NBT-India’s Model Village Panchayat Library Project @ Festival of Libraries 2023

Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Festival of Libraries being organized from 5-6 August 2023. She highlighted the importance of efforts for conservation of manuscripts and modernization and digitization of libraries as the nature of libraries evolves with the use of information and communication technology.

Gyaan Samvaad Kendra…

As part of the Festival of Libraries 2023 and to take the reading movement to the people, National Book Trust, India had put up a prototype of a Model Village Library Project titled Gyaan Samvaad Kendra.

Gyaan Samvaad Kendra (Knowledge Communication Centre) represents the next generation of Public Library at villages and municipal wards with a futuristic approach for dissemination of two way exchange of Ideas and knowledge leveraging the traditional knowledge repository of the villages and creating intellectual heritage for the benefit of the society. The logo represents the traditional Indian way of learning and reading.

The Library was conceptualised by National Book Trust, India as per the aspirations of Naya Bharat, combining best of the literature and reading material in physical as well as digital format.

Govt. rolls out plan to set-up public libraries at every village and municipal ward

The new model of Public Library presented at Festival of Libraries 2023 is going to transform the way, we read and engage with libraries. In tune with the implementation aspects of the Budget announcement, the central government recently announced rollout plan for setting up public library at every village and in every municipal ward. Government is also releasing a fund of Rupees four lakh rupees per library.

Aptly named as Gyan Samvaad Kendra, the library has come up with a fresh approach of two-way exchange of ideas where the locals are also encouraged to share their knowledge repository as part of creating the intellectual heritage of the nation. The Library has a unique design element which encourages a mother and a child to read together at the library. It also provisions for ergonomically designed colorful furniture and a refreshing ambience with natural light and a sense of belongingness with portrayal of stories of local heroes, folklores, and art forms incorporated in the design. It is also well-equipped with the technology aspects where there are dedicated sets for audio-books, e-books, and the cutting-edge technology of books in virtual reality, which was till recently used only for gaming purpose.

For a serious reader, there are dedicated Sections of online interactive classes as well as books on career guidance, entrepreneurship, agriculture marketing, reference material for competitive exams, etc. The children’s section has a huge collection of books designed in local languages and dialects – highlighting local customs as well as combining universal content – packaged in colourful covers with beautiful and eye-catching illustrations.

Another zone of much attraction is the Section written by the first batch of young authors mentored under Prime Minister’s YUVA scheme by NBT-India. Another section of attraction is the recently launched series of publications under Intellectual Heritage programme of the Government as well books on Indian Knowledge System. Another section on Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat showcases the best of Indian literature translated into other Indian languages.

Support for setting up libraries…

NBT-India is also extending consultancy support to the States for setting-up of public libraries under the Project which includes design to implementations well as training. Many States have expressed their desire to collaborate and sign an MoU with NBT-India.

The aim of these libraries…

These public libraries are designed to be centre of knowledge communication with exchange of ideas and knowledge, and they will be abuzz with literary activities, interactions and workshops. These libraries will be stepping stones for a Naya Bharat bringing large scale fast-paced social and economic change in the society.