और उनमें विद्यार्थी भी काफी हैं तो क्या उनमें वो तमाम सुविधाएं उपलब्ध हैं? जो एक अच्छी Library में होती है?

इसके बाद अगर लाइब्रेरी नहीं है तब पर भी आपको बिजनेस की शुरुआत करनी चाहिए और अगर लाइब्रेरी है पर उनमें बहुत सी कमी है तब पर भी आपको लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस की शुरुआत करनी चाहिए।

तो चलिए अब मैं आपको बताता हूं कि लाइब्रेरी का बिजनेस शुरू करने के लिए आपको क्या-क्या चीजों की आवश्यकता पड़ेगी।

लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस की शुरुआत करने से पहले आपको इसके लिए एक Business Plan तैयार करना होगा। जिसमें आपको ये तय करना होगा कि आप किस तरह के ग्राहकों (Target Customers) को मद्दे नजर रखते हुए लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत करेंगे

1. लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस शुरू करने के लिए जरूरी जगह

एक सफल लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस की शुरुआत करने से पहले मैं आपको बता देना चाहूंगा कि इस Business के लिए जगह का महत्व बहुत ही ज्यादा है। आमतौर पर ज्यादातर लोग बिजनेस की शुरुआत किसी भी जगह से कर देते हैं और बाद में उन्हें पछताना पड़ता है।

अगर आप एक सफल लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत करना चाहते हैं तो ऐसे में आप किसी ऐसी जगह की तलाश करें जहां पर शोर-शराबा बिल्कुल भी ना होता है। यानी कि आपको Road, Railway Station, Bus Station, Airport आदि से इतनी दूर पर जगह की तलाश करनी होगी जहां पर कम से कम फालतू आवाज आए।

अब आप सोच में पड़ गए होंगे कि तब हमें कहां पर Library Business की शुरुआत करनी चाहिए? तो मैं बता दूं कि आप लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत Colony, Coaching, School के अगल बगल या Road से थोड़ी अंदर किसी जगह पर कर सकते हैं।

इसके साथ हीं लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत करने के लिए आपको इतनी जगह की आवश्यकता पड़ेगी जिसमे की कम से कम 25 लोग आराम से बैठ सकें। जगह किराए पर लेते वक्त आप इस बात का ध्यान रखें कि किराया बहुत अधिक ना हो। क्योंकि शुरुआती समय में आपको ज्यादा कमाई नहीं होगी।

2. पुस्तकालय की शुरुआत करने के लिए जरूरी लाइसेंस

इस तरह के व्यापार की छोटे स्तर पर शुरुआत करने पर आपको किसी भी तरह के रजिस्ट्रेशन और लाइसेंस की आवश्यकता नहीं पड़ती है। परंतु अगर आप इसे बड़े स्तर पर शुरू कर रहे हैं और सालाना Turnover छूट प्राप्ति सीमा से अधिक है तो ऐसे में आपको GST Registration करवाना अनिवार्य है।

इसके अलावा आपको स्थानीय नियम कानून के बारे में अच्छे से जान लेना है कि लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत करने के लिए आपको और कौन-कौन से रजिस्ट्रेशन करवाने होंगे। वहीं भारत में आमतौर पर लाइब्रेरी रजिस्ट्रेशन के लिए लोग इसकी Official Website का इस्तेमाल करते हैं।

3. जगह के फर्नीचर और फर्निशिंग का काम

एक सही Location पर जगह किराए पर ले लेने के बाद अब आपको उस जगह के फर्नीचर और फर्निशिंग का काम पूरा करवाना होगा। जैसे लाइब्रेरी में किताबे रखने के लिए आपको शीशा वाला अलमीरा बनवाना होगा जिससे की किताबे गंदी कम हो या फिर आप चाहे तो बिना शीशे वाली अलमीरा भी बनवा सकते हैं जिसमें आपको कम रुपए लगेंगे।

फिर आपको बहुत सारे Cabin बनवाने होंगे। जहां पर लोग बैठ कर पढ़ सकें। याद रखें कि Cabin इतना बड़ा होना चाहिए कि कोई भी व्यक्ति आसानी से अंदर बैठ कर पढ़ाई कर सके तथा उसे किसी भी तरह की कठिनाई भी ना हो। (Cabin बनवाना आपके मर्जी के उपर है)

इसके बाद आपको लोगों के बैठने के लिए कुर्सी, मेज आदि की खरीदारी करनी होगी। अब आप चाहे तो इन्हें बनवा भी सकते हैं, पर याद रखें कि आपको इन दोनों में से वही रास्ता अपनाना है जिसमें आपको कम पैसे निवेश करने पड़ें।

इन सभी के अलावा आपको अच्छी Lighting की भी व्यवस्था रखनी होगी। अच्छी Lighting के लिए आप LED Bulbs का इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं और अगर आप के पास निवेश (Investment) करने के लिए अच्छे खासे रुपए हैं तो ऐसे में आप गर्मी के मौसम के लिए AC का भी इस्तेमाल कर सकते हैं।

इन पोस्ट को भी पढ़ें :-

👉 कोचिंग सेंटर बिजनेस कैसे शुरू करें?

👉 Book & Stationary की दुकान कैसे खोलें?

4. Library Business की शुरुआत करने के लिए किताबों की खरीदारी करें

अपने पुस्तकालय के लिए आपको कौन-कौन से किताबों की खरीदारी करनी होगी? ये उस पर निर्भर करेगा कि आपने अपने पुस्तकालय की शुरुआत किस तरह के ग्राहकों को मद्दे रखते हुए किया है। यानी कि अगर आप इस बिजनेस की शुरुआत स्कूल, कॉलेज आदि के अगल-बगल कर रहे हैं तो ऐसे में आप स्कूल, कॉलेज के विद्यार्थियों को मद्दे नजर रखते हुए हीं किताबों की खरीदारी करें।

आज के समय में ऐसे बहुत से सप्लायर हैं जो कि आपको किताबें आसानी से आपके पुस्तकालय तक पहुंचा देंगे। इसके लिए बस आपको उनकी तलाश करनी होगी जो कि इंटरनेट के माध्यम से तथा मार्केट में थोड़ी बहुत खोज-बीन करने पर आसानी से पता लगाई जा सकती है।

इसके अलावा आप चाहे तो वैसे किताबों को ऑनलाइन भी मंगा सकते हैं जो आपको Offline Market में नहीं मिल रहे हैं। वहीं पुरानी किताब घर में भी आपको बहुत से Books सस्ते दामों में मिल जाएंगे।

हो सकता है कि आप में से बहुत से लोगों अभी भी समझ में ना आए कि हमें अपनी Library के लिए किस तरह की किताब खरीदनी चाहिए? तो इसके लिए आप स्थानीय Library में जाकर ये जायजा ले सकते हैं कि उन्होंने अपने लाइब्रेरी में कौन कौन से किताब रखे हैं।

5. कर्मचारी को काम पड़ रखें।

अगर आप 2024 में  Library Business की शुरुआत बहुत छोटे स्तर पर कर रहे हैं तो ऐसे में आपको कर्मचारी को काम पर रखने की आवश्यकता नहीं है। परंतु अगर आप इसे बड़े स्तर पर शुरू कर रहे हैं तो ऐसे में आपको कुछ कर्मचारी को काम पर रखने होंगे।

अब ये स्पष्ट बताना मुश्किल है कि आपको कुल कितने कर्मचारी रखने चाहिए पर आप अपने आवश्यकता अनुसार कर्मचारियों को काम पर रख सकते हैं।

लाइब्रेरी शुरू करने के लिए कितने रुपए निवेश करने होंगे?

Library Business Investment 2024 : पुस्तकालय की शुरुआत करने के लिए होने वाले निवेश बहुत हद तक आप पर निर्भर करता है कि आप इसे किस लोकेशन पर शुरू कर रहे हैं और कितने बड़े स्तर पर कर रहे हैं। 

यानी कि अगर आपका खुद का घर किसी ऐसी जगह पर है जहां पर शोर-शराबा बिल्कुल भी नहीं होता है तथा घर रोड से बहुत ज्यादा अंदर भी नहीं है तो ऐसे में आप अपने घर से हीं Library की शुरुआत कर सकते हैं।

घर से Library Business शुरू करने का आपको ये फायदा होगा कि किराए के रूप में आपको एक भी रुपए नहीं लगेंगे। वहीं किसी जगह को किराए पर लेकर बिजनेस की शुरुआत करने पर आपको अच्छा खासा किराया देना होगा जोकि Location के हिसाब से ज्यादा या कम हो सकता है।

जगह, फर्नीचर, किताबें वा अन्य खर्च को मिलाकर बताऊं तो मेरे ख्याल से आपको Self Study Library Business की शुरुआत करने के लिए 1.5 लाख रुपए निवेश करना पड़ सकता है। बाकी अगर आप इस बिजनेस की शुरुआत बड़े स्तर पर कर रहे हैं तो आपको 4 से 7 लाख रुपए निवेश करने पड़ सकते हैं।

अगर आपके पास से निवेश करने के लिए पैसे हैं तब तो अच्छी बात है वहीं अगर आपके पास निवेश करने के लिए पैसे नहीं है तो ऐसे में आप Bank में Loan के लिए भी आवेदन कर सकते हैं। अब आप में से बहुत से लोग ये बोलेंगे कि बैंक लोन नहीं देती है। तो मैं आपको बता दूं कि सभी जरूरी Documents रहने पर बैंक आपको लोन जरूर देगी।

मौजूदा सरकार द्वारा सभी बैंकों को ये खास निर्देश है कि बिजनेस शुरू कर रहे व्यक्ति को सभी दस्तावेज रहने पर Loan लेने में किसी भी तरह की कठिनाई का सामना ना करना पड़े। ऐसे में आपके लिए Library Business की शुरूआत करने का ये बहुत अच्छा मौका है।

Library Business की शुरुआत करने से पहले आपको 6 महीने का जगह का किराया अपने पास हमेशा रखना है। इसकी जरूरत आपको तब पड़ेगी जब आप किसी भी तरह की मुसीबत में होंगे या फिर आपके बिजनेस में पैसे की कमी होगी। याद रखें कि बिना मुसीबत के आपको इस पैसे को हाथ नहीं लगाना है।

लाइब्रेरी से होने वाली कमाई :-

Library Business Profit : ज्यादातर लाइब्रेरी में Membership Charge ₹500 से ₹600 होती है। आप भी इसी अनुसार थोड़ी बहुत ऊपर नीचे रख सकते हैं, पर याद रखेंगे अगर आप अपने Location पर मौजूद बाकी लाइब्रेरी से ज्यादा रुपए Charge करते हैं तो आपको बाकी लाइब्रेरी से अच्छी सुविधा भी देनी होगी। 

इसके साथ ही जैसा कि मैंने आपको बताया है Books घर ले जाने के लिए भी ग्राहक (Customers) को कुछ शुल्क देना होता है। इस अनुसार मैं आपको बताऊं तो Library Business के माध्यम से आप प्रत्येक महीने ₹30,000 से ₹40,000 तक की कमाई आसानी से कर सकते हैं।

कमाई के मामले में मैं आपको आखिर में यही बोलना चाहूंगा कि इस तरह के बिजनेस में होने वाली कमाई बहुत हद तक इस पर निर्भर करती है कि आपके पास कुल ग्राहक कितने हैं? याद रखें कि आपके लाइब्रेरी में जितने ज्यादा से ज्यादा Member होंगे आपकी कमाई भी उतनी ज्यादा होगी।

फिर जैसे-जैसे आपकी कमाई में वृद्धि होने लगे आप उसे अपने Library की दूसरी Branch शुरू करने में निवेश करें। हालाकि Branch की शुरुआत आपको तभी करनी है जब आपको ऐसा लगने लगे कि आपने जो बिजनेस की शुरुआत की है वो सही से चल रहा है और आप दोनों ही जगह मेहनत कर पाएंगे।

लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस की मार्केटिंग करें?

किसी बिजनेस की शुरुआत करने के बाद उसकी मार्केटिंग करना बहुत ही ज्यादा आवश्यक होता है। बहुत से लोग यही गलती करते हैं कि वो अपना बिजनेस तो शुरू कर लेते हैं पर उसकी मार्केटिंग नहीं करते हैं। 

अब आप खुद हीं सोचिए कि आपने किसी चीज की शुरुआत की है, पर आपने क्या शुरू किया है या कहां पर शुरू किया है ये किसी को पता हीं नहीं है तो ग्राहक आप तक पहुंचेंगे कैसे?

इसके अलावा मार्केटिंग का अंदाजा आप इसी से लगा सकते हैं कि जितनी भी बड़ी बड़ी कंपनी है वो ऊंचाइयों को छूने के बाद भी प्रचार प्रसार में बिल्कुल भी कमी नहीं करती है।

Self Study Library Business की मार्केटिंग करने के लिए जगह जगह हर चौक चौराहे पर आप बैनर लगवा सकते हैं, अखबार की मदद से लोगों को Pempelet बांट सकते हैं, E Rickshaw पर Speaker लगवाकर प्रचार करवा सकते हैं। इसके अलावा आप कोचिंग संस्थान, स्कूल आदि में भी विद्यार्थियों को किसी माध्यम से बता सकते हैं कि आपने यहां पर एक बहुत अच्छी Library की शुरुआत की है।

इसके बाद आप ऑनलाइन भी Google Maps, Just Dial आदि का सहारा लेकर कई ग्राहकों को अपनी Library तक ला सकते हैं। (Library Business Plan)

Library Business से संबंधित कुछ बातें :-

• Library में आपको लोगों के पीने के लिए साफ पानी की व्यवस्था करनी होगी। इसके लिए आप Water Purifier लगवा सकते हैं।

• सुरक्षा के लिहाज से आपको अपने लाइब्रेरी में CCTV Camera अवश्य लगवाना होगा।

• किताबों के मामले में आपको हमेशा Alert रहना होगा। जो भी किताब मांग में है आपको उसे जल्द से जल्द उपलब्ध कराना होगा।

• लाइब्रेरी के अंदर आपको लोगों के लिए एक जगह बनवानी होगी जहां पर वो बैठकर Lunch कर सकें।

• लाइब्रेरी का माहौल अच्छा रखने के लिए आप लाइब्रेरी में छोटे-छोटे पौधे लगा सकते हैं।

• लाइब्रेरी में Fast WiFi की सुविधा होनी आवश्यक है।

• लाइब्रेरी के अंदर साफ-सफाई का खास ध्यान रखें। अगर लाइब्रेरी गंदी है तो उसे जितना जल्दी हो सके साफ करवा दें।

• जितना हो सके आप Library Business की शुरुआत ऐसी जगह पर करें जहां शांति हो जिससे Members अच्छे से मन लगाकर पढ़ सकें।

लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस कैसे शुरू करें? वीडियो

लाइब्रेरी बिजनेस कैसे शुरू करें से संबंधित faq's.

🔸 लाइब्रेरी कैसे शुरू करें?

लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत करने के लिए आपके पास एक जगह, निवेश, किताबें, कर्मचारी आदि होने चाहिए। इसके अलावा लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत करने से पहले आपके पास एक बिजनेस प्लान अवश्य होना चाहिए जिससे कि आपको ये पता रहे कि आगे क्या करना है।

🔸 लाइब्रेरी शुरू करने के लिए कितने रुपए निवेश करने होंगे?

भारत में एक आम लाइब्रेरी की शुरुआत करने के लिए आपको 1.5 लाख रुपए निवेश करना पड़ सकता है। वहीं बड़े स्तर पर Library Business शुरू करने पर आपको कम से कम 5 लाख रुपए निवेश करना होगा।

🔸 लाइब्रेरी को हिंदी भाषा में क्या कहते हैं?

लाइब्रेरी को हिंदी भाषा में पुस्तकालय कहा जाता है।

🔸 पुस्तकालय में क्या नहीं करना चाहिए?

पुस्तकालय में जोर से बात करना, धूम्रपान करना, सोना, भोजन करना शख्त माना होता है।

🔸 लाइब्रेरियन का क्या काम है?

लाइब्रेरियन को ये सुनिश्चित करना होता है कि पाठकों को सही समय पर किताबें मिल जाए। नई किताबों पर नजर रखना तथा उन्हें पाठकों के लिए उपलब्ध कराना। इसके साथ ही लाइब्रेरी का रिकॉर्ड भी तैयार करना लाइब्रेरियन का ही काम होता है।

निष्कर्ष :-

देखिए दोस्तों मैं आपसे साफ-साफ बता देना चाहता हूं कि लाइब्रेरी का बिजनेस बहुत High Profitable Business नहीं है। 

बहुत ज्यादा कमाई नहीं है इससे मेरा मतलब ये है कि अगर आप उम्मीद कर रहे हैं कि आम लाइब्रेरी शुरू करके आप महीने के 1.5 से 2 लाख रुपए कमा सकते हैं तो ये संभव नहीं है। पर निवेश के हिसाब से देखा जाए तो इसमें बहुत अच्छी कमाई है।

वहीं मौके के लिहाज से बताऊं तो बहुत सी जगह पर आज भी Library नही है। ऐसे में आपके लिए एक Self Study Library Business की शुरुआत करने का अभी के समय में बहुत अच्छा मौका है। 

उम्मीद करता हूं आपको आज का ये " How To Open Library in India " पोस्ट पसंद आया होगा और इस पोस्ट के माध्यम से आपको कुछ जानकारी प्राप्त हुई होगी। अगर आप भी इसी तरह के जानकारी भरे पोस्ट पढ़ना पसंद करते हैं तो ऐसे में आप हमारे ब्लॉग पर अक्सर आ सकते हैं। वहीं इस ब्लॉग पर बिजनेस तथा पैसे कमाने से संबंधित हर दूसरे दिन पोस्ट पब्लिश किए जाते हैं।

इसके अलावा अगर आपको Library Kaise Shuru Kare से संबंधित या फिर अन्य कोई भी सवाल पूछने हैं तो आप इस पोस्ट के नीचे Comment कर सकते हैं।

Business Ideas Hindi Home : CLICK HERE

👉 Kids Play School कैसे शुरू करें?

👉 खुद का हॉस्टल कैसे खोलें?

👉 भारत में रेस्टोरेंट कैसे शुरू करें?

👉 हार्डवेयर स्टोर कैसे शुरू करें?

👉 खुद का स्कूल कैसे खोलें?

1 टिप्पणियाँ

कृपया कॉमेंट बॉक्स में लिंक ना दें।

संपर्क फ़ॉर्म

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A compliment to the Emerging Markets and Country & International research guides, this resource provides sources for business information on India and includes, among other things, bills in Parliament, housing resources, and telecommunications data. For more news-focused resources, see our Fast Answer . For historical research specific to India, see our Fast Answers for additional resources .

Country Overviews

In-depth country and selected industry analysis and data.

Economist Intelligence Unit

Go To Database

Describes and forecasts India's political, economic and social conditions. Updated quarterly.

Country and company information on Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.

EMIS (Emerging Markets Information System)

Includes macroeconomic statistics, forecasts, and analysis; reports on financial markets, companies, and industries; exchange rates; analyst reports; and business news for India as well as for other emerging nations.

Provides a valuable historical context of India by the Federal Research Division. Last updated in December 2004.

India: A Country Study

Country studies, forecasting publications, reports, periodicals, and socio-economic databases from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. 

OECD iLibrary

OECD publications on India include the Economic Outlook  and publications on energy transition, labour, poverty alleviation, and other topics.

Company Databases

Government website with master files of every company registered with the Registrar of Companies. Search by company name or download company lists by state.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs: Government of India

A global private company comparison database containing millions of company data points.

Orbis is unique in the extent of geographies and companies covered, as well as in the availability of private company financial information (depending on the country in which the company is located).

Corporate Governance

The site includes reporting standards, news on regulations and taxes, and professional development material for accountants.

Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Economic & demographic statistics.

Multi-country statistical sources (listed in the  Country & International Research Guide  under Statistics), especially  Economist Intelligence Unit  (Click on data tool) and  World Development Indicators  tend to be easier than national sources to navigate, download, and compare with other countries. 

Indiastat.com  is the best way to navigate Indian produced statistics and gives the source of data for verification. 

Global Financial Data  is your best bet for time series.

Economic Statistics

Macroeconomic, industrial, and financial time series for China and other countries.

CEIC includes macroeconomic, industrial and financial time series data for India and other countries. Categories of available data points are: national accounts, production, government and public finance, demographic, inflation, foreign trade, balance of payments, banking statistics, investment, transport and telecommunication, energy, and financial markets. (HBS does  not  subscribe to the Premium Indian product).

Searches across six Indian government databases: Census, SECC, NFHS, RBI, government schemes, and Parivahan (vehicle registrations). Captures demographic, socioeconomic, financial, and health indicators for India. Has data visualizations and download capabilities.

The web site of India's central bank includes notification on monetary policy, statistics on the Indian economy, including the handy Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy and information on the Indian banking sector.

Reserve Bank of India

Economic and social data at the state level for India.

States of India

Demographic Data

Summary data for the 2001 census are available on the site. The Government Documents/Microform Collection in Lamont library have data going back to the 1890s.

Census of India

Includes four data sets: IndiaMap includes socio-demographic and economic Census data for 2001 at the State, District, Sub-District, and Town levels. VillageMap includes socio-demographic and economic Census data for 2001 at the Village level. PollMap includes parliamentary constituency boundaries and data relating to the past four national elections [1986-2004]. Optionally, an application for historical analysis and impact of regional and statewise swings can be added. HistoricMap shows decadal change in district boundaries of India since 1951. Socio-demographic data is included for the census years i.e. 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001.

India GIS data in ESRI SHP format

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Annual surveys on topics such as consumer expenditures, housing, and healthcare. Most of the titles concern consumers but there are also enterprise surveys. Survey data is available in the  Documents & Microform Collection .

National Sample Surveys

Economic policy & business regulation.

This page from the World Bank Group includes India's rank of overall "ease of doing business" compared with over 180 economies, as well as its rank by topics such as starting a business, getting credit, and protecting investors.

Doing Business in India

Analysis of India’s business regulations from the Economist Intelligence Unit.

A comprehensive database of Indian law -- includes:

• cases and bare acts (federal and selected states)
• tribunal and commission orders
• bills in Parliament
• ordinances, notifications and circulars. Coverage includes corporate law, capital markets, labor regulations and more.

For Harvard access, click on "IP users click here."

Economic Research Organizations

Indian 'think tank' devoted to researching India's role in the global economy. Focus areas include;Macro-economic Management in an Open Economy; Trade, Openness, Restructuring and Competitiveness; Financial Sector Liberalisation and Regulation; WTO-related Issues; Regional Economic Co-operation with Focus on South Asia; Strategic Aspects of India's International Economic Relations; and Environment and Climate Change. Working papers and publications are available on the web site.

McKinsey's India office publishes general economic reports on the Indian economy and economic development.

McKinsey- India

Research organization focusing on economic growth, rural development, and economic behavior.

National Council of Applied Economic Research

Public policy research organization.

National Institute of Public Finance and Policy

Environment & climate change.

An Indian based magazine that reports on environment issues.

Down to Earth

A portal that provides, news, reports and statistics on environmental and development issues.

India Environment Portal

Finance & banking.

Overviews 

 EIU's market sector report,  India Financial Services includes analysis on the financial systems of India.

Includes financial statistics for private, public, foreign banks with links to bank sites.

Indian Banks' Association

Equities Markets

Financial Markets Research Guide

Trade association for the Mutual fund industry, includes aggregate data and fund closing prices.

Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)

The oldest stock exchange in India, the web site includes current and historical market data, and reports on companies provided by rating agencies.

Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)

Trades in equities, debt, options, mutual funds, are executed here. Site includes aggregate current and historical market data, list of members, and research publications.

National Stock Exchange of India

The regulatory agency of India. The web site includes trading rules and regulations, statistics on market volume and capitalization, information on status of offers of mergers and acquisitions, and investor education materials.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Foreign trade.

A U.S. Commerce Department site that promotes trade with India. Site includes useful background information for the exporter, as well as information on trade missions.

Export.gov: India

Information on trade policy and regulations as well as a link to a database of import and export statistics.

Government of India, Department of Commerce

Annual international trade data by commodity and trading partner.

United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics

Annual data by commodity and partner country that is supplied by member countries and converted into US dollars using exchange rates supplied by the countries, or derived from monthly market rates and volume of trade. Whenever possible, quantities are in metric units. For many countries the data coverage starts as far back as 1962.

Government of India (GOI) & Politics

Government sites:.

Links to national and state government sites, including those of the judicial systems.

GOI Web Directory

Includes the Union Budget and Economic Survey; various data and statistics; documents and reports; and links to the Departments of Economic Affairs, Expenditure, Revenue, Financial Services and Disinvestment.

Ministry of Finance: Government of India

Links to the Constitution, rules & regulations, Parliament, and directories among other information.

National Portal of India

Analysis & commentary.

An Indian research institute and think tank. CPR initiatives include accountability for service delivery, Asian security, global climate negotiations, the Indian legislative process, inclusive development, and the Indian city.

Centre for Policy Research (CPR)

The Gateway House includes in its mission "To produce and disseminate ideas and reports that stimulate the public debate on the foreign policy choices that face India." Essays and reports are available from the site.

Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations

An online and print magazine on governance issues in India. Includes news and analysis from professional and citizen journalists on the governance of institutions and processes in India.

GovernanceNow

A nonprofit organization that aims to improve the quality of life in urban India. Encourages civic participation and government reform. Includes links to data, rankings and publications.

Where can I find industry associations or organizations for India?

Reports and market trends encompassing various technology, energy, and manufacturing-related fields.

Frost & Sullivan

Includes reports on the health care (particularly diagnostics markets and medical devices), energy, and information technology markets in India.

The consultancy's site includes publications on various industries including, financial services, IT, defense, and health care.

Market research reports on consumer products and industries worldwide from Euromonitor International.

Reports on a variety of global industries including technology, healthcare, retail, energy, aerospace, and automotive. 

In-depth reports on the business environment in various countries. Some industry reports are also available.

U.S. Commercial Service: Country Commercial Guides

Annual reports by the US Commerce Dept. are oriented to US firms seeking to do business in India. Include information on regulations and detailed information on markets, especially those that are good export opportunities.

Where can I find business news specific to India?  

Aggregated news from national and local newspapers, magazines, trade publications, and transcripts.

For a quick way to find current news about India, select the News Pages tab at the top. On the left side of the page, select "India" from the drop down menu (the default is United States).

Trade Organizations

Organization of US firms operating in India. Publications and member directory by industry are available on the web site.

American Chamber of Commerce in India

One of the largest industry associations in India, the website includes publications on various industrial sectors, corporate governance, and Indian regions.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)

The organization promotes policies and events to advance Indian industry. Includes business confidence surveys and economic outlooks.

FICCI: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Site, funded by the Indian government, promotes foreign investment in India. Brings together useful information for investors.

India Brand Equity Foundation

A trade association that promotes close commercial ties between the US and India. The site includes a list of upcoming trade events and a daily news feed from major Indian business news sources. Initiatives include intellectual property rights, and education.

U.S.-India Business Council

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Unilever plans ice cream business separation: India watches amid Amul competition

Unilever plans to separate its ice cream business to jump-start growth. the development will be keenly watched in india, where the fmcg giant faces stiff competition from market leader amul.

• Print Edition: Apr 14, 2024

Hindustan Unilever Ltd's (HUL) tryst with the ice cream industry began in the early 1990s. In 1993, it bought the brand Dollops from then Cadbury India. That was soon followed by the acquisition of Kwality Wall’s from the Lamba family. Apart from Wall’s, it also acquired brands like Yankee Doodle, Sub-Zero, and Gaylord. The last piece in the first chapter of the ice cream puzzle was when Milkfood was picked up from Jagatjit Industries in 1994. Not surprisingly, all these brands eventually made way for Wall’s.

The most recent development in the ice cream business relates to parent company Unilever announcing a strategic intent to separate its ice cream business globally. The segment, which brings in revenue of €8 billion, has well-known brands under its wing, like Magnum, Ben & Jerry’s, Wall’s, and Popsicle. In India, that business is much smaller at around  Rs 1,800 crore, or 3% of the company’s top line in FY23. Market leader Amul, which entered the market in 1996, rakes in over Rs 2,500 crore and has grown impressively.

But why is Unilever separating the business in the first place? “Through this [demerger], they [Unilever] intend to transform the company into a simpler, more focussed, and a higher-performing one. The ice cream business has a different model compared to the rest of Unilever’s business,” an HUL spokesperson said in a response to Business Today’s queries.

Moving to India, industry trackers say HUL’s ice cream business has gross margins of 35-40%. In mid-2018, it acquired Adityaa Milk ice cream and frozen dessert, a Karnataka-based mid-market brand, giving out a clear message on how important the business was. “As far as the India ice cream business is concerned, we are evaluating various options in light of this announcement. We will discuss this with the HUL board and Unilever management in the coming months,” said the spokesperson. A former HUL executive points out that the focus is clearly on high-margin categories like personal products. “Ice cream perhaps does not fit into the scheme of things and anything is possible from this point.” 

The possibility of Unilever exiting the business altogether and retaining the India piece cannot be ruled out. Besides, there is a lot of headroom for growth in India, with the landscape still dominated by the co-operatives and private players, most of whom have larger operations in their home markets.         @krishnagopalan 

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New income tax regime: Salaried individuals can claim these deductions

Although the new tax regime has become more appealing after the Union Budget 2023-24, it does not incorporate the standard deductions available under the old tax regime.

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• New tax regime has become the default option for taxpayers
• Two deductions applicable for salaried individuals
• Common deductions not eligible under new income tax regime

If you intend to choose the new tax regime for the financial year 2024-25, there are two deductions available specifically for salaried individuals.

The new tax regime, which has zero tax liability for people with income up to Rs 7 lakh, has become the default regime for taxpayers .

Standard Deduction

It is a straightforward benefit offered exclusively to salaried individuals and pensioners. When calculating the net taxable salary or pension income, employers automatically subtract Rs 50,000 as a standard deduction from the gross salary. No documentation is required to claim this deduction.

This deduction is reflected in Part B of Form 16, the TDS certificate issued by the employer, detailing the taxes deducted from the salary throughout the financial year. When filing the income tax return (ITR), individuals can claim this deduction under the head "Income from salaries/pension" as per Section 16(ia) of the Income-tax Act.

Section 80CCD (2) deduction under NPS

This deduction has been available since the introduction of the new tax regime in the fiscal year 2020-21.

It applies when an employer deposits funds into an employee's Tier-I NPS account. The income tax laws specify the maximum deduction allowed for both private and government employees.

Private sector employees can claim up to 10% of their salary as a deduction, while government employees can claim up to 14% of their salary under Section 80CCD (2).

Salary, according to income tax laws, includes basic pay plus dearness allowance.

Typically, the employer's contribution to an employee's Tier I NPS account forms part of the employee's cost to the company (CTC), which can reduce the employee's take-home pay.

The employer's NPS contribution is included in the gross salary payable by the employer. Employees must claim the deduction under Section 80CCD (2) when filing their income tax return (ITR). Part B of Form 16 will contain details of the employer's contribution to the NPS account.

Employees do not need to provide proof of NPS contribution to avoid higher TDS from salaries because the contribution is made directly by the employer to the NPS account, similar to how Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) contributions are made.

However, employees should check their employer's policy on proof submission.

It's important to note that if an employer's NPS contribution exceeds a certain limit, it may be taxable in the hands of the employee.

According to income tax laws, if the total contributions by an employer to EPF, NPS, and Superannuation fund in a financial year exceed Rs 7.5 lakh, the excess amount will be taxable to the employee.

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I was put on a PIP after starting a new job. But I survived and think it was actually a useful experience.

• A woman who works in digital marketing was put on a performance-improvement plan in a new job.
• As a result of an ADHD diagnosis and treatment, she was able to improve her performance, she said.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with a woman based in the US who works in digital marketing. She was put on a performance-improvement plan several months into a new job. She'd been fired from a prior role and didn't expect to survive the PIP. However, diagnosis and treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder helped improve her focus. She asked that Business Insider withhold her identity because she didn't want her story to reflect poorly on her employer's training process. The following has been edited for brevity and clarity.

I work in digital marketing. When I was placed on a PIP, I had a lot of people tell me to start looking for another job. Some said not to even fight the PIP because my bosses already had it in their minds to fire me. Even recruiters and my friends who work in HR said that.

But my circumstances were a little different. Most of the bosses are pretty young. They're my age — early 30s — and I think they really did have the intention of sharpening me up a bit. They did exactly what the performance improvement plan is supposed to be for, which is to get team members up to the standards they expect.

The problem I had was that my boss hired me and then went on maternity leave. Once I started, there was a period of several months when she was gone, and I felt like I was just left out in the woods. I was relying on my teammates to train me — people who didn't have experience doing that. When my boss got back, she seemed frustrated that the two new hires — myself and someone else — weren't up to par.

I did feel it was unfair to be placed on a PIP because of that, but I'd had a history of losing jobs. I had always had a lot of focus issues. However, during the PIP, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which I think explains why I sometimes struggled at work.

I survived my PIP, but a coworker didn't

Two of us were placed on a PIP at the same time — the two new people. Everyone else on the team had been there for four or five years. They ended up firing the other new team member. When they fired him, I thought I was also on the chopping block, though eventually, my coworkers told me he just wasn't meeting the expectations of the PIP.

The PIP meeting was the first time my employer formally stated expectations and standards. How can you meet expectations if you don't know what they are? I heard things like, "You need to reply to clients within 24 hours. Send meeting notes 30 minutes prior to a call." No one had ever said any of that.

I've heard that the more realistic the objectives, the more you can pass a PIP. Ours are pretty well-defined and pretty realistic. It was things like being online by 8 a.m. and having your camera on for meetings. These things hadn't been stated but were easy to achieve.

A lot of my job is meeting with clients. When my boss returned from maternity leave, she was on all of my calls supervising. Afterward, she would send me notes with, "Here's what I would have said." That was the first time that I ever had any real feedback. Before she came back, my other workers were supervising. Everyone would just say, "Oh, good job on the call."

Both my managers are very busy. Before my PIP, I felt like I had to ask my coworkers questions on calls. I didn't want to send a message through Teams because I didn't want any trace of it. I didn't want it to seem like I didn't know anything. I didn't know what they expected me to know.

After my PIP, we eventually got two new hires. I told my boss, "Here's what went wrong. Here's what the new hires need to know so they are not placed on a PIP." There was a lot of company knowledge that I didn't glean when she was gone. I felt like I didn't have anyone to turn to because I didn't want to keep bugging my coworkers. We work remotely, and I think that in an office setting, I would have had more opportunities to ask questions. I feel like I was thrown to the wolves in some regard.

I just made sure the new hires knew that they could ask me anything at any time. I felt very alone during my PIP, and I don't want others to experience that feeling. I am a first-generation college graduate. I was the first generation to work in a corporate role. So I have nobody to go to when something like this happens.

ADHD medication is helping me focus

The ADHD medication is helping a lot. It's helping with my focus. Once I was diagnosed and started learning more about ADHD, I felt like I understood my whole life. I remember being a teenager, and I was a straight-A student. I had wanted to be a doctor, but I told myself, "I can't handle that." I didn't know that I had this attention-deficit disorder. The diagnosis and medication have really changed the game for me.

When I was put on the PIP, I was in crisis mode. I was considering switching to a different career. I was thinking of becoming an EMT. Random stuff. But I thought, let me knuckle down in this job first and give it 110%. At the time, I didn't have an ADHD diagnosis.

I never felt confident during the PIP that I was going to survive it. I would get messages from my bosses like, "Good work. You're coming up to speed on things." Everything that they said during it was positive, but because of what I'd heard about PIPs, I expected to get fired.

Then, after my diagnosis, I was taking my medication every day and working around the clock. I was very vocal and transparent with both of my bosses about what I was doing because we had weekly check-ins for the PIP.

But it was hard to know what to disclose. On one call, I was very hesitant to mention it, but I said, "I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, and I know that it's affecting my performance. I apologize if there were any gaps." I told them I was on medication that's really helping. They said, "Thank you so much for telling us. We're really glad that you opened up to us about that. We wish you would have said something sooner because we could make accommodations." It ended up being a positive for me to say that, but I was taking a gamble because it can also be used against you.

It's not the warmest office. It's not the most transparent management. I didn't feel like I had a rapport with one of my bosses until I met her in person. Then she ended up apologizing for the PIP and saying that after she had her baby, she had postpartum depression and was kind of going through a lot and needed the team to be at 100% because it would help her out, too.

I didn't have the final PIP meeting. They just sent an email saying that I passed and that we wouldn't have the check-ins and everything was fine. And they copied HR. I felt very relieved. But I still felt weary and like I needed to tread lightly. You still have to continue the standard that they set.

The PIP process, on the whole, was positive — having so much transparency for the first time. Now I know I can go to my bosses and say, "Hey, I'm not able to get a refill of my medication because of a shortage. I'm sorry if you need to remind me about anything. Just feel free to be harder on me during this."

Overall, I feel more job security now. They're even putting me on new accounts. Do you have something to share about a PIP or what you're seeing in your workplace? Business Insider would like to hear from you. Email our workplace team from a nonwork device at [email protected] with your story or to ask for one of our reporter's Signal numbers. Or check out Business Insider's source guide for tips on sharing information securely.

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In big win for Tesla, India to lower EV import tax if $500 mln invested

• New EV policy comes after months of lobbying by Tesla
• Import tax rate on EVs lowered to 15% vs up to 100% for 5 years
• Lower rate dependent on meeting investment, production criteria
• Local carmakers Mahindra, Tata had opposed import tax cut, shares fall

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Reporting by Tanvi Mehta and Aditi Shah; additional reporting by Aditya Kalra and Aftab Ahmed in New Delhi, Chris Thomas in Bengaluru; editing by YP Rajesh, Jason Neely and Kim Coghill, Kirsten Donovan

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T. Rowe Price backs Disney directors in boardroom challenge with hedge funds

Mutual fund firm T. Rowe Price , which owns roughly 11.7 million shares in Walt Disney , said it has voted for the entertainment giant's directors, dealing a blow to activist hedge funds Trian Fund Management and Blackwells Capital as they seek board seats.

Where are conjoined twins and former reality TV stars Abby and Brittany Hensel now?

• Conjoined twins Abby and Brittany Hensel rose to prominence after a 1996 appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
• They later had a short-lived TLC reality show chronicling their lives as recent college graduates.
• The Hensels left the spotlight behind, but news that Abby got married has renewed attention.

Abby and Brittany Hensel, Minnesota-born conjoined twins who share a single body with separate heads and necks, first rose to fame as children in the 1990s.

Now, the two are back in the spotlight after news broke that Abby got married.

Here's what to know about the twins and their lives now.

Abby and Brittany Hensel became famous after appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 1996

The Hensel twins were five years old when they appeared as guests on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in April 1996. During the interview, the girls discussed their favorite Disney movie and explained how they work together to move their shared body.

The two also appeared on the cover of Life magazine the same month for a feature titled "One Body, Two Souls."

According to an interview with Time Magazine , their parents, Mike and Patty Hensel, were initially told by doctors they were expecting just one child. It wasn't until Abby and Brittany were born, via C-section, that they realized there were two babies — rare dicephalic parapagus twins, sharing a bloodstream and all of their organs below their waist.

After their story was publicized in Life magazine and on Winfrey's show, the Hensel twins' lives were chronicled in a series of follow-up TV specials, including "Joined for Life," a 2002 documentary that aired on the Discovery channel, and "Joined at Birth" the following year.

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"Joined for Life: Abby & Brittany Turn 16," an update released in 2006, followed the twins as they worked on getting their driver's licenses and attended high school.

They briefly starred in their own TLC reality show

After high school, the twins attended Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota, according to the Huffington Post .

Following the success of their numerous TV specials, TLC ordered a series following the then 22-year-old twins after they'd finished college. "Abby and Brittany" premiered on the network in August 2012.

"Abby and Brittany" aired for an eight-episode season, ending in October 2012. It depicted their job searches, post-graduation travels in Europe, and part-time teaching. During the series, they also moved into their own house.

Abby reportedly got married in 2021

On Wednesday, Today.com broke the news that Abby, now 34, had gotten married to a man named Joshua Bowling in 2021.

According to the publication, Bowling is a nurse and veteran of the US Army. The sisters, who are both working as fifth-grade teachers, reportedly still live in Minnesota, where they were born and raised. Bowling's Facebook page, which has since been made private but was previously viewed by Business Insider, shows pictures of their wedding and the family traveling.

A Facebook page that appears to belong to Bowling's mother has also shared wedding photos and a video of her son with the Hensels and reference their marriage, tagging the twins' Facebook page . Bowling's mom has also shared photos of the family boating.

According to the New York Post , Abby became a stepmom through the marriage to Bowling's daughter from a past relationship.

TikTok and Facebook accounts that appear to belong to the Hensel twins didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Abby's reported marriage.

Abby and Brittany appeared to address speculation around the marriage on TikTok

News of the marriage gained attention online following the media coverage, which appeared to prompt the pair to respond with TikTok videos on Friday, according to outlets like People and The New York Post .

"The internet is extra LOUD today. We have always been around," the first video's caption read.

The video featured statues of conjoined twins alongside hashtags like "happy" and "marriage."

A second video appeared to show several pictures of the pair and Bowling together, including at their wedding. The third video featured a photo of Abby, Brittany, and Bowling embracing.

"This is for all you haters out there. If you don't like what I do but watch everything I'm doing, you're still a fan," a voiceover said.

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