KARACHI, Dec 4: Ghalib Library, which has been in shambles for the last some years, will be made an attractive place for book-lovers, particularly youth, with the revival of its lost glory.

This was stated by the honorary general secretary of the Ghalib Library’s committee, Ra’ana Farooqi, while talking to Dawn on Tuesday.

She said that the committee had plans for its extension and upgradation. “We have already got assurance from some private charities promising to help materialise our plans so that the library can be made an attractive place for the youth who find little encouragement to revive their reading habit,” she added.

The caretakers had little funds to pay huge electricity bills of the library and the city government did away with its promise of reviving its past glory since the vacation of the place by Habib Bank which had been running its affairs since 1971.

“We have talked to Infaq Foundation and are approaching others to make the library an interesting place for majority of the youth who want to read books but find no place for it,” said Ms Farooqi.

She said the library, which was originally accommodated on the upper floor of the building, had been extended to the ground floor and the main gate had been opened for visitors now instead of the separate gate being used earlier for entrance.

According to her, the ambitious plans vis-à-vis extension of the library included establishment of an exclusive website hosting the antique volumes of thousands of precious books, journals and periodicals. Besides, the timing of the opening of the library is also under consideration to be extended from three hours to 10 hours at least. “We want the library be available to the readers round the clock but we’ll extend it by eight to 10 hours in the first place for readers and researchers,” she said.

Ghalib Library is run by Idara-i-Yadgar-i-Ghalib, which possesses more than 35,000 books and over 50,000 literary journals. It was founded by Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mirza Zafarul Hasan during the centenary celebrations of great poet Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib.

She said the Idara-i-Yadgar-i-Ghalib had also published many books and would continue playing its role in literary services with the same spirit in future as well.

Fatima Surraiya Bajya, honorary president of the Ghalib Library committee, said she saw no chance of Ghalib Library’s closure as had been speculated from time to time.

“We are all dedicated to the cause of the survival of this wonderful place and making all-out efforts to get the library improved,” she said.

Sources said the city government had again been moved by the caretakers for monetary and technical assistance for the improvement projects of the library.