Pages turning to dust: Khulna Public Library overlooked, ignored
The crises don't just end here. The library is severely understaffed. Thirteen out of 28 posts of officers and library staffers are currently vacant. There is no proper server network for its operations, coupled with poor internet connection. Scanners and copy machines are also out of order, making the entire establishment almost dysfunctional.
A library of almost six decades, with a collection of 1,27,000 books. An average of 150 readers every day, intently studying with pin-drop silence in the spacious reading room.
But what are they reading?
That is where the shock comes in. A divisional library so rich, but readers are only there to study job guides -- revealed a recent visit by this correspondent to Khulna Divisional Government Public Library.
Immamul Haque Masuk, a BL College graduate and job-seeker, goes to the library to prepare for job examinations. He is accompanied by his 10 friends from Mujgunni area every day.
"It's not possible for us to buy all the job-help books. So, coming to the library is always the better option. I can also read several magazines," said Masuk.
Labonno Mondal, also a BL College graduate and job-seeker, who has been visiting the library regularly for one and a half years, echoed him.
The library -- a two-storied building of 31,000 square feet -- stands at the corner of Boyra College intersection on the city's Upper Jashore Road.
Established in 1964 and upgraded to the status of a divisional public library in 1982, the establishment's catalogue shows that it currently has 87,000 Bangla and 38,000 English books in stock.
However, 14,000 of them are missing, and 8,000 are severely damaged.
The number of general readers has dropped to a great extent, which made way for job-seekers to come and fulfil their purpose in the library. The library has 210 registered members who are authorised to take books home.
Not even one reader on average has done that in quite a while.
The library authorities too are stocking different job examination books to accommodate this, as confirmed by Md Ahsan Ullah, principal librarian and deputy director.
"Otherwise, we'll lose the remaining readers as well. Job-seekers are currently the main beneficiaries of the establishment," he said.
Anwarul Kadir, former professor of Government Sundarban Adarsha College and a civil society leader, told this correspondent about the library building's dilapidated condition, with no foreseeable effort of renovation.
"The window glasses are shattering. The roof leaks when it rains."
"The building was declared risky 10 years ago by the public works department. The design doesn't allow a vertical extension. The authority has to come up with a solution," added Kadir.
The crises don't just end here. The library is severely understaffed. Thirteen out of 28 posts of officers and library staffers are currently vacant. There is no proper server network for its operations, coupled with poor internet connection. Scanners and copy machines are also out of order, making the entire establishment almost dysfunctional.
Meanwhile, the original rich collection continues to rot away.
The books are not stored properly, making way for chances of damage. During the visit to the library, this correspondent found piles of books stacked messily, with a thick layer of dust on top.
This correspondent saw hundreds of torn books scattered on the floor, while writings of many books almost faded away.
A book titled "Baruni Baran" was seen in the middle of a book shelve, completely unreadable. As this correspondent tried to make sense of the book, it was seen that the book was published in 1964 from Kolkata.
Another book, "Baspio Baborohider Proti Upodesh", was at least over a century old.
"We have repeatedly informed the higher authorities about the problems. They are considering demolishing the old building and constructing a new nine-storey building with modern facilities,'' said Ahsan Ullah.
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