Rabindranath's song 'Alo Amar, Alo Ogo, Alo Bhuban-Bhara. Alo Nayan-Dhowa am, Alo Hridyo-Hara.'' As soon as Rajshahi's oligali road, the readers used to rush from the library. This song was performed in the mobile library of Biswa Sahitya Kendra. However, as the project has come to an end, the car will no longer ply the city's intersections and readers will not approach the car.
Mobile Library of Biswa Sahitya Kendra
Biswa Sahitya Center has suspended this program two days ago. Now before going back to Dhaka, bookkeeping is going on. Authorities said the mobile library will resume once the project resumes. But, readers can't resist this uncertain pause. They claimed that fresh steps should have been taken before the expiry of the period so that the vehicle is not shut down even for a day.
Biswa Sahitya Kendra's mobile library project is run through government grants, while the salaries of workers and maintenance costs come from government sources. Biswa Sahitya Kendra provides them with cars and books. The project was initially launched for two years and later extended for another two years. Now it has been six years, but this time the extension process is not possible. Officials hope to start a project with a new name in the future.
The mobile library in Rajshahi city has 19,139 card-holding members, out of which 2,200 are regular members. Every day except Saturday, this vehicle has been stopping and distributing books at 44 points in the city for eight hours. At present the number of books in the library is 19,000.
The monthly membership fee for readers is only Tk 10, and for general members the refundable security deposit is Tk 100. General members can take home a maximum of 200 Taka worth of books. Special members deposit is Tk 200, and they can take books up to Tk 500. Advance members deposit 500 taka, through which they can take 700 taka books home and read them. Special advance members deposit 800 Tk, and they can take home books of any value. Deposits are refunded if membership is cancelled.
The red colored car is standing in front of the Terkhadia Stadium in Rajshahi Nagar this Friday afternoon, but no music is playing in it. Usually, music plays wherever the car stops. three people, including the in-charge, were making calculations. They said that the project is currently on hold and they are busy settling accounts. The car will be taken to Dhaka.
Shamim Al Mamun, director of Biswa Sahitya Kendra, said that the mobile library is being closed for the time being as the project has expired. It is illegal for a project to continue for six years. Discussions are underway with government advisers on whether the project will be re-launched under a new name or the old name. For this, the employees have been given four months salary in advance and the arrears have been cleared. No one will lose their job when the project starts, as long as they don't break any rules. At present the cars will be brought to Dhaka and repaired.
0 Comments