Bishwo Shahitto Kendro’s mobile library: The quiet pause of a moving legacy

4:30 pm on every Wednesday is the favourite time of the week for Eshita Zaman, a student of Birshreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College. That's when she eagerly waits by her house in Eastern Housing, Darussalam, for the book van from Bishwo Shahitto Kendro to arrive. 

Since 2018, Eshita has been diving into hundreds of books  borrowed from the mobile library. For her, the van isn't just a collection of stories— it's been a cornerstone of her childhood and teenage years, shaping her imagination and the love for reading.

But now, Eshita is heartbroken. Starting next week, the book van will no longer stop in front of her house.

"I have so many cherished memories tied to this mobile library. In fact, I still have the last book I borrowed with me. The officer, who has always been so kind and understanding, would even call me if I missed the scheduled slot to exchange books. When he called last week to say he wouldn't be coming anymore, I was completely taken aback," she shared.

Starting in 1999, the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro mobile library programme has operated for 25 years to enhance the nation's intellectual and cultural capabilities. The programme operates 76 vehicles, serving 3,200 areas nationwide, essentially acting as small libraries. It has approximately 500,000 regular and irregular readers.

However, on December 28, an official press release announced a temporary halt to the programme starting early in the new year.

"We started announcing the news unofficially in early December but only made it official this week. We stretched the announcement till the final hour to figure out if there is something we could do to not pause this," said Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, Joint Director, programme, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro.

Is it a sudden decision?

For the past six years, starting in 2018, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has provided financial assistance to the programme in two-year phases. After completing the first phase, the ministry extended its support twice, each for two years.

The director added that toward the end of the previous government's tenure, it was learned that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs would no longer finance the project. However, under the current government, indications emerged that the ministry might fund the project for another two years.

Amid this uncertainty, it took some time to process the new phase of the project.

"We have around 75 vehicles dedicated to this project. Each van has two staff - one officer and one driver. Overall, it is a big project, with a monthly expenditure nearing Tk1 crore," added Mesbah.

The cost of running such a vast fleet is beyond the financial capacity of the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro alone. Hence, the third phase of the project is set to end on Tuesday, 31 December 2024.

"Staff appointments are based on the project term, and as with previous phases, their employment will end that day. All financial obligations, including four months of additional salary, have been arranged for the staff," said Mesbah.

Although the vehicles and books are owned by the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, funds for staffing and maintenance have to be raised from various sources to sustain the programme.

What lies ahead?

During the conversation, Mesbah shared that they had positive conversations with the interim government and they are hopeful that the programme will restart in a couple of months.

"The paperwork is a lengthy process, and we need some time to complete it. In the meantime, we plan to conduct a thorough audit and maintenance check for the project," he explained.

He also mentioned that most of the library vehicles have already returned to Dhaka for inspection. 

"We intend to perform a quality check on our fleet and reorganise the books to ensure everything is in top condition when we restart," Mesbah added.

Reassuring readers, Mesbah confirmed that no membership cards have been cancelled. 

"Many readers are concerned that the programme might not resume. We're doing our best to alleviate their worries. For those anxious about their deposit money, which ranges from Tk100 to Tk500, we are offering refunds upon request," he said.

The disappointment among the readers and project workers

With its extensive nationwide reach, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro's mobile library programme has built a loyal reader base and zone-wise reading communities. Since the announcement of its temporary suspension, waves of disappointment have rippled through readers and communities across the country.

Many readers have taken to their personal social media accounts and Facebook groups to voice their concerns, expressing heartbreak over the uncertainty surrounding the programme's future.

The unease isn't limited to readers alone. The project staff are equally affected. The possibility of the programme not resuming has sparked anxiety among them. 

On Sunday, 29 December, staff members gathered in front of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro's office to stage a peaceful protest, demanding clarity and reassurance about the project's continuity.

Despite the unrest, efforts are being made to reassure everyone that this is merely a temporary pause.

"This project is very close to our hearts.  Even if we cannot secure funds from the government, or other sponsors, we are committed to continuing the programme with our resources. However, in such a case, we may have to scale down its operations," said Mesbah.