ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration is planning to set up two mobile libraries to revive the culture of book reading.

The initiative aims to provide citizens, especially youngsters, with all types of literary content at their doorsteps.

These views were expressed by director general of the administration Syeda Shafaq Hashmi, while speaking about the Islamabad Reads Campaign launched by the chief commissioner’s office.

The habit of reading a book has been replaced by consumption of content digitally, she said, adding that the administration’s department of libraries was in the process of rehabilitating all public libraries, located in various sectors including G-7, G-8, G-11, F-11, I-8 and I-10.

Data from these libraries has been digitally catalogued to help the public check availability of books in various libraries on subjects of their interest.

She said the department was collaborating with community members in various sectors to establish small libraries across the city, starting from next week.

She also announced the Islamabad Reads - Creative Talent Contest 2021 that will feature writing (article, essay and poetry), sketching and painting competitions wherein people of all age groups can participate.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2021