“If we are able to accomplish public library policy, it will be a great achievement for the Ministry of Culture”- Says State Minister

Ahasan, Dhaka 5 May 2019

Photo: Courtesy

State Minister for Culture Mr KM Khalid, MP on Sunday said “The government is taking effective measures to appoint professional librarian in every institute aiming to develop the reading habit. As per education policy 2010, each of the educational institutions, we have recruited librarians who are most of the cases unprofessional and unskilled. We are giving the opportunity to them to take appropriate organization those have unauthorized certificates in the field of Library Science. People should give concentration on library and books instead of cell phones in daily life.”

The State Minister said this while delivering his speech as chief guest at the program of ‘National Policy workshop on the Development of Public Libraries’ in the City.
Public Library Department and the British Council Bangladesh organised the workshop at the Windy Town Hall of Bangabandhu International Conference Centre as part of the Library Unlimited project. Chief guest K M Khalid said the main purpose of the workshop was to create a time-bound and modern public library policy under the British Council Bangladesh Libraries Unlimited project.

“If it does successfully, it will be a great achievement for the Ministry of Culture. And to create such a policy, the participation of all stakeholders regarding the public library and their well-thought-out opinions are needed,” he said.

Presided over by Director General of Public Library Department Ashish Kumar Sarker, Kirsty Croft, Programme Manager of British Council Bangladesh Library Limited spoke in the event.
British Council Bangladesh Deputy Director Andrew Newton as a guest of honour and Additional Director of Public Library Director (Joint Secretary) AJM Abdullael Baki also spoke on the occasion.

After the inaugural session, Prof. Dr Rokonuzzaman, Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Dhaka given a presentation regarding public library policy Bangladesh and world perspectives.

Photo: Courtesy

Different groups were formed from around  70 participants to take feedback of present challenges, weakness and opportunity of the public library. Each of the group was given a presentation at the end of the workshop which will be helpful for the formation of public library policy of Bangladesh.

Members of Libraries Unlimited team and officials of the Department of Public Libraries were also present at the event.