Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the transformation of Harekrushna Mahtab State Library and inaugurated Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi Library here, Monday. The transformation of Harekrushna Mahtab State Library will be carried out jointly by the Culture Department and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) Limited. As part of the transformation plan, various facilities will be available within the library premises. The upgraded facilities include specially-abled accessible toilets, multilingual sections, engaging children’s reading areas, tranquil study spaces, window seating space, a state-of-the-art conference facility, comfortable lounge areas, quiet reading rooms, reading pods, and book stacks halls. An Aahar centre and Mission Shakti Cafe will offer a diverse range of delicious meals and snacks to library visitors.
Moreover, the integration of essential amenities such as water dispensers, emergency services, and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity underscores a commitment to cultivating an environment conducive to visitors, a release by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. The transformed library will feature seating arrangements for up to 500 individuals simultaneously. Furthermore, the implementation of a digitisation and automation drive will enable online access to the library’s existing collection of books, ensuring that readers can conveniently explore literary treasures on the go. With the introduction of climate-controlled chambers and premium drinking water facilities, the refurbished library is poised to emerge as a beacon of intellectual enlightenment, fostering a culture of learning and innovation for generations to come, the release added.
Established in 1967 as the cornerstone of literary enlightenment, the State Library embarked on a journey to nurture knowledge and inspire generations. It was renamed as Harekrushna Mahatab State Library August 15, 1987. Since then, Harekrushna Mahatab State Library has served as a vital knowledge centre for people from various walks of life. The library has played an instrumental role in facilitating academic endeavours, catering to a diverse audience – from students to researchers. The inauguration of Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi Library at the Integrated Public Service Centre (IPSC) in Bapuji Nagar area of the City by the CM signifies a pivotal step towards access to literary resources. Equipped with amenities like Aahar centre, Wi-Fi connectivity, surveillance systems, and comfortable reading rooms, the library – managed by the Culture department and OMC – will not only enrich the cultural landscape of the Temple City but also provide a vital hub for knowledge dissemination and community engagement.
Among others, Science and Technology Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, Bhubaneswar (Central) MLA Ananta Narayan Jena, Bhubaneswar (North) MLA Susant Kumar Rout, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Commissioner-cum-Secretary Sujata R Karthikeyan and Director Dilip Routray were present on the occasion.
ARINDAM GANGULY, OP