Union Minister Amit Shah visits INFLIBNET Centre in Gandhinagar, advocating for the digitisation and modernisation of public libraries across Gujarat. He launches a mobile app, promotes unified digital library networks, and stresses youth engagement, rare book preservation, and increased access to academic resources through digital platforms.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday visited the Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre in Gandhinagar, reaffirming the government’s commitment to digitising public library infrastructure and making academic resources more widely accessible. The visit highlighted a major push toward modernising India’s public library system by integrating cutting-edge digital tools and improving outreach, particularly for students and young readers.
During his visit, Shah reviewed the operations of the INFLIBNET Centre, which functions under the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Ministry of Education. Established in 1991, the Centre aims to transform traditional university libraries into modern digital hubs by offering access to a vast array of academic and research materials. Shah’s engagement with the Centre reflects a broader policy initiative to digitise knowledge dissemination and promote inclusive educational development.
A key highlight of Shah’s visit was the launch of the mobile application for Sastu Sahitya Vardhak Karyalaya, a move designed to encourage affordable literary access and stimulate interest in reading, particularly among the youth. Calling himself “a child of the library,” the minister spoke passionately about the pivotal role libraries played in shaping his own educational journey. He asserted that libraries continue to serve as essential tools in nation-building by fostering informed citizenship and critical thinking.
Shah emphasized that modernisation of public libraries must go beyond infrastructure and should include full-scale digital integration. He recommended connecting all public libraries in Gujarat to the INFLIBNET portal, thereby creating a unified digital library network across the state. Such integration, he said, would significantly boost resource sharing and enable even rural users to access high-quality academic content.
The Home Minister praised INFLIBNET’s proposed e-Public Library model, an initiative aimed at creating seamless digital access to books, research papers, and academic tools. Touring the Centre’s Data Centre, Shah provided valuable suggestions for further expansion and improving outreach, particularly in underrepresented regions. He urged INFLIBNET to increase promotion of its digital services to ensure that students, researchers, and the general public across India can fully benefit from its offerings.
Highlighting the need to digitise rare books and manuscripts, Shah also underscored the importance of preserving India’s literary heritage. He encouraged the digitisation of valuable traditional texts housed in public and institutional libraries and stressed the need to rekindle reading habits, especially among younger generations.
Gujarat’s public library ecosystem is both broad and dynamic. According to official data, the state has 3,464 government-run public libraries, which include a state central library and 26 district-level libraries. In addition, there are 3,168 grassroots branch libraries catering to smaller communities. Gujarat’s libraries are not limited to government-run facilities — the Advance Information Network of Libraries in Gujarat (ADINET) connects nearly 2,000 school, college, institutional, and public libraries, playing a crucial role in information dissemination and collaborative learning.
Noteworthy institutions include Surat’s Kavi Narmad Central Library, which houses more than 287,000 books and features specialized sections for children and visually impaired readers. Ahmedabad’s historic M. J. Library, founded in 1938 with support from Mahatma Gandhi, remains a landmark public facility and vibrant intellectual hub. Similarly, Vadodara’s Central Library, with approximately 290,000 volumes, continues to be a cornerstone of academic and public engagement.
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Gujarat began its public library modernisation efforts in the early 2000s under the Gujarat Public Libraries Act (2001). The initiative introduced computerisation and RFID technologies in major libraries and connected many through SOUL software, developed under INFLIBNET’s guidance.
With Amit Shah’s renewed focus and policy advocacy, library services in Gujarat — and potentially across India — are poised for a major transformation. His vision combines preservation of the past with the innovation of the future, ensuring that libraries remain relevant, accessible, and impactful in a digital-first era.
