Khadi board plans to digitise ‘rare books’

Kolkata: The state government’s department of mass education extension and library services and West Bengal Khadi and Village Industries Board has made their first venture at at the International Kolkata Book Fair by through stalls that educate and inform people about the state libraries.

“We have launched a new website containing details about the programmes being undertaken and various services offered by the department. Also, the present condition and location of the libraries of the state government in different districts have been uploaded on the website with pictures. The phone numbers of officials concerned are also mentioned for the readers’ assistance,” a department official said, adding soon it will digitise all rare books.

The department of mass education extension and library services was separated from the education department in 1988, and since then it has progressed significantly, particularly after the Mamata Banerjee government took control in 2011. The department officials say their aim is to portray a picture of the department that promotes contemporary education system.

WBKVIB is the heritage partner of Publishers and Booksellers Guild, which organises the fair. The board, a statutory body under MSME and textile departments, has been working to revive and promote sitalpati, madur, shalpata plates and other traditional Bengali handicraft items. “We are showcasing and selling our products at a reasonable discount. However, our main effort is to highlight activities of the Khadi Board” an official said.