October 27, 2003	Monday	Sha’aban 30, 1424

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KASUR, Oct 26: Bulleh Shah library, the only reading place for the public in the district, is fast becoming a picture of neglect due to indifference of the authorities responsible for its upkeep.

Established in 1867, it came to known as the Kasur municipal library. It acquired a treasure of 50 books for the first time on Dec 29, 1930. The membership fee at that time was Rs10.

Now the library’s membership fee has been increased to Rs63 and security charges Rs300.

Once promising to provide valuable services to the people of Kasur, the Bulleh Shah library gradually became a victim of official apathy. It is going towards decay.

During a survey, it is learnt that the TMA has not purchased any new book since 2001. It also lacks national or foreign magazines, not to speak of audio-visual aids that have become part and parcel of modern education.

As half of the library is used for meetings of tehsil councils and other ceremonies, the readers have to face a great deal of difficulty in coming and spending some time here.

When contacted, the librarian told this correspondent that the budget allocated for the library was insufficient to meet the requirements. The library had only 13,046 books — 9,593 in Urdu and 3,453 in English, he said.

He also suggested that the library building should be extended to accommodate more people. Introduction of refresher courses for the staff was the need of the hour, he added.