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Why Public Libraries Are Important: Scenes From Inside Karnataka’s Rural Public Libraries

byDisha Banerjee
19th October 2024
2 minute read

India’s libraries have a rich history. They have not only been centres for knowledge and learning but also built a sense of community and gave way to varied discussions. In the past, these spaces were alive with debates and conversations that nurtured intellectual growth. However, today, public libraries face neglect, with fewer visitors and resources. Because of the advancement in technology, with information at the tip of our fingers, libraries are now seeing fewer visitors.

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However, Uma Mahadevan Dasgupta is a distinguished civil servant working with the Karnataka Government. She has designed and implemented a rural library initiative for local communities. Having worked in sectors like rural development, women and child development, and education amongst others, she has a deep sense of how public libraries can help uplift rural India.

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It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that the rural libraries in Karnataka were revived, especially to help kids be connected to reading and writing. The public libraries were renovated and made child-friendly. Books for kids were also stocked. In two years, over 3.4 million children have been enrolled, over 1.1 million books collected as donations, and 4900 rural libraries have been renovated, reported On Think Tanks.

Uma Mahadevan, on regular intervals, takes to social media to share heartwarming scenes from inside rural India’s public libraries. In it, we not only see kids spending time together learning but also elderly women learning how to read and write, women’s workshops being taken place and so much more.

Have a look:

Rural libraries are beneficial not just for the upliftment of children, but also of women. It gives women a safe space to access books on health, skill development, entrepreneurship and much more that could help them in their day-to-day lives. By bridging the information gap in rural areas, libraries can promote literacy and build a solid sense of community.

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