Manyam starts 97 community libraries

Visakhapatnam: Parvathipuram Manyam district on Friday established 97 community libraries under a unique first-in-the-state ABILASA – Accessible Books Initiative for Learning and Social Advancement programme.

ABILASA is aimed at making books available to youth, so that they can achieve good ranks in competitive examinations. Under the programme, 97 community libraries have been established at the village secretariat level in aspirational districts. About 12,804 books have already been supplied to these libraries at a cost of ₹90 lakh. 200 more libraries are going to be established for the benefit of youth, especially those in rural areas.

Collector Nishant Kumar said Parvathipuram Manyam district has secured a good delta rank under the Aspirational Districts’ Programme. Recognising this, Niti Aayog released ₹90 lakh for the ABILASA project.

The collector said there will be two sets of books available at each secretariat level in the libraries, using which unemployed youth can appear for civil services, banks and engineering entrance tests. The libraries would be supplied with glass door shelves.

“This project will provide unemployed poor youth 66 types of books at the libraries to appear for competitive examinations,” Nishant Kumar added.