Libraries are community assets: JEO

TIRUPATI: Libraries are invaluable community assets, which help the less privileged to get knowledge of different subject, through the collection of vast number books they house, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Joint Executive Officer N Mukteswara Rao said.

Addressing the ‘National Library Day’ celebrations at the TTD Central Library here on Monday, he said that the books give knowledge and the youth should develop reading habit.

He said that a person, who desires to know something, he is not aware, looks for the books for guidance and for that purpose he visits a library.

‘‘For a poor student, who cannot afford to buy reference books, Libraries are ultimate resource,’’ he said while stating that the role of libraries, which cater to the knowledge needs of all sections of society, have an important role to play in universal literacy.

The Joint Executive Officer opined that the TTD Central Library is one of the finest libraries in the country and some of the rare books, which are not available elsewhere, are there with it.

He said that to encourage book reading, it has been decided to present books instead of mementoes in any programme organised in TTD Educational Institutions.

On the occasion, director of TTD Central Library and Sri Venkateswara Employees Training Academy (SVETA) BS Reddy said that students should resist the temptations of films and television, and instead develop book reading as a hobby, which is not only a time well used but also has a good effect on health.

Books are source of knowledge and play a crucial role in shaping the personality of the student. They inculcate self-confidence and other positive habits in the children, he said.‘‘

We have taken up the task of creating interest in the school children towards book reading, for which a special bus is being operated by the Library to transport school student to the library in their free time, so that they can utilise the library services,’’ he explained while expressing satisfaction over the response for the programme.

TTD’s Dharma Prachara Parishad (DPP) secretary Chenchu Subbaiah spoke on the occasion. Over 600 school students took part in the programme and some of them shared their thoughts on libraries and book reading habit on the occasion.

source: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20051115021751&Topic=0&Title=Southern%20News%20-%20Andhra%20Pradesh&Page=A