Sufia Kamal Public Library – popularly known as public library – is up for a complete renovation to give one of Dhaka’s treasured landmarks a modern look.
The preparations are almost finished. Books are packed, the furniture has been stacked, and the computers along with other digital devices are stuffed into “fragile” boxes to shift them to their new home for the next three years at the Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB).
Officials and staff of the 67-year-old library are now busy with the last-minute relocation arrangements. Many are full of memories, tinged with sadness, as they prepare to leave their decade-long workplace.
But above everything, the oldest and most familiar cultural hub of the capital, that was a silent witness to the country’s major struggles, is spreading the winds of melancholy marking the end of an era.
Courtesy: Dcon Design StudioThe demolition of the current library is scheduled to start in the first week of April.
The Tk524 crore project will be handled by the Public Works Department of the government and the duration of this project is estimated to be June 2024.
The renovated library complex
The foundation of the Sufia Kamal Public Library was laid in 1954 at the current space of Dhaka University Central Library. It was shifted to the present location at Shahbagh in 1978.
The building was designed by architect Muzharul Islam. However, after the completion of the sapphire jubilee, a new design of the public library was made open for competition, hosted by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
The Sufia Kamal Public Library Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneIn 2017, a design submitted jointly by Cubeinside Design Ltd and Dcon Design Studio won the bid out of 65 submissions.
In the original plan, the library and national museum were supposed to go under renovation together. However, due to some bureaucratic complications, only the national library will start the process now.
The new design will divide the library complex into two separate nine-storied buildings, one towards the south, where the present library building is situated, and a glass plaza towards the north, adjacent to the museum complex, which will be used as the digital library.
Courtesy: Dcon Design StudioThe 200-feet long centre space between the buildings will be an open space for the public with a giant water fountain.
Beneath the ground, three auditoriums, including the Shawkat Osman auditorium, will be constructed to arrange public events.
The archetypal pyramid shaped stairs in front of the national library will be replaced by long parallel stairs.
The main complex will also accommodate a ten-storied residential building for library staff.
The Sufia Kamal Public Library Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneAbu Anas Faisal, architect of Dcon Design Studio and team lead of the design project, said: “The public library is an iconic structure surrounded by some of the nation’s most important institutions. Since the independence of our nation, this place has welcomed all types of people and we want to keep it this way.
“The main goal of the proposed design is to create a place that has both a strong sense of community and a comfortable image for all,” he added.
Digitization of books
The temporary library at the IEB will be able to showcase only 50% of the 176,000 books of the library.
That is why the library authority is working to make the collections online for a while now.
However, the major share of the books of the library will fall under copyright laws. Therefore, only 5,000 books will be made available for all now.
“A book is free from copyright after sixty years of its publication. We have already digitized around 18,000 books. But we might not be able to make them all available for the public. In future, we might contact the publishers and writers to make the copyright of their books free for public reading,” said Abubakar Siddique, director-general of the Department of Public Libraries.
Courtesy: Dcon Design StudioAdditionally, a catalogue of the books of the national library will also be available online so that readers from any corner of the world can look for books from the vast collection. Right now, the library has 950 registered members.
Seeking anonymity, an official of the library said the reason behind the low number of permanent readers is that 90% of the readers come here to take preparations for job-related exams. Among the rest, a big portion comes for research purposes and a group also comes in for the newspaper archive section.
“The public library hasn’t failed readers; we offer the most enriched collection and soothing environment for readers. However, the invasion of modern technology and materialistic ambition has shifted people from books,” said the DG.