Over time, the concept of libraries has evolved from being just a source of knowledge to something even more. They have become mediums and hubs for creating communities, socializing and digital services. Libraries now provide modern services as well as fulfilling their traditional role of being a vast repository of books and knowledge. Knowing the significance of libraries, many countries around the globe have already established accessible, effective libraries. Yet, in Nepal they are still perceived as unimportant and are often undervalued and underfunded.
According to a survey conducted by READ Nepal, there are 928 libraries, many of which are in the Bagmati Province. This shows a stark and telling contrast between he urban and rural areas of Nepal. Even if there are a lot more libraries int eh valley, they are left unutilized. The population of Nepal mostly consists of youth, many of which are still students, job seekers or candidates of national level exams. If libraries are used to their full potential, they can provide this portion of the population a safe, comfortable and well-equipped workspace. They can also help cut costs by providing the service of lending and borrowing books and study material for students. Libraries also create a path for forming communities, clubs and many social groups.
Not only do they act as a vast ocean of knowledge but they also provide means of entertainment for many. Nepal’s population also consists of a large percentage of elderly and children. Establishing a well-equipped library would benefit both these groups by supplying suitable reading material for these age groups. Libraries have also shown to boost local businesses through increased foot traffic and incidental spending. Thus, soft infrastructure like libraries is just as important as infrastructure and economic growth, which Nepal’s development strategies mostly focus on.
In conclusion, libraries in Nepal remain undervalued, utilized and underfunded despite all the benefits they provide. They still remain an overshadowed opportunity of social and economic growth. As countries around the globe develop and fund libraries with this realization, Nepal too must value these spaces and form development plans specifically catered towards these public spaces. Public libraries might just be the missing puzzle piece in Nepal’s rapidly evolving public, social and economic spaces.