The government is committed to the development and promotion of libraries.

In a program organized here today on the occasion of the 17th Library Day celebrated with the slogan 'Library for Continuous Education', Minister Bhattarai informed that the Ministry is in the process of formulating necessary laws and policies for the development of libraries.

Minister Bhattarai mentioned that the library was opened as a fundamental right after the creation of the constitution, saying that the library was opened based on the needs of the community. She said, 'The state should take responsibility for the protection, promotion and development of the reading culture of libraries.'

Stating that laws, policies and rules are necessary for the development of libraries, Minister Bhattarai informed that the Ministry of Education has prepared a preliminary draft to amend the book policy of 2064. Reminding that now the library is not only limited to books, he pointed out that it is necessary to develop an electronic library and create an environment for studying world-class books.

Minister Bhattarai says that it will be easier to manage the resources of the library after the legal and policy management. She urged the stakeholders to cooperate and coordinate with each other, saying that for this, all those working in the field of libraries need help, support and suggestions.

The Coordinator of the 17th Library Day Main Ceremony Committee, the Science and Technology Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Bishwababu Pudasaini, mentioned that the library is a source of knowledge and emphasized that the library should be developed in a timely manner.

'Once a person enters the library, a reader should be able to guide others, we need to develop such a model library", said Secretary Pudasaini. Pushparaj Subedi, President of Nepal Library Association, said that if the library is to be really developed, it is necessary to bring the Library Act. At the

ceremony, Meena Dallakoti was honored by being declared the best librarian. Similarly, Lifetime Achievement Award was given to library activist Meena Thapa Giri. "Moti Community Library" Falewas, which was established in the year 2016 in the mining village of Parbat, was declared the best among the community and private libraries across the country.

Baneshwar-based Ratna Library awarded 'Lakshmi Prasad Devkota Smriti' award. The amount of the honor is 50 thousand rupees in cash. Minister of Education Bhattarai distributed the honors and awards at the ceremony.