The State government is taking multi-pronged steps to upgrade gram panchayat (GP) libraries in Karnataka to attract more children to borrow and read books and also enhance the role of library supervisors. To achieve this, the government has launched a slew of programmes that will increase the importance of awareness centres of GPs.
Aimed at creating enthusiasm and hope to rural children, the government has launched programmes such as “Let’s Go to Home of Reading,”, “Let’s Play Chess Campaign,” “Read Aloud Campaign,” “A Book for Mom,” “Letter Writing Campaigns,” “Chinnara Chittara” and “Bring Your Friends to the Library”, among others.
In addition, a “Reading Light” programme was launched to foster the habit of reading even during vacations and holidays, with the support of the Department of Education, Azim Premji Foundation, Bharatiya Gyan Vigyan Samiti and Shiksha Foundation. Children aged between 6 and 18 can become members of the library and can also borrow books and take them home to read. A total of 46,89,220 children are registered in libraries as of now, said Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) and ITBT Minister Priyank M. Kharge.
