STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Books have always been the most reliable sources to supplement knowledge. However, from the past few years, it is heard everywhere that there is a lack of interest among people in reading books. Being concerned about this, the Directorate of Library Services is taking many an initiative to keep reading habit intact.
Speaking to The Sentinel, Rumi Goswami, Director of Library Services, Guwahati, Assam said, “In district and subdivision levels readers’ response is quite satisfactory and there are people who love reading and they always come to the library. Now, we are focusing on inculcating reading habits mostly in rural areas. There are people inclined to read books, but there are no provisions of light and washrooms. So, we’re planning to solve such problems in phases. We want to provide proper infrastructure and solar system to 199 libraries at different parts of the State”.
She added, “We’ve taken other initiatives to develop reading habits and making people aware of the benefits of reading books. A program, Kitap Porhu Ahok is going underway. Last year we organized the program in Tezpur, Mangaldai, and Guwahati. This year, we’re planning to hold this program in the Barak Valley, because we’ve witnessed an increased response from the young generation”. When asked on Digital Library, she said that digital libraries are established in Guwahati, Nagaon, Dibrugarh, and Tezpur but they are not yet not fully-fledged. Speaking about the installation of new books, the Directorate of Library Services let The Sentinel know that they are contemplating on installing mostly Assamese books, because the availability of data in the Internet being one of the prime reasons, Assamese book publishers have to go through loss. Moreover, people ask for books in regional languages and libraries are the one that can install a large number of books.