The Odisha Society of the Americas (OSA), an association of the Non Resident Odias (NROs) living in the USA, has urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to expedite the implementation of “Rules Notification for Odisha Public Library Act, 2001” for developing a well-integrated modern public library system in the State.
In a letter to the CM, the OSA functionaries like its president Lalatendu Mohanty, vice president Susil Panda, secretary Amar Senapati, Sachi Pati, among others, underscored the need for a modern public library system in the State and highlighted how it can serve multiple purposes, besides boosting literacy in the rural areas.
“A well-integrated modern public library system will empower individuals, build a stronger community and improve the socio-economic, cultural and educational system in Odisha, in a most cost-effective way and build a new economy based on modern public library ecosystem,” the OSA stated, adding that the association with the vast experience and exposure of its members on modern public library system in USA and Canada etc, will provide the required support to the State Government.
Further highlighting the importance of a public library, the OSA said it is the most democratic public institution that will promote literacy, including early childhood literacy, digital literacy, education, health and wellness, skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, e-governance, civic engagement, e-commerce, social inclusion and democratic values. In addition, the public libraries will support many aspects of the United Nation 2030 (UN 2030) vision and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that are aimed at ending poverty in all its forms, it said.
Thanking the CM for the establishment of the first digital public library in Brahmapur, the NROs too appreciated the decision of the State Government to set up panchayat library-cum-infotainment center in each gram panchayat.
The OSA also reminded the CM of the All Odisha Public Library Conference-2018 which it organised in collaboration with the Praful Library in the KIIT University, where former Minister Surjya Narayan Patro and former MLA Priyadarshi Mishra had wholeheartedly supported the proposal for a modern public library system in the State.
