Sri Vijaya Puram, May 27: The State Library at Sri Vijaya Puram on Tuesday launched the first phase of the Summer Book Fest–2026, opening a five-day literary celebration aimed at encouraging reading habits, creativity and intellectual engagement among children and young learners across the islands.
The festival, being held from May 26 to May 30, was inaugurated at the State Library premises with a ceremonial lamp-lighting programme led by Smti Archana Singh, Principal and Nodal Officer of the State Library. The initiative seeks to create a vibrant platform where students and readers can interact with books, participate in creative activities and develop a stronger connection with literature and learning.
Officials said the Summer Book Fest has been designed to promote a culture of reading among youth while also making libraries more engaging and interactive spaces for students during the vacation period.
Addressing participants during the inaugural session, the Nodal Officer encouraged students to actively participate in the wide range of competitions and literary activities planned as part of the festival. She interacted with children attending the event and highlighted the importance of books in shaping imagination, knowledge and confidence among young minds.
The opening day witnessed enthusiastic participation from students who took part in several activities organised by the library authorities. Competitions and interactive sessions planned for the fest include storytelling, drawing competitions, book treasure hunts, book dumb charades, spell bee contests, memory shelf challenges, quizzes and rhyme competitions.
According to organisers, the activities have been curated not only to entertain children during the summer break but also to stimulate curiosity, improve communication skills and foster analytical thinking through creative engagement with books and language.
The storytelling and rhyme-based activities are intended to strengthen verbal expression and imagination among younger participants, while quiz contests and treasure hunts are expected to encourage teamwork, observation skills and general awareness. The drawing competitions and memory-based games have similarly been planned to blend creativity with learning in an engaging environment.
Library officials stated that the event also aims to revive interest in physical reading spaces at a time when digital entertainment increasingly dominates the attention of young audiences. By creating an interactive literary atmosphere, the festival seeks to position libraries as dynamic centres for learning, creativity and cultural exchange.
Parents accompanying children to the event welcomed the initiative, noting that such programmes offer constructive engagement for students during school holidays while also encouraging healthy reading habits. The event saw participation from students across different age groups, many of whom enthusiastically engaged in multiple competitions throughout the day.
The State Library has over the years organised several educational and literary programmes to expand public participation in reading and knowledge-sharing activities. Officials indicated that the Summer Book Fest is part of broader efforts to strengthen community engagement with libraries and educational institutions in the Union Territory.
The first phase of the festival will continue till May 30, with more activities scheduled over the coming days. Organisers expect participation to increase as additional students and readers join the ongoing events.
Authorities added that the initiative reflects the Administration’s emphasis on educational enrichment and holistic learning beyond classroom settings. Through interactive competitions and literary engagement, the festival aims to create a lasting appreciation for books, reading and lifelong learning among children and youth in the islands.
