Comprehensive plan to establish latest libraries in AJK launched
MIRPUR: AJK government has launched an integrated plan to encourage and raise the literary activities through setting up network of libraries in various parts of Azad Jammu Kashmir in order to provide knowledge and the opportunities of studies to the aspirants including the informative material harmonious to the need of modern era, official sources said.
The plan included a recently constructed Rs 8 million Mian Muhammad Library in Mirpur by Mirpur Development Authority. Since the state government intended the trend of reading should be promoted all out efforts were being made to this direction, the sources said, adding the grand Mian Muhammad Bukhsh Library will prove to be the best source of knowledge for the readers from all classes of the society including students, journalists, writers, lawyers, business community members, government servants as well as the retired officials of private and public sector institutions. After Mian Muhammad Buksh Library is considered to be the successful project the government intended to continue similar projects in the future in various parts of AJK particularly in all the district headquarters under phased programme.
The library has been constructed on an area of 7920 square feet. In the first phase a total of 4000 books on various topics, both in English and Urdu have been placed in the library. Rs one million were allocated in the PC-1 for the purchase of more books. Over 25,000 more books could be placed in the library, the sources said. The library was constructed by Mirpur Development Authority after the project was sponsored and funded by the AJK Land Commission Department.
Referring to the facilities being provided in the library, a noise-free environment has been ensured for the readers in the centrally-air-conditioned library. Separate desks have been reserved for women and children readers. Separate exclusive corners of “Gosha Mian Muhammad Buksh” and “Mirpuriyat” have also been reserved where related books will be available in the library.
The sources further said that the stock of English versions of various books are also being placed in the library for the
Britain-returned locals as well as visitors. The management has also planned to provide the computer lab, internet and photocopier facilities in the library for the visitors. The emergence of canteen adjacent to the library is also included in the project. The library is being furnished in phases and comfortable furniture has been placed for the readers. Since first phase of the project has been completed and the library is opened for the readers, a proposal is under consideration to link the library with the Education Department for management control at the pattern of Khurshid National Library in Muzaffarabad. It is also proposed that since the library has been named after the eminent writer, poet and scholar of the sub-continent – Arif-e-Khari Hazrat Mian Muhammad
Buksh, at least 25 percent of the income realizing from his mausoleum at Khari Sharif (Mirpur) is proposed to be diverted to the library for meeting its time-to-time requirements particularly for the collection of the series of books presently available as well as those appearing in the future.
Source: The News
Date:11/4/2007
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