Bhubaneswar: As Bhubaneswar strengthens its reputation as a major education hub, attracting students from across Odisha and other states for higher education, the city’s public library infrastructure is struggling to keep pace with the rising demand. Students preparing for competitive examinations and higher studies are facing an acute shortage of reading spaces, updated books and modern facilities in government-run libraries.Students residing in the city largely depend on four major public libraries: Harekrushna Mahatab State Library, Santhakabi Bhima Bhoi Library, Information and Public Relations Department Library at Jayadev Bhawan, and the library at the Integrated Public Services Centre in Sahid Nagar. However, students say these libraries lack sufficient seating capacity, quality books and essential facilities.Long queues of students are reportedly seen outside libraries before 8 am every day as they compete for limited seats.The library at Jayadev Bhawan, established in 1976, has only 200 seats, which are divided between male and female students. As a result, many students are forced to sit on the floor, outside the building or even in the nearby Indira Gandhi Park to continue their studies.The facility’s e-library has also become defunct after computers stopped functioning due to poor maintenance. The computer section has now been converted into additional seating to accommodate the growing number of students. Students also complain that the library offers only newspapers and magazines, with very few books available.The Harekrushna Mahatab State Library witnesses a large daily footfall of students and aspirants preparing for various competitive examinations. Despite this, it can accommodate only around 600 readers at a time. Students have also expressed dissatisfaction with the available collection, saying the focus should be on providing updated and relevant books rather than merely increasing the number of titles.The Santhakabi Bhim Bhoi Library at Bapuji Nagar has a seating capacity of 220 and houses around 5,592 books. Meanwhile, the library at the Integrated Public Services Centre in Sahid Nagar has space for only 30 readers. All seats are usually occupied before 9 am, forcing many students to return without getting access. Students also point out that even basic books required for government job examinations are unavailable there.Another challenge is accessibility. Since most government libraries are located in the city’s central areas, students staying in private hostels in localities such as Patia, Khandagiri, Lewis Road, VSS Nagar and Dumduma have to travel long distances to reach them. Many say the cost and time involved make regular visits difficult.Responding to the concerns, Smita Mohanty, Additional Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, said the government is working to digitise the Harekrushna Mahatab State Library and the Santhakabi Bhim Bhoi Library with support from the National Mission on Libraries. She said students will soon be able to obtain library membership online from any location. Mohanty added that discussions are underway to establish public libraries in all four zones of Bhubaneswar to improve access for students across the city.
