library movement in the State

THURAIYUR: The library movement in the State received a big boost when a record number of 1,254 school students enrolled themselves as members of the Thuraiyur Branch Library in a single day under the ‘Namathu Ulagam Noolagam’ (Our World Library) Scheme recently.

A function in this regard was organised jointly by the Readers Circle of the Thuraiyur Branch Library and the Sowdambika Matriculation Higher Secondary School on the institution premises.

The ‘Our World Library’ Movement was launched in the State following the declaration of 2009-10 as ‘Library Rejuvenation Year.’ It was mainly aimed at improving the performance of public libraries across the State and enrolling more members. The students, all from Sowdambika Matriculation HSS, paid a membership fee of Rs.30 each.

K. Swaminathan, Chief Educational Officer, handed over membership cards to the students in the presence of A.P.Sivakumar, District Library Officer.

Mr. Swaminathan said that libraries played a vital role in shaping a bright future for the younger generation.

Students should cultivate the reading habit and set up library of their own in their homes by buying a book every month. Mr.Sivakumar said Sowdambika Matriculation HSS was the only school in the district to account for such a high library membership.

He sought the cooperation of the School Education Department for the successful implementation of the scheme in the district. “All the 116 libraries in the district — central library 1, branch libraries 60 and rural libraries 55 — are involved in enrolling as many school students as possible as members during the current year, Mr.Sivakumar added.

R.Pugazhendi, Assistant Elementary Education Officer; S.Premalatha, Director of the School; A.Ramasamy, Principal; G.Murali, president of the Rotary Club of Thuraiyur; P.Balasundaram, librarian, and others spoke.

S.Ramamoorthy, chairman of Sowdambika Matriculation HSS, presided over the meeting.

-From The Hindu news