Reading habit declines

Sirajul Islam Shishir:

With the expansion of internet technology and rising of the smart phones and social media users, the solo Public Library in Sirajganj is now facing acute reader crisis.

Though, a few of job seekers is found at the library infrequently, crisis of manpower and irregular attendance of the Librarian are reportedly discouraging to the readers.

As a result, spiders’ net and rust have grabbed the space of library’s furniture including chairs, tables and even books of shelves. Most of the chairs and tables remain vacant for want of readers and visitors in the open hours. About 32,000 of various types of books are on the verge of damage due to lack of care.

In 2011, the public library was established on about 33 decimals of land on the Sirajee road in the town nearby the head post office along with a reservation of 32,000 books on various issues.

Besides, newspapers and magazines on various current affairs are also supplied on behalf of the library authorities for the readers with the aim to build an educated and meritorious nation. The library remains closed two days in the weekend alongside of other government holidays. Similarly, it remains open rest other days for the readers from 10:00am to 6:00pm. There is a facility to read out the books free of cost after taking its membership.

Only two persons were seen in reading the books in the library, while this correspondent visited there recently.

Speaking to The Daily Sky, one of them said, “I come to the library to know the current affairs related issues by reading some newspapers and weekend or fortnightly magazines. As I am taking preparation to participate in different job tests, I need to learn about current issues. But, I have no affordability to purchase lot of books for reading. This is why, I come to library sometimes.”

Another one, who came to the library said, “Most of the people specially youths have now become dependent on smart phones due to easy access of internet and social media. We get almost everything in the mobile phones in a little bit after searching in google or other apps. And even, many students have already left their text and note books due to expansion of virtual classes.”

“In this situation, public library has now turned into a neglected place for the rising youths and next generations,” he added.

Nabo Kumar Karmaker, Member of Sirajganj Swartha Rakkha Songram Committee told The Daily Sky that, “Guardians nowadays don’t encourage their children towards the library. Consequently, the trend of book reading by youths is coming to reduce gradually. Though, both the easy access in internet and availability of smart phones have become blessing for some contexts, in some cases it has become curse for rising youths. Many are getting engaged in several offensive activities like drug peddling, abducting, hacking and extorting by leveraging the modern technologies.”

Insiders said, the public library is facing acute crisis of manpower. There are three staffs in the library instead of eight.

Remina Jannat, who is serving there as librarian with additional charges alongside Natore, said that, “Manpower crisis hampers normal activities of the library. Besides, we can’t do anything as per our need due to limited budget. If adequate fund is allocated for the library, we will be able to give it an appropriate form, which will attract the readers.”