Management of National Library

After the wreckage of National Library building in Hariharbhawan, Lalitpur, hundreds of thousands of invaluable books have been unceremoniously kept in sacks. Lokaantar made this fact public two days ago. Buildings and sheds of the library were already in dilapidated condition but after destructive earthquake in 2015 they have become unusable. National Human Rights Commission and Department of Civil Personnel Records abutting the Library also are in perilous condition. Termites have been damaging books by the day and library employees have been facing several problems.

Due to mismanagement of books these reference materials have become inaccessible to the public. The government has been spending its budget on the library each year. Thus, losses are being sustained at different levels. Now, this is a worrying condition. Ministry concerned should think about and act on available and potential alternatives. An option can be the removal of damaged infrastructure and construction of a new building in the same place. The library can function from the new building. Some wooden and other materials of historical importance can be used to make new building. After all, address remains the same. But there might not be enough space for other facilities like bus stop and garden given other offices are in the same building.  That is why it might be appropriate to find land in an area that is accessible for the public. Keeping National Library inside Singha Durbar premises can be a good option.

Since the state's central secretariat, different ministries, radio station, TV station and other offices are inside Singha Durbar, it would be easier for them to get necessary information and reference materials from the library if it were nearby. The same security details will suffice. Putalisadak-Kalikasthan corner of Singha Durbar can be allotted to build the library. A gate can be built for public to enter the library without compromising security arrangements. British Council Library is functioning near British Embassy, a sensitive location in matters of security. Delay in building library is not an option because termites will ultimately destroy all the books with further postponement. Since this is an issue of protecting national heritage, we expect the state to highly prioritise the matter.