Revived after 16 years

From when it was first inaugurated by Justice AKM Nurul Islam in 1984, the Harirampur Upazila Public Library in Manikganj was popular. Built on 14 decimals of land donated by Montaz Uddin Khan at Khalpar Boyra near the upazila headquarters, the library featured around 2,000 books, and also attracted readers for its periodicals.

But in 2002, the library was closed down due to mismanagement, presumably leaving those who frequented it disappointed.

Now, happily, a recent initiative of Joint District Judge Toyebul Azhar Uzzal, prominent locals and a number of university students, has seen the library restored and reopened.

“When the library closed due to mismanagement, it hurt teachers, young people and lovers of literature in this area,” says Toyebul. “I wanted it to reopen, and the community was supportive.”

“We met several times at Dhaka University last year to discuss our goal,” says cultural personality Himel Khan, also involved. “On November 3, a public meeting attended by the upazila nirbahi officer was held at the library premises.”

At the meeting, Tk 3 lakh in funding was raised, including Tk 1 lakh donated by the district administration, courtesy of the deputy commissioner in Manikganj, Md Najmus Sadat Selim.

There was much to be done. When the library had closed in 2002, the premises were used as land registries for three river-eroded unions nearby. Many of the books, shelves, chairs and tables that had once belonged to the library were taken to the upazila social service office. Of the books that remained, a good number were torn and damaged.

Alongside repair work of the building, twenty chairs, five tables and five new bookshelves were purchased. The renovated library currently houses 900 books. Bangla and English newspapers are also available.

“We want to look after the library,” says Toyebul, speaking for the group behind the initiative. “Many of us live in the capital, but we try to go home each Friday for this purpose. Soon, we will start our own study circle.”

The renovated library was officially opened on April 13 this year, by author and researcher Syed Abul Maksud. “Remote areas need libraries,” he said at the ceremony. “Libraries create opportunities that would otherwise not exist for people to read books. National development isn't only about infrastructure. Minds must be developed too. Libraries help to achieve this outcome.”

The library is administered by a 49-member committee headed by Harirampur's current Upazila Nirbahi Offcer Md Ilias Mehedi. “From 4:00pm to 8:00pm, the library is open seven days a week,” he notes. “We have appointed a librarian. The library is already attracting more than a hundred readers per day on an average, most of them students.”

“The initiative to reopen the library is admirable,” says the district's deputy commissioner. “I applaud the efforts of all involved.”