Minister vows development of libraries

Kathmandu, Aug 31: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Bidya Bhattarai, has vowed development and promotion of libraries in the country.

Addressing a programme organized on the 17th National Library Day today, Minister Bhattarai shared that the ministry was formulating relevant laws and policy for the promotion of libraries.

The National Library Day is being observed across the country under the slogan of 'Library for Constant Education'.

"It is a State's responsibility to protect and promote library and foster reading culture," she reminded. Although libraries were established at community level in the past, library has been addressed as fundamental rights in constitution, she said.

The ministry had already prepared a preliminary draft for the amendment of Book Policy, 2064, she said, adding that at present world, books are not limited to libraries, but hoarded in the digital spheres. 

Time has come to create atmosphere where books of global standard could be accessed with the development of e-library. 

However, cooperation from all sides is imperative to realize this ambition.  In addition to law and policies, resources management is equally important, Bhattarai said.

Similarly, Ministry Secretary and Coordinator of the 17th National Library Day Celebration Committee, Bishwo Babu Pudashaini, underlined the need for timely development of library, the sources of information and knowledge. 

Chairman of Nepal Library Association, Pushpa Raj Subedi, said if the government wants to develop library, it must bring a library act.

Mina Dallakoti was honoured at the programme as an excellent employee at a library. 

Lifetime Achievement Award was handed over to Mina Thapa Giri at the programme. 

From among the libraries across the country, the Moti Community Library was announced the best at the programme. The Library was established at Phalebas of Parvat district in 2016BS.

Similarly, the Ratna Library at Baneshwor also distributed the 'Laxmi Prasad Devkota Memorial Award'.(RSS)