Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 17 April 2023
Andaman and Nicobar Islands has a wide network of libraries across different Islands to serve the residents. A Zonal Library is also located at Campbell Bay in Great Nicobar.
Nicobar Times in September 2021, reported on how our network of libraries needs modernization so that it can keep pace with the changing world.
Mr. Sunil Gupta, an active Islander recently brought the attention of the authorities to the plight of the Zonal Library, Campbell Bay. The Zonal Library at Campbell Bay has remained shut for months, for unknown reasons.
Earlier, in 2021 and 2022, Nicobar Times had taken up the issue of Zonal Library with the Principal, Govt. Senior Secondary School multiple times. The issue was that the In-Charge of the library was not maintaining proper time and the library remained closed mostly during the morning hours and was only opened for a short time during the evening hours for the public. Periodicals and Journals were also not available in the library.
Nicobar Times had also suggested that the process of obtaining a membership be simplified so that more people can take advantage of the facility.
The library building is also in need of urgent maintenance but has been ignored by the authorities.
The usage of the Zonal Library was at its lowest before the library was shut for unknown reasons. The reason for the low use of the library was the lack of ventilation along with complete ignorance of the authorities and the irrational process of obtaining a membership.
Assets like libraries should never be closed down instead should be promoted rigorously for the advantage of society.
Responsible authorities should take immediate action and should ensure that the Zonal Library at Campbell Bay is immediately opened for public use.