Fostering a culture of reading

Public libraries are thought to be a shared space for everyone trying to seek knowledge, without any prejudice. Unfortunately, in our country, public libraries are used as political tools. They are named after influential people only to add to their social capital and status. There are no good collections of books, no maintenance, and above all, people don’t frequently go there.

A public library in the past was defined as an asset for the people, at least for the residents of the concerned vicinity but governments are no longer interested to educate and inform people, instead, they use public libraries as political tools. The habit of reading is not encouraged at all.

Reading is probably the only habit that will nourish the society spiritually and intellectually. Nowadays, no one seems to have the patience to sit down quietly and read a book.

In the past, children were taught that a library is the heart and soul of our education system but just after passing higher secondary school education, they found that the heart and soul of education system instantly missing from the entire hierarchy of education.

Multan, believed to be the oldest living city along with Rome, had found its first and only public library — Bagh Langay Khan in 1973. But unfortunate Langay Khan was not a part of big political dynasties hence the library was never maintained or taken care of.

It is not surprising but is unfortunate to know that not just Punjab but the entire Pakistan does not have a single public library functioning on professional and proper grounds without political intervention since 1973. But, the fact is that if there will be no libraries named after influential people, very little funding will be provided.

The Constitution of 1973 has been updated but public libraries are still shoved back in the Stone Age. Nothing has been done for their betterment. Today, public libraries in Pakistan are only for some researchers who are forced by their supervisors to dig out the facts and details, and students sitting for examinations and those going to university are forced to go to these libraries by their professors.

There are a total 18 public libraries in Punjab with 12 working under their respective district governments since 1884. There is a dire need to see to the maintenance of libraries and foster a reading culture.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2014.