Patna: Village libraries in Bihar were once buzzing spaces where freedom fighters met, ideas were exchanged, and political awareness quietly took root in the years before the country broke free from colonial shackles. Later, they doubled up as centres for adult learning in rural areas. But as govt support dried up, these libraries slowly gathered dust and slipped out of public life.At least during the last three or four decades, their numbers declined from 4,000 to a few hundred in the 21st century.However, thanks to the recent initiatives of the state govt and some people, rural libraries are witnessing a revival. The resurgence of village libraries in Bihar, backed by the panchayati raj system, is transforming rural education by converting traditionally stagnant book depositories into lively community learning hubs. These modern, “out-of-the-box” libraries are now focusing on empowering local unemployed youth through competitive exam preparation, offering an alternative to expensive urban coaching centres.Recognising the fact that many rural aspirants cannot afford to move to cities for coaching, these libraries now offer preparatory materials for SSC, NEET, IAS, PCS, and bank PO exams. Some of these libraries are being established in repurposed buildings, including unused classrooms, Anganwadi centres, and local community spaces.Initiated by the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (JEEViKA) and supported by the World Bank and the state education department, these community libraries and career development centres have so far been established in more than 100 locations in different districts of the state.They are run by “vidya didis” (educated women from the community), whose presence helps create a safe and reassuring atmosphere, especially for rural girls seeking a secure space to study.With a 6,000 seating capacity, these libraries offer free internet, books for Classes VII to XII, and resources for competitive exams. More than one lakh students are enrolled in these libraries, with 63% of them being girls. Most of these rural libraries have digital infrastructure, such as computers, internet access, power backups, and e-learning resources.Deeksha Priyadarshi, mukhiya of Sadisopur panchayat in Patna district, said the recent inauguration of a community library equipped with study materials and a Wi-Fi facility has attracted a large number of village youths. They are visiting the library and preparing for competitive exams, she said.Neetu Kumari, vidya didi of Jeevika Didi Library at Fatuha (Patna district), said a number of students enrolled in local govt schools, who do not have sufficient space to study at home, regularly visit this community library and spend a few hours in self-study there. Some of them also attend online and offline classes. She claimed that the initiative has led to improved academic performance among students.Last year, the state govt approved a Rs 94.5-crore plan to establish digital libraries in all 243 assembly constituencies to provide free, high-speed internet and e-learning tools.Located in Patna district, yet another village library at Amhara village, with 2,000 registered members, features more than 1,200 books and a digital screen, with a seating capacity of 60. “Vidya didis” there help with exam forms and printouts, bridging the rural-urban gap.Yet another initiative, Prayog (Professionals Alliance for Youths’ Growth), is a platform catering to the needs of children from less advantaged communities by filling deficits in infrastructure, health, and education facilities in villages. Set up in a remote village in Gopalganj district, it is currently serving more than 400 children from 12 villages.The Prayog library was set up in an open space in June 2013. On the first day, a mere five students walked in, but within a year, the library became popular and saw a regular footfall of around 400 students.In places like Samastipur and Darbhanga, young professionals and volunteers set up independent libraries during the Covid-19 lockdown to counter declining interest in education and low literacy rates. These libraries often include sports zones, organise exposure trips, and conduct debates, which act as confidence boosters for children.The Purnia district administration took an early initiative to build libraries in every panchayat to curb students’ migration to urban areas and created more than 237 rural panchayat libraries. All these libraries were revived through book donation drives to aid education, said an official of the district education office.
