Upholding the dignity of large and small libraries

The long queues of book lovers in front of the two large libraries on the greater Dhaka University campus have long been common spectacles in the capital. The reading venues are the Central Public Library and the Dhaka University Central Library. The scenarios have been integral to both the libraries for decades. At the moment, the view is confined to the Dhaka University Central Library. An extraordinary aspect of the two libraries is few of the genuine book lovers comprise the queues. The only reason they want to enter the libraries is grabbing the 'useful' books, which they can go through in helping them prepare for the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) written test. Many passing by the venues get startled, seeing so many readers struggling to enter the libraries and get hold of a convenient place inside. It doesn't take long for onlookers to realise that these male and female youths are not passionate and genuine readers. They visit the libraries only to gain materially, i.e. crossing the hurdle of the BCS examination.

Nobody has the idea of the percentage of true readers among these youthful and seemingly earnest readers. But one aspect of them is clear; they are prepared to undergo the test of any form of patience for entering the libraries. There were also numbers of academically brilliant youths willing to sit for the central superior service exams in the 1950s and the 1960s, in both the eastern and western wings of the erstwhile Pakistan. Another competitive exam, called East Pakistan Civil Service, also accompanied the competitive exams. In the independent sovereign Bangladesh, the only superior service that emerged as the lone competitive examination has been the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS), introduced in the very early part of the 1970s.

Thanks to the discriminatory attitude of the 'central government' towards the Bengalee candidates appearing in the superior service exams, leading to their poor performance repeatedly, discouraged qualified Bengalee youths from appearing in this exclusive exam. As a consequence, the CSS exams could not make any noticeable stir in the erstwhile East Pakistan, later Bangladesh. Thanks to this adverse atmosphere, no competitive exams could create any exciting atmosphere in East Pakistan like that encountered today. To speak briefly, there were least distractions in the atmosphere of the general libraries in Dhaka and the other cities the 1960s and the 70s. Apart from the young and adolescent readers, mostly students, lots of middle-aged office-goers were also regular visitors to the Central Public Library, established in 1958. It was then located on the eastern side of the University of Dhaka, before being shifted to the Shahbagh area in 1983 - under the new name of Sufia Kamal National Public Library.

Rabindranath Tagore compared libraries to the roars of a sea under the veil of silence. The reader talks to hundreds of minds, which makes the inside of the library filled with verbal exchanges between an author and his readers. Outwardly a kind of pure silence reigns over a library. This is a universal prerequisite. Lots of new-generation readers in the country appear to be not aware of the norm. All public and private libraries follow their own ways of operation. Bangladesh is no exception. Whatever may be the difference between their styles, a common feature distinguishes them. All libraries are required to maintain an atmosphere conducive to reading. It begins with the maintenance of silence, so that the other readers in the library do not feel annoyed and disturbed.

Although Dhaka now has over a dozen large and smaller libraries, many of them do not abide by the basic prerequisite that the readers keep silent. Inside the average libraries associated with institutions, the genuine readers find the atmosphere resembling that of canteens or clubs. Talking over mobiles, many at a time, is a normal feature. In spite of the small wooden plaques on the reading tables, urging the library users not to talk aloud, a few appear to be arrogant. They continue to remain engaged in their distracting conversations. In spite of the prevalence of an anarchic situation everywhere in society, few could ever think that these vices will not creep into the libraries. In order to have an idea of the peaceful atmosphere that used to prevail inside libraries in the past, one may recollect the view of the then Dhaka Public Library. That was one filled with unalloyed quiet. The librarian-in-charge would be seen ringing his small bell on table if any reader was found talking aloud. The noise would stop instantly. A similar scenario would also be found in the other major libraries in the city. In fact, in the earlier times the amateur but passionate readers were fully respectful of the library norms. A feeling of mutual respect would overwhelm the general readers, as they entered a library. Many young readers keep talking in libraries these days despite warnings from the library staff. The problem lies with the readers' varied attitudes towards books, and the place where they are reading them.

If a section of readers visit libraries only to enjoy the immediate fruits from books, society cannot expect the right behaviour from them while inside a library. As days wear on, educated people detach themselves from books. It results in the denigration of libraries among the enlightened circles. But it is also true that in accordance with a prime place books enjoy among the 21st century youths, the passion for reading shows few signs of abating. Besides the well-known libraries on the greater Dhaka University campus, the reformed old ones like the Brahmo Samaj Library in old Dhaka may be interpreted as auspicious news. The Brahmo Samaj Library emerged as a vibrant centre of intellectual exercise in the region of Bengal in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Founded in 1871, the library played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural development of Dhaka's educated people.

The 137-year-old library, attached to the Northbrook Hall, the then Dhaka town hall, eventually gained prominence also as a centre of intellectual exercise. Thanks to the neighbourhood people's fading interest in books, the once vibrant library fell on hard times eventually to enter the phase of an irreversible decay. Thanks to the launch of a renovation drive, the Northbrook Hall Library has for some time been trying to get a facelift. Although many books of the Northbrook Hall Library have been looted during the 1971 Pakistani occupation period, attempts are being made to replenish the empty shelves. Compared to Dhaka's historical libraries like those mentioned, Grontho Bitan in the city's Lalbagh area still remains vibrant. Although unknown to many in Dhaka, those who are the members of the nearly 70-year library feel proud of their being involved with the rich book centre on payment of membership fees. These people are genuine book lovers. Amid these traditional libraries in Dhaka, the British Council Library stands out with brilliance thanks to the facilities it offers for digital reading.

shihabskr@ymail.com