Date:18/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/18/stories/2008111860160600.htm

Tamil Nadu

“Visiting libraries will give leadership attributes”

Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI: Frequenting libraries helps one in developing leadership attributes such as oration, Transport Minister K.N. Nehru said on Monday, presiding over the valedictory of the 41st National Library Week Celebrations organised by the District Central Library.

Starting of libraries in large numbers throughout the State will draw the attention of people towards reading habits. That would, in turn, reflect in growth of knowledge, thereby preventing the possibilities for law and order problems, he said.

The steps the State Government has taken to enrol those contributing Rs.1,000 as patrons of libraries; creation of Rs.1 crore as corpus for honouring writers; and enhancement of purchase order of books from 750 to 1,000 for libraries per year; and celebration of library week were meant to promote reading habit, Mr. Nehru said, and described the dedication with which the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi reads books.

Mr. Nehru also honoured students who won in competitions held in connection with the Library Week celebrations in the presence of Mayor Sarubala R. Tondaiman and MLAs K.N. Sekaran and Anbil Periyasamy.

Offering felicitations, Collector T. Soundiah said that under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam, all the 12,300 villages in the State will have libraries compulsorily in five years. Internet facilities that would be provided at the proposed Common Service Centres in villages will further develop reading habit, he added.

Welcoming the gathering, District Library Officer P. Velammal spoke of the activities undertaken during the National Library Week celebrations, the inauguration of which, she said, coincided with the Children’s Day celebration.