Kathmandu, August 5:

After myriad announcements in several budget speeches, one public library has sprung up in Kathmandu Valley. The Society for Kathmandu Valley Public Library (SKVPL) established on

September 25, 2003, has opened for the public since July 9, 2005. Located at Bhrikuti

Mandap, the library has a collection of around 10,000 books. All these books have been collected through donation. “The library is the foundation of economical, political and social development. It has been established with the joint effort of intellectuals, bureaucrats, former ambassadors and professors,” said Dr Narayan Khadka, SKVPL chairman. “So far the library has not purchased a book. We received them as donation from individuals and organisations,”

said Juju Bhai Dangol, library manager at SKVPL.

British School and Lincoln School have provided childrens’ books to the library. The Centre for Economic Development and Administration, the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, the Department of Archeology, ICIMOD, and the Tribhuvan University Central Library have supplied research papers and reports, said Dangol. “Himalaya SJB Rana, Dr Safalya Amatya, Yubraj Acharya and RD Pravash Chataut are other significant contributors. Likewise former ministers and senior politicians, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, Sahana Pradhan, Bhakta Bahadur Balyar are among those who donated books to the library,” he added. “Though people’s reading habit is increasing, it is an uphill process. For firsthand knowledge, it is necessary we visit the library regularly. I believe that the SKVPL can help provide a platform for enthusiasts,”

said Sahana Pradhan, UML standing committee member. “College libraries are inadequate. We now have access to a wide range of books which would be of help to provide us reference

for our studies,” said Sunita Thapa, a student at Shanker Dev Campus. The government has announced a budget of Rs 2 million for the development of public library in the Valley. The SKVPL has been set up with two objectives — promoting reading habits and supporting the public for continuing education.