OSA organized Panel Discussion on Odisha Public Library Vision 2024

July 18, 2023July 18, 2023 Kalingachronicle

( 5T Spirit For Accelerating the Modern Public Library Infrastructure Development In Odisha )

Chicago, USA(Nishikanta)

The Odisha Society of the Americas(OSA)’s 54th annual convention has been concluded in Chicago, USA with many socio-cultural activities, and seminars. A panel discussion on “Odisha Public Library Vision 2024: 5T Spirit For Accelerating the Modern Public Library Infrastructure Development In Odisha” was organized during this convention at local time 7:30AM. Shri Ashwini Patra, Honorable Minister of Culture, Shri Pradeep Amat, Honorable Minister Panchayat Raj(PR)/IPR department, and Shri Dilip Routrai, Director of Culture/Odisha Parivar were the key panelists from Govt of Odisha. Shri Tushar Kanti Behera, Honorable IT Minister, Shri Manas Panda, Special Secretary to Govt of Odisha and Managing Director of Odisha Computer Application Center(OCAC), and Shri Sushil K Lohani, Principal Secretary PR department, could not join due to some emergency duties.

The Panchayat Raj Minister Sri Amat announced that Sarpanchs do have the funds to establish the public libraries in every Grama Panchayat of Odisha. He shared the steps being taken by his administration to have the establishment of public libraries in every GP of Boudha district. Minister Culture Sri Patra shared the role of public libraries for development of Odisha.

The Director Culture Sri Routrai announced that a single library directorate will be established soon to bring all public libraries under a single umbrella
and work has already started and cabinet approval is pending. He said a directive has been given to make the remaining 13 district libraries operational and library building will be rented for use where library building does not exist. He announced that the OSA supported rural model public libraries in Kulida GP, Basta block, Balasore and Baghada GP, Suliapada Block, Mayurbhanja will be operational soon with skilled staffing support from the culture department. He also mentioned the support of CM Sri Naveen Pattnaik for OSA’s public library Initiative and enforcement of CM’s 5T vision.

Key Developments

Funds available with Sarapanchs to open rural public libraries: Panchayat Raj Minister
Steps taken to bring all public libraries under Public Library Directorate: Director Culture
Remaining 13 district libraries will be operational soon: Director Culture
OSA supported rural libraries in Balasore/Mayurbhanj operational soon: Director Culture

The webinar was moderated by Dr. Ajaya K Mohanty, co-chair OPLI and Sri Prasant Bhunya, OPLI board member. The president of OSA Sri Gyana Ranjan Pattnaik welcomed the guests.A video was played on the acute need of modern public libraries in various parts of Odisha, challenges in internet infrastructure and the potential impact with establishment of modern public libraries in Odisha. Many students/youth from Bhadrakh, Jajpur, Sonepur, Cuttack, Malkangiri and many districts have participated in the interview. It may be noted that recently the Berhampur administration decided to increase the e-library capacity and services after the UPSC(IAS) rank holder Sri Durgaprasad Adhikary publicly credited the Berhampur e-library for his success.

OSA Public Library Initiative(OPLI) chair Sri Nishikanta Sahoo briefed about Odisha Public Library Vision 2024 and appealed to the panelists for fast track implementation of public library laws/PR dept. circulars on GP libraries with the spirit of CM’s 5T(Technology, Transparent, Timebound, Teamwork, Transformation) vision. He discussed how platforms like modern public libraries are more universal, more democratic, more impactful, will serve a broader population in the state, and reduce the capital & operational expenditure. A library card and e-mail for every household can bring transformational changes in Odisha as the people at grassroot will be empowered with information at finger tip. The role of a knowledge based society and Internet Enabled Economy are vital for the holistic development of Odisha. He shared how economic growth can happen with the establishment of a modern public library system. It may be noted that many developed states in India like Karnatak, Kerala, Tamilnadu etc have excellent digital public library infrastructure. In Jamtara district of Jhadkhand, infamous for backwardness and crime, the DM Sri Faiz established 100 libraries in 150 days using pre-existing buildings. In 2022, Govt of India directed all state heads to follow the Karnataka public library model. He also appealed to follow International standard public libraries as a reference model to make the state public library truly World Class. Sri Sandip Dasverma said to leverage Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendras in every GP while establishing the libraries.

Sri Lalatendu Mohanty, OPLI board member in his closing remarks appealed to fund the public libraries and bring more public awareness on the impact of public libraries.
Mrs Leena Mishra, president elect OSA thanked all the panelists and participants. OPLI Board members Sri Sandip Dasverma, Mrs Kuku Das, Mrs Nalini Pattnaik, Lead Odisha Library Network(OLN) members Sri Pranab Pani, Mrs Vedarata Dash, Sri Sujit Mohapatra, Sri Pradeepta Chinera, Sri Niranjan Mohapatra, Sri Sunil Mishra and many supporters across the globe were present.

The webinar was planned to discuss the following 12 point agenda and OSA sent a memorandum on this to CM Sri Pattnaik in the month of May.

Fast Track implementation of Odisha Public Library Act-2001
Fast Track implementation of 2018 Circular On GP Library-cum-edutainment Centers For Every GP
CM’s 5T Vision & Public Library Development in Odisha
Budget Allocation/Utilization
Libraries Under Single Umbrella/Directorate
International/National Expertise in Library Development
OSA Public Library Model
Library Automation, CM’s Dashboard for monitoring the performance of public libraries
Local Civil Society Members in Library Management
Skilled Professionals In Libraries
Libraries Meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)
Mo-Library Program

The OPLI was started with the vision to develop a well-integrated modern public library system in Odisha/India to empower individuals, build a stronger community and improve the educational,cultural & socio-economic system. The OPLI has been advocating for establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabled
Public Libraries that will function as Resource Center for Information, Knowledge, Skill Development and Community Welfare. The OSA Public Library Model is designed to provide the following services