Colorful rallies, discussions, and a shared nostalgia for printed books marked the celebration of National Library Day on Thursday at the Rajshahi Divisional Government Public Library, as speakers and participants reflected on the fading bond between people and reading.
Observed under the theme “Knowledge Brings Liberation, the Foundation of the Future,” the day’s programmes were inaugurated by Additional Deputy Commissioner Tuktuk Talukdar, who released balloons and festoons at the library premises, symbolizing hope for a renewed reading culture.
Soon after, a vibrant rally set off from the library, winding through the city’s major roads before returning to the venue, drawing attention from passersby and reminding residents of the enduring value of books.
At a discussion meeting held later in the library auditorium, speakers voiced concern over the declining number of library readers in an age dominated by digital screens.
“There was a time when libraries were full of people,” said Tuktuk Talukdar, speaking as the chief guest. “Today, many libraries are becoming quiet and empty because people no longer come to read.”
She acknowledged that the younger generation continues to seek knowledge through PDFs, audiobooks, and online platforms but said something deeply human is being lost in the process.
“Digital reading gives information, but it cannot replace the smell of books, the feel of turning pages, or the emotional connection that touches the heart,” she said.
Linking the decline in reading habits to broader social changes, she added that humanity and moral values are slowly fading, partly because people are distancing themselves from books.
“We need to restore our relationship with books,” she said, urging people to revive the practice of gifting books to friends and loved ones on special occasions. “If books return to our daily lives, our knowledge will grow, and we will become more compassionate as human beings.”
The programme was presided over by Md Rokonuzzaman, Senior Librarian of the Rajshahi Government Public Library, while Mahbubul Alam, Librarian of RUET, and Zillur Rahman, Librarian of Rajshahi Medical College, attended as special guests.
The celebration concluded on a cheerful note with the distribution of prizes and certificates among winners of various competitions, many of them young participants—offering a quiet hope that libraries may once again echo with readers in the years to come.
