With the help of the Danish Embassy in Bangladesh, Bishwa Shahitya Kendra has launched 10 new mobile libraries for the readers. The new libraries will be added to the already existing 31 mobile libraries that are serving nearly one lakh readers in 45 districts. The new libraries will serve readers in 10 districts.
The Danish Embassy has taken the responsibilities of buying the vehicles and books as well as a three-year maintaining cost. The libraries formally started their journey through a launching programme held recently at Central Public Library, Shahbagh, Dhaka.
President of Bishwa Shahitya Kendra, Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed; Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trustee of the centre, Mijarul Quayes; senior programme officer of Danish Embassy, Mehel Aminuzzaman, and representative from Manusher Jonno Foundation, Iftekhar Hossain, among others, were present at the programme.
Focusing on the importance of reading books, Professor Sayeed said, “Nowadays people do not go to the libraries. Bishwa Shahitya Kendra launched a library consisting of nearly one lakh books; yet people hardly came to read. We launched mobile libraries so that books can go to the readers.”
The Norwegian Embassy previously sponsored several of the libraries in two instalments. Manusher Jonno Foundation has been the sponsor of the project since 2005.
-With The Daily Star input
