INTRODUCTION
Importance of a comfortable space to study and learn holds true for any kind of student and especially for those who are preparing for the civil services exams. Not being able to access such a space is very distracting and many had faced this problem during the Covid-19 Lockdown of 2020-21. It is quite heartbreaking to see that even though Kashmir is progressing in varied ways, it has still not been able to focus on something as important as a library. A library is where a civilisation finds its best ideas, ethics and perspective. So why not highlight the importance of a library! And if public libraries are established all over the State, the youth and elderly will reap the benefits of knowledge and enlightenment which comes with it.
CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS EVOLUTION
There is no exaggeration in saying that a civilisation’s advancement is facilitated by libraries. Access to information is necessary to create a society that is well-informed, that can tell right from wrong and it fuels the growth of a society. It is true that a library plays the role of a catalyst in a society’s social, political, economic and cultural endeavors. In developed societies, the library takes on the responsibility of providing such essential services and they are mostly free of cost.
TAKING A CUE FROM OTHER STATES
Understanding the crucial role of libraries, a mindful step was taken by the J & K government in 2020 as they sanctioned two smart libraries for the city of Srinagar. Although, these two libraries are playing a major role in civilisational advancement of valley, this isn’t enough and a need is felt for similar libraries for all the tehsils in the UT, to help students and civil services aspirants. In order to serve this purpose, these libraries need to be stocked with contemporary bestsellers, research papers, cutting edge technology picture printers and well-read as well as well-informed librarians.
These days, public libraries are a big concept and more and more people are showing interest in them. Many students who are preparing for civil services or even service selection board examinations leave Kashmir and set themselves up in Jammu or Delhi to prepare for examinations, as they find the atmosphere in these cities, more supportive, as they get an easy access to 24 X 7 hour functional libraries with state of the art modern facilities.
The Jammu & Kashmir UT administration, should make an endeavor to provide such aspirants with fully functional and smart libraries, in their hometowns. Phenomenal empowerment could be brought to the Kashmiri youth, if easy-to- access 24 X 7 hour functional public libraries are provided. No wonder that American author Laura Bush says, “I have found that the most valuable thing in my wallet is my library card.”
CONCLUSION
Only way forward to bolster the education environment in the valley is to provide the youth/ students of valley with atmosphere which is conducive for studying. Smart Libraries are one huge step towards this direction. On model basis, libraries with 24 x 7 access, wifi enabled, with books and research papers for competitive exams need to be established at selected places and the existing Universities and colleges can be tapped for building up such assets.
These days, public libraries are a big concept and more and more people are showing interest in them. Such libraries can aid Education Sector of Kashmir by bringing students together on one platform where they can exchange useful opinions on social, economic, educational, environmental, ethical and technological concerns and connect with one another.
