DG Punjab discloses CM’s Punjab’s vision for e-libraries, children’s sections & cultural archives across province

ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP): Director General (DG) Punjab Public Libraries Kashif Manzoor on Sunday disclosed that, under the Punjab Chief Minister Mohtarma Maryum Nawaz Sharif’s vision to embrace the digital era, the province will feature e-libraries, children’s sections, digital preservation of historical texts, and dedicated Jinnah and Iqbal corners.
In an exclusive talk with PTV News, DG said the initiative will digitize significant historical works, establish dedicated corners for Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal, and encourage reading among young people to modernize the system while safeguarding Punjab’s rich heritage.
He stated that the library network will include 500 digital libraries across Punjab, aiming to bring modern learning resources closer to communities and strengthen access to knowledge in the digital era.
He added that children’s libraries are being actively promoted under the chief minister’s initiative, with expansion supported through collaborations with private organizations and volunteers.
Teams fluent in local languages will visit schools to conduct storytelling sessions, fostering a love for reading among students in today’s digital age, he added.
He said that all data, from English, Punjabi, Urdu and other languages, will be preserved online, creating a vast digital archive of the nation’s knowledge and heritage.
He added that over the next three years, this historical material will be fully transferred online, giving every citizen in the country unprecedented access to the country’s literary and cultural treasures.
Talking about accessibility, he said work is underway to introduce Braille resources in libraries. Two libraries have already been inaugurated, and they will feature storytelling sessions on big screens to engage children.
He added that from January to March, book exhibitions and special events will be organized for children with disabilities to encourage reading and make learning more interactive and enjoyable.
Responding to a query, DG said that while a lot has been accomplished, more work is needed, and the government, private sector, and volunteers must join hands to strengthen the reading habit and fully embrace the opportunities of the digital era.
Libraries, he added, should become centers of knowledge, learning, and inspiration for all.
He added that dedicated corners for Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal will be created across Punjab’s libraries, ensuring their legacy continues to inspire generations, while digital resources and modern initiatives transform the libraries into lively hubs of culture, education, and reading.