STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The currently decrepit 50-year-old District Library, Guwahati, is all set to be refurbished and converted into digital mode within the next four months.
Speaking to The Sentinel on Sunday, an official of the District Library said that the ongoing makeover project, under the State Owned Priority Development (SOPD) fund, is estimated to cost about Rs 6 crore. The official said that the renovation project has been deemed necessary in view of renewed enthusiasm among book lovers and a growth in visitor footfall after a lull.
Once the project is completed, e-books will be available at the library along with other special services, the official said, adding that there will be separate sections for persons with disabilities (PwDs), children and senior citizens. A separate Science and Technology wing will also be set up.
The official expressed optimism that the refurbished library will be able to attract more and more book lovers and the earlier throng of regular visitors will be restored.
The official informed that there are over 1 lakh books in the library, including 1,000 books procured in the last one year. These books cover a wide range of topics, especially student-specific subjects such as Geography, Political Science, History, Mathematics etc. The library also contains famous novels in several languages.
A regular visitor to the library and a PhD scholar, Maini Gogoi, said that one of the problems faced by readers is that the library has stopped allowing people to borrow books. She, however, welcomed the ongoing upgradation project and said now readers can expect the fans and lights to function properly. She further suggested that the library should replace outdated books on general knowledge etc., with updated versions in order to help students who wish to sit for competitive examinations. Gogoi further suggested that the library, which now closes at 6 pm, should have a special shift till 9 pm for students who get free from classes only late in the evening.
It may be mentioned that book lending to the public in the library is currently closed in view of the ongoing construction work.
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