Shrinking public spaces; re-imagining libraries

India's public libraries—often neglected in funding, staffing, and infrastructure—are losing relevance as civic spaces. Hyderabad’s historic State Central Library, housing half?a?million books and rare manuscripts, suffers from poor maintenance despite a planned ?7 crore facelift and digitization efforts. Community?led initiatives like Food4Thought have established hundreds of small libraries in schools, parks, and prisons, reviving readers’ engagement. Elsewhere in India, libraries are transforming into interactive hubs—featuring workshops, storytelling sessions, and art classes—to attract younger audiences. The article highlights how blending heritage preservation with modern programming and digital access can revitalize libraries as inclusive public spheres.

Continue reading: https://www.siasat.com/shrinking-public-spaces-re-imagining-libraries-3237521/