Major renovation project work for State libraries

STAFF REPORTED

GUWAHATI: The Directorate of Library Service under the Department of Cultural Affairs has taken a repairing and renovation project of State libraries.

The project has begun at two libraries in Guwahati and one in Silchar.

Talking to The Sentinel, Director of Library Services Rumi Goswami said that Rs 5.78 crore has been allotted to renovate the District Library, Ambari and Rs 1.30 crore for the Karamvir Navin Chandra Bordoloi Library. On the other hand, the Silchar Library has been demolished and it is being newly constructed. An amount of Rs 29 crore has been allocated for the Silchar Library, the Director stated.

Goswami said that the renovation work for the District Library was started on January 10 but it was halted for two months due to the corona pandemic.

"The project was set to be completed within 9 months. However, due to the lockdown it will not be possible to complete the works under the scheduled time. The State Government has already released Rs 83 lakh in the financial year 2019-20," she added.

Further, she said that the library will developed to a modern library and the first and second floors of the building will be totally renovated with new furniture. "Facilities will be increased for the readers, and the use of the reading room and the reference room will be interchanged. The auditorium will be renovated, CCTVs will be installed and the underground water system and the electricity system will be improved," said Goswami.

The District Library has more than 40,000 registered readers and daily over 100 people visit the library. It has a collection of over 55,000 books in various languages.

Talking about the works for the century old Karambir Navin Chandra Bordoloi library, the Director said that the restoration work is underway and the government has released Rs 49 lakh for the purpose.

"The construction work for the Silchar Library is underway and it will be a three-storey building equipped with modern facilities. There will be an auditorium which will be able to accommodate 1000 people and will also include – a museum, art gallery, food court and e-learning facilities," she pointed out. It is to be mentioned that, all the libraries across the State is closed to the pandemic. There are 33 district /sub-divisional libraries and 199 rural libraries in the State. 

Also Watch: In an Exclusive Conversation with Krishnaraaz only on The Sentinel Assam