COdisha CM laid the foundation stone for the transformation of Harekrushna Mahatab State Library

Bhubaneswar:19/2/24 Naveen Patnaik has laid the foundation stone for transformation of Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab State Library in Bhubaneswar. The transformation work will be carried out jointly by Odia Language Literature & Culture Department, the Government of Odisha, and Odisha Mining Corporation. A library honouring the legacy of Santhakabi Bhimabhoi was also inaugurated within the Integrated Public Service Center in Bapuji Nagar.

As part of the transformation plan, various facilities will be available within Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab State Library. Aahar Kendra & Mission Shakti Cafes will offer a diverse range of delicious meals & snacks to visitors at the library. The upgraded facilities include specially-abled accessible toilets, multilingual sections, engaging children’s reading areas, tranquil study spaces, window seating space, & a state-of-the-art conference facility, comfortable lounge areas, quiet reading rooms, reading pods, and book stacks halls.

The transformed library will feature seating arrangements for up to 500 individuals. The implementation of a digitisation and automation drive will enable access to the library’s existing collection of books online, ensuring that readers can conveniently explore literary treasures on the go.

The inauguration of the Santhakabi Bhimabhoi Library at the Integrated Public Service Center at Bapuji Nagar signifies a pivotal step towards democratising access to literary resources. The library is equipped with amenities such as Aahar Kendra, Wi-Fi connectivity, surveillance systems, & comfortable reading rooms. This new addition not only enriches the cultural landscape of the city but also provides a vital hub for knowledge dissemination & community engagement.

Established in 1967 as the cornerstone of literary enlightenment, the State Library embarked on a journey to nurture knowledge and inspire generations. On August 15, 1987, it was re-named as Harekrushna Mahatab State Library. Since then, the library has been serving as a vital knowledge center for students, the public, and every segment of society over the years. The library has played an instrumental role in facilitating academic endeavors and catering to a diverse audience spanning students to researchers.

As part of the transformation plan, various facilities will be available within the library. Aahar Kendra and Mission Shakti Cafes will offer a diverse range of delicious meals and snacks to the visitors to the library. The upgraded facilities include specially-abled accessible toilets, multilingual sections, engaging children’s reading areas, tranquil study spaces, window seating space, a state-of-the-art conference facility, comfortable lounge areas, quiet reading rooms, reading pods, and book stacks halls. Moreover, the integration of essential amenities such as water dispensers, emergency services, and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity underscores a commitment to cultivating an environment conducive to visitors

In addition to the facilities above, the transformed library will feature seating arrangements accommodating up to 500 individuals simultaneously and Wi-Fi facility for the readers. Furthermore, the implementation of digitization and automation drive will enable access to the library’s existing collection of books online, ensuring that readers can conveniently explore literary treasures on the go.

With the introduction of climate-controlled chambers and premium drinking water facilities, the refurbished library is poised to emerge as a beacon of intellectual enlightenment, fostering a culture of learning and innovation for generations to come.

Simultaneously, the inauguration of the Santhakabi Bhima Bhoi Library at the IPSC at Bapujinagar signifies a pivotal step towards democratizing access to literary resources.

The inauguration of these libraries underscores Odisha’s unwavering commitment to taking up a public library movement across the state and with the Odia diaspora.

Among others, Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, MLAs Ananta Narayan Jena and Susanta Rout, and Odia Language Literature and Culture Department Secretary Sujata Rout Kartikeyan were present on the occasion.