Once readers’ top choice, Phagwara library faces neglect
Despite the efforts of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who inaugurated 14 ultra-modern rural public libraries in August last year to encourage reading among the youth, the Phagwara Municipal Corporation library is in a state of neglect.
Once a popular hub for residents, the library now stands abandoned, with no explanation for its deteriorating condition. A new building for municipal purposes was constructed near the fire brigade, but the library’s doors have remained locked for years, cutting off the community from its once-abundant collection of books and periodicals.
Years ago, the library was a vibrant centre of learning, particularly for youth and economically disadvantaged individuals who relied on its resources for their education. Senior citizens also visited regularly to stay informed on current events. However, following the formation of the Municipal Corporation, the library’s space was repurposed for cabins for civic body employees, leaving it neglected and forgotten.
Employees within the municipal corporation, who requested anonymity, have revealed that the library’s decline stems from the cessation of funding for newspapers and magazines. “The MC simply stopped funding the library,” one employee disclosed. This lack of financial support has led to the library’s gradual downfall, leaving it as a symbol of lost community resources, with its future hanging in the balance.
Navneet Bal, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Phagwara and Municipal Corporation Commissioner, commented, “I have recently taken on the additional charge of MC Commissioner, and I am not aware of the problem. However, I will certainly work to revive the prestigious municipal library and transform it into a high-tech, modern space to serve residents, including senior citizens and students.” She also emphasised the need to provide the younger generation with opportunities to develop reading habits.
