CM Baniya vows province govt support to public library

Kathmandu, Nov 7: Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, Indra Bahadur Baniya, has pledged support from province government for the development of public library.     

Although the public library has a role in knowledge building, rampant use of technology has reduced book reading culture, he said, while inaugurating the 22nd annual general meeting of the Kathmandu Valley Public Library Society in the federal capital on Friday.     

The CM suggested the public library attracting youths through the use of technology. Such facilities can be developed as an international library, he added. In his view, once the public libraries add books of variety of genres, it can cater to diverse readers

Chairman of the Society, Prof Dr Govind Raj Pokhrel, complained that the federal government has stopped providing support to the library, thereby creating problem in the operation. He requested both the province and local governments to extend support to the public libraries.     

Chief of Keshar Library under the Education Ministry, Yadav Chandra Niraula, expressed that province governments could promote public libraries as their own facilities. Development of model public facilities for free book reading can be given priority to build informed citizenry, he added.     

On the occasion, CM Baniya released a book 'Library: Foundation of Reading Culture' penned by Jujubhai Dangol, a founding member of the Bhrikutimandap-based Library.     

Various dignitaries, including academicians, attended the event.(RSS)