The State Library, Sri Vijaya Puram, has unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at reviving the culture of reading among island residents, combining creativity, inclusivity, and community engagement. As part of its ongoing literacy promotion efforts, the library has launched an innovative programme titled ‘Read a Book, Get a Gift Free’ and is also preparing to host National Book Week 2025 from November 14 to 20.
The ‘Read a Book, Get a Gift Free’ initiative is designed to make reading an enjoyable and rewarding experience for both young readers and senior citizens. Under the programme, senior citizens visiting the library are greeted with complimentary tea, while children receive chocolates as tokens of appreciation for their enthusiasm for books. The idea, officials explained, is to create a warm and welcoming reading atmosphere that encourages visitors to explore new titles and develop a lifelong reading habit.
This effort to make reading more accessible and emotionally engaging reflects the library’s broader goal of transforming itself into a vibrant community space rather than a mere repository of books. By blending hospitality with literacy, the initiative seeks to bridge generational gaps and rekindle the shared joy of reading among people of all ages.
In addition to the reading incentive, the library has extended its operational hours by one hour in the evening to accommodate working readers and students. It will now remain open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering greater flexibility to patrons eager to spend more time among books. The extension is expected to attract more visitors during evening hours and encourage families to participate in library activities together.
Further reinforcing its literacy mission, the State Library will celebrate National Book Week 2025 beginning November 14, with the inaugural ceremony scheduled at 4 p.m. The week-long event will feature a series of programmes designed to promote reading and literary awareness, with a strong focus on engaging young minds.
A Book Exhibition will be one of the highlights of the observance, showcasing a diverse collection catering to varied interests and age groups. The exhibition will include biographies, novels, competitive exam guides, and children’s literature, offering a broad spectrum of reading material to appeal to students, professionals, and casual readers alike.
Throughout the week, students from government and private schools within the municipal area will participate in literary competitions, designed to encourage creative expression, critical thinking, and reading comprehension. The competitions will also serve as an interactive platform to connect students with literature beyond their textbooks.
Officials at the library expressed optimism that this dual initiative, the reward-based reading drive and the Book Week celebrations, will help cultivate stronger reading habits and promote intellectual curiosity among the local population.
By combining entertainment, education, and community spirit, the State Library’s reading campaign underscores a renewed commitment to cultural enrichment and learning. The approach highlights how small gestures, a cup of tea or a bar of chocolate, can help create big changes in public engagement with literature.
As Sri Vijaya Puram prepares to mark National Book Week 2025, the library stands poised to become not just a center for books but a hub for shared stories, ideas, and experiences, reaffirming the timeless role of libraries as cornerstones of enlightened, connected communities.
