Kathmandu, Aug 30: History records that the libraries found its foothold in Nepal long before schools were established. The first library was set up in Bhadra 15, 1869 BS during the reign of Girwarn Bikram Shah.
To commemorate the day, Nepal has been observing ‘Library Day’ on Bhadra 15 since 2065 BS aiming to foster the libraries in the country. The day is supposed to gain it ground for the upgradation of both, formal and informal education to the people of all walks of life.
‘The 7th Library Day Main Organizing Committee’ is marking the week-long celebration that starts from Sunday with the theme of ‘Expansion of Library: A basis for a civilized society’.
Programmes like seminars, sanitations, blood donations and trekking, among others would also be organized to promote the establishment of libraries.
Likewise, the Library Day is being observed by the District Education Offices, Nepal Community Library Foundation, Nepal Library Foundation, including other educational institutions across the country.
The library and information centers are highly regarded as the integral part of educational institutions across the globe. In addition to that, it is a place that provides with a base for quality development of education and contributes in the making of a civilized society.
The chairman of the Main Organizing Committee Ashok Thapa said, “Constitution is in the making. The ‘7th Library Day’ is believed to play a pivotal role to establish library as a right in this constitution.”
Emphasizing the importance of the library in the country having only around 65 per cent of literate people, Thapa said,” It is imperative to run ‘Library Crusade’ to make Nepal a prosper country.”
Likewise, Jujubhai Dangol, chief of Kathmandu Community Library, echoes the same when it comes to advocating the importance of the library. Dangol said,” Library plays an important role to transform the literate people into the educated ones.
According to Dangol, many book-lovers and scholars have donated their books for the greater good. Their contribution has lead to the making of some of the big libraries in the country. The most notable contribution comes from Pandit Hemraj Panday, Keshar Shumsher, Dr Dilliraman Regmi and Kamalmani Dixit, among others.
It is vital for a country to have proper policies for the development of library that caters to the need for information and knowledge of its citizens. Developed countries around the world have prioritized the development and expansion of the libraries by considering its significance.
Acknowledging the importance of library lately, the Ministry of Education has passed ‘Library and Information Management Directive 2069’. Furthermore, the government has also adopted the policy of ‘One School, One Library’. RSS (Krishnaraj Gautam)
