Living in a time when digital libraries are gaining ground and students are unable to go beyond syllabus, the exposure to books through libraries is a must, opine the city based educationists.
Apart from school and college libraries, reading rooms and libraries are needed in cities which give wings to the reader’s thoughts and imagination and evolve the present society. Sadly, Haridwar has no district library which the book enthusiasts always lament. Some of the libraries which were started died a slow death for the want of readers.
An educationist and former president of Haridwar Press Club, SS Jaiswal said, “Our Press Club library was a non-starter. We had initiated it in the city thinking that there was no public library for people and everyone must have a place to read and gain knowledge without spending much but unfortunately no one turned up. There are so many other ways of entertainment for youths and children these days and this is adversely affecting the reading habits.”
Some youths had come up recently with the idea of starting a book café with the idea of reading over a cup of coffee, a place where one can relax and spend some time with the books but reading in community place is not catching the spirit in the holy city. Umesh Sharma, a city based poet told this correspondent, “Social movements have been created through libraries where people come, generate ideas and ask each other’s opinion. Our current reflections pave way for our future. Every society has evolved in this manner by discussing over past experiences, assessing present and planning for future. Through libraries our opinions are formed and it is a long term relationship which one gets while coming to library, borrowing books, reading and reviewing with other readers. A community library is a must.”
The district information officer Manoj Srivastava said, “Every child must be exposed to books, the earlier it is done, better it is. Kids create their own world as they read. A simple everyday routine of reading a book can save many from getting tense and going into depression. Books always nourish our beings and one not only reads in library but develops the art of writing as well, developing his overall personality.”
