On April 28, The Daily Star published an editorial titled “Libraries crucial for knowledge-based society”. Libraries are where sources knowledge are stored. A library has the potential to open a world of wisdom for young people, many of whom are vulnerable to becoming addicted to drugs.

They promote knowledge-driven communities, a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision-making, critical thinking and cultural development of an individual or group.

It is disappointing, however, that the number of libraries that we have are insufficient compared to our large population and is yet declining. Reading habit of people, especially those who are young, has declined immensely with the arrival of smartphones and other electronic gadgets. It is important for us, as a society, to build new libraries and rediscover the habit of reading.

Mohib Billah Baschu, By e-mail