Gandhinagar, Gujarat: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on August 12 launched the ‘Gramin Gyan Setu’ app, an initiative aimed at connecting libraries across the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency and promoting reading among children in rural areas.
The initiative seeks to establish a library in every village, preferably at a central location near schools. So far, 752 libraries have been connected to the app, creating a digital network for sharing books and library resources.
63 Village Libraries Under Development
The initiative includes the establishment of small libraries across villages in the Gandhinagar, Kalol and Sanand assembly constituencies.
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Around 63 libraries are being opened, with each expected to have 5,000–6,000 books.
The collections will include books for children and young people, competitive examination material and books on Gujarat’s history, India’s history, the freedom struggle and the 1857 uprising.
Shah said he had personally prepared a list of books intended to encourage children to develop an interest in reading.
2.80 Lakh Books Linked Through Library Network
Four existing libraries, collectively holding around 2.80 lakh books, have been linked with the rural libraries through the initiative.
Vans funded through MPLAD funds will visit villages every fortnight to collect previously issued books and deliver books requested through the app to village libraries. This will allow readers in smaller village libraries to access a much larger collection.
Hub-and-Spoke Model for Rural Libraries
Shah said the initiative uses a hub-and-spoke model, with technology enabling village libraries to access resources from larger libraries. He also proposed connecting institutions and publishers with libraries in Gandhinagar and across Gujarat, including:
- Sastu Sahitya Mandal
- Gita Press
- Bhupen Hazarika Institute
- Thiruvalluvar Institute
Shah also highlighted the role of librarians in guiding children and young people in their studies and developing a sustained reading habit.
The initiative was launched on the birth anniversary of S.R. Ranganathan, observed as National Library Day in India.
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