DU VC, Mizoram Governor call for revival of public libraries, reading culture

Mizoram Governor General V K Singh asserted the need to have better public libraries, saying that their importance has declined over time. The governor was speaking at the 80th foundation day ceremony of the Delhi University's (DU) Department of Library and Information Science held on Tuesday at the Convention Hall in the Vice Regal Lodge on the DU campus. "If you travel to Europe, you will see the emphasis placed on public libraries. We too had a strong tradition, but it declined over time. Now is the time to revive and improve them," he said, addressing a gathering at the function.

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He noted that earlier, the quality of an institution was often judged by its library, adding that while libraries have evolved, their importance remains intact. Highlighting the growing relevance of information science, Singh said education forms the foundation of a nation's progress. "It is my firm belief that the nation's most distinguished individuals emerge precisely from its universities," he added.

Presiding over the programme, DU VC Yogesh Singh said that although technology is reshaping libraries, books will continue to remain indispensable. "Formats may change, mediums may evolve, but the importance of reading cannot diminish," he said, urging students to cultivate reading habits. Referring to India's academic heritage, he cited the example of Nalanda University, once a globally renowned centre of learning, and said its destruction reflected the power of knowledge.

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The VC noted that the credit for pioneering the establishment of public libraries in India during the early 20th century goes to Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda, who had invited William Alanson Borden from the US to establish libraries within his princely state. "That visionary individual introduced the practice of collecting a library cess, a dedicated tax, to fund the acquisition of books. The main library at BHU (Banaras Hindu University) is named the "Sayajirao Gaekwad Library" in his honour, as he was the primary donor for its construction," he added. Earlier, the head of the department, K P Singh, delivered the welcome address and outlined the department's achievements. During the event, his book Library Information Science Education and Research in India was released. Several senior officials, academicians and students attended the programme.