Libraries vital for knowledge sharing - PM

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

A program to develop libraries will be implemented since libraries play a vital role in the society as knowledge sharing centres, Prime Minister D M Jayarathne said. Addressing the International Conference of Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA) Golden Jubilee ceremony, the Prime minister said SLLA can be proud of the service bestowed on the country.

The SLLA moves with the time and introduces new trends to libraries such as innovates with new technologies and keep abreast of ever changing ideas of library related information services. The government must ensure that libraries are sufficiently well-stocked, especially school and university libraries, not only with books, journals and other paper items but also with computers and electronic material. Adults too should associate libraries as a intimate friend who upgrade the knowledge.

It is a duty of government and all local government bodies to ensure the smooth functioning of the existing public libraries providing and facilitating them with useful books and services, the Prime Minister added.

With the influx of television, computers, Internet and different modes of entertainment, people, especially children have been moving away from reading.

This trend should be stemmed by equipping existing libraries with both electronic and paper material, the Prime Minister further said.

Addressing the gathering, International Federation of Library Association (IFLA) President Dr Ellen Tise said libraries and librarians have to become an icons of information, data, and knowledge. "They spread information and we IFLA make it easily accessible, thus contributing to both society and individual development," she added.