Libraries stand as one of the indicators of democratic development, says N. Ram

“Today, the library is not just a repository of books; it is a digital access point, a media literacy centre, a community learning hub, a local knowledge archive, and it is an instrument, a force to combat a big disease we have today – misinformation and disinformation,” said N. Ram, Director, The Hindu Group, at the inaugural ceremony of the fourth edition of the Indian Library Congress (ILC) held at the Anna Centenary Library on Monday.

CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan and general convener of the event, said delegates participating in the sessions would discuss the expansion of libraries and ways to conduct outreach in rural areas across the country. “The number of libraries in India is not sufficient, and the investment in the promotion of libraries is very low. Together, we should take the initiative to increase investment in library sector and build a people’s campaign for the promotion of libraries, because library is the place for everyone,” he said.

Mr. Ram, who is also the chairperson of the event, added that while knowledge was abundant today, access to it remained deeply unequal. “For example, Kannur alone has more registered public libraries than Uttar Pradesh and Bihar – so profoundly unequal among States and different sections of society. Therefore, public libraries stand as one of the indicators of democratic development in this country,” he said.

He also touched upon the origins of the public library movement in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the core democratic functions of a public library, including the significance of the Connemara Public library. He read the Preamble to the Constitution as a mark of the official inauguration of ILC 2026. DMK MP R. Girirajan said reading should be encouraged through books rather than social media, which the younger generation must recognise.

He said that with artificial intelligence, one may not even know what is true or false, and that reading is essential to combat this. Former MP L. Hanumanthaiah said that the main intention should be to ensure libraries are open to everyone, in every village, so that all citizens of the country have access to literacy and library resources.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary V. Irai Anbu; S. Kamatchi, Chief Librarian & Information Officer (FAC), Anna Centenary Library; playback singer Pushpavathy Poypadathu; and other dignitaries — T. K. Govindan Master, Mridula Koshy, Sashi Kumar, Praveen VC, Prabhjot Kaur, P. K. Vijayan, Vijayakumar V. and Manu M.R., participated.