Department of Public Libraries (DPL) and Ministry of Cultural Affairs celebrate the National Library Day-2021

Amrita Dash, February 10, 2021

In collaboration with the Department of Public Libraries and Ministry of Cultural Affairs celebrated National Library Day- 2021 on February 5, 2021, with the theme ‘library in every house is the pledge of Mujib year.’

Md Tajul Islam, Minister for the Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives and KM Khalid, State Minister for Cultural Affairs and Simeen Hossain Rimi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Cultural Affairs inaugurated the day by releasing balloons and pigeons at the premises of Public Libraries at Shahbag, Dhaka. 

The day had two main events, a discussion session and a cultural program. Md. Abubakar Siddique, Director-General of the Department of Public Libraries delivered a welcome speech in the discussion program. Md. Tajul Islam Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) was present in the session as the chief guest. KM Khalid, State Minister for Cultural Affairs and Simeen Hossain Rimi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Cultural Affairs were present in the program as the special guests. 

The chief guest, in his speech, said that either real or virtual-only library can confirm us the most authentic and peaceful environment for reading and acquiring knowledge. He also added, now lots of expansions are happening in the library sectors in our country and it must be extended to the remote areas as well.

Simeen Hossain Rimi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Cultural Affairs, mentioned Aristotle statement “Those that know, do. Those that understand, teach“. He said ‘the library works of making people understanding. A world of thought is created by reading books. And the library helps in the creation of this world’.

Habibullah Siraji, Director General of Bangla Academy presented the keynote paper. He said, ‘Library is never a collection of infrastructure and books but a commentary on the creative life.’ He also said that libraries can save our young generation from doing anti-social activities by developing their reading habit. He also added, Bangabandhu, the father of the nation, also had a passion for reading, he had turned the prison into a library when he was confined there.

Many Library Professionals of different organisations were present in this program to celebrate the special day in a joyous mood.

The first library day was recognised by the government on February 5, 2018, to raise public awareness of libraries.