THE Karachi Book Fair held recently was organised with remarkable success. Various library associations actively participated, while a large number of students and book lovers attended the festival with great enthusiasm. Such events undoubtedly reflect the continued love for books, reading and literary culture within our society.

However, amidst these encouraging developments, one important aspect deserves thoughtful attention. While literary festivals are regularly organised in Karachi and many other cities, library professionals are rarely invited to participate as an integral part of these gatherings.

This omission is surprising, considering that books, literature, readers and libraries share an inseparable relationship. The library is, after all, the true meeting place of knowledge and literature — a space where intellectual discussions flourish and where people continue to learn from diverse fields of knowledge.

Despite the passage of many years, libraries and librarians have seldom been given meaningful representation in literary festivals. The distinguished scholars, writers and respected personal-ities who illuminate these events surely recognise the invaluable services rendered by libraries and librarians in promoting learning and preserving literary culture. The reality on the ground is that there is a need to bridge the gap between libraries and literary festivals and give librarians their due.

Organisers of literary festivals need to include libraries and librarians as active participants in these prestigious events. Such an inclusion would also strengthen the vital connection linking literature with readers and institutions of learning, and would ensure that this bond continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.

Muhammad Ibrahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2026